424(b)(5)
Calculation of Registration Fee
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Proposed maximum |
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Proposed maximum |
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Amount of |
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Title of each class of securities |
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Amount to be |
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offering price |
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aggregate |
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registration |
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to be registered |
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registered (1) |
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per unit (2) |
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offering price |
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fee (3) |
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Common Shares of Beneficial
Interest, $.01 par value per
share |
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8,578,447 |
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$ |
12.15 |
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$ |
104,228,132 |
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$ |
12,101 |
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(1) |
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Pursuant to Rule 416 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant common
shares offered hereby shall be deemed to cover additional securities to be issued to
prevent dilution resulting from share splits, share dividends or similar transactions. |
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(2) |
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Estimated solely for the purposes of computing the registration fee pursuant to Rule
457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based upon the average of the high and
low reported sale prices of the Registrants common share on The New York Stock Exchange on
June 2, 2011. |
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(3) |
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In accordance with Rule 457(p), this fee is being offset against $33,075 of unused
registration fees paid with respect to Registration Statement No. 333-158589 filed by
Brandywine Realty Trust and Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. on April 15, 2009. |
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-174700
Prospectus supplement
(To prospectus dated June 3, 2011)
8,578,447 Shares
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest
We and Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P., our operating subsidiary, have entered into separate
sales agency financing agreements with each of BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, Citigroup Global
Markets Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (the Sales Agents) relating to offers and sales of
our common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share (common shares). In
accordance with the terms of the sales agency financing agreements, we may offer and sell up to
15,000,000 of our common shares from time to time through the Sales Agents, as our agents. Prior
to the date of this prospectus supplement, we have sold 6,421,553 of our common shares through
the Sales Agents under these sales agency financing agreements.
Sales of common shares under a sales agency financing agreement may be made, among other methods,
directly on the New York Stock Exchange, to or through a market maker or in privately negotiated
transactions. See Plan of Distribution in this prospectus supplement. Sales of common shares may
be made at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to prevailing market
prices or at negotiated prices. Each Sales Agent will be entitled to compensation not to exceed 2%
of the gross sales price per share for any common shares sold through it.
Our common shares are subject to certain restrictions on ownership and transfer designed to
preserve our qualification as a real estate investment rust for federal income tax purposes. See
Description of the Shares of Beneficial Interest Shares Restrictions on Transfer in the
accompanying prospectus.
Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BDN. On June 1,
2011, the last reported sale price of our common shares as reported
on the NYSE was $12.16 per
share.
Investing in our common shares involves risks. See Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements beginning on page S-iii of this prospectus supplement, Risk Factors beginning on page
S-2 of this prospectus supplement and Risk Factors beginning on page 16 of our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 incorporated by reference in the accompanying
prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or
disapproved of these securities or passed on the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement
or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC
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Citi
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Deutsche Bank Securities |
The date of this prospectus supplement is June 3, 2011.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page |
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ii |
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iii |
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26 |
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66 |
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68 |
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68 |
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S-i
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
You should read this prospectus supplement along with the accompanying prospectus, as well as
the information incorporated by reference herein and therein, carefully before you invest in our
common shares. These documents contain important information that you should consider before making
your investment decision. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain the
terms of this offering of common shares. The accompanying prospectus contains information about
certain of our securities generally, some of which does not apply to the common shares covered by
this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement may add, update or change information
contained in or incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus. If the information in or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with any information
contained in or incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, the information in or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement will apply and will supersede the
inconsistent information contained in or incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus.
It is important for you to read and consider all of the information contained in this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before making your investment decision. You
should also read and consider the additional information incorporated by reference in this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before making your investment decision. See
Where You Can Find More Information in this prospectus supplement.
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus required
to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). Neither we nor the sales
agents have authorized any other person to provide you with additional or different information. If
anyone provides you with additional or different information, you should not rely on it. Neither we
nor the sales agents are making an offer to sell the common shares in any jurisdiction where the
offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus
supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any such free writing prospectus and the documents
incorporated by reference herein and therein is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our
business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those
dates.
S-ii
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information
incorporated by reference into the accompanying prospectus, and any prospectus supplement, may
contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the Securities Act) and Section 21E of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
Exchange Act). Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements of each of Brandywine
and the Operating Partnership to be materially different from future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements,
which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations,
are generally identifiable by use of the words may, will, should, expect, anticipate,
estimate, believe, intend, project, or the negative of these words, or other similar words
or terms. Factors which could materially and adversely affect us include, but are not limited to
the following:
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the continuing impact of the recent credit crisis and global economic slowdown, which
is having and may continue to have negative effect on, among others, the following: |
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the fundamentals of our business, including overall market occupancy, demand
for office space and rental rates; |
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the financial condition of our tenants, many of which are financial, legal and
other professional firms, our lenders, counterparties to our derivative financial
instruments and institutions that hold our cash balances and short-term
investments, which may expose us to increased risks of default by these parties; |
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availability of financing on attractive terms or at all, which may adversely
impact our future interest expense and our ability to pursue acquisition and
development opportunities and refinance existing debt; and |
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a decline in real estate asset valuations, which may affect our ability to
dispose of assets at attractive prices or obtain or maintain debt financing
secured by our properties or on an unsecured basis. |
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changes in local real estate conditions (including changes in rental rates and the
number of properties that compete with our properties); |
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changes in the economic conditions affecting industries in which our principal
tenants compete; |
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the unavailability of equity and debt financing; |
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our failure to lease unoccupied space in accordance with our projections; |
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our failure to re-lease occupied space upon expiration of leases; |
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tenant defaults and the bankruptcy of major tenants; |
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increases in interest rates; |
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failure of interest rate hedging contracts to perform as expected and the
effectiveness of such arrangements; |
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failure of acquisitions to perform as expected; |
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unanticipated costs associated with the acquisition, integration and operation of,
our acquisitions; |
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unanticipated costs to complete, lease-up and operate our developments and
redevelopments; |
S-iii
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unanticipated costs associated with land development, including building moratoriums
and inability to obtain necessary zoning, land-use, building, occupancy and other
required governmental approvals, construction cost increases or overruns and
construction delays; |
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increased costs for, or lack of availability of, adequate insurance, including for
terrorist acts; |
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actual or threatened terrorist attacks; |
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demand for tenant services beyond those traditionally provided by landlords; |
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liability under environmental or other laws; |
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failure or bankruptcy of real estate venture partners; |
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inability of real estate venture partners to fund venture obligations; |
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failure of dispositions to close in a timely manner; |
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failure of buyers of our properties to comply with terms of their financing
agreements to us; |
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earthquakes and other natural disasters; |
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the unforeseen impact of climate change and compliance costs relating to laws and
regulations governing climate change; |
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risks associated with federal, state and local tax audits; |
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complex regulations relating to our status as a REIT and the adverse consequences of
our failure to qualify as a REIT; and |
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the impact of newly adopted accounting principles on our accounting policies and on
period-to-period comparisons of financial results. |
For further information on factors which could impact us and the statements contained herein,
see Risk Factors beginning on page S-2 of this prospectus supplement and beginning on page 16 of
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 incorporated by reference in
the accompanying prospectus. We caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements, which reflect our analysis only and speak as of the date of this prospectus supplement
or the accompanying prospectus, as applicable, or as of the dates indicated in the statements. All
of our forward-looking statements, including those included and incorporated by reference in this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, are qualified in their entirety by this
statement. We assume no obligation to update and supplement forward-looking statements that become
untrue because of subsequent events, new information or otherwise.
S-iv
SUMMARY
As used in this prospectus supplement, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms
Company, we, our and us refer to Brandywine Realty Trust and its subsidiaries, including
Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. (the Operating Partnership).
Brandywine Realty Trust
We are a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, or REIT, that
provides leasing, property management, development, redevelopment, acquisition and other
tenant-related services for a portfolio of office and industrial properties. We own our assets and
conduct our operations through our operating subsidiary, Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. and
its subsidiaries. We control the Operating Partnership as its sole general partner and, as of March
31, 2011, owned an approximate 93.1% interest in the Operating Partnership.
As of March 31, 2011, we owned 210 office properties, 20 industrial facilities and four
mixed-use properties containing an aggregate of approximately 25.8 million net rentable square
feet. These 234 properties make up our core portfolio. We also had, as of March 31, 2011, a garage
property under redevelopment. Therefore, as of March 31, 2011, we owned 235 properties with an
aggregate of 25.8 million net rentable square feet. As of March 31, 2011, we also held economic
interests in 17 unconsolidated real estate ventures that we formed with third parties to develop or
own commercial properties. The properties owned by these real estate ventures contain approximately
6.5 million net rentable square feet. In addition, as of March 31, 2011, we owned approximately
510 acres of undeveloped land. Our properties and the properties owned by our real estate ventures
are located in and surrounding Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Southern
and Central New Jersey, Richmond, Virginia, Wilmington, Delaware, Austin, Texas and Oakland,
Concord, Carlsbad and Rancho Bernardo, California.
We were organized and commenced operations in 1986 as a Maryland REIT. Our Operating
Partnership was formed and commenced operations in 1996 as a Delaware limited partnership.
Our principal executive offices are located at 555 East Lancaster Avenue, Radnor,
Pennsylvania, 19087, and our telephone number is (610) 325-5600.
We maintain an Internet website at http://www.brandywinerealty.com. We have not incorporated
by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus the information in, or
that can be accessed through, our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this
prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.
The Offering
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Common shares offered by us
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Up to 8,578,447 common shares.
Prior to the date of this
prospectus supplement, we have sold
6,421,553 of our common shares
through the Sales Agents under
these sales agency financing
agreements. |
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Use of proceeds
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We intend to contribute the net
proceeds from this offering to the
Operating Partnership in exchange
for partnership units of the
Operating Partnership. The
Operating Partnership intends to
use the net proceeds from this
offering for working capital,
capital expenditures and other
general corporate purposes, which
may include acquisitions,
developments and repayment and
refinancing of debt. See Use of
Proceeds. |
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Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
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Our charter imposes restrictions on
ownership and transfer of our
common shares to assist us in
complying with certain federal
income tax requirements applicable
to real estate investment trusts,
among other purposes. See
Description of the Shares of
Beneficial Interest Shares
Restrictions on Transfer in the
accompanying prospectus. |
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Listing
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Our common shares are listed on the
New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol BDN. |
S-1
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common shares involves risks. In consultation with your own financial and
legal advisers, you should carefully consider, among other matters, the factors set forth below as
well as the risk factors beginning on page 16 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2010 and any subsequently filed periodic reports which are incorporated by reference
in the accompanying prospectus before deciding whether an investment in our common shares is
suitable for you. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial
may also adversely affect our business operations. These risks could materially adversely affect,
among other things, our business, financial condition or results of operations, and could cause the
trading price of our common shares to decline, resulting in the loss of all or part of your
investment.
S-2
USE OF PROCEEDS
We intend to contribute the net proceeds from this offering to the Operating Partnership in
exchange for partnership units of the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership intends to
use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital, capital expenditures and other general
corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions, developments and repayment and refinancing of
debt.
Certain affiliates of BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. are
lenders and/or agents under our unsecured revolving credit facility. To the extent that we use the
net proceeds from this offering to repay amounts we may borrow or re-borrow in the future under the
unsecured revolving credit facility, those lenders will receive their pro rata portion of any of
the proceeds from this offering that we use to repay any such amounts.
Pending the uses described above, we may invest the net proceeds in short-term,
interest-bearing securities or accounts.
S-3
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES AND DIVIDENDS
Our
common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BDN. On June 1, 2011, the last reported sale price of our common shares on the New York Stock Exchange was
$12.16. The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices of
our common shares, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange, and the cash dividends declared per
share with respect to such periods. The dividend with respect to each fiscal quarter was paid in
the following fiscal quarter.
