As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 1998
Registration No. 333-21887
===============================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland 36-3935116
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
incorporation or organization)
311 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 4000
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 344-4300
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
Michael T. Tomasz
President and Chief Executive Officer
First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.
311 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 4000
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 344-4300
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Gerald S. Tanenbaum, Esq.
Roger Andrus, Esq.
Cahill Gordon & Reindel
80 Pine Street
New York, New York 10005
(212) 701-3000
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to
time after the effective date of this registration statement. / /
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box: / /
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box: /X/
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. / /
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. / /
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall
file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement contains a combined prospectus that also relates to 286,356 shares of
Common Stock registered on Form S-3, File No. 333-03999, which was declared
effective on December 13, 1996 and 90,000 shares of Common Stock registered on
Form S-3, File No. 33-95190, which was declared effective on September 8, 1995
(the "Previously Registered Securities"), which have not been offered or sold as
of the date of the filing of this Registration Statement. This Registration
Statement constitutes Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement
File Nos. 333-03999 and 33-95190, pursuant to which the unsold Previously
Registered Securities registered on Registration Statement File No. 333-03999
may be offered and sold as Redemption Shares and the Previously Registered
Securities on Registration Statement No. 33-95190 may be offered and sold as
Option Shares.
Subject to Completion, Dated January 29, 1998
Prospectus
3,471,356 Shares
First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.
Common Stock
This Prospectus relates to (i) the offer and sale from time to time of up
to 3,286,356 shares (the "Redemption Shares") of common stock, par value $.01
per share (the "Common Stock"), of First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (the
"Company") by persons who may receive such shares in exchange for units of
partnership interest (the "Units") in First Industrial, L.P. (the "Operating
Partnership") which have been acquired in connection with acquisitions of
properties by the Operating Partnership and (ii) the possible offer and sale
from time to time of up to 185,000 shares of Common Stock which have been or may
be issued by the Company upon the exercise of outstanding options (the "Option
Shares") by affiliates of the Company (such affiliates, together with holders of
Redemption Shares who may be affiliates, the "Selling Stockholders"). See
"Selling Stockholders." The Company is the sole general partner of the Operating
Partnership. The registration of the Common Stock to which this Prospectus
relates does not necessarily mean that any of such shares will be issued by the
Company or sold by the Selling Stockholders.
The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE")
under the symbol "FR." In order to maintain the Company's qualification as a
real estate investment trust ("REIT"), ownership by any person of the Company's
capital stock is limited, with certain exceptions, to an aggregate of 9.9% in
value of the outstanding capital stock of the Company.
For information concerning risk factors relevant to an investment in the
Common Stock see "Risk Factors" on pages 1 - 6.
The Selling Stockholders from time to time may offer and sell Redemption
Shares or Option Shares held by them directly or through agents or
broker-dealers on terms to be determined at the time of sale. To the extent
required, the names of any agent or broker-dealer and applicable commissions or
discounts and any other required information with respect to any particular
offer will be set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement. See "Plan of
Distribution." Each of the Selling Stockholders reserves the right to accept or
reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of Redemption Shares or
Option Shares to be made directly or through agents.
The Selling Stockholders and any agents or broker-dealers that participate
with the Selling Stockholders in the distribution of Redemption Shares or Option
Shares may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any commissions received by
them and any profit on the sale of Redemption Shares or Option Shares may be
deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMIS-
SION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REP-
RESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of Redemption
Shares or Option Shares by the Selling Stockholders. The Company will receive
aggregate proceeds of up to $5,619,375 upon the issuance of 185,000 Option
Shares for which options have been granted. The Company will bear certain
expenses of the registration of the Redemption Shares and the Option Shares
under federal and state securities laws. The Company will acquire additional
Units in the Operating Partnership in exchange for any Redemption Shares that
the Company may issue to holders of Units.
, 1998
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No dealer, salesperson or other person has been authorized to give any
information or make any representations other than those contained in or
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and any accompanying Prospectus
Supplement and if given or made, such other information or representations must
not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company or by any of the
Selling Stockholders. This Prospectus and any accompanying Prospectus Supplement
do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, to any
person in any jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would be
unlawful. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder
shall, under any circumstances, create an implication that the information
contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date hereof.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company may be examined without
charge at, and copies obtained upon payment of prescribed fees from, the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549 and are also available for inspection and copying at the regional offices
of the Commission located at 7 World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048 and
at Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois
60661-2511. In addition, the Commission maintains a Web site that contains
reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding
registrants that file electronically with the Commission at http://www.sec.gov.
The Common Stock is listed on the NYSE and such material can also be inspected
and copied at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York
10005.
The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 under the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, with respect to the shares of Common Stock offered pursuant to this
Prospectus. This Prospectus, which is part of the Registration Statement, does
not contain all of the information set forth in, or incorporated by reference
into, the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto. For further
information concerning the Company and the Common Stock offered hereby,
reference is made to the Registration Statement. Any statements contained herein
concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete and, in
each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the Commission.
Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents heretofore filed by the Company (File No. 1-13102)
with the Commission are incorporated herein by reference:
(1) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996;
(2) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, as
amended Form 10-Q/A No. 1 filed May 30, 1997;
(3) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997, as
amended by Form 10-Q/A No. 1 filed August 26, 1997;
(4) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
1997;
(4) Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 12, 1997, as amended by Form
8-K/A No. 1 filed April 10, 1997;
(5) Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 13, 1997;
(6) Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 6, 1997;
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(7) Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 15, 1997, as amended by Form
8-K/A No 1 filed September 4, 1997 and Form 8-K/A No. 2 filed October
16, 1997;
(8) Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 11, 1997;
(9) Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 19, 1997;
(10) Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 29, 1997;
(11) Current Report of Form 8-K filed October 21, 1997;
(12) Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 14, 1997;
(13) Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 23, 1997, as amended by Form
8-K/A No. 1 filed January 22, 1998; and
(14) the description of the Common Stock included in the Company's
Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated June 23, 1994 and Form 8-A
filed September 24, 1997.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14, or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to
the termination of the offering of the Common Stock offered hereby shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and made a part hereof
from the date of the filing of such documents. Any statement contained herein or
in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to
the extent that a statement contained herein (in the case of a previously filed
document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein) or in
any other document subsequently filed with the Commission which also is
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus.
The Company will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral
request of such person, a copy of any or all of the information incorporated by
reference herein (not including the exhibits to the information that is
incorporated by reference herein, unless such exhibits are specifically
incorporated by reference into the information that is incorporated by reference
herein). Requests for such copies should be directed to: First Industrial Realty
Trust, Inc., Attn: Investor Relations, 311 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 4000, Chicago,
Illinois 60606, telephone (312) 344-4300.
Certain information, including, but not limited to, information relating
the Company's principal security holders, management, executive compensation,
certain relationships and related transactions and legal proceedings that would
be required to be disclosed in a prospectus included in a registration statement
on Form S-11 has been omitted from this Prospectus, because such information is
not materially different from the information contained in the Company's
periodic reports, proxy statements and other information filed by the Company
with the Commission.
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FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This Prospectus contains certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). The Company intends such
forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for
forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995, and is including this statement for purposes of complying with
these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on
certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of
the Company are generally identifiable by use of the words "believe," "expect,"
"intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project" or similar expressions. The
Company's ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or
strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse
affect on the operations and future prospects of the Company include, but are
not limited to, changes in: economic conditions generally and the real estate
market specifically, legislative/regulatory changes (including changes to laws
governing the taxation of REITs (as hereinafter defined)), availability of
capital, interest rates, competition, supply and demand for industrial
properties in the Company's current and proposed market areas and general
accounting principles, policies and guidelines applicable to REITs. These risks
and uncertainties, together with those stated herein under the caption "Risk
Factors" should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue
reliance should not be placed on such statements.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Available Information................................................... ii
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference......................... ii
Forward-Looking Information............................................. iv
The Company............................................................. 1
Risk Factors............................................................ 1
Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and the Company's
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws............................... 7
Restrictions on Transfers of Capital Stock.............................. 9
Federal Income Tax Considerations....................................... 10
Selling Stockholders.................................................... 13
Plan of Distribution.................................................... 16
Experts................................................................. 17
Legal Matters........................................................... 17
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THE COMPANY
As used herein, the terms "Company" and "First Industrial" refer to First
Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including the Operating
Partnership, First Industrial Financing Partnership, L.P. (the "Financing
Partnership") and First Industrial Pennsylvania, L.P. (the "Pennsylvania
Partnership"), unless the context otherwise requires. Unless otherwise
indicated, all information regarding properties owned by the Company (the
"Properties") is as of September 30, 1997.