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Distributions |
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Declared Per |
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2009 |
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High |
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Low |
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Common Share |
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First Quarter |
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$ |
7.36 |
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$ |
2.52 |
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$ |
0.30 |
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Second Quarter |
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$ |
7.45 |
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$ |
2.91 |
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$ |
0.10 |
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Third Quarter |
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$ |
11.46 |
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$ |
6.61 |
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$ |
0.10 |
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Fourth Quarter |
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$ |
11.85 |
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$ |
9.48 |
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$ |
0.10 |
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Distributions |
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Declared Per |
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2010 |
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High |
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Low |
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Common Share |
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First Quarter |
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$ |
12.90 |
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$ |
10.29 |
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$ |
0.15 |
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Second Quarter |
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$ |
13.36 |
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$ |
10.75 |
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$ |
0.15 |
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Third Quarter |
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$ |
12.62 |
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$ |
10.00 |
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$ |
0.15 |
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Fourth Quarter |
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$ |
12.99 |
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$ |
10.22 |
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$ |
0.15 |
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Distributions |
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Declared Per |
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2011 |
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High |
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Low |
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Common Share |
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First Quarter |
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$ |
12.32 |
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$ |
11.09 |
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$ |
0.15 |
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Second Quarter (through June 1, 2011) |
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$ |
12.76 |
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$ |
11.74 |
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$ |
0.15 |
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The above tables show only historical comparisons. The comparisons may not provide meaningful
information to you in determining whether to purchase our common shares. You are urged to obtain
current market quotations for our common shares and to review carefully the other information
contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
For a description of the common shares, see Description of the Shares of Beneficial Interest
in the accompanying prospectus.
S-4
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We and the Operating Partnership have entered into separate sales agency financing agreements
with each of the Sales Agents under which we may issue and sell up to 8,578,447 common shares
from time to time through the Sales Agents, as our agents for the offer and sale of the shares
during a period of up to three years. Prior to the date of this prospectus supplement, we have sold
6,421,553 of our common shares through the Sales Agents under these sales agency financing
agreements. Any sale of the common shares under a sales agency financing agreement may be made in
at the market offerings (as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933), including sales
made directly on the New York Stock Exchange or sales made to or through a market maker or through
an electronic communications network. In addition, the common shares may be offered and sold by
such other methods, including privately negotiated transactions, as we and any Sales Agent agree to
in writing.
From time to time during the term of the sales agency financing agreements, we may deliver an
issuance notice to one of the Sales Agents specifying the length of the selling period (not to
exceed 10 trading days), the amount of common shares to be sold and the minimum price below which
sales may not be made. Upon receipt of an issuance notice from us, and subject to the terms and
conditions of the respective sales agency financing agreements, each Sales Agent agrees to use its
commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell such
shares on such terms. We or any such Sales Agent may suspend the offering of our common shares at
any time upon proper notice to the other, upon which the selling period will immediately terminate.
Settlement for sales of our common shares will occur on the third trading day following the date on
which any sales were made, unless otherwise we agree with the relevant Sales Agent. The obligation
of any Sales Agent under its respective sales agency financing agreement to sell shares pursuant to
any issuance notice is subject to a number of conditions, which such Sales Agent reserves the right
to waive in its sole discretion.
We will pay each Sales Agent commissions not to exceed 2% of the gross sales price per share
for any common shares sold through it as agent under its sales agency financing agreement. We have
also agreed to reimburse the Sales Agents for their reasonable documented out-of-pocket expenses,
including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Sales Agents, in connection with the
sales agency financing agreements.
We will report at least quarterly the number of our common shares sold through the Sales
Agents, as agents, in at-the-market offerings and the net proceeds to us in connection with such
sales of our common shares.
Sales of our common shares as contemplated by this prospectus supplement will be settled
through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and the Sales
Agents may agree upon.
In connection with the sale of our common shares hereunder, each Sales Agent may be deemed to
be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, and the compensation paid to
the Sales Agents may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We and the Operating
Partnership have agreed to indemnify the Sales Agents against certain civil liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
The offering of our common shares pursuant to any sales agency financing agreement will
terminate upon the earliest of (1) the sale of all of our common shares subject to the sales agency
financing agreements, (2) three years after the date of such sales agency financing agreement and
(3) termination of such sales agency financing agreement by either us or the respective Sales Agent
at any time in the respective partys sole discretion.
We have agreed not to directly or indirectly offer, sell, agree to offer or sell, solicit
offers to purchase, grant any call option or purchase any put option with respect to, pledge,
borrow or otherwise dispose of, establish or increase any put equivalent position or liquidate or
decrease any call equivalent position or otherwise enter into any swap, derivative or other
transaction or arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any economic consequence
of ownership of our common shares, any other equity security of ours or our subsidiaries and any
securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for our common shares or such other
equity securities, for a period beginning on the first trading day prior to the delivery of any
issuance notice to any of the Sales Agents and ending on the first trading day following the
settlement date for our common shares sold pursuant to the applicable issuance notice, without the
prior written consent of such respective Sales Agent. This consent may be given at any time without
public notice. The restriction described in this paragraph does not apply to repurchases of our
common shares under our share repurchase program or issuances:
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pursuant to a sales agency financing agreement; |
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pursuant to equity-based awards granted in the ordinary course of business to
trustees or employees of ours or the Operating Partnership; |
S-5
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upon exercise of options or warrants and upon conversion, exchange or redemption of
convertible, exchangeable or redeemable securities; and |
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upon the exchange of Operating Partnership interests for our common shares of
beneficial interests or upon exchange of any of the 3.875% exchangeable guaranteed notes
due 2026 issued by the Operating Partnership. |
In the ordinary course of business, BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets
Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and/or their affiliates have engaged, and each of the Sales
Agents and/or their affiliates may in the future engage, in commercial banking or investment
banking transactions with us and our affiliates for which they have received, and will in the
future receive, customary compensation. The Bank of New York Mellon, an affiliate of BNY Mellon
Capital Markets LLC, and Citicorp North America, Inc., an affiliate Citigroup Global Markets Inc.,
are lenders and/or agents under our unsecured revolving credit facility and may receive a portion
of amounts to be repaid under this credit facility from the proceeds of offerings pursuant to the
sales agency financing agreements. See Use of Proceeds. The Bank of New York Mellon, an affiliate
of BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, is the trustee for the indenture that governs certain of the
Operating Partnerships senior unsecured indebtedness.
S-6
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the common shares offered hereby, as well as certain legal matters relating to
us, will be passed upon for us by Pepper Hamilton LLP. Certain legal matters related to the
offering will be passed upon for the Sales Agents by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting (which is included in Managements Report on Internal Control over
Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2010 for Brandywine Realty Trust have been so incorporated in
reliance on the report (which contains an explanatory paragraph on the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting due to the exclusion of Brandywines investments in Three Logan
Square from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010
because it was acquired by Brandywine during 2010) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and
accounting.
The financial statements and managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting (which is included in Managements Report on Internal Control over
Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2010 for Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. have been so
incorporated in reliance on the report (which contains an explanatory paragraph on the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting due to the exclusion of Brandywines
investments in Three Logan Square from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting
as of December 31, 2010 because it was acquired during 2010) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an
independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in
auditing and accounting.
S-7
PROSPECTUS
BRANDYWINE REALTY TRUST
Preferred Shares
Common Shares
Depositary Shares
Subscription Rights
and Warrants
BRANDYWINE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Debt Securities
Brandywine Realty Trust may offer from time to time its common shares, preferred shares,
depository shares, subscription rights or warrants under this prospectus. The common shares of
Brandywine Realty Trust are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BDN.
Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. may offer from time to time its debt securities in one or
more series under this prospectus. Brandywine Realty Trust will unconditionally guarantee the
payment obligations of the debt securities.
We will offer the securities at prices and on the terms to be determined at the time of
offering. We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers
and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis.
This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities. The
specific terms of any securities to be offered will be described in a supplement to this
prospectus. We may describe the terms of these securities in a term sheet that will precede the
prospectus supplement.
This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus
supplement.
You should carefully read and consider this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and
the risk factors included in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or in our periodic reports
and other information that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission before investing in
our securities. See Risk Factors on page 3 of this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this
prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this Prospectus is June 3, 2011.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus
and any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to
provide you with additional or different information. This prospectus and any prospectus
supplement are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other
than the securities to which they relate and are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an
offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer
or solicitation in that jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information in this
prospectus or any prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated by reference in this
prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date of the
document containing the information.
-i-
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a shelf registration process for the
delayed offering and sale of securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or the Securities Act. Under the shelf registration statement, Brandywine Realty Trust
may sell any combination of common shares, preferred shares, depositary shares, subscription rights
and warrants in one or more offerings, and Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. may sell debt
securities of various terms in one or more offerings. In addition, under the shelf registration
statement, persons who have acquired common shares from us may resell these common shares from time
to time. Any such persons will be named in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus as and to
the extent required by SEC rules. We will not receive any proceeds from the resale by any such
selling securityholders of common shares.
As used in this prospectus and the registration statement on Form S-3 of which this prospectus
is a part, unless the context otherwise requires, references to Brandywine refer to Brandywine
Realty Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust, or REIT; references to the Operating
Partnership refer to Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership; and
references to we, us, our or similar expressions refer collectively to Brandywine Realty
Trust and its consolidated subsidiaries (including the Operating Partnership) unless the context
otherwise indicates.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer
under this prospectus. Each time we sell securities under this prospectus, we will provide a
prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The
prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus and, if applicable, any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide
you with any other information. If you receive any other information, you should not rely on it.
No offer to sell these securities is being made in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not
permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus and, if
applicable, any prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus
or any prospectus supplement, is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of
this prospectus or on the front cover of the applicable prospectus supplement or documents or as
specifically indicated in the document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations
and prospects may have changed since that date.
Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement about the
provisions or contents of any agreement or any other document are not necessarily complete. If the
SEC rules and regulations require that an agreement or document be filed as an exhibit to the shelf
registration statement, please see that agreement or document for a complete description of these
matters. You should read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together
with the additional information described under the caption Where You Can Find More Information
below.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Brandywine and the Operating Partnership file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy
statements and other information with the SEC. The filings of Brandywine and the Operating
Partnership with the SEC are available to the public on the Internet at the SECs web site at
http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document that Brandywine or the Operating
Partnership files with the SEC at its Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the
public reference room and their copy charges.
You can inspect reports, proxy statements and other information that Brandywine files at the
offices of the New York Stock Exchange at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
1
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus. This means
that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document. Any
information referred to in this way is considered part of this prospectus from the date we file
that document.
Any reports filed by us with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and before the date
that the offering of the securities by means of this prospectus is terminated will automatically
update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the following documents or information filed
with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed furnished and not filed in
accordance with SEC rules, and no such information shall be deemed specifically incorporated by
reference hereby):
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Annual Report on Form 10-K of Brandywine Realty Trust for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2010; |
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Annual Report on Form 10-K of Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2010; |
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Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Brandywine Realty Trust for the period ended March
31, 2011; |
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Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. for the
period ended March 31, 2011; |
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Current Reports on Form 8-K of Brandywine Realty Trust filed on March 1, 2011, March
8, 2011, March 22, 2011, April 1, 2011, April 5, 2011, May 24, 2011 and June 2, 2011; |
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Current Reports on Form 8-K of Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. filed on March
1, 2011, March 8, 2011, March 22, 2011, April 1, 2011, April 5, 2011 and June 2, 2011; |
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Registration Statements on Form 8-A of Brandywine Realty Trust filed on October 14,
1997, December 29, 2003 and February 5, 2004; and |
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All documents filed by either Brandywine Realty Trust or Brandywine Operating
Partnership, L.P. with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, after the date of the
initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part, as well as all such documents filed by us
with the SEC subsequent to the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of
this offering. |
To receive a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus
(other than exhibits, unless they are specifically incorporated by reference in the documents),
write us at the following address or call us at the telephone number listed below:
BRANDYWINE REALTY TRUST
555 East Lancaster Avenue, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087
Telephone: (610) 832-4907
Brandywine also maintains a web site at http://www.brandywinerealty.com through which you can
obtain copies of documents that Brandywine and the Operating Partnership have filed with the SEC.
The contents of that site are not incorporated by reference in or otherwise a part of this
prospectus.
2
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the risks described in the documents incorporated by reference
in this prospectus before making an investment decision. These risks are not the only ones facing
our company. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may
also impair our business operations. Our business, financial condition or results of operations
could be materially adversely affected by the materialization of any of these risks. The trading
price of our securities could decline due to the materialization of any of these risks, and you may
lose all or part of your investment. This prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by
reference also contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual
results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a
result of certain factors, including the risks described in the documents incorporated herein by
reference, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and the
documents we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and which are deemed incorporated
by reference in this prospectus.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and
any prospectus supplement, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A
of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements involve
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results,
performance or achievements of each of Brandywine and the Operating Partnership to be materially
different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and
describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the
words may, will, should, expect, anticipate, estimate, believe, intend, project,
or the negative of these words, or other similar words or terms. Factors which could materially
and adversely affect us include, but are not limited to the following:
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the continuing impact of the recent credit crisis and global economic slowdown,
which is having and may continue to have negative effect on, among others, the
following: |
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the fundamentals of our business, including overall market
occupancy, demand for office space and rental rates; |
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the financial condition of our tenants, many of which are
financial, legal and other professional firms, our lenders, counterparties to
our derivative financial instruments and institutions that hold our cash
balances and short-term investments, which may expose us to increased risks of
default by these parties; |
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availability of financing on attractive terms or at all, which
may adversely impact our future interest expense and our ability to pursue
acquisition and development opportunities and refinance existing debt; and |
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a decline in real estate asset valuations, which may affect our
ability to dispose of assets at attractive prices or obtain or maintain debt
financing secured by our properties or on an unsecured basis. |
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changes in local real estate conditions (including changes in rental rates and the
number of properties that compete with our properties); |
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changes in the economic conditions affecting industries in which our principal
tenants compete; |
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the unavailability of equity and debt financing; |
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our failure to lease unoccupied space in accordance with our projections; |
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our failure to re-lease occupied space upon expiration of leases; |
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tenant defaults and the bankruptcy of major tenants; |
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increases in interest rates; |
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failure of interest rate hedging contracts to perform as expected and the
effectiveness of such arrangements; |
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failure of acquisitions to perform as expected; |
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unanticipated costs associated with the acquisition, integration and operation of,
our acquisitions; |
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unanticipated costs to complete, lease-up and operate our developments and
redevelopments; |
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unanticipated costs associated with land development, including building moratoriums
and inability to obtain necessary zoning, land-use, building, occupancy and other
required governmental approvals, construction cost increases or overruns and
construction delays; |
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increased costs for, or lack of availability of, adequate insurance, including for
terrorist acts; |
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actual or threatened terrorist attacks; |
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demand for tenant services beyond those traditionally provided by landlords; |
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liability under environmental or other laws; |
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failure or bankruptcy of real estate venture partners; |
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inability of real estate venture partners to fund venture obligations; |
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failure of dispositions to close in a timely manner; |
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failure of buyers of our properties to comply with terms of their financing
agreements to us; |
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earthquakes and other natural disasters; |
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climate change and compliance costs relating to laws and regulations governing
climate change; |
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risks associated with federal, state and local tax audits; |
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regulations relating to our status as a REIT and the adverse consequences of our
failure to qualify as a REIT; and |
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the impact of newly adopted accounting principles on our accounting policies and on
period-to-period comparisons of financial results. |
All of the above factors and the other risks identified in the Risk Factors section and
other sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 should be
considered in evaluating any forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in
this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
4
In light of these uncertainties and risks, prospective investors are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except with respect to such material changes
to our risk factors as may be reflected from time to time in our quarterly filings or as otherwise
required by law, we are under no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any obligation to, update or
revise any forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or
any accompanying prospectus supplement, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise. Because of the factors referred to above, the future events discussed in or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement may not
occur and actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from that anticipated
or implied in the forward-looking statements.
5
BRANDYWINE AND THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP
Brandywine is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, or REIT,
active in acquiring, developing, redeveloping, leasing and managing office and industrial
properties. Brandywine was organized and commenced operations in 1986 as a Maryland REIT. The
Operating Partnership was formed and commenced operations in 1996 as a Delaware limited
partnership. Brandywine owns its assets, and conducts its operations, through the Operating
Partnership. Brandywine controls the Operating Partnership as its sole general partner and, as of
December 31, 2010, Brandywine owned an approximately 93.1% interest in the Operating Partnership.
Our executive offices are located at 555 East Lancaster Avenue, Suite 100, Radnor, Pennsylvania
19087 and our telephone number is (610) 325-5600.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, Brandywine will contribute
or otherwise transfer the net proceeds of any sale of securities to the Operating Partnership in
exchange for additional partnership interests in the Operating Partnership, the economic terms of
which will be substantially identical to those of the securities sold.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Operating Partnership
will use those net proceeds and any net proceeds from any sale of its debt securities for general
business purposes, including, without limitation, repayment of outstanding debt and the acquisition
or development of office and industrial properties.
6
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES
AND PREFERRED SHARE DISTRIBUTIONS
The following table sets forth the Operating Partnerships ratios of earnings to fixed charges
for the periods indicated.
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For the three months |
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For the years ended December 31, |
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ended March 31, 2011 |
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The Operating Partnerships ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges
was less than 1.00 because of losses from continuing operations in the
relevant periods. Brandywine would have needed to generate additional earnings of $644 for
the three months ended March 31, 2011, $41,144 for the year ended December 31, 2010, $2,900
for the year ended December 31, 2009, $15,415 for the year ended December 31, 2008,
December 31, 2007, $8,925 for the year ended December 31, 2007 and $48,047 for the year
ended December 31, 2006 in order to achieve a coverage ratio of 1:1. |
For the purpose of calculating the ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges,
earnings have been calculated by adding fixed charges, distributed income of
equity investees and amortization of capitalized interest to income from continuing operations
before non-controlling interest and equity in earnings from unconsolidated real estate ventures of
the Operating Partnership. Fixed charges consist of interest costs (whether expensed or
capitalized), amortization of deferred financing costs, amortization of discounts or premiums
related to indebtedness, the Operating Partnerships share of interest expense from unconsolidated
equity method investments and the interest portion of rent expense.
The following table sets forth Brandywines ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and
preferred share distributions for the periods indicated.
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ended March 31, 2011 |
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and preferred share distributions |
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Brandywines ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges was less than 1.00 because of
its losses from continuing operations
in the relevant periods. In the period the coverage ratio was less than 1:1, Brandywine must generate
additional earnings of $2,642 for the three months ended March 31, 2011, $49,136 for the
year ended December 31, 2010, $10,892 for the year ended December 31, 2009, $23,407 for the
year ended December 31, 2008, $16,917 for the year ended December 31, 2007 and $56,039 for
the year ended December 31, 2006 in order to achieve a coverage ratio of 1:1. |
For the purpose of calculating the ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred
share distributions, earnings have been calculated by adding fixed charges, distributed income of
equity investees and amortization of capitalized interest to income from continuing operations
before non-controlling interest and equity in earnings from unconsolidated real estate ventures of
Brandywine, less capitalized interest and preferred distributions of consolidated subsidiaries.
Fixed charges consist of interest costs (whether expensed or capitalized), amortization of deferred
financing costs, amortization of discounts or premiums related to indebtedness, Brandywines share
of interest expense from unconsolidated equity method investments, the interest portion of rent
expense, and preferred distributions of consolidated subsidiaries. Preferred share distributions
includes income allocated to holders of Brandywines preferred shares.
7
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
The following is a summary of the general terms and provisions of the indenture under which
the debt securities will be issued by the Operating Partnership. The particular terms and
provisions of the debt securities with respect to a specific offering of debt securities will be
set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. This summary of general terms and provisions of
the indenture and the debt securities does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to, all provisions of the indenture and those debt
securities.
The debt securities will be issued by the Operating Partnership under the indenture dated as
of October 22, 2004, as amended or supplemented from time to time, among the Operating Partnership,
Brandywine and The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly known as The Bank of New York) as trustee. The
indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part
and will be available for inspection at the corporate trust office of the trustee or as described
under Where You Can Find More Information. The indenture is qualified under, subject to, and
governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
All section references appearing herein are to sections of the indenture, and capitalized
terms used but not defined herein will have the respective meanings set forth in the indenture.
General
The debt securities will be direct, unsecured obligations of the Operating Partnership. Except
for any series of debt securities which is expressly subordinated to other indebtedness of the
Operating Partnership, the debt securities will rank equally with all other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness of the Operating Partnership. Under the indenture, the debt securities
may be issued without limit as to aggregate principal amount, in one or more series, as established
from time to time pursuant to authority granted by a resolution of the Board of Trustees of
Brandywine as sole general partner of the Operating Partnership or as established in one or more
supplemental indentures to the indenture. All of the debt securities of any one series need not be
issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the
consent of the holders of the debt securities of that series, for issuances of additional debt
securities of that series (Section 301). All debt securities of a particular series shall be
substantially identical except as to denomination, date of issuance, issue price and the date from
which interest, if any, shall accrue.
Brandywine will, under the indenture, fully and unconditionally guarantee the due and punctual
payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all debt securities issued by the
Operating Partnership, and the due and punctual payment of any sinking fund payments on those debt
securities, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at a maturity date, by
declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
The indenture requires any subsidiary of the Operating Partnership that is a significant
subsidiary (as defined in Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act) to provide a full
and unconditional guaranty as to payment of principal and premium, if any, and interest on the debt
securities issued by the Operating Partnership not later than 180 days following the date on which
that subsidiary becomes a guarantor under our principal credit agreement. We refer to any such
significant subsidiary that becomes a guarantor under our principal credit agreement as a
Subsidiary Guarantor and, together with Brandywine, as the Guarantors. As of the date of this
prospectus, we have no significant subsidiaries that are guarantors under our principal credit
agreement.
If for any reason the obligations of a significant subsidiary that has become a Subsidiary
Guarantor terminate under our principal credit agreement, such Subsidiary Guarantor will be deemed
released from all of its obligations under the indenture and its guarantee will terminate (Sections
1401 and 1404).
The indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee for any one or more series of
debt securities. Any trustee under the indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or
more series of debt securities, and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to
that series (Section 610). Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus or the applicable
prospectus supplement, any action to be taken by the trustee
may be taken by each such trustee with respect to, and only with respect to, the one or more
series of debt securities for which it is trustee under the indenture.
8
Terms
The applicable prospectus supplement relating to the series of debt securities being offered
will describe the specific terms and provisions of those debt securities, including the following:
(1) the title of the debt securities;
(2) the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities and any limit on that aggregate
principal amount;
(3) the percentage of the principal amount at which the debt securities will be issued and, if
other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount payable upon
declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;
(4) the date or dates, or the manner of determining the date or dates, on which the principal
of the debt securities will be payable;
(5) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable), or the method by which the rate or
rates will be determined, at which the debt securities will bear interest, if any;
(6) the date or dates, or the method for determining the date or dates, from which any
interest will accrue, the interest payment dates on which that interest will be payable, the
regular record dates for interest payment dates, or the method by which those dates will be
determined, the person to whom interest will be payable, and the basis upon which interest will be
calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;
(7) the place or places where the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on
the debt securities will be payable and where notices or demands to or upon the Operating
Partnership in respect of the debt securities and the indenture may be served;
(8) the period or periods within which, or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at
which and the terms and conditions upon which the debt securities may be redeemed, as a whole or in
part, at the option of the Operating Partnership, if the Operating Partnership is to have such an
option;
(9) the obligation, if any, of the Operating Partnership to redeem, repay or repurchase the
debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of the
holders, and the period or periods within which, or the date or dates on which, the price or prices
at which and the terms and conditions upon which the debt securities are required to be redeemed,
repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to that obligation;
(10) if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which the debt securities are
denominated and/or payable, which may be a foreign currency or units of two or more foreign
currencies or a composite currency or currencies, and the terms and conditions relating thereto;
(11) whether the amount of payments of principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any,
on the debt securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which
index, formula or method may, but need not, be based on a currency, currencies, currency unit or
units or composite currency or currencies) and the manner in which those amounts will be
determined;
(12) any additions to, modifications of or inapplicability of the terms of the debt securities
with respect to the events of default or covenants or other provisions set forth in the indenture;
9
(13) whether the debt securities will be issued in global or book-entry form or definitive
certificated form, and whether the debt securities will be issued in bearer form;
(14) if other than $5,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the
denominations in which the debt securities shall be issuable;
(15) the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions of the
indenture, or any modification thereof;
(16) the extent and manner, if any, to which payments on the debt securities may be
subordinated to other indebtedness of the Operating Partnership;
(17) whether and under what circumstances the Operating Partnership will pay additional
amounts as contemplated in the indenture on the debt securities in respect of any tax, assessment
or governmental charge and, if so, whether the Operating Partnership will have the option to redeem
the debt securities in lieu of paying additional amounts; and
(18) any other terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the
indenture (Section 301).
The debt securities may provide for less than the entire principal amount of those debt
securities to be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof (original issue
discount securities). The applicable prospectus supplement will describe special U.S. federal
income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to the original issue discount
securities.