The Company is a REIT which owns, manages, acquires and develops bulk
warehouse and light industrial properties. Markets in which the Company
currently operates include the following metropolitan areas: Atlanta, Georgia;
Chicago, Illinois; Cincinnati, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Dayton,
Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; Detroit, Michigan; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Indianapolis,
Indiana; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota; Nashville,
Tennessee; and St. Louis, Missouri, as well as the regional areas of Central
Pennsylvania; Long Island, New York; and New Jersey. As of September 30, 1997,
the Company owned 493 in-service Properties, containing an aggregate of
approximately 41.6 million square feet of gross leasable area ("GLA") which was
approximately 96% leased to over 1,400 tenants. The Company's executive offices
are located at 311 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 4000, Chicago, Illinois 60606, and its
telephone number is (312) 344-4300.
The Company conducts its operations primarily through the Operating
Partnership, of which the Company is the sole general partner and, as of
September 30, 1997 held approximately 87.9% of the outstanding units of
partnership interest.
The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is First Chicago
Trust Company of New York of Chicago, Illinois.
RISK FACTORS
Prospective investors should carefully consider the following factors, in
addition to other matters set forth or incorporated in this Prospectus, prior to
making an investment decision regarding the shares of Common Stock offered
hereby.
Real Estate Investment Considerations
General
Income from real property investments, and the Company's resulting ability
to make expected distributions to stockholders, may be adversely affected by the
general economic climate, local conditions such as oversupply or a reduction in
demand in the area, the attractiveness of the properties to tenants, tenant
defaults, zoning or other regulatory restrictions, competition from other
available real estate, the ability of the Company to provide adequate
maintenance and insurance and increased operating costs (including insurance
premiums and real estate taxes). The Company's income would also be adversely
affected if tenants were unable to pay rent or the Company were unable to rent
properties on favorable terms. In addition, certain expenditures associated with
real estate investment (such as real estate taxes and maintenance costs)
generally are not reduced when circumstances cause a reduction in income from
the investment. Furthermore, real estate investments are relatively illiquid
and, therefore, will tend to limit the ability of the Company to vary its
portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions.
Renewal of Leases and Reletting of Space
The Company will be subject to the risks that, upon expiration of leases,
the leases may not be renewed, the space subject to such leases may not be relet
or the terms of renewal or reletting (including the cost of required
renovations) may be less favorable than expiring lease terms. If the Company
were unable promptly to renew a significant number of expiring leases or
promptly to relet the space covered by such
leases, or if the rental rates upon such renewal or reletting were significantly
lower than the then current rates, the Company's funds from operations and
ability to make expected distributions to stockholders might be adversely
affected. Leases with respect to approximately 6.8 million, 7.4 million and 6.7
million square feet of GLA expire in 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively.
Potential Environmental Liability
Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, an
owner or operator of real estate may be liable for the costs of clean-up of
certain conditions relating to the presence of hazardous or toxic materials on,
in or emanating from the property, and any related damages to natural resources.
Such laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator
knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of hazardous or toxic materials.
The presence of such materials, or the failure to address such conditions
properly, may adversely affect the ability to rent or sell the property or to
borrow using the property as collateral. Persons who dispose of or arrange for
the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic materials may also be liable for
the costs of clean-up of such materials, or for related natural resource
damages, at or from an off-site disposal or treatment facility, whether or not
such facility is owned or operated by such persons. No assurance can be given
that existing environmental assessments with respect to any of the Company's
properties reveal all environmental liabilities, that any prior owner or
operator of any of the properties did not create any material environmental
condition not known to the Company or that a material environmental condition
does not otherwise exist as to any one or more properties.
Limited Geographic Concentration
Approximately 67% of the Properties owned by the Company as of September
30,1997 are located in the midwest region of the United States. A fundamental
element of the Company's growth strategy is to acquire additional properties in
its current markets. Consequently, the Company may be dependent upon the demand
for industrial space in those markets. The Company's revenues and the value of
its properties may be affected by a number of factors in its current markets,
including the local economic climate (which may be adversely impacted by
business layoffs or downsizing, industry slowdowns, changing demographics and
other factors) and local real estate conditions (such as oversupply of, or
reduced demand for, properties). Therefore, the Company's performance and its
ability to make distributions to stockholders will likely be dependent, to a
significant extent, on the economic conditions in its current markets.
Tax Risks
Consequences of Failure to Qualify as a REIT
The Company intends to operate so as to qualify as a REIT under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). Although the Company
believes that it is organized and will operate in a manner so as to qualify as a
REIT, qualification as a REIT involves the satisfaction of numerous requirements
(some of which must be met on a recurring basis) established under highly
technical and complex Code provisions of which there are only limited judicial
or administrative interpretations, and involves the determination of various
factual matters and circumstances not entirely within the Company's control. If
the Company were to fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, the Company
would be subject to federal income tax (including any applicable alternative
minimum tax) on its taxable income at corporate rates and, unless entitled to
relief under certain statutory provisions, the Company also would be
disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years that follow.
See "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations."
Effect of Distribution Requirements
The Company could, in certain instances, have taxable income without
sufficient cash to enable the Company to meet the distribution requirements of
the REIT provisions of the Code. Accordingly, the Company could be required to
borrow funds or sell properties on adverse terms in order to meet such
distribution requirements. In addition, because the Company must distribute to
its stockholders at least 95% of its REIT
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taxable income each year, the Company's ability to accumulate capital may be
limited. Thus, it may be more dependent on outside sources of financing, such as
debt financing or issuances of additional capital stock, in connection with
future acquisitions. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations."
Restrictions on Transfer of Shares
As noted below under "Restrictions on Transfer of Capital Stock," in order
to maintain its qualification as a REIT under the Code, no more than 50% in
value of the outstanding capital stock of the Company may be owned, directly or
indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include
certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year. Accordingly, the
Company's Articles of Incorporation contain provisions restricting the ownership
and transfer of the Company's capital stock.
Risks Associated with Debt Financing and Leverage; Collateralization and
Cross-Collateralization
General
Where possible, the Company intends to continue to use leverage to increase
the rate of return on its investments and to allow the Company to make more
investments than it otherwise could. Such use of leverage presents an additional
element of risk in the event that the cash flow from the Company's properties is
insufficient to meet both debt payment obligations and the distribution
requirements of the REIT provisions of the Code. To the extent the Operating
Partnership determines to obtain additional debt financing in the future, it may
do so through mortgages on some or all of its properties. These mortgages may be
on recourse, non-recourse or cross-collateralized bases. Holders of indebtedness
which is so secured will have a claim against these properties and to the extent
indebtedness is cross-collaterized, lenders may seek to foreclose upon
properties which are not the primary collateral for their loan, which may, in
turn, result in acceleration of other indebtedness secured by properties.
Foreclosure of properties would result in a loss of income and asset value to
the Operating Partnership and the Company.
Balloon Payments
The Company is required to make lump-sum or "balloon" payments pursuant to
the terms of certain of its indebtedness, including the Operating Partnership's:
$100 million aggregate principal amount of 7.15% Notes due 2027 (the "2027
Notes"), $100 million aggregate principal amount of 7 3/8% Notes due 2011 (the
"Trust Notes"), $150 million aggregate principal amount of 7.60% Notes due 2007
(the "2007 Notes"), $50 million aggregate principal amount 6.90% Notes due 2005
(the "2005 Notes"), $150 million aggregate principal amount 7.0% Notes due 2006
(the "2006 Notes"), $100 million aggregate principal amount 7.50% Notes due 2017
(the "2017 Notes"), and a $300 million unsecured revolving credit facility (the
"Acquisition Facility") under which the Company, through the Operating
Partnership may borrow to finance the acquisition of additional properties and
for other corporate purposes, including working capital. The holders of the 2027
Notes have the right to require the Company to redeem through the Operating
Partnership the 2027 Notes, in whole or in part, on May 15, 2002. The trust to
which the Trust Notes were issued must exercise its right to require the
Company, through the Operating Partnership, to redeem the Trust Notes on May 15,
2004 if the holder of a call option with respect to the Trust Notes fails to
give written notice on or before May 1, 2004 that it intends to exercise such
option. The Acquisition Facility provides for the repayment of principal in a
lump-sum or "balloon" payment at maturity in 2001 (subject to successive
one-year extensions at the Operating Partnership's option, subject to certain
conditions). The Company's ability to make required payments of principal on
outstanding indebtedness, whether at maturity or otherwise, may depend on its
ability either to refinance the applicable indebtedness or to sell properties.
The Company has no commitments to refinance the 2005 Notes, the 2006 Notes, the
2007 Notes, the Trust Notes, the 2017 Notes, the 2027 Notes, or the Acquisition
Facility. Certain existing debt obligations of the Company are secured by its
properties, and therefore such obligations will permit the lender to foreclose
on those properties in the event of a default.
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No Limitation on Debt in Organizational Documents
The Company currently has a policy of maintaining a ratio of debt to total
market capitalization (i.e., total consolidated debt of the Company (excluding
the Company's $300 million Mortgage Loan (the "1994 Defeased Mortgage Loan")
which was defeased in April 1997 and subsequently repaid in full in January
1998) as a percentage of the aggregate market value of all outstanding shares of
Common Stock, assuming the exchange of all Units for Common Stock, plus the
aggregate stated value of all outstanding shares of preferred stock, plus total
consolidated debt (excluding the 1994 Defeased Mortgage Loan)) which generally
will not exceed 50% and a coverage ratio (computed as total revenues (excluding
interest income on U.S. government securities collateralizing of the 1994
Defeased Mortgage Loan) minus property expenses and general and administrative
expenses divided by interest expense (excluding interest on the 1994 Defeased
Mortgage Loan accruing after the date of defeasance) plus dividends on preferred
stock) of at least 2.0:1. As of September 30, 1997, the Company's ratio of debt
to total market capitalization was 28.0% and for the twelve months ended
September 30, 1997 the Company's coverage ratio was 2.99. However, the
organizational documents of the Company do not contain any limitation on the
amount or percentage of indebtedness the Company may incur and the Company's
Board of Directors has the power to alter the current policy. Accordingly, the
Company could become more highly leveraged, resulting in an increase in debt
service that could adversely affect the Company's ability to make expected
distributions to stockholders and in an increased risk of default on its
obligations.
Rising Interest Rates
The Acquisition Facility bears interest at a floating rate. Increases in
the interest rate payable on balances outstanding under the Acquisition Facility
would have an adverse effect on the Company's cash available for distribution.
Limits on Changes in Control
Certain provisions of the Articles of Incorporation may have the effect of
delaying, deferring or preventing a third party from making an acquisition
proposal for the Company and thus inhibit a change in control of the Company and
limit the opportunity for stockholders to receive a premium for their Common
Stock over then-prevailing market prices. See "Certain Provisions of Maryland
Law and the Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws." These provisions
include the following: Risks Associated with Preferred Stock
Under its Articles of Incorporation, the Company has authority to issue up
to 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (of which
1,650,000 shares of the Company's Series A Preferred Stock, 40,000 shares of the
Company's Series B Preferred Stock, and 20,000 shares of the Company's Series C
Preferred Stock were outstanding on December 29, 1997), on such terms as may be
authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company. The Board of Directors has
also reserved 1,000,000 shares of Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par
value $.01 per share (the "Junior Participating Preferred Stock"), of the
Company for issuance pursuant to a shareholder rights plan adopted by the Board
of Directors. The shareholder rights plan may discourage a third party from
making an acquisition proposal and thus inhibit a change in control of the
Company.
Maryland Business Combination Law
Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended ("MGCL"), certain
"business combinations" (including certain issuances of equity securities)
between a Maryland corporation, such as the Company, and any person who
beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation's shares
(an "Interested Stockholder") or, in certain circumstances, an associate or an
affiliate thereof (as defined in the MGCL) are prohibited for five years after
the most recent date on which the Interested Stockholder becomes an Interested
Stockholder. Thereafter, any such business combination must be recommended by
the board of
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directors and approved by two super-majority stockholder votes unless, among
other conditions, the corporation's common stockholders receive a minimum price
(as defined in the MGCL) for their shares, in cash or in the same form as
previously paid by the Interested Stockholder for its shares. The provisions of
the MGCL do not apply to business combinations that are approved or exempted by
the Board of Directors prior to the time that the Interested Stockholder becomes
an Interested Stockholder. In addition, the Company's Articles of Incorporation
exempt from these provisions of the MGCL any business combination in which there
is no Interested Stockholder other than Jay H. Shidler, the Chairman of the
Board of Directors of the Company, or any entity controlled by Mr. Shidler,
unless Mr. Shidler is an Interested Stockholder without taking into account Mr.
Shidler's ownership of shares of Common Stock of the Company and the right to
acquire shares in an aggregate amount which does not exceed the number of shares
which Mr. Shidler owned and had the right to acquire (including through the
exchange of Units) at the time of the consummation of the Company's initial
public offering.
Maryland Control Share Acquisition Statute
The MGCL provides that "control shares" of a Maryland corporation 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,
excluding shares owned by the acquiror, by officers of the corporation and by
directors who are also employees of the corporation. If voting rights with
respect to control shares have not been approved at a meeting of stockholders,
then, subject to certain conditions and limitations, the issuer may redeem any
or all of such control shares for fair value. If voting rights for control
shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled
to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may
exercise appraisal rights. The Company's Bylaws contain a provision exempting
any and all acquisitions of the Company's shares of capital stock from the
control shares provisions of the MGCL. There can be no assurance that this
provision will not be amended or eliminated in the future.
Classified Board of Directors
The Company's directors are divided into three classes by its Articles of
Incorporation, with terms expiring over a three-year period. The classified
board provision could make it more difficult and time consuming to remove the
incumbent directors, thus discouraging a third party from attempting to take
control of the Company.
Risks Associated with Dilution
To the extent the Company issues Common Stock, the ownership interest of
existing stockholders would be diluted.
Risks Associated with Possible Conflicts of Interest
Competition from Other Business Interests of Certain Officers and Directors
Entities affiliated with or controlled by certain officers and directors of
the Company hold equity interests in industrial properties not owned by the
Company. Some of these properties may compete with properties owned by the
Company. There can be no assurance that decisions by officers and directors of
the Company will fully represent the interests of stockholders of the Company
rather than such individuals and their affiliates.
Tax Consequences to Certain Officers and Directors
Certain officers and directors of the Company own Units which may be
exchanged for shares of Common Stock. Prior to the exchange of Units for Common
Stock, officers and directors of the Company who own Units may suffer different
and more adverse tax consequences than holders of Common Stock upon the sale of
certain of the Company's properties, the refinancing of debt associated with
those properties or in
-5-
connection with a proposed tender offer or merger involving the Company and,
therefore, such individuals and the Company, as partners in the Operating
Partnership, may have different objectives regarding the appropriate terms of
any such transaction.
Year 2000 Concerns
The Company believes, based on discussions with its current systems'
vendor, that its software applications and operational programs will properly
recognize calendar dates beginning in the Year 2000. In addition, the Company is
discussing with its major vendors and customers the possibility of any interface
difficulties relating to the Year 2000 which may affect the Company. To date, no
significant concerns have been identified; however, there can be no assurance
that there will not be any Year 2000-related operating problems or expenses that
will arise with the Company's computer systems and software or in connection
with the Company's interface with the computer systems and software of the
Company's vendors and customers.
-6-
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND
THE COMPANY'S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS
The following summary of certain provisions of Maryland law and the
Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws does not purport to be complete
and is qualified by reference to Maryland law and the Company's Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws.
Business Combinations
Under the MGCL, certain "business combinations" (including a merger,
consolidation, share exchange or, in certain circumstances, an asset transfer or
issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between a Maryland
corporation and an interested stockholder or, in certain circumstances, an
associate or an affiliate thereof are prohibited for five years after the most
recent date on which the Interested Stockholder became an Interested
Stockholder. Thereafter, any such business combination must be recommended by
the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote
of at least (a) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding
voting shares of the corporation and (b) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be
cast by holders of outstanding shares of the corporation other than shares held
by the Interested Stockholder with whom the business combination is to be
effected, unless, among other things, the corporation's stockholders receive a
minimum price (as defined in the MGCL) for their shares and the consideration is
received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the Interested
Stockholder for its shares. These provisions of Maryland law do not apply,
however, to business combinations that are approved or exempted by the board of
directors of the corporation prior to the time that the Interested Stockholder
becomes an Interested Stockholder. The Articles of Incorporation exempt from
these provisions of the MGCL any business combination in which there is no
Interested Stockholder other than Mr. Shidler or any entity controlled by Mr.
Shidler unless Mr. Shidler is an Interested Stockholder without taking into
account his ownership of shares of the Company's Common Stock and the right to
acquire shares of the Company's Common Stock in an aggregate amount which does
not exceed the number of shares of the Company's Common Stock which he owned and
had the right to acquire (including through the exchange of Units) at the time
of the consummation of the Company's initial public offering.