The indenture does not contain any provisions (other than as described under Covenants
Limitations on Incurrence of Indebtedness) that would limit the ability of the Operating
Partnership to incur indebtedness or that would afford holders of debt securities protection in the
event of a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving the Operating Partnership. However,
restrictions on ownership and transfers of Brandywines common shares and preferred shares,
designed to preserve Brandywines status as a REIT, may prevent or hinder a change of control.
Reference is made to the applicable prospectus supplement for information with respect to any
deletions from, modifications of or additions to the events of default or covenants of the
Operating Partnership that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other
provision providing event risk or similar protection.
Guarantees
Brandywine will, under the indenture, fully and unconditionally guarantee the due and punctual
payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all debt securities issued by the
Operating Partnership, and the due and punctual payment of any sinking fund payments on those debt
securities, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at a maturity date, by
declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
The indenture requires any significant subsidiary to provide a full and unconditional
guaranty as to payment of principal and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities issued
by the Operating Partnership not later than 180 days following the date on which that subsidiary
becomes a guarantor under our principal credit agreement. As of the date of this prospectus, we
have no significant subsidiaries that are guarantors under our principal credit agreement.
If for any reason the obligations of a significant subsidiary that has become a Subsidiary
Guarantor terminate under our principal credit agreement, such Subsidiary Guarantor will be deemed
released from all of its obligations under the indenture and its guarantee will terminate (Sections
1401 and 1404).
Denominations
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of any
series shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons and, other than securities in
global form (which may be of any
denomination), will be issuable in denominations of $5,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in
excess thereof (Section 302).
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Payments
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the principal of and
premium, if any, and interest on any series of debt securities will be payable at the corporate
trust office of the trustee. However, at the option of the Operating Partnership, payment of
interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as it appears in
the security register or by wire transfer of funds to that person at a bank account maintained
within the United States (Sections 307 and 1002).
All amounts paid by the Operating Partnership to a paying agent or a trustee for the payment
of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any debt security which remain unclaimed at
the end of two years after the principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be
repaid to the Operating Partnership, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only
to the Operating Partnership for payment of these amounts.
Any interest not punctually paid or duly provided for on any interest payment date with
respect to a debt security will forthwith cease to be payable to the holder on the applicable
regular record date and may either be paid to the person in whose name that debt security is
registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of that defaulted
interest to be fixed by the trustee or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner, all in
accordance with the indenture (Section 307). Notice of any special record date will be given to the
holder of that debt security not less than 10 days prior to the special record date.
Registration and Transfer
Subject to certain limitations imposed upon debt securities issued in book-entry form, the
debt securities of any series will be exchangeable for other debt securities of the same series, of
a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, of different authorized denominations upon surrender
of such debt securities at the corporate trust office of the trustee. In addition, subject to
certain limitations imposed upon debt securities issued in book-entry form, the debt securities of
any series may be surrendered for registration of transfer at the corporate trust office of the
trustee.
Every debt security surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange will be duly endorsed
or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer. No service charge will be made for any
registration of transfer or exchange of any debt securities, but the Operating Partnership may
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in
connection therewith (Section 305).
If the applicable prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agent (in addition to the
trustee) initially designated by the Operating Partnership and the Guarantors with respect to any
series of debt securities, the Operating Partnership may at any time rescind the designation of
that transfer agent or approve a change in the location through which that transfer agent acts,
except that the Operating Partnership and the Guarantors will be required to maintain a transfer
agent in each place of payment for that series. The Operating Partnership and the Guarantors may at
any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of debt securities
(Section 1002).
Neither the Operating Partnership nor the trustee will be required to:
(1) issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt securities of any series during a period
beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of debt securities of that series
to be redeemed and ending at the close of business of the day of mailing of the relevant notice of
redemption;
(2) register the transfer of or exchange any debt security, or portion thereof, called for
redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any debt security being redeemed in part; or
(3) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debt security which has been surrendered
for repayment at the option of the holder, except that portion, if any, of such debt security which
is not to be so repaid (Section 305).
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Merger, Consolidation or Sale
The Operating Partnership may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or substantially
all of its assets to, or merge with or into, any other entity, provided that the following
conditions are satisfied or fulfilled:
(1) either the Operating Partnership is the continuing entity, or the successor (if other than
the Operating Partnership) formed by or resulting from any such consolidation or merger or which
has received the transfer of those assets is organized under the laws of the United States of
America and expressly assumes payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all
of the debt securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants
and conditions contained in the indenture;
(2) immediately after giving effect to the transaction and taking into account any
indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Operating Partnership or any Subsidiary at the time
of the transaction, no event of default under the indenture, and no event which, after notice or
the lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default, has occurred and is continuing; and
(3) an officers certificate of Brandywine as general partner of the Operating Partnership and
a legal opinion covering these conditions is delivered to the trustee (Section 801).
The Guarantors may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of
their respective assets to, or merge with or into, any other entity, provided that substantially
the same conditions as above are satisfied or fulfilled (Section 803).
Conversion and Exchange Rights
The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any series of debt securities will be convertible
into or exchangeable for Brandywine common shares or other securities will be set forth in an
applicable prospectus supplement. Such terms will include, as applicable, the conversion price or
exchange rate, the conversion or exchange period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange
of the debt securities will be at the option of the holder or the Operating Partnership, the events
requiring an adjustment to the conversion price or exchange rate and provisions affecting the
conversion or exchange of the debt securities in the event that the debt securities are redeemed.
Covenants
Limitations on Incurrence of Indebtedness
The Operating Partnership will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any
Indebtedness, other than Intercompany Indebtedness, if, immediately after giving effect to the
incurrence of that additional Indebtedness and the application of the proceeds thereof, the
aggregate principal amount of all of its outstanding Indebtedness and that of its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis is greater than 60% of the sum of (without duplication):
(1) the Total Assets of the Operating Partnership and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the
calendar quarter covered in its Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as the
case may be, most recently filed with the SEC (or, if such filing is not permitted under the
Exchange Act, with the trustee) prior to the incurrence of that additional Indebtedness; and
(2) the purchase price of any assets included in the definition of Total Assets acquired, and
the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent that the proceeds were not
used to acquire assets included with Total Assets or used to reduce Indebtedness), by the Operating
Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries
since the end of that calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained in connection with
the incurrence of that additional Indebtedness.
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The Operating Partnership also will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur
any Indebtedness secured by any Encumbrance upon any of its properties or any of its Subsidiaries
properties, whether owned at the date of the indenture or thereafter acquired, if, immediately
after giving effect to the incurrence of that additional Indebtedness secured by an Encumbrance and
the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of its outstanding
indebtedness and that of its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis which is secured by any
Encumbrance on its properties or any of its Subsidiaries properties is greater than 40% of the sum
of (without duplication):
(1) the Total Assets of the Operating Partnership and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the
calendar quarter covered in its Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as the
case may be, most recently filed with the SEC (or, if such filing is not permitted under the
Exchange Act, with the trustee) prior to the incurrence of that additional Indebtedness; and
(2) the purchase price of any assets included in the definition of Total Assets acquired, and
the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent that such proceeds were not
used to acquire assets included in the definition of Total Assets or used to reduce Indebtedness),
by the Operating Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries since the end of that calendar quarter,
including those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of that additional
Indebtedness.
In addition, the Operating Partnership will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, incur any Indebtedness if the ratio of Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service to Annual
Debt Service Charge for the four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended prior to the date
on which that additional Indebtedness is to be incurred will be less than 1.5:1 on a pro forma
basis after giving effect thereto and to the application of the proceeds therefrom, and calculated
on the assumption that:
(1) that Indebtedness and any other Indebtedness incurred by the Operating Partnership and its
Subsidiaries since the first day of that four-quarter period and the application of the proceeds
therefrom, including to refinance other Indebtedness, had occurred at the beginning of that
four-quarter period;
(2) the repayment or retirement of any other Indebtedness by the Operating Partnership and its
Subsidiaries since the first day of that four-quarter period had been repaid or retired at the
beginning of that four-quarter period (except that, for purposes of this computation, the amount of
Indebtedness under any revolving credit facility will be computed based upon the average daily
balance of that Indebtedness during that four-quarter period);
(3) in the case of Acquired Indebtedness or Indebtedness incurred in connection with any
acquisition since the first day of that four-quarter period, the acquisition had occurred as of the
first day of that four-quarter period with the appropriate adjustments with respect to the
acquisition being included in the pro forma calculation; and
(4) in the case of any acquisition or disposition by the Operating Partnership or any of its
Subsidiaries of any asset or group of assets since the first day of that four-quarter period,
whether by merger, stock purchase or sale, or asset purchase or sale, the acquisition or
disposition or any related repayment of Indebtedness had occurred as of the first day of that
four-quarter period with the appropriate adjustments with respect to the acquisition or disposition
being included in the pro forma calculation (Section 1006).
Maintenance of Unencumbered Assets
The Operating Partnership and its Subsidiaries will at all times maintain Total Unencumbered
Assets of not less than 150% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of its Unsecured
Indebtedness and that of its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (Section 1006).
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Provision of Financial Information
So long as any debt securities are outstanding and whether or not required by the SEC,
Brandywine and the Operating Partnership will furnish to the trustee within 15 days of the time
periods specified in the SECs rules and regulations:
(1) all annual and quarterly financial information that would be required to be contained in
filings with the SEC on Forms 10-K and 10-Q if Brandywine and the Operating Partnership were
required to file those filings, including a Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on
the annual financial statements by our certified independent accountants; and
(2) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if
Brandywine and the Operating Partnership were required to file such reports.
If Brandywine or the Operating Partnership is not subject to Sections 13 and 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, Brandywine or the Operating Partnership, as the case may be, will (A) furnish to the
holders of the debt securities, without cost to such holders, a copy of the information and reports
referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above within 15 days of the time periods specified in the SECs
rules and regulations, and (B) upon written request and payment of the reasonable cost of
duplication and delivery, promptly supply to any prospective holder of the debt securities a copy
of the information and reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above.
In addition, whether or not required by the SEC, Brandywine and the Operating Partnership will
file a copy of the information and reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the SEC
for public availability within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and regulations
(unless the SEC will not accept such a filing) (Section 704).
Waiver of Certain Covenants
The Operating Partnership and the Guarantors may choose not to comply with any term, provision
or condition of the preceding covenants, and with any other term, provision or condition with
respect to the debt securities (except for any term, provision or condition which could not be
amended without the consent of all holders of debt securities), if at any time the holders of at
least a majority in principal amount of all the outstanding debt securities, by act of those
holders, either waive compliance in that instance or generally waive compliance with that covenant.
Except to the extent so expressly waived, and until any waiver becomes effective, the Operating
Partnerships and the Guarantors obligations and the duties of the trustee in respect of any such
term, provision or condition will remain in full force and effect (Section 1010).
Other Covenants
Existence
Except as permitted under Merger, Consolidation or Sale, each of the Operating Partnership
and the Guarantors will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full
force and effect its existence, rights (declaration and statutory) and franchises; provided,
however, that neither the Operating Partnership nor any Guarantor will be required to preserve any
right or franchise if it determines that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the
conduct of its business and that the loss of that right or franchise is not disadvantageous in any
material respect to the holders of the debt securities (Section 1005).
Maintenance of Properties
Each of the Operating Partnership and the Guarantors will cause all of its material properties
used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any of its Subsidiaries to be
maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order, all as in the judgment of the
Operating Partnership or the applicable Guarantor may be necessary so that the business carried on
in connection with those properties may be properly and advantageously
conducted at all times; provided, however, that neither the Operating Partnership nor any
Guarantor nor any of their respective Subsidiaries will be prevented from selling or otherwise
disposing of their properties for value in the ordinary course of business (Section 1007).
14
Insurance
Each of the Operating Partnership and the Guarantors will cause each of its and its
Subsidiaries insurable properties to be insured in a commercially reasonable amount against loss
of damage with insurers of recognized responsibility and, if described in the applicable prospectus
supplement, in specified amounts and with insurers having a specified rating from a recognized
insurance rating service (Section 1008).
Payment of Taxes and Other Claims
Each of the Operating Partnership and the Guarantors will pay or discharge or cause to be paid
or discharged, before becoming delinquent:
all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any of its
Subsidiaries or upon its income, profits or property or that of any of its Subsidiaries; and
all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a
lien upon its property or the property of any of its Subsidiaries;
provided, however, that neither the Operating Partnership nor any Guarantor will be required to pay
or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount or
applicability is being contested in good faith (Section 1009).