Control Share Acquisitions
The MGCL provides that "control shares" of a Maryland corporation 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,
excluding shares of stock owned by the acquiror or by officers or directors who
are employees of the corporation. "Control shares" are voting shares of stock
that, if aggregated with all other shares of stock previously acquired by that
person, would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing
directors within one of the following ranges of voting power; (i) one-fifth or
more but less than one-third, (ii) one-third or more but less than a majority,
or (iii) a majority of all voting power. Control shares do not include shares
the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously
obtained stockholder approval. A "control share acquisition" means the
acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.
A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may
compel the board of directors, upon satisfaction of certain conditions
(including an undertaking to pay expense), to call a special meeting of
stockholders 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 corporation may itself
present the question at any stockholders 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 statute, then
subject to certain conditions and limitations, the corporation 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 voting rights, as of
the date of the last control share acquisition or of any meeting of stockholders
at which the voting rights of such shares are considered and not approved. If
voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the
acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all
other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights.
-7-
The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of the appraisal rights
may not be less than the highest price per share paid in the control share
acquisition. Certain limitations and restrictions otherwise applicable to the
exercise of dissenters' rights do not apply in the context of a control share
acquisition.
The control share acquisition statute does not apply to (i) shares acquired
in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to
the transaction, or (ii) acquisitions approved or exempted by the Company's
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws.
The Company's Bylaws contain a provision exempting any and all acquisitions
of the Company's shares of capital stock from the control shares provisions of
the MGCL. There can be no assurance that this provision will not be amended or
eliminated in the future.
Amendment of Articles of Incorporation
The Company's Articles of Incorporation, including its provisions on
classification of the Board of Directors (discussed below), may be amended only
by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of all of the
votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Meetings of Stockholders
The Company's Bylaws provide for annual meetings of stockholders to be held
on the third Wednesday in April or on any other day as may be established from
time to time by the Board of Directors. Special meetings of stockholders may be
called by (i) the Company's Chairman of the Board of the Company's President,
(ii) a majority of the Board of Directors or (iii) stockholders holding at least
25% of the outstanding capital stock of the Company entitled to vote at the
meeting.
The Company's Bylaws provide that any stockholder of record wishing to
nominate a director or have a stockholder proposal considered at an annual
meeting must provide written notice and certain supporting documentation to the
Company relating to the nomination or proposal not less than 75 days nor more
than 180 days prior to the anniversary date of the prior year's annual meeting
or special meeting in lieu thereof (the "Anniversary Date"). In the event that
the annual meeting is called for a date more than seven calendar days before the
Anniversary Date, stockholders generally must provide written notice within 20
calendar days after the date on which notice of the meeting is mailed to
stockholders or the date of the meeting is publicly disclosed.
The purpose of requiring stockholders to give the Company advance notice of
nominations and other business is to afford the Board of Directors a meaningful
opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees or the
advisability of the other proposed business and, to the extent deemed necessary
or desirable by the Board of Directors, to inform stockholders and make
recommendations about the qualifications or business, as well as to provide a
more orderly procedure for conducting meetings of stockholders. Although the
Company's Bylaws do not give the Board of Directors any power to disapprove
stockholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals for action,
they may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors
or the consideration of stockholder proposals if the proper procedures are not
followed, and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a
solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its
own proposal, without regard to whether consideration of the nominees or
proposal might be harmful or beneficial to the Company and its stockholders.
Classification of the Board of Directors
The Company's Bylaws provide that the number of directors of the Company
may be established by the Board of Directors but may not be fewer than the
minimum number required by Maryland law nor more than twelve. Any vacancy will
be filled, at any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that
purpose, by a majority of the remaining directors, except that a vacancy
resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be filled by a
majority of the entire Board of Directors. Pursuant to the terms of the Articles
-8-
of Incorporation, the directors are divided into three classes. One class holds
office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in
1998, and the other two classes hold office for terms expiring at the annual
meetings of stockholders to be held in 1999 and 2000, respectively. As the term
of each class expires, directors in that class will be elected for a term of
three years and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The
Company believes that classification of the Board of Directors will help to
assure the continuity and stability of the Company's business strategies and
policies as determined by the Board of Directors.
The classified board provision could have the effect of making the removal
of incumbent directors more time consuming and difficult, which could discourage
a third party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain
control of the Company, even though such an attempt might be beneficial to the
Company and its stockholders. At least two annual meetings of stockholders,
instead of one, will generally be required to effect a change in a majority of
the Board of Directors. Thus, the classified board provision could increase the
likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their positions. Holders of
shares of Common Stock will have no right to cumulative voting for the election
of directors. Consequently, at each annual meeting of stockholders, the holders
of a majority of the shares of Common Stock will be able to elect all of the
successors of the class of directors whose term expires at that meeting.
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERS OF CAPITAL STOCK
For the Company to qualify as a REIT under the Code, among other things,
not more than 50% in value of its outstanding capital stock may be owned,
directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to
include certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year, and such
capital stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least
335 days of a taxable year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a
shorter tax year. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations." To ensure
that the Company remains a qualified REIT, the Company's Articles of
Incorporation, subject to certain exceptions, provide that no holder may own, or
be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code, more than
an aggregate of 9.9% in value of the Company's capital stock. Any transfer of
capital stock or any security convertible into capital stock that would create a
direct or indirect ownership of capital stock in excess of the ownership limit
or that would result in the disqualification of the Company as a REIT, including
any transfer that results in the capital stock being owned by fewer than 100
persons or results in the Company being "closely held" within the meaning of
Section 856(h) of the Code, shall be null and void, and the intended transferee
will acquire no rights to the capital stock. Capital stock owned, or deemed to
be owned, or transferred to a stockholder in excess of the ownership limit will
automatically be exchanged for shares of Excess Stock (as defined in the
Company's Articles of Incorporation) that will be transferred, by operation of
law, to the Company as trustee of a trust for the exclusive benefit of the
transferees to whom such capital stock may be ultimately transferred without
violating the ownership limit. While the Excess Stock is held in trust, it will
not be entitled to vote, it will not be considered for purposes of any
stockholder vote or the determination of a quorum for such vote, and it will not
be entitled to participate in the accumulation or payment of dividends or other
distributions. A transferee of Excess Stock may, at any time such Excess Stock
is held by the Company in trust, designate as beneficiary of the transferee
stockholder's interest in the trust representing the Excess Stock any individual
whose ownership of the capital stock exchanged into such Excess Stock would be
permitted under the ownership limit, and may transfer such interest to such
beneficiary at a price not in excess of the price paid by the original
transferee-stockholder for the capital stock that was exchanged into Excess
Stock. Immediately upon the transfer to the permitted beneficiary, the Excess
Stock will automatically be exchanged for capital stock of the class from which
it was converted. In addition, the Company will have the right, for a period of
90 days during the time any Excess Stock is held by the Company in trust, and,
with respect to Excess Stock resulting from the attempted transfer of preferred
stock of the Company, at any time when any outstanding shares of preferred stock
of such series are being redeemed, to purchase all or any portion of the Excess
Stock from the original transferee-stockholder at the lesser of the price paid
for the capital stock by the original transferee-stockholder and the market
price (as determined in the manner set forth in the Articles of Incorporation)
of the capital stock on the date the Company exercises its option to purchase
or, in the case of a purchase of Excess Stock attributed to preferred stock
which has been called for redemption, at its stated value, plus all accumulated
and unpaid dividends to the date of redemption. The 90-day period begins on the
date of the violative transfer if the original transferee-stockholder gives
notice to the Company of the transfer
-9-
or, if no such notice is given, the date the Board of Directors determines that
a violative transfer has been made.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
This section is a summary of the material federal income tax matters of
general application pertaining to REITs under the Code. The discussion is based
on current law and does not purport to deal with all aspects of federal income
taxation that may be relevant to investors subject to special treatment under
the federal income tax laws, such as tax-exempt investors, dealers in securities
or foreign persons. The provisions of the Code pertaining to REITs are highly
technical and complex and sometimes involve mixed questions of fact and law. In
addition, this section does not discuss foreign, state or local taxation. The
Company has received an opinion from Cahill Gordon & Reindel as to the
conclusions of law expressed in this summary. Prospective investors should
consult their own tax advisors regarding the federal, state, local, foreign and
other tax consequences specific to them of holding and disposing of the Common
Stock.
Taxation of the Company
In the opinion of Cahill Gordon & Reindel, commencing with its taxable year
ended December 31, 1994, the Company has been organized in conformity with the
requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, the Company's method of
operation has enabled it to meet the requirements for qualification as a REIT
under the Code, and, provided that the Company continues to satisfy the various
requirements applicable under the Code to REITs, as described herein, it will
continue to so qualify. Cahill Gordon & Reindel's opinion is based on various
assumptions and is conditioned upon certain representations as to factual
matters made by the Company and certain partnerships through which the Company
holds substantially all of its assets (the "Partnerships"). Moreover, such
qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon the Company's ability to meet,
as a matter of facts, through actual annual operating results, distribution
levels, diversity of stock ownership and various other qualification tests
imposed under the Code discussed below, the results of which will not be
reviewed by Cahill Gordon & Reindel. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that
the actual results of the Company's operations for any one taxable year will
satisfy such requirements.
To qualify as a REIT under the Code for a taxable year, the Company must
meet certain organizational and operational requirements, which generally
require it to be a passive investor in operating real estate and to avoid
excessive concentration of ownership of its capital stock. Initially, its
principal activities must be related to real estate. Generally, at least 75% of
the value of the total assets of the Company at the end of each calendar quarter
must consist of real estate assets, cash or governmental securities. The Company
may not own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any
corporation and the value of any one issuer's securities may not exceed 5% of
the Company's gross assets; shares of qualified REITs, qualified temporary
investments and shares of certain wholly owned subsidiary corporations are
exempt from these prohibitions. The Company holds assets through certain wholly
owned subsidiary corporations and holds Preferred Stock interests in certain
corporations; in the opinion of Cahill Gordon & Reindel, based on certain
factual representations, these holdings do not violate the prohibition on
ownership of voting securities. Additionally, gross income from the sale or
other disposition of stock and securities held for less than one year and of
real property held for less than four years must constitute less than 30% of the
gross income for each taxable year of a REIT. For each taxable year, at least
75% of a REIT's gross income must be derived from specified real estate sources
and 95% must be derived from such real estate sources plus certain other
permitted sources. Real estate income for purposes of these requirements
includes gain from the sale of real property not held primarily for sale to
customers in the ordinary course of business, dividends on REIT shares, interest
on loans secured by mortgages on real property, certain rents from real property
and income from foreclosure property. For rents to qualify, they may not be
based on the income or profits of any person, except that they may be based on a
percentage or percentages of gross income or receipts, and, subject to certain
limited exceptions, the REIT may not manage the property or furnish services to
tenants except through an independent contractor which is paid an arm's-length
fee and from which the REIT derives no income. Substantially all of the
Company's assets are held through the Partnerships. In general, in the case of a
REIT that is a partner in a part-
-10-
nership, applicable regulations treat the REIT as holding directly its
proportionate share of the assets of the partnership and as being entitled to
the income of the partnership attributable to such share.
The Company must satisfy certain ownership restrictions that limit (i)
concentration of ownership of the Company's capital stock by a few individuals
and (ii) ownership by the Company of its tenants. The outstanding capital stock
of the Company must be held by at least 100 stockholders. No more than 50% in
value of the outstanding capital stock, including in some circumstances capital
stock into which outstanding securities might be converted, may be owned
actually or constructively by five or fewer individuals or certain other
entities at any time during the last half of the Company's taxable year.
Accordingly, the Company's Articles of Incorporation contain certain
restrictions regarding the transfer of Common Stock, Preferred Stock and any
other outstanding securities convertible into Common Stock when necessary to
maintain the Company's qualification as a REIT under the Code. However, because
the Code imposes broad attribution rules in determining constructive ownership,
no assurance can be given that the restrictions contained in the Company's
Articles of Incorporation will be effective in maintaining the Company's REIT
status. See "Restrictions on Transfers of Capital Stock."
So long as the Company qualifies for taxation as a REIT and distributes at
least 95% of its REIT taxable income (computed without regard to net capital
gain or the dividends paid deduction) for its taxable year to its stockholders
annually, the Company itself will not be subject to federal income tax on that
portion of such income distributed to stockholders. The Company will be taxed at
regular corporate rates on all income not distributed to stockholders. The
Company's policy is to distribute at least 95% of its taxable income. REITs also
may incur taxes for certain other activities or to the extent distributions do
not satisfy certain other requirements.
Failure of the Company to qualify during any taxable year as a REIT could,
unless certain relief provisions were available, have a material adverse effect
upon its stockholders. If disqualified for taxation as a REIT for a taxable
year, the Company also would be disqualified for taxation as a REIT for the next
four taxable years, unless the failure were considered to be due to reasonable
cause and not willful neglect. The Company would be subject to federal income
tax at corporate rates on all of its taxable income and would not be able to
deduct any dividends paid, which could result in a discontinuation of or
substantial reduction in dividends to stockholders. Dividends also would be
subject to the regular tax rules applicable to dividends received by
stockholders of corporations. Should the failure to qualify as a REIT be
determined to have occurred retroactively in an earlier tax year of the Company,
the imposition of a substantial federal income tax liability on the Company
attributable to any nonqualifying tax years may adversely affect the Company's
ability to pay dividends. In the event that the Company fails to meet certain
income tests applicable to REITs, it may, generally, nonetheless retain its
qualification as a REIT if it pays a 100% tax on the amount by which it failed
to meet the relevant income test so long as such failure was considered to be
due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect. Any such taxes would adversely
affect the Company's ability to pay dividends and distributions.
The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (the "1997 Act") modified many of the
provisions relating to the requirements for qualification as, and the taxation
of, a REIT. Among other things, the 1997 Act (i) replaces the rule that
disqualifies a REIT for any year in which the REIT fails to comply with Treasury
regulations to ascertain its ownership with an intermediate penalty for failing
to do so; (ii) permits a REIT to render a de minimis amount of impermissible
services to tenants, or in connection with the management of property, and still
treat amounts received with respect to that property as rents from real
property; (iii) permits a REIT to elect to retain and pay income tax on net
long-term capital gain; (iv) repeals a rule that required that less than 30% of
a REIT's gross income must be derived from gain from the sale or other
disposition of stock or securities held for less than one year, certain real
property held for less than four years and property that is sold or disposed of
in a prohibited transaction; (v) lengthens the original grace period for
foreclosure property from two years after the REIT acquires the property to a
period ending on the last day of the third full taxable year following the
taxable year in which the property was acquired; (vi) treats income from all
hedges that reduce the interest rate risk of REIT liabilities (rather than just
interest rate swaps and caps) as qualifying income under the 95% gross income
test; and (vii) permits any corporation wholly owned by a REIT to be treated as
a
-11-
qualified REIT subsidiary, regardless of whether the corporation has always been
owned by the REIT. These changes are effective for taxable years beginning after
the date of enactment.