Additional Covenants
The applicable prospectus supplement relating to the series of debt securities being offered
will describe any additional covenants specific to that series.
Events of Default, Notice and Waiver
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture provides that
the following events will be events of default with respect to each series of debt securities
issued under the indenture:
(1) default for 30 days in the payment of any interest on any debt security of that series;
(2) default in the payment of any principal of or premium, if any, on any debt security of
that series when due;
(3) default in making any sinking fund payment as required for any debt security of that
series;
(4) default in the performance of any other covenant or warranty of the Operating Partnership
and/or any of the Guarantors contained in the indenture with respect to any debt security of that
series, which continues for 60 days after written notice as provided in the indenture;
(5) default in the payment of an aggregate principal amount exceeding $25,000,000 of any
evidence of indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and/or any of the Guarantors or any mortgage,
indenture, note, bond, capitalized lease or other instrument under which that indebtedness is
issued or by which that indebtedness is secured, such default having continued after the expiration
of any applicable grace period or having resulted in the acceleration of the maturity of that
indebtedness, but only if that indebtedness is not discharged or such acceleration is not rescinded
or annulled;
15
(6) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or court appointment of a
receiver, liquidator or trustee of the Operating Partnership, Brandywine, any Subsidiary Guarantor
or any other Significant Subsidiary or any of their respective properties;
(7) except as otherwise permitted in the Indenture, any guarantee of the debt securities of
any series is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any
reason to be in full force and effect, or Brandywine or any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a
Significant Subsidiary shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under its guarantee with respect to
the debt securities of the applicable series; and
(8) any other event of default provided with respect to a particular series of debt securities
(Section 501).
If an event of default (other than as described in clause (6) above) with respect to debt
securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in each case the
trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities
of that series may declare the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are original
issue discount securities or indexed securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be
specified in the terms thereof) of and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all of
the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately by written notice thereof to
the Operating Partnership and Brandywine (and to the trustee if given by the holders). If an event
of default described in clause (6) above occurs and is continuing, the principal (or such portion
thereof) of and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all of the debt securities of
that series will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on
the part of the trustee or any holders. However, at any time after any acceleration with respect to
debt securities of that series, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the amounts due has
been obtained by the trustee, the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of
outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul that acceleration and its
consequences if (1) the Operating Partnership or any Guarantor has paid or deposited with the
trustee all required payments of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the debt
securities of that series (without giving effect to the acceleration) plus certain fees, expenses,
disbursements and, premium, if any, advances of the trustee and (2) all events of default, other
than the nonpayment of accelerated principal, premium, if any, or interest with respect to debt
securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture (Section 502).
The indenture also provides that the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of any series may waive any past default with respect to that series
and its consequences, except a default (A) in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any,
or interest on any debt security of that series or (B) in respect of a covenant or provision
contained in the indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of
each outstanding debt security affected thereby (Section 513).
The trustee will be required to give notice to the holders of debt securities within 90 days
of a default under the indenture; provided, however, that the trustee may withhold notice to the
holders of any series of debt securities of any default with respect to that series (except a
default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities
of that series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment in respect of any debt securities
of that series) if the responsible officers of the trustee consider withholding of notice to be in
the interest of the holders (Section 602).
The indenture provides that no holders of debt securities of any series may institute any
judicial or other proceedings with respect to the indenture or for any remedy thereunder, except in
the case of failure of the trustee, for 60 days, to act after it has received a written request to
institute proceedings in respect of an event of default from the holders of not less than 25% in
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, as well as an offer of security
or indemnity satisfactory to it (Section 507). This provision will not prevent, however, any holder
of debt securities from instituting suit for the enforcement of payment of the principal of and
premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities at the respective due date or dates for
payment (Section 508).
Subject to provisions in the indenture relating to its duties in case of default, the trustee
is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request
or direction of any holders of debt securities of any series then outstanding under the indenture,
unless the holders offer to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it (Section 603). The
holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any
series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or of exercising any trust or power
conferred upon the trustee for that series. However, the trustee may refuse to follow any direction
which is in conflict with any law or the indenture, which may involve the trustee in personal
liability or which may be unduly prejudicial to the holders of debt securities of that series not
joining in the proceeding (Section 512).
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Within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Operating Partnership and Brandywine
must deliver to the trustee a certificate, signed by one of several specified officers of the
general partner of the Operating Partnership and of Brandywine, stating whether or not such
officers have knowledge of any default under the indenture and, if so, specifying each such default
and the nature and status thereof (Section 1004).
Modification of the Indenture
Modifications and amendments of provisions of the indenture applicable to any series may be
made only with consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all
outstanding debt securities which are affected by the modification or amendment; provided, however,
that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each debt security
affected thereby:
(1) change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest or premium,
if any, on, that debt security;
(2) reduce the principal amount of, or the rate or amount of interest on, or any premium
payable on redemption of, that debt security, or reduce the amount of principal of an original
issue discount security that would be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the
maturity thereof or would be provable in bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of repayment of
the holder of that debt security;
(3) change the place of payment, or the coin or currency, for payment of principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on that debt security;
(4) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect
to that debt security on or after the stated maturity thereof;
(5) reduce the above-stated percentage of outstanding debt securities of any series necessary
to modify or amend the indenture, to waive compliance with certain provisions thereof or specified
defaults and consequences thereunder or to reduce the quorum or voting requirements set forth in
the indenture;
(6) modify or affect in any manner adverse to the holders the terms and conditions of the
obligations of any of the Guarantors under the guarantees applicable to that debt security (other
than releases of guarantees when a Subsidiary Guarantors guarantee under our principal credit
agreement is terminated); or
(7) modify any of the foregoing provisions or any of the provisions relating to the waiver of
certain past defaults or certain covenants, except to increase the required percentage to effect
that action or to provide that certain other provisions may not be modified or waived without the
consent of the holder of that debt security (Section 902).
The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of
a particular series have the right to waive compliance by the Operating Partnership and the
Guarantors with certain covenants in the indenture relating to that series (Section 1010).
Modifications and amendments of the indenture may be made by the Operating Partnership, the
Guarantors and the trustee without the consent of any holder of debt securities for any of the
following purposes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another person to the Operating Partnership as obligor, or
to any of the Guarantors under the indenture;
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(2) to add to the covenants of the Operating Partnership or any of the Guarantors for the
benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities or to surrender any right or power
conferred upon the Operating Partnership or any of the Guarantors in the indenture;
(3) to add events of default for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt
securities;
(4) to change or eliminate any provisions of the indenture, provided that the change or
elimination will become effective only when there are no outstanding debt securities of any series
created prior thereto which are entitled to the benefit of such provision;
(5) to secure, or add additional guarantees with respect to, the debt securities;
(6) to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series;
(7) to provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee or facilitate the
administration of the trust under the indenture by more than one trustee;
(8) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture, provided that such action
will not adversely affect the interests of holders of debt securities of any series in any material
respect; or
(9) to supplement any of the provisions of the indenture to the extent necessary to permit or
facilitate defeasance and discharge of any series of such debt securities, provided that such
action will not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the debt securities of any series
in any material respect (Section 901).
The indenture provides that, in determining whether the holders of the requisite principal
amount of outstanding debt securities of a series have given any request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent or waiver thereunder or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of
holders of debt securities:
(1) the principal amount of an original issue discount security that is deemed to be
outstanding will be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the
date of determination upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of that debt security;
(2) the principal amount of a debt security denominated in a foreign currency that is deemed
outstanding will be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined on the issue date for that debt
security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an original issue discount security, the U.S.
dollar equivalent on the issue date of that debt security of the amount determined as provided in
clause (1) above);
(3) the principal amount of an indexed security that is deemed outstanding will be the
principal face amount of that indexed security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with
respect to that indexed security pursuant to the indenture; and
(4) debt securities owned by the Operating Partnership, any of the Guarantors or any other
obligor upon the debt securities or any affiliate of the Operating Partnership, any of the
Guarantors or of that other obligor will be disregarded (Section 101).
The indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the holders of debt securities of
a series (Article Thirteen). A meeting may be called at any time by the trustee, and also, upon
request, by the Operating Partnership or the holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of that series, in each case upon notice given as provided in the
indenture (Section 1302). Except for any consent that must be given by the holder of each debt
security affected by certain modifications and amendments of the indenture, any resolution
presented at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present may be
adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
debt securities of that series; provided, however, that, except as referred to above, any
resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action that may be made, given or taken by the holders of a specified percentage, which is
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less than a majority, in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present
by the affirmative vote of the holders of the debt securities of that series. Any resolution passed
or decision taken at any meeting of holders of debt securities of any series duly held in
accordance with the indenture will be binding on all holders of debt securities of that series. The
quorum at any meeting called to adopt a resolution, and at any reconvened meeting, will be persons,
holding or representing a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a
series; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a
consent or waiver which may be given by the holders of not less than a specified percentage in
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series, the persons holding or
representing such specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of
such series will constitute a quorum (Section 1304).
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, if any action is to be taken at a meeting of holders
of debt securities of any series with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other action that the indenture expressly provides may be made, given or
taken by the holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all outstanding debt
securities affected thereby, or of the holders of that series and one or more additional series:
(1) there will be no minimum quorum requirement for the meeting; and
(2) the principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series that vote in favor
of the request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action will be
taken into account in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under the indenture (Section 1304).
Discharge; Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Operating Partnership
and the Guarantors may discharge certain obligations to holders of any series of debt securities
that have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and that either have become
due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or are scheduled for redemption
within one year) by irrevocably depositing with the trustee, in trust, funds in such currency or
currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such debt
securities are payable in an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on such debt
securities in respect of principal and premium, if any, and interest to the date of such deposit
(if such debt securities have become due and payable) or to the stated maturity or redemption date,
as the case may be (Section 404).
In addition, the indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided in the applicable
prospectus supplement, if the provisions of Article Four are made applicable to the debt securities
of any series pursuant to the indenture, the Operating Partnership may elect either
(1) to defease and discharge itself and the Guarantors from any and all obligations with
respect to those debt securities (except for the obligation to pay additional amounts, if any, upon
the occurrence of certain events of tax, assessment or governmental charge with respect to payments
on such debt securities and the obligations to register the transfer or exchange of such debt
securities, to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, to
maintain an office or agency in respect of such debt securities and to hold moneys for payment in
trust) (legal defeasance) (Section 402); or
(2) to release itself and the Guarantors from their obligations with respect to those debt
securities under Covenants, Other Covenants or their obligations with respect to any other
covenant, and any omission to comply with such obligations will not constitute a default or an
event of default with respect to those debt securities (covenant defeasance) (Section 403);
in either case upon the irrevocable deposit by the Operating Partnership or the Guarantors
with the trustee, in trust, of any amount, in such currency or currencies, currency unit or units
or composite currency or currencies in which those debt securities are payable at stated maturity,
or Government Obligations, or both, applicable to those debt securities which through the scheduled
payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will
provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and
interest on such debt securities, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon, on
the scheduled due dates.
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This trust may only be established if, among other conditions, the Operating Partnership has
delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt
securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result
of legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, and will be subject to U.S. federal
income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the
case if legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, had not occurred, and the
opinion of counsel, in the case of legal defeasance, must refer to and be based upon a ruling of
the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) or a change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law
occurring after the date of the indenture (Section 404).
In the event the Operating Partnership effects covenant defeasance with respect to the debt
securities of any series and those debt securities are declared due and payable because of the
occurrence of any event of default other than an event of default described in clause (4) under
Events of Default, Notice and Waiver with respect to the covenants described under Covenants
and Other Covenants (which would no longer be applicable to those debt securities) or described
in clause (7) under Events of Default, Notice and Waiver with respect to any other covenant as to
which there has been covenant defeasance, the amount in the currency, currency unit or composite
currency in which those debt securities are payable, and Government Obligations on deposit with the
trustee, will be sufficient to pay amounts due on those debt securities at the time of their stated
maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on those debt securities at the time of the
acceleration resulting from such event of default. However, the Operating Partnership and the
Guarantors would remain liable to make payment of those amounts due at the time of acceleration.
The applicable prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, permitting
legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any modifications to the provisions described
above, with respect to the debt securities of a particular series.