-12-
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The Selling Stockholders are those persons who (i) may receive Redemption
Shares in exchange for Units and (ii) have received, or may receive, Option
Shares upon options granted to them under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan (the
"1997 Plan") or the 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1994 Plan"). Certain of the
Selling Stockholders have received Units in the Operating Partnership in
connection with the contribution of properties, or interests therein, to the
Operating Partnership; as of December 15, 1997, none of the Units has been
exchanged for Redemption Shares. Persons who receive Option Shares and who are
not now or at the time of sale thereof Affiliates are not considered "Selling
Stockholders" because resale by them of any Option Shares will not be restricted
under the Securities Act. The following table provides, as of December 29, 1997,
unless otherwise indicated, the names of and the number of Redemption Shares or
Option Shares offered hereby by each Selling Stockholder. As the Selling
Stockholders may sell all, some or none of their Redemption Shares or Option
Shares, no estimate can be made of the aggregate number of Redemption Shares or
Option Shares that are to be offered hereby, or the aggregate number of shares
of Common Stock that will be owned by each Selling Stockholder upon completion
of the offering to which this Prospectus relates. The number of shares in the
column "Number of Shares Offered Hereby" includes the number of Option Shares
which the Selling Stockholder may receive upon exercise of Options. Amounts
shown in the "Number of Shares of Common Stock Owned Before the Offering"
represents the number of securities shown in the column "Number of Shares
Offered Hereby" plus shares of Common Stock and options to acquire Common Stock
held by the Selling Stockholders that are not covered by the registration
statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
The Redemption Shares and Option Shares offered by this Prospectus may be
offered from time to time by the Selling Stockholders named below:
Number of Shares of Common Stock Number of Shares Offered
Name Owned Before the Offering Hereby
- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- ---------------------------
Draizin Family Partnership L.P. 357,896 (1) 357,896
Fourbur Family Co. L.P 620,273 (1)(2) 620,273
Jernie Holdings Corp. 180,499 (1) 180,499
Jerome Lazarus 18,653 (1) 18,653
Constance Lazarus 417,961 (1) 417,961
Joseph Dresner 149,531 (3) 149,531
The Milton Dresner Revocable Trust dated
October 22, 1976 149,531 (3) 149,531
The Jack Friedman Revocable Living Trust dated
March 23, 1978 26,005 (3) 26,005
R.C.P. Associates 3,060 (4) 3,060
The Worlds Fair V Associates 3,340 (4) 3,340
The Worlds Fair 25 Associates 13,677 (4) 13,677
The Worlds Fair Office Associates 3,343 (4) 3,343
Gamma Three Associates Limited Partnership 3,338 (4) 3,338
Ethel Road Associates 29,511 (4) 29,511
Jayeff Associates Limited Partnership 16,249 (4) 16,249
Suburban Roseland Associates 3,002 (4) 3,002
Worlds Fair Associates 6,134 (4) 6,134
New Land Associates Limited Partnership 1,664 (4) 1,664
Worlds Fair Partners, L.P. 1,664 (4) 1,664
South Broad Company 72,421 (5) 72,421
Montrose Kennedy Associates 4,874 (6) 4,874
South Gold Company 53,000 (7) 53,000
Worlds Fair III Associates 14,094 (7) 14,094
Van Brunt Associates 39,370 (8) 39,370
-13-
Number of Shares of Common Stock Number of Shares Offered
Name Owned Before the Offering Hereby
- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- ---------------------------
Princeton South at Lawrenceville One 4,426 (9) 4,426
Princeton South at Lawrenceville, L.L.C 4,692 (9) 4,692
Malcolm Properties, L.L.C. 25,342 (10) 25,342
RJB Ford City Limited Partnership 158,438 (11) 158,438
RJB II Limited Partnership 40,788 (12) 40,788
Charles T. Andrews 754 (13) 754
Internal Investment Company 3,016 (13) 3,016
R. Craig Martin 754 (13) 754
Dean A. Nachtigall 10,076 (13) 10,076
Michael T. Tomasz (14) 414,795 60,000*
Michael W. Brennan (15) 211,727 45,000**
Michael J. Havala (16) 139,298 30,000*
Johannson L. Yap (17) 94,130 30,000**
Anthony Muscatello (18) 154,986 20,000**
LGR Investment Fund 22,556 (19) 22,556
Other Selling Stockholders, as a group 826,424 (20) 826,824 (20)
- -----------------
* All of the shares offered hereby are Option Shares to be issued pursuant to
the 1994 Plan upon the exercise of options relating thereto.
** All of the shares offered hereby are Option Shares to be issued pursuant to
the 1997 Plan upon the exercise of options relating thereto.
(1) Represents shares of Common Stock that may be received in exchange for
Units which were issued as consideration for the contribution of certain
real estate to the Company on January 31, 1997.
(2) Jan Burman, a Senior Regional Director of the Company, is the General
Partner of Fourbur Family Co. L.P.
(3) Represents shares of Common Stock that may be received in exchange for
Units which were issued as consideration for the contribution of certain
real estate to the Company on November 14, 1996.
(4) Represents shares of Common Stock that may be received in exchange for
Units which were issued as consideration for the contribution of certain
real estate to the Company on June 30, 1997.
(5) Represents (i) 22,534 shares of Common Stock that may be received in
exchange for Units issued as consideration for the contribution of real
estate to the Company on June 30, 1997 and (ii) 49,887 shares of Common
Stock that may be received in exchange for Units which were issued as
consideration for the contribution of certain real estate to the Company on
August 29, 1997.
(6) Represents shares of Common Stock that may be received in exchange for
Units which were issued as consideration for the contribution of certain
real estate to the Company July 18, 1997.
(7) Represents shares of Common Stock that may be received in exchange for
Units which were issued as consideration for the contribution of certain
real estate to the Company July 31, 1997.
(8) Represents shares of Common Stock that may be received in exchange for
Units which were issued as consideration for the contribution of certain
real estate to the Company on August 1, 1997.
(9) Represents shares of Common Stock that may be received in exchange for
Units which were issued as consideration for the contribution of certain
real estate to the Company on August 29, 1997.
(10) Represents shares of Common Stock that may be received in exchange for
Units which were issued as consideration for the contribution of certain
real estate to the Company on June 20, 1997.
(11) Represents shares of Common Stock that may be received in exchange for
Units which were issued as consideration for the contribution of certain
real estate to the Company on October 8, 1997.
(12) Represents shares of Common Stock that may be received in exchange for
Units which were issued as consideration for the contribution of certain
real estate to the Company on October 7, 1997.
(13) Represents shares of Common Stock that may be received in exchange for
Units which were issued as consideration for the contribution of certain
real estate to the Company on March 17, 1997.
(14) Mr. Tomasz is President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the
Company. Represents the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned
as of January 27, 1998.
(15) Mr. Brennan is Chief Operating Officer and a Director of the Company.
Represents the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned as of
January 27, 1998.
(16) Mr. Havala is Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of the
Company.
(17) Mr. Yap is Chief Investment Officer of the Company. Represents the number
of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned as of January 27, 1998.
(18) Mr. Muscatello is President of FI Development Service Corporation.
-14-
(19) Represents shares of Common Stock that may be received in exchange for
Units which were issued as consideration for the contribution of certain
real estate to the Company on July 24, 1996.
(20) These Redemption Shares may be offered pursuant to this Prospectus by
persons acquiring Units prior to the date of this Prospectus that have the
right to require the Company to register such Redemption Shares pursuant to
the Securities Act within the next two years. Such persons will be
identified in a prospectus supplement to this Prospectus.
-15-
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
This Prospectus relates to the offer and sale from time to time of (i)
Redemption Shares and (ii) the possible offer and sale from time to time by
Affiliates of any Option Shares that have been or may be issued to such
Affiliates. The Company is registering the Redemption Shares and the Option
Shares for sale to provide the holders thereof with freely tradable securities,
but the registration of such shares does not necessarily mean that any of such
shares will be issued by the Company or offered or sold by the Selling
Stockholders.
The Company will not receive any proceeds from the offering by the Selling
Stockholders of Redemption Shares. The Company will receive aggregate proceeds
of up to $5,619,375 upon the issuance of 185,000 Option Shares for which options
have been granted and a presently undeterminable amount of proceeds upon the
issuance of the balance of the Option Shares which may be offered hereby.
The Selling Stockholders may from time to time offer the Redemption Shares
and/or Option Shares in one or more transactions (which may involve block
transactions) on the NYSE or otherwise, in special offerings, exchange
distributions or secondary distributions pursuant to and in accordance with the
rules of the NYSE, in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions,
through the writing of options on the Redemption Shares and/or Option Shares
(whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise), or a
combination of such methods of sale, at market prices prevailing at the time of
sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated
prices.
The Selling Stockholders may effect such transactions by selling Redemption
Shares and/or Option Shares to or through broker-dealers or through other
agents, and such broker-dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form
of commissions from the Selling Stockholders, which will not exceed those
customary in the types of transactions involved, and/or the purchasers of
Redemption Shares or Option Shares for whom they may act as agent. The Selling
Stockholders and any dealers or agents that participate in the distribution of
Redemption Shares and/or Option Shares may be deemed to be "underwriters" within
the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on the sale of Redemption
Shares or Option Shares by them and any commissions received by any such dealers
or agents might be deemed to be underwriting commissions under the Securities
Act.
In the event of a "distribution" of the shares, Selling Stockholders, any
selling broker-dealer or agent and any "affiliated purchasers" may be subject to
Regulation M under the Exchange Act, which would prohibit, with certain
exceptions, each such person from bidding for or purchasing any security which
is the subject of such distribution until his participation in that distribution
is completed. In addition, Regulation M under the Exchange Act prohibits certain
"stabilizing bids" or "stabilizing purchases" for the purpose of pegging, fixing
or stabilizing the price of Common Stock in connection with this offering.
At a time a particular offer of Redemption Shares or Option Shares is made,
a Prospectus Supplement, if required, will be distributed that will set forth
the name or names of any dealers or agents and any commissions and other terms
constituting compensation from the Selling Stockholders and any other required
information. The Redemption Shares and Option Shares may be sold from time to
time at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices.
In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if
applicable, the Redemption Shares and Option Shares, may be sold only through
registered or licensed brokers or dealers or, if required, an exemption from
issuer-dealer registration is perfected.
The Company may from time to time issue up to 3,286,356 Redemption Shares
upon the acquisition of the Units tendered for redemption. The Company will
acquire one Unit from a Selling Stockholder in exchange for each Redemption
Share that the Company issues in connection with these acquisitions.
Consequently, with each redemption, the Company's interest in the Operating
Partnership will increase.
-16-
Pursuant to various registration rights agreements for the benefit of
certain holders of Units, the Company has agreed to pay all expenses of
effecting the registration of the 3,286,356 Redemption Shares offered hereby and
has also agreed to pay all expenses of effecting the registration of the 185,000
Option Shares (in each case other than underwriting discounts and commissions,
fees and disbursements of counsel, accountants or others representing the
limited partner and transfer taxes, if any) and has agreed to indemnify each
holder of such Redemption Shares and its officers and directors and any person
who controls any holder against certain losses, claims, damages and expenses
arising under the securities laws.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and schedule thereto of the Company and the
Contributing Businesses, the financial statements of the Acquisition Properties
(as defined in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 12,
1997), the financial statements of the Lazarus Burman Properties (as defined in
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 12, 1997, as amended by
Form 8-K/A No. 1 filed April 10, 1997), the financial statements of the Punia
Acquisition Properties (as defined in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
filed July 15, 1997 as amended by Form 8-K/A No. 1 filed September 4, 1997), the
financial statements of the 1997 Acquisition I Properties (as defined in the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 15, 1997 as amended by Form
8-K/A No. 2 filed October 16, 1997), the financial statements of the Sealy
Acquisition Properties, the 1997 Acquisition III Properties and the Pacifica
Acquisition Properties (as individually defined in the Company's Current Report
on Form 8-K filed November 14, 1997), and the financial statements of the 1997
Acquisition V Properties, the 1997 Acquisition VI Properties, and the 1997
Acquisition VII Properties (as individually defined in the Company's Current
Report on Form 8-K filed December 23, 1997 as amended by Form 8-K/A No. 1 filed
January 22, 1998) each incorporated by reference in this Prospectus or elsewhere
in the Registration Statement, to the extent and for the periods indicated in
their reports, have been audited by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent
accountants, and are incorporated herein in reliance on the reports of Coopers &
Lybrand L.L.P. given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the Company by Cahill Gordon
& Reindel (a partnership including a professional corporation), New York, New
York. Cahill Gordon & Reindel will rely as to all matters of Maryland law on the
opinion of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P., Baltimore, Maryland.
-17-
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses in connection with
the issuance and distribution of the securities registered hereby, which will be
borne by the Company:
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee....... $30,078
NYSE fee.................................................. 3,500
Legal fees and expenses................................... 55,000
Accounting fees and expenses.............................. 5,000
------
Total..................................................... $ 93,578
========
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws provide certain
limitations on the liability of the Company's Directors and officers for
monetary damages to the Company. The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
obligate the Company to indemnify its Directors and officers, and permit the
Company to indemnify its employees and other agents, against certain liabilities
incurred in connection with their service in such capacities. These provisions
could reduce the legal remedies available to the Company and its stockholders
against these individuals. The provisions of Maryland law provide for the
indemnification of officers and directors of a company under certain
circumstances.
Item 16. Exhibits.
Exhibit
Number Description
5+ Opinion of Cahill Gordon & Reindel, counsel to the Registrant, as to
the legality of the securities being registered, together with the
opinion of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P.
8+ Opinion of Cahill Gordon & Reindel, counsel to the Registrant, as to
certain tax matters.
23.1+ Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
23.2* Consent of Cahill Gordon & Reindel (included in Exhibit 5 and
Exhibit 8).
23.3* Consent of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P. (included in
Exhibit 5).
24* Powers of Attorney (included on page II-5).
- -----------------------
+ Filed herewith.
* Previously filed.
II-1
Item 17. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the
Securities Act of 1933, if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume
and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate
offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee"
table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) herein do not
apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective
amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with
or furnished to the Commission by the undersigned registrant pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference in the registration statement;
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
(b) The registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of
an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference
in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering
of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions
described under Item 15 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been
advised that in the
II-2
opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or
controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,
the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the manner
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by
it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933
and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
II-3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 3 to
this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, on January
29, 1998.
FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.
By: /s/ Michael J. Havala
---------------------------------
Name: Michael J. Havala
Title: Chief Financial Officer
II-4
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
No. 3 to this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in
the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature Title Date
* Principal Executive January 29, 1998
- ---------------------------------------- Officer and Director
Michael T. Tomasz
* Principal Financial and January 29, 1998
- ---------------------------------------- Accounting Officer
Michael J. Havala
* Director January 29, 1998
- ----------------------------------------
Michael W. Brennan
* Director January 29, 1998
- ----------------------------------------
Michael G. Damone
* Director January 29, 1998
- ----------------------------------------
Kevin W. Lynch
* Director January 29, 1998
- ----------------------------------------
John E. Rau
* Chairman of the Board of January 29, 1998
- ---------------------------------------- Directors
Jay H. Shidler
* Director January 29, 1998
- ----------------------------------------
Robert J. Slater
* Director January 29, 1998
- ----------------------------------------
J. Steven Wilson
* By: /s/ Michael J. Havala
----------------------------------
Michael J. Havala
Attorney-in-Fact
II-5
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number Description Page
- ------ ----------- ----
5+ Opinion of Cahill Gordon & Reindel, counsel to the Registrant,
as to the legality of the securities being registered, together
with the opinion of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe,
L.L.P.
8+ Opinion of Cahill Gordon & Reindel, counsel to the Registrant,
as to certain tax matters.
23.1+ Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
23.2* Consent of Cahill Gordon & Reindel (included in Exhibit 5
and Exhibit 8).
23.3* Consent of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P. (included
in Exhibit 5).
24* Powers of Attorney (included on page II-5).
- ------------------------
+ Filed herewith.
* Previously filed.
Exhibit 5
[LETTERHEAD OF CAHILL GORDON & REINDEL]
January 29, 1998
(212) 701-3000
First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.
311 S. Wacker Drive
Suite 4000
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This opinion is being rendered in connection with the registration
statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-21887) (the "Registration Statement") filed by
First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Company"),
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") for registration
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of (i)
3,000,000 shares (the "Redemption Shares") of common stock of the Company, par
value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock") that may be issued in exchange for
units of partnership interest in First Industrial, L.P., and (ii) 95,000 shares
of Common Stock (the "Option Shares") which have been or may be issued by the
Company upon the exercise of outstanding options.
In connection therewith, we have examined, among other things, originals or
copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, each as
amended to date, resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company with
respect to the filing of the Registration Statement and such other documents as
we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purpose of rendering this
opinion.
In our examination of documents, instruments and other papers, we have
assumed the genuineness of all signatures on original and certified documents
and the conformity to original and certified documents of all copies submitted
to us as conformed photostatic or other copies. As to matters of fact, we have
relied upon representations of officers of the Company.
Based upon the foregoing examination, information supplied and assumptions,
it is our opinion that (i) when issued as described in the Registration
Statement, consistent with those certain authorizing resolutions set forth in
the minutes of a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board")
held on December 3, 1996 (the "Authorizing Resolution"), and upon receipt by the
Company of the consideration provided for in such Authorizing Resolution, the
Redemption Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable shares of Common Stock, and (ii) when specifically authorized for
issuance by the Board or a duly authorized committee to the holders of certain
outstanding options in accordance with the Registration Statement, consistent
with the terms of the appropriate stock incentive plan, and paid for in
accordance therewith and with all applicable authorizing resolutions of the
Board or an authorized committee thereof, the Option Shares will be duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
We are attorneys admitted to practice in the State of New York. We express
no opinion concerning the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the
United States of America and the State of New York. With respect to matters of
Maryland law, we have relied, without independent investigation, upon the
opinion of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P., a copy of which is attached
hereto.
We hereby consent to the reference to our firm in the Registration
Statement under the caption "Legal Matters," and to the inclusion of this
opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. Our consent to such
reference does not constitute a consent under Section 7 of the Securities Act as
in consenting to such reference we have not certified any part of the
Registration Statement and do not otherwise come within the categories of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 or under the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ CAHILL GORDON & REINDEL
Cahill Gordon & Reindel
[LETTERHEAD OF MCGUIRE, WOODS, BATTLE & BOOTHE, L.L.P.]
January 29, 1998
First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.