Subordination
The terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities of any series will
subordinated to other indebtedness of the Operating Partnership, including the debt securities of
other series, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. These terms will include a
description of the indebtedness ranking senior to the debt securities of that series, the
restrictions on payments to the holders of the debt securities of that series while a default with
respect to the senior indebtedness is continuing, the restrictions, if any, on payments to the
holders of the debt securities of that series following an event of default, and provisions
requiring holders of the debt securities of that series to remit certain payments to holders of
senior indebtedness.
Book-Entry System and Global Securities
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more
securities in global form that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository identified in
the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that series. Global securities, if any, issued in
the United States are expected to be deposited with The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, as
depository. Unless otherwise indicated, global securities will be issued in fully registered form
and in either temporary or permanent form. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states
otherwise, and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the debt securities represented
thereby, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depository for that
global security to a nominee of that depository or by a nominee of that depository to that
depository or another nominee of such depository or by that depository or any nominee of that
depository to a successor depository or any nominee of that successor.
The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities
will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. We anticipate that, unless otherwise
indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to
depository arrangements.
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The applicable prospectus supplement will state whether the global securities will be issued
in certificated or book-entry form. If the global securities are to be issued in book-entry form,
we expect that upon the issuance of a global security, the depository for the global security or
its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the respective principal
amounts of the individual debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of
persons that have accounts with such depository (participants). These accounts will be designated
by the underwriters, dealers or agents with respect to the debt securities. Ownership of beneficial
interests in a global security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests
through participants.
We expect that, for the global securities deposited with DTC, pursuant to procedures
established by DTC, ownership of beneficial interests in any global security with respect to which
DTC is the depository will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only
through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee (with respect to beneficial interests of
participants) and records of participants (with respect to beneficial interests of persons who hold
through participants). None of the Operating Partnership, the Guarantors, the trustee, any paying
agent and the security registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records of DTC or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC or any of its
participants relating to beneficial ownership interests in the debt securities. The laws of some
states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in
definitive form. These limits and laws may impair the ability to own, pledge or transfer beneficial
interest in a global security.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or the actual global
security, so long as the depository for a global security or its nominee is the registered owner of
the book-entry global security, the depository or that nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by that global security for
all purposes under the applicable indenture. Except as described below or in the applicable
prospectus supplement or the global security, owners of beneficial interest in a global security
will not be entitled to have any of the individual debt securities represented by the global
security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive delivery of debt
securities in definitive certificated form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof
under the applicable indenture. Beneficial owners of debt securities evidenced by a global security
will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the indenture for any purpose, including
with respect to the giving of any direction, instructions or approvals to the trustee thereunder.
Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security with respect to which
DTC is the depository must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that person is not a participant,
on the procedures of the participant through which that person owns its interests, to exercise any
rights of a holder under the applicable indenture. We understand that, under existing industry
practice, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a global
security desires to give or take any action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the
applicable indenture, DTC would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interest
to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners through the
participants to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial
owners holding through them.
Payments of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on debt securities represented by a
global security registered in the name of a depository or its nominee will be made to or at the
direction of the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the
global security under the indenture. Under the terms of the indenture, the Operating Partnership,
the Guarantors, the trustee, any paying agent and the security registrar may treat the persons in
whose name debt securities, including a global security, are registered as the owners thereof for
the purpose of receiving such payments. Consequently, none of the Operating Partnership, the
Guarantors, the trustee, any paying agent and the security registrar has or will have any
responsibility or liability for the payment of those amounts to beneficial owners of debt
securities (including principal, premium, if any, and interest). We believe, however, that it is
currently the policy of DTC to immediately credit the accounts of relevant participants with
payments, in amounts proportionate to their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the
relevant global security as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by participants to
owners of beneficial interests in the global security held through participants will be governed by
standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account
of customers in bearer form or registered in street name, and will be the responsibility of the
participants. Redemption notices with respect to any debt securities represented by a global
security will be sent to the depository or its nominee. If less than all of the debt securities of
any series are to be redeemed, we expect the depository to determine the amount of the interest of
each participant in the debt securities to be redeemed to be determined by lot. None of the
Operating Partnership, the Guarantors, the trustee, any paying agent and the security registrar for
the debt securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the
global security for the debt securities or for maintaining any records with respect thereto.
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None of the Operating Partnership, the Guarantors, the trustee, any paying agent and the
security registrar will be liable for any delay by the holders of a global security or the
depository in identifying the beneficial owners of debt securities and the Operating Partnership,
the Guarantors and the trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on,
instructions from the holder of a global security or the depository for all purposes. The rules
applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.
If a depository for any debt securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to
continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed by the Operating Partnership
within 90 days, the Operating Partnership will issue definitive certificated debt securities in
exchange for the global security representing those debt securities. If an event of default has
occurred and is continuing with respect to the debt securities of any series, the Operating
Partnership will issue definitive certificated debt securities in exchange for the global security
or securities representing the debt securities of such series. In addition, the Operating
Partnership may at any time and in its sole discretion, subject to any limitations described in the
applicable prospectus supplement or the global security relating to the debt securities, determine
not to have any of the debt securities represented by one or more global securities and in such
event will issue definitive certificated debt securities in exchange for the global security or
securities representing the debt securities.
The debt securities of a series may also be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or
more bearer global securities that will be deposited outside of the United States with a
depository, or with a nominee for the depository, identified in the applicable prospectus
supplement and/or global security. Any such bearer global securities may be issued in temporary or
permanent form. The specific terms and procedures, including the specific terms of the depository
arrangement, with respect to any portion of a series of debt securities to be represented by one or
more bearer global securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or
global security.
Certain Definitions
The following are certain defined terms used in this prospectus and the indenture. We refer
you to the indenture for the complete definition of all defined terms, as well as any other
capitalized terms used in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement for which no
definition is provided (Section 101).
For purposes of the following definitions and the indenture generally, all calculations and
determinations will be made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and will be
based upon the consolidated financial statements of the Operating Partnership and its Subsidiaries
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Acquired Indebtedness means Indebtedness of a person (1) existing at the time that person
becomes a Subsidiary or (2) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from that person,
in each case, other than Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, that
person becoming a Subsidiary or that acquisition. Acquired Indebtedness will be deemed to be
incurred on the date of the related acquisition of assets from any person or the date on which the
acquired person becomes a Subsidiary.
Annual Debt Service Charge means, for any period, the aggregate interest expense (including,
without limitation, the interest component of rentals on capitalized leases and letter of credit
fees, commitment fees and other similar financial charges) for that period in respect of, and the
amortization during such period of any original issue discount of, the Operating Partnerships
Indebtedness and that of its Subsidiaries.
Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service means, for any period, Earnings from
Operations plus amounts which have been deducted, and minus amounts which have been added, for the
following (without duplication):
(1) Annual Debt Service Charge;
(2) provision for taxes based on income;
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(3) provisions for gains and losses on properties and depreciation and amortization;
(4) increases in deferred taxes and other non-cash items;
(5) depreciation and amortization with respect to interests in joint venture and partially
owned entity investments;
(6) the effect of any charge resulting from a change in accounting principles; and
(7) amortization of deferred charges.
Earnings from Operations means, for any period, net income or loss of the Operating
Partnership and its Subsidiaries, excluding:
(1) provisions for gains and losses on sales of investments or joint ventures;
(2) provisions for gains and losses on dispositions of discontinued operations
(3) extraordinary and non-recurring items; and
(4) impairment charges and property valuation losses,
as reflected in the consolidated financial statements of the Operating Partnership and its
Subsidiaries for that period.
Encumbrance means any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge or security interest of any kind.
Government Obligations means securities which are:
(1) direct obligations of the United States of America or the government which issued the
foreign currency in which the debt securities of a particular series are payable; or
(2) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or
instrumentality of the United States of America, or the government which issued the foreign
currency in which the debt securities of that series are payable, the payment of which is
unconditionally guaranteed by the United States of America or that other government;
which in either case, are full faith and credit obligations of the United States of America or
that other government, and are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and
will also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect
to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such
Government Obligation held by that custodian for the account of the holder of a depositary receipt,
provided that (except as required by law) the custodian is not authorized to make any deduction
from the amount payable to the holder of that depositary receipt from any amount received by the
custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or
principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.
Indebtedness means, with respect to the Operating Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries
(without duplication) any indebtedness of the Operating Partnership or any of its respective
Subsidiaries:
(1) in respect of borrowed money;
(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments;
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(3) secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance or any security interest
existing on property owned by the Operating Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries;
(4) consisting of letters of credit or amounts representing the balance deferred and unpaid of
the purchase price of any property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or
trade payable; or
(5) consisting of capitalized leases;
and also includes, to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation by the Operating
Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or
otherwise (other than for purposes of collection in the ordinary course of business), indebtedness
of another person (other than the Operating Partnership or its Subsidiaries), it being understood
that indebtedness shall be deemed to be incurred by the Operating Partnership or any of its
Subsidiaries whenever it or that Subsidiary creates, assumes, guarantees or otherwise becomes
liable in respect thereof.
Intercompany Indebtedness means indebtedness to which the only parties are the Operating
Partnership, Brandywine and any Subsidiary (but only so long as such indebtedness is held solely by
any of the Operating Partnership, Brandywine and any Subsidiary) that is subordinate in right of
payment to the debt securities.
Significant Subsidiary means each significant subsidiary (as defined in Regulation S-X
promulgated under the Securities Act) of the Operating Partnership.
Subsidiary means, as to any person, (a) any corporation more than 50% of whose stock of any
class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the
directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time, any class or classes of
stock of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the lapse of time or
the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such person directly or indirectly
through Subsidiaries, and (b) any partnership, association, joint venture, limited liability
company, trust or other entity in which such person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries has
more than a 50% equity interest or 50% Capital Percentage at any time. For the purpose of this
definition, Capital Percentage means, with respect to the interest of Brandywine, the Operating
Partnership or one of its Subsidiaries in any partnership, association, joint venture, limited
liability company, trust or other entity, the percentage interest of such partnership, association,
joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other entity based on the aggregate amount of
net capital contributed by Brandywine, the Operating Partnership or such Subsidiary in such
partnership, association, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other entity at the
time of determination relative to all capital contributions made in such partnership, association,
joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other entity at such time of determination.
Total Assets means, as of any date, the sum of:
(1) the Undepreciated Real Estate Assets; and
(2) all of the other assets of the Operating Partnership and its Subsidiaries determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (but excluding accounts receivable and
intangibles).
Total Unencumbered Assets means the sum of:
(1) those Undepreciated Real Estate Assets not subject to an Encumbrance for borrowed money;
and
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(2) all of the other assets of the Operating Partnership and its Subsidiaries not subject to
an Encumbrance for borrowed money, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles (but excluding accounts receivable and intangibles); provided, however, that, in the
case of debt securities issued under the indenture on or after April 5, 2011, but not before April
5, 2011, in determining Total Unencumbered Assets as a percentage of outstanding Unsecured
Indebtedness for purposes of the covenant in the Indenture that requires the Operating Partnership
and its Subsidiaries to maintain Total Unencumbered Assets of not less than 150% of the
aggregate outstanding principal amount of Unsecured Indebtedness, all investments in any
person that is not consolidated with the Operating Partnership for financial reporting purposes in
accordance with GAAP shall be excluded from Total Unencumbered Assets.
Undepreciated Real Estate Assets means, as of any date, the cost (original cost plus capital
improvements) of the real estate assets of the Operating Partnership and its Subsidiaries on that
date, before depreciation and amortization determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.
Unsecured Indebtedness means indebtedness which is not secured by any Encumbrance upon any
of the properties of the Operating Partnership and its Subsidiaries.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
The following is a summary of provisions of Brandywines shares of beneficial interest as of
the date of this prospectus. This summary does not completely describe Brandywines shares of
beneficial interest. For a complete description of Brandywines shares of beneficial interest, we
refer you to Brandywines Declaration of Trust and Bylaws, each of which is incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. See Where You Can Find More Information on page 1.
General
Brandywines Declaration of Trust provides that it is authorized to issue up to 220,000,000
shares of beneficial interest (which we refer to in this prospectus as shares) consisting of
200,000,000 common shares, par value $.01 per share, which are referred to in this prospectus as
Brandywines common shares, and 20,000,000 preferred shares, par value $.01 per share, which are
referred to in this prospectus as Brandywines preferred shares. Of the preferred shares,
2,000,000 preferred shares, designated as 7.50% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares,
are issued and outstanding as of the date of this prospectus and are referred to in this prospectus
as the Series C Preferred Shares, and an additional 2,300,000 preferred shares, designated as
7.375% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, are issued and outstanding as of the date
of this prospectus and are referred to in this prospectus as the Series D Preferred Shares.