311 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 4000
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This opinion is furnished in our capacity as special Maryland counsel for
First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation(the "Company"), in
connection with the filing on December 31, 1997 by the Company with the
Securities and Exchange Commission of Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (Registration Statement # 333-21887) (which, together with the
Prospectus relating thereto, shall hereinafter be referred to collectively as
the "Registration Statement") pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), relating to (i) the offer and sale from time to time of
up to 3,000,000 shares (the "Redemption Shares") of common stock of the Company,
par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), which may be issued in exchange
for units of partnership interest (the "Units") in First Industrial, L.P. (the
"Operating Partnership") which have been acquired in connection with
acquisitions of properties by the Operating Partnership; and (ii) the possible
offer and sale from time to time of up to 95,000 shares of Common Stock which
may be issued by the Company upon the exercise of outstanding options (the
"Options Shares") by certain affiliates under the Company's 1994 Stock Incentive
Plan (the "1994 Plan") and the Company's 1997 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1997
Plan").
In connection with rendering this opinion, we have examined originals, or
copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Articles of
Amendment and Restatement of the Company, dated June 13, 1994, and the Articles
of Amendment of the Company, dated June 20, 1994 and May 31, 1996, respectively
(the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company, along with each of
the Articles of Amendment of the Company, are hereinafter collectively referred
to as the "Charter"); Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended to
date; resolutions of the board of directors of the Company; the Registration
Statement; the Prospectus and such other certificates, receipts, records and
documents relating to the Company, the authorization of the Common Stock,
Redemption Shares and the Option Shares, and the filing of the Registration
Statement as we considered necessary for the purposes of rendering this opinion.
In conducting our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all
signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and
the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. As to
the Company's good standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments
and Taxation (the "SDAT"), we have relied exclusively upon a Certificate of
Status dated January 7, 1998 issued by the SDAT, and as to matters of fact which
have not been independently established, we have relied upon representations of
officers of the Company.
We are attorneys admitted to practice in the State of Maryland. We express
no opinion concerning the laws of any jurisdictions other than the laws of the
United States of America and the State of Maryland.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
(1) The Redemption Shares are authorized under the Charter and, when
issued as described in the Registration Statement, consistent with those
certain authorizing resolutions set forth in the minutes of a meeting of
the Board of Directors of the Company held on December 3, 1996 (the
"Authorizing Resolution"), and upon receipt by the Company of the
consideration provided for in such Authorizing Resolution, will be duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common
Stock.
(2) The Option Shares are authorized under the Charter and, when the
Option Shares have been specifically authorized for issuance by the
Company's Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof to the
holders of certain outstanding options (the "Options"), and when issued
upon exercise of the Options in accordance with the Registration Statement,
consistent with the 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1994 Plan") or the 1997
Stock Incentive Plan (the "1997 Plan"), as the case may be, and paid for in
accordance therewith and with all applicable authorizing resolutions of the
board of directors of the Company or an authorized committee thereof, the
Option Shares will be legally issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.
The foregoing assumes that all requisite steps will be taken to comply with
the requirements of the Securities Act and applicable requirements of state laws
regulating the offer and sale of securities.
This opinion may be relied upon by Messrs. Cahill Gordon & Reindel with
respect to that firm's opinion to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement. In addition, we hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the
caption "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus. Our consent to such reference does
not constitute a consent under Section 7 of the Securities Act and in consenting
to such reference we have not certified any part of the Registration Statement
and do not otherwise come within the categories of persons whose consent is
required under Section 7 or under the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP
[LETTERHEAD OF CAHILL GORDON & REINDEL]
Exhibit 8
January 29, 1998
(212) 701-3000
First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.
311 South Wacker Drive, Suite 4000
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as tax counsel to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (the
"Company") in connection with the Form S-3 Registration Statement (No.
333-21887) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
November 10, 1997, as amended through the date hereof and including the
documents incorporated by reference therein, and the prospectus dated November
10, 1997 (the "Registration Statement"), as amended through the date hereof.1 We
have been asked to provide our opinion as to certain federal income tax matters
arising under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
relating to the Company's qualification for taxation as a real estate investment
trust (a "REIT") under the Code.
The opinions set forth in this letter are based on relevant provisions of
the Code, Treasury Regulations thereunder and interpretations of the foregoing
as expressed in court decisions and administrative determinations as of the date
hereof. These provisions and interpretations are subject to changes that might
result in modifications of our opinions.
For purposes of rendering the opinions contained in this letter, we have
reviewed the Registration Statement and such other documents, law and facts as
we have deemed necessary. In our review, we have assumed the genuineness of all
signatures; the proper execution of all documents; the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as originals; the conformity to originals of all
documents submitted to us as copies; and the authenticity of the originals of
any copies.
- ----------
* Capitalized terms used in this letter that are not otherwise defined
herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Registration
Statement.
These opinions also are premised on certain written representations made by
the Company and each partnership of which the Company (or any wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company) is a member in certificates dated the date hereof
(the "Certificates"). For purposes of our opinions, we have not made an
independent investigation of the representations contained in the Certificates,
and consequently we have relied on the representations therein that the
information contained in the Certificates or otherwise furnished to us
accurately describes all material facts relevant to our opinions.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing:
(i) We are of the opinion that, commencing with the Company's taxable year
ended on December 31, 1994, the Company has been organized in conformity with
the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code and the Company's
method of operation, as described in the Registration Statement and as set forth
in the Certificates, has enabled it to meet the requirements for qualification
as a REIT under the Code and, provided that the Company continues to satisfy the
applicable asset composition, source of income, shareholder diversification,
distribution, recordkeeping and other requirements of the Code necessary to
qualify as a REIT, it will continue to so qualify; and
(ii) We hereby confirm the legal conclusions stated as opinions in the
Registration Statement under the heading "Federal Income Tax Considerations"
(the "Tax Section").
We express no opinion other than the opinions expressly set forth herein
and in the Tax Section (the "Opinions"). The Opinions are not binding on the
Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") and the IRS may disagree with the Opinions.
Although we believe that the Opinions would be sustained if challenged, there
can be no assurance that this will be the case. The Opinions are based upon the
law as it currently exists. Consequently, future changes in the law may cause
the federal income tax treatment of the matters referred to herein and in the
Tax Section to be materially and adversely different from that described above
and in the Tax Section. In addition, any variation in the facts from those set
forth in the Registration Statement, the representations contained in the
Certificates or otherwise provided to us may affect the conclusions stated in
the Opinions. Moreover, the Company's qualification and taxation as a REIT
depend upon the Company's ability to meet, through actual annual operating
results, distribution levels, diversity of stock ownership and various other
qualification tests imposed under the Code, none of which will be reviewed by
us. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the
Company's operations for any taxable year will satisfy the requirements for the
Company to maintain its qualification as a REIT.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Cahill Gordon & Reindel
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Amendment No. 3 to the
registration statement of First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. on Form S-3
(Registration No. 333-21887) of our report dated February 12, 1997, on our
audits of the consolidated financial statements and the financial statement
schedule of First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (the "Company") as of December
31, 1996 and 1995, and for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 and for
the six months ended December 31, 1994, and the combined financial statements of
the Contributing Businesses for the six months ended June 30, 1994, which is
included in the 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and our report dated February
11, 1997 on our audit of the combined historical statement of revenues and
certain expenses of the Acquisition Properties for the year ended December 31,
1996 which is included in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
February 12, 1997, and our report dated March 26, 1997 on our audit of the
combined historical statement of revenues and certain expenses of the Lazarus
Burman Properties for the year ended December 31, 1996 which is included in the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 12, 1997 as amended by Form
8-K/A No. 1 filed April 10, 1997, and our report dated July 30, 1997 on our
audit of the combined historical statement of revenues and certain expenses of
the Punia Acquisition Properties for the year ended December 31, 1996 which is
included in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 15, 1997 as
amended by Form 8-K/A No. 1 filed September 4, 1997, and our report dated
October 13, 1997 on our audit of the combined historical statement of revenues
and certain expenses of the 1997 Acquisition I Properties for the year ended
December 31, 1996 which is included in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
filed July 15, 1997 as amended by Form 8-K/A No. 2 filed October 16, 1997 and
our reports dated October 16, 1997, October 20, 1997 and October 27, 1997 on our
audit of each of the combined historical statement of revenues and certain
expenses of the Sealy Acquisition Properties, the 1997 Acquisition III
Properties, and the Pacifica Acquisition Properties, respectively, for the year
ended December 31, 1996 which are included in the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K filed November 14, 1997, and our reports dated December 30, 1997,
January 9, 1998 and January 9, 1998 on our audit of each of the combined
historical statement of revenues and certain expenses of the 1997 Acquisition V
Properties, the 1997 Acquisition VI Properties, and the 1997 Acquisition VII
Properties, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 1996 which are
included in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 23, 1997 as
amended by Form 8-K/A No. 1 filed January 22, 1998.
COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
Chicago, Illinois
January 29, 1998