Brandywines Declaration of Trust generally may be amended by its Board of Trustees, without
shareholder approval, to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares or the
number of shares of any class. The authorized common shares and undesignated preferred shares are
generally available for future issuance without further action by Brandywines shareholders, unless
such action is required by applicable law, the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation
system on which Brandywines securities may be listed or traded or pursuant to the preferential
rights of the Series C Preferred Shares or the Series D Preferred Shares. Holders of Series C
Preferred Shares and Series D Preferred Shares have the right to approve certain additional
issuances of Preferred Shares, such as shares that would rank senior to the Series C Preferred
Shares or the Series D Preferred Shares as to distributions or upon liquidation.
Both Maryland statutory law governing real estate investment trusts formed under Maryland law
(the Maryland REIT Law) and Brandywines Declaration of Trust provide that none of its
shareholders will be personally liable, by reason of status as a shareholder, for any of its
obligations. Brandywines Bylaws further provide that it will indemnify any shareholder or former
shareholder against any claim or liability to which such shareholder may become subject by reason
of being or having been a shareholder, and that Brandywine shall reimburse each shareholder who has
been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of a proceeding to which the
shareholder has been made a party by reason of status as such for all reasonable expenses incurred
by the shareholder in connection with any such claim or liability.
Brandywines Declaration of Trust provides that, subject to the provisions of any class or
series of Preferred Shares then outstanding and to the mandatory provisions of applicable law, its
shareholders are entitled to vote only on the following matters:
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election or removal of trustees; |
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amendment of the Declaration of Trust (other than an amendment to increase or
decrease the number of authorized shares or the number of shares of any class); |
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a determination by the Board of Trustees to cause Brandywine to invest in
commodities contracts (other than interest rate futures intended to hedge against
interest rate risk), engage in securities trading (as compared to investment)
activities or hold properties primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of
business; and |
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Brandywines merger with another entity. |
Except with respect to these matters, no action taken by Brandywines shareholders at any meeting
binds the Board of Trustees.
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Shares
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest
Each outstanding common share entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a
vote of shareholders, including the election of trustees. There is no cumulative voting in the
election of trustees. The common shareholders vote as single class. In the future, Brandywine may
issue a series of preferred shares that votes together with the common shares as a single class.
Holders of Brandywines outstanding preferred shares have voting rights only under limited
circumstances and, in such circumstances, vote in a class separate from the common shareholders.
See Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest. Subject to (1) the preferential rights of the
Series C Preferred Shares and the Series D Preferred Shares and (2) such preferential rights as may
be granted by the Brandywine Board of Trustees in future issuances of additional series of
preferred shares, holders of common shares are entitled to such distributions as may be authorized
from time to time by the Brandywine Board of Trustees and declared by Brandywine out of funds
legally available therefor.
Holders of common shares have no conversion, exchange or redemption rights or preemptive
rights to subscribe to any Brandywine securities. All outstanding common shares are fully paid and
nonassessable. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Brandywines affairs,
subject to (1) the preferential rights of the Brandywine Series C Preferred Shares and the
Brandywine Series D Preferred Shares and (2) such preferential rights as may be granted by the
Board of Trustees in future issuances of additional series of preferred shares, holders of common
shares will be entitled to share ratably in any of Brandywines assets remaining after provision
for payment of liabilities to creditors. All common shares have equal dividend, distribution,
liquidation and other rights.
Brandywines common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BDN.
The transfer agent and registrar for the common shares is currently Computershare Limited.
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest
Brandywines Declaration of Trust authorizes it to issue up to 20,000,000 preferred shares,
par value $0.01 per share. The Declaration of Trust generally may be amended by the Board of
Trustees, without shareholder approval, to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized
shares of any class.
The holders of the Series C Preferred Shares and the Series D Preferred Shares do not have
voting rights, except (1) with respect to actions which would have a material adverse effect on
holders of such shares, or (2) in the event that Brandywine fails to pay quarterly distributions
for six or more quarters to the holders of the Series C Preferred Shares or the Series D Preferred
Shares. If the conditions specified in clause (2) exist, then those holders will have the right,
voting together as a single class with any other series of Brandywines preferred shares ranking on
a parity with the Series C Preferred Shares and the Series D Preferred Shares and upon which like
voting rights have been conferred, to elect two additional members to Brandywines Board of
Trustees.
If Brandywine issues preferred shares, the shares will be fully paid and non-assessable.
Prior to the issuance of a new series of preferred shares, Brandywine will file, with the State
Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland, Articles Supplementary that will become part of
Brandywines Declaration of Trust and that will set forth the terms of the new series. The
prospectus supplement relating to any preferred shares offered thereby will describe the specific
terms of the preferred shares, including:
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the title and stated value; |
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the number of shares offered, liquidation preference and offering price; |
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the distribution rate, distribution periods and payment dates; |
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the date on which distributions begin to accrue, and, if applicable, accumulate; |
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any auction and remarketing procedures; |
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any retirement or sinking fund requirement; |
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the terms and conditions of any redemption right; |
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the terms and conditions of any conversion or exchange right; |
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any listing of the offered shares on any securities exchange; |
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whether interests in the offered shares will be represented by Depositary Shares; |
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the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred shares as to distributions,
liquidation, dissolution or winding up; |
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any limitations on issuances of any other series of preferred shares ranking senior
to or on a parity with the series of preferred shares as to distributions, liquidation,
dissolution or winding up; |
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any limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions on transfer; and |
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any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions. |
Restrictions on Transfer
In order for Brandywine to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the Code), not more than 50% in value of its outstanding shares may be owned, directly
or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (defined in the Code to include certain entities such
as qualified pension plans) during the last half of a taxable year and shares must be beneficially
owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of twelve months (or during
a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year).
Because Brandywines Board of Trustees believes it is at present important for it to continue
to qualify as a REIT, the Declaration of Trust, subject to certain exceptions, contains provisions
that restrict the number of shares that a person may own and that are designed to safeguard
Brandywine against an inadvertent loss of REIT status. In order to prevent any shareholder from
owning shares in an amount that would cause more than 50% in value of the outstanding shares to be
held by five or fewer individuals, the Board of Trustees, pursuant to authority granted in
Brandywines Declaration of Trust, has passed a resolution that, subject to certain exceptions,
provides that no person may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the
Code, more than 9.8% in value of the outstanding shares. This limitation is referred to in this
prospectus as the ownership limit. Brandywines Board of Trustees, subject to limitations,
retains the authority to effect additional increases to, or establish exemptions from, the
ownership limit.
In addition, pursuant to Brandywine s Declaration of Trust, no purported transfer of shares
may be given effect if it would result in ownership of all of the outstanding shares by fewer than
100 persons (determined without any reference to the rules of attribution) or result in Brandywine
being closely held within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code. These restrictions are
referred to in this prospectus as the ownership restrictions. In the event of a purported
transfer or other event that would, if effective, result in the ownership of shares in violation of
the ownership limit or the ownership restrictions, such transfer would be deemed void and such
shares automatically would be exchanged for excess shares authorized by the Declaration of Trust,
according to rules set forth in the Declaration of Trust, to the extent necessary to ensure that
the purported transfer or other event does not result in the ownership of shares in violation of
the ownership limit or the ownership restrictions.
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Holders of excess shares are not entitled to voting rights (except to the extent required by
law), dividends or distributions. If, after the purported transfer or other event resulting in an
exchange of shares for excess shares and prior to the discovery by Brandywine of such exchange,
dividends or distributions are paid with respect to shares that were exchanged for excess shares,
then such dividends or distributions would be repayable to Brandywine upon demand. While
outstanding, excess shares would be held in trust by Brandywine for the benefit of the ultimate
transferee of an interest in such trust, as described below. While excess shares are held in
trust, an interest in that trust may be transferred by the purported transferee or other purported
holder with respect to such excess shares only to a person whose ownership of the shares would not
violate the ownership limit or the ownership restrictions, at which time the excess shares would be
exchanged automatically for shares of the same type and class as the shares for which the excess
shares were originally exchanged. Brandywines Declaration of Trust contains provisions that are
designed to ensure that the purported transferee or other purported holder of the excess shares may
not receive in return for such a transfer an amount that reflects any appreciation in the shares
for which such excess shares were exchanged during the period that such excess shares were
outstanding. Any amount received by a purported transferee or other purported holder in excess of
the amount permitted to be received would be required to be turned over to Brandywine.
Brandywines Declaration of Trust also provides that excess shares shall be deemed to have
been offered for sale to Brandywine, or its designee, which shall have the right to accept such
offer for a period of 90 days after the later of: (1) the date of the purported transfer or event
which resulted in an exchange of shares for such excess shares; and (2) the date the Board of
Trustees determines that a purported transfer or other event resulting in an exchange of shares for
such excess shares has occurred if Brandywine does not receive notice of any such transfer. The
price at which Brandywine may purchase such excess shares would be equal to the lesser of: (1) in
the case of excess shares resulting from a purported transfer for value, the price per share in the
purported transfer that caused the automatic exchange for such excess shares or, in the case of
excess shares resulting from some other event, the market price of such shares on the date of the
automatic exchange for excess shares; or (2) the market price of such shares on the date that
Brandywine accepts the excess shares. Any dividend or distribution paid to a proposed transferee
on excess shares prior to the discovery by Brandywine that such shares have been transferred in
violation of the provisions of the Declaration of Trust shall be repaid to Brandywine upon its
demand. If the foregoing restrictions are determined to be void or invalid by virtue of any legal
decision, statute, rule or regulation, then the intended transferee or holder of any excess shares
may be deemed, at Brandywines option, to have acted as Brandywines agent and on Brandywines
behalf in acquiring or holding such excess shares and to hold such excess shares on Brandywines
behalf.
Brandywines trustees may waive the ownership restrictions if evidence satisfactory to the
trustees and its tax counsel or tax accountants is presented showing that such waiver will not
jeopardize Brandywines status as a REIT under the Code. As a condition of such waiver,
Brandywines trustees may require that an intended transferee give written notice to Brandywine,
furnish such undertakings, agreements and information as may be required by Brandywines trustees
and/or an undertaking from the applicant with respect to preserving Brandywines status. Any
transfer of shares or any security convertible into shares that would create a direct or indirect
ownership of shares in excess of the ownership limit or result in the violation of the ownership
restrictions will be void with respect to the intended transferee and will result in excess shares
as described above.
Neither the ownership restrictions nor the ownership limit will be removed automatically even
if the REIT provisions of the Code are changed so as no longer to contain any ownership
concentration limitation or if the ownership concentration limitation is increased. Except as
described above, any change in the ownership restrictions would require an amendment to
Brandywines Declaration of the Trust. Amendments to Brandywines Declaration of Trust generally
require the affirmative vote of holders owning not less than a majority of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote thereon. In addition to preserving Brandywines status as a REIT, the ownership
restrictions and the ownership limit may have the effect of precluding an acquisition of control of
Brandywine without the approval of its Board of Trustees.
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All persons who own, directly or by virtue of the applicable attribution provisions of the
Code, more than 4.0% of the value of any class of outstanding shares, must file an affidavit with
Brandywine containing the information specified in the Declaration of Trust by January 31 of each
year. In addition, each shareholder shall upon demand be required to disclose to Brandywine in
writing such information with respect to the direct, indirect and constructive ownership of shares
as Brandywines trustees deem necessary to comply with the provisions of the
Code applicable to REITs, to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or
governmental agency or to determine any such compliance.
The ownership limit could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction
or a change in control of Brandywine that might involve a premium price for the Common Shares or
otherwise be in the best interest of Brandywines shareholders.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOSITARY SHARES
General
Brandywine may issue receipts (which we refer to in this prospectus as depositary receipts)
for the Depositary Shares (which we refer to in this prospectus as depository shares), each of
which will represent a fractional interest of a share of a particular series of Preferred Shares,
as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Brandywine will deposit Preferred Shares of
each series represented by depository shares under a separate deposit agreement among Brandywine,
the preferred share depositary and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts.
Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary receipt will be entitled,
in proportion to the fractional interest of a share of a particular series of Preferred Shares
represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such depositary receipt, to all the rights and
preferences of the Preferred Shares represented by such Depositary Shares (including distribution,
voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights).
The Depositary Shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the
applicable deposit agreement. Immediately following Brandywines issuance and delivery of the
Preferred Shares to the preferred share depositary, Brandywine will cause the preferred share
depositary to issue, on Brandywines behalf, the depositary receipts. Copies of the applicable
form of deposit agreement and depositary receipt may be obtained from Brandywine upon request, and
the following summary of that form filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this
prospectus is a part is qualified in its entirety by reference to these documents.
Distributions
The preferred share depositary will distribute all cash distributions received in respect of
the Preferred Shares to the record holders of depositary receipts evidencing the related Depositary
Shares in proportion to the number of such depositary receipts owned by such holders, subject to
certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay
certain charges and expenses to the preferred share depositary.
In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the preferred share depositary will
distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts entitled to such
distributions, subject to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other
information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the preferred share depositary, unless the
preferred share depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in which
case the preferred share depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the
net proceeds from such sale to such holders.
No distribution will be made in respect of any depositary share to the extent that it
represents any Preferred Shares converted into excess shares.
Withdrawal of Shares
Upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the preferred share
depositary (unless the related Depositary Shares have previously been called for redemption or
converted into excess shares), the holders of the depositary receipts will be entitled to delivery
at such office, to or upon such holders order, of the number of whole or fractional Preferred
Shares and any money or other property represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such
depositary receipts. Holders of depositary receipts will be entitled to receive whole or
fractional shares of the related Preferred Shares on the basis of the proportion of the Preferred
Shares represented by each depositary share as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement,
but holders of such Preferred Shares will not thereafter be entitled to receive Depositary Shares
therefor. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of Depositary
Shares in excess of the number of Depositary Shares representing the number of Preferred Shares to
be withdrawn, the preferred share depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new
depositary receipt evidencing such excess number of Depositary Shares.
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Redemption of Depositary Shares
Whenever Brandywine redeems Preferred Shares held by the preferred share depositary, the
preferred share depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of Depositary
Shares representing the Preferred Shares so redeemed, provided Brandywine has paid in full to the
preferred share depositary the redemption price of the Preferred Shares to be redeemed plus an
amount equal to any accrued and unpaid distributions thereon to the date fixed for redemption. The
redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the redemption price and any other amounts
per share payable with respect to the Preferred Shares. If fewer than all the Depositary Shares
are to be redeemed, the Depositary Shares to be redeemed will be selected pro rata (as nearly as
may be practicable without creating fractional Depositary Shares) or by any other equitable method
determined by us that will not result in the issuance of any excess shares.
From and after the date fixed for redemption, all distributions in respect of the Preferred
Shares so called for redemption will cease to accrue, the Depositary Shares so called for
redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of the
depositary receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares so called for redemption will cease, except
the right to receive any monies payable upon such redemption and any money or other property to
which the holders of such depositary receipts were entitled upon such redemption upon surrender
thereof to the preferred share depositary.
Voting of the Preferred Shares
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the Preferred Shares are
entitled to vote, the preferred share depositary will mail the information contained in such notice
of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares which
represent such Preferred Shares. Each record holder of depositary receipts evidencing Depositary
Shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the Preferred Shares)
will be entitled to instruct the preferred share depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights
pertaining to the amount of Preferred Shares represented by such holders Depositary Shares. The
preferred share depositary will vote the amount of Preferred Shares represented by such Depositary
Shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will agree to take all reasonable actions that
may be deemed necessary by the preferred share depositary in order to enable the preferred share
depositary to do so. The preferred share depositary will abstain from voting the amount of
Preferred Shares represented by such Depositary Shares to the extent it does not receive specific
instructions from the holders of depositary receipts evidencing such Depositary Shares. The
preferred share depositary will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instruction to
vote, or for the manner or effect of any such vote made, as long as any such action or non-action
is in good faith and does not result from negligence or willful misconduct of the preferred share
depositary.
Liquidation Preference
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary,
the holders of each depositary receipt will be entitled to the fraction of the liquidation
preference, if any, accorded each preferred share represented by the depositary share evidenced by
such depositary receipt, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Conversion of Preferred Shares
The Depositary Shares, as such, are not convertible into Common Shares or any of our other
securities or property, except in connection with certain conversions in connection with the
preservation of Brandywines status as a REIT. Nevertheless, if so specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement relating to an offering of Depositary Shares, the depositary receipts may be
surrendered by holders thereof to the preferred share depositary with written instructions to the
preferred share depositary to instruct Brandywine to cause conversion of the Preferred Shares
represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such depositary receipts into whole Common
Shares, other Preferred Shares (including excess shares) or other shares of beneficial interest.
If the Depositary Shares evidenced by a depositary receipt are to be converted in part only, a new
depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any Depositary Shares not to be converted. No
fractional Common Shares will be issued upon conversion, and if such conversion will result in a
fractional share being issued, we will pay an amount in cash equal
to the value of the fractional interest based upon the closing price of the Common Shares on
the last business day prior to the conversion.
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Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares which represent the Preferred
Shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between
us and the preferred share depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters
the rights of the holders of depositary receipts or that would be materially and adversely
inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the related Preferred Shares will not be
effective unless such amendment has been approved by the existing holders of at least a majority of
the Depositary Shares evidenced by the depositary receipts then outstanding. No amendment shall
impair the right, subject to certain exceptions in the depositary agreement, of any holder of
depositary receipts to surrender any depositary receipt with instructions to deliver to the holder
the related Preferred Shares and all money and other property, if any, represented thereby, except
in order to comply with law. Every holder of an outstanding depositary receipt at the time any
such amendment becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such depositary receipt, to
consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended thereby.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, Brandywine may terminate
the deposit agreement upon not less than 30 days prior written notice to the preferred share
depositary if: (1) such termination is necessary to assist in maintaining Brandywines status as a
REIT or (2) a majority of each series of Preferred Shares affected by such termination consents to
such termination, whereupon the preferred share depositary shall deliver or make available to each
holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by such holder, such
number of whole or fractional Preferred Shares as are represented by the Depositary Shares
evidenced by such depositary receipts together with any other property held by the preferred share
depositary with respect to such depositary receipts. If the deposit agreement is terminated to
assist in maintaining Brandywines status as a REIT, then, if the Depositary Shares are listed on a
national securities exchange, Brandywine will use its best efforts to list the Preferred Shares
issued upon surrender of the related Depositary Shares on a national securities exchange. In
addition, the deposit agreement will automatically terminate if: (1) all outstanding Depositary
Shares shall have been redeemed, (2) there shall have been a final distribution in respect of the
related Preferred Shares in connection with Brandywines liquidation, dissolution or winding up and
such distribution shall have been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts evidencing the
Depositary Shares representing such Preferred Shares, or (3) each share of the related Preferred
Shares shall have been converted into Brandywines shares of beneficial interest not so represented
by Depositary Shares.
Charges of Preferred Share Depositary
Brandywine will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from
the existence of the deposit agreement. In addition, Brandywine will generally pay the fees and
expenses of the preferred share depositary in connection with the performance of its duties under
the deposit agreement. However, holders of depositary receipts will pay certain other transfer and
other taxes and governmental charges as well as the fees and expenses of the preferred share
depositary for any duties requested by such holders to be performed which are outside of those
expressly provided for in the deposit agreement.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The preferred share depositary may resign at any time by delivering to Brandywine notice of
its election to do so, and Brandywine may at any time remove the preferred share depositary, any
such resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor preferred share
depositary. A successor preferred share depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery
of the notice of resignation or removal and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement, must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United
States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
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Miscellaneous
The preferred share depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts any reports and
communications from us which are received by the preferred share depositary with respect to the
related Preferred Shares.
Neither Brandywine nor the preferred share depositary will be liable if it is prevented from
or delayed in, by law or any circumstances beyond its control, performing its obligations under the
deposit agreement. Brandywines obligations and the preferred share depositarys obligations under
the deposit agreement will be limited to performing their respective duties thereunder in good
faith and without negligence (in the case of any action or inaction in the voting of Preferred
Shares represented by the Depositary Shares), gross negligence or willful misconduct, and
Brandywine and the preferred share depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any
legal proceeding in respect of any depositary receipts, Depositary Shares or Preferred Shares
represented thereby unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. Brandywine and the preferred share
depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons
presenting Preferred Shares represented thereby for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or
other persons believed in good faith to be competent to give such information, and on documents
believed in good faith to be genuine and signed by a proper party.
In the event the preferred share depositary receives conflicting claims, requests or
instructions from Brandywine and any holders of depositary receipts, the preferred share depositary
will be entitled to act on such claims, requests or instructions received from Brandywine.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
Brandywine may issue Subscription Rights to purchase Common Shares, which we refer to in this
prospectus as Subscription Rights. Subscription Rights may be may be issued independently or
together with any other security offered hereby and may be attached to or separate from such
security. Subscription Rights may or may not be transferable by the securityholder receiving the
Subscription Rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of Subscription Rights,
Brandywine may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers
pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities
remaining unsubscribed after such offering.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any offering of
Subscription Rights for which this prospectus is being delivered, including the following:
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the price, if any, for the Subscription Rights; |
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the exercise price payable for each common share upon the exercise of the
subscriptions rights; |
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the number of Subscription Rights issued to each securityholder; |
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the number and terms of the Common Shares that may be purchased per each
subscription right; |
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the extent to which the Subscription Rights are transferable; |
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any other terms of the Subscription Rights, including the terms, procedures and
limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the Subscription Rights; |
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the date on which the right to exercise the Subscription Rights shall commence, and
the date on which the Subscription Rights shall expire; |
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the extent to which the Subscription Rights may include an over-subscription
privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and |
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if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase
arrangement entered into by Brandywine in connection with the offering of the
Subscription Rights. |
The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any Subscription Rights that
Brandywine offers will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by
reference to the applicable Subscription Rights certificate or Subscription Rights agreement, which
will be filed with the SEC if Brandywine offers Subscription Rights.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS
Brandywine may issue Warrants to purchase Preferred Shares, Common Shares and/or Depositary
Shares, which may be sold separately, together or in units with other securities registered hereby,
which we refer to in this prospectus as Warrants. Warrants may be issued independently or
together with any securities and may be attached to or separate from such securities. Each series
of Warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a
specified warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as Brandywines agent in connection
with the Warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or
trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of Warrants.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, where applicable, of
the Warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:
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the title of the Warrants; |
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the aggregate number of outstanding Warrants; |
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the price or prices at which the Warrants will be issued; |
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the price or prices at which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the
Warrants may be purchased; |
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the designation, amount and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of the
Warrants; |
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if applicable, the date on and after which the Warrants and the securities
purchasable upon exercise of the Warrants will be separately transferable; |
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the date on which the right to exercise the Warrants shall commence and the date on
which such right shall expire; |
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the minimum or maximum amount of the Warrants which may be exercised at any one
time; |
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information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
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a discussion of federal income tax considerations; and |
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any other material terms of the Warrants, including terms, procedures and
limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the Warrants. |
Exercise of Warrants
Each Warrant will entitle the holder of the warrant to purchase for cash the amount of
Preferred Shares, Common Shares and/or Depositary Shares, as the case may be, which may be sold
separately, together or in units with other securities registered hereby at the exercise price
stated or determinable in the applicable prospectus supplement. Warrants may be exercised at any
time up to the close of business on the expiration date shown in the applicable prospectus
supplement, unless otherwise specified in such prospectus supplement. After the close of business
on the expiration date, unexercised Warrants will become void. Warrants may be exercised as
described in the applicable prospectus supplement. When the warrant holder makes the payment and
properly completes and signs the warrant certificate at the corporate trust office of the warrant
agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, Brandywine will, as soon as
possible, forward the Preferred Shares, Common Shares and/or Depositary Shares, as the case may be,
which may be sold separately, together or in units with other securities registered hereby that the
warrant holder has purchased. If the warrant holder exercises the Warrant for less than all of the
Warrants represented by the warrant certificate, Brandywine will issue a new warrant certificate
for the remaining Warrants.
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PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF BRANDYWINES
DECLARATION OF TRUST AND BYLAWS
The following is a summary of provisions of Maryland law, Brandywines Declaration of Trust
and its Bylaws. This summary does not completely describe Maryland law, the Declaration of Trust
or the Bylaws. For a complete description of each of the foregoing, we refer you to the Maryland
statutes applicable to REITs, and Brandywines Declaration of Trust and Bylaws, each of which is
incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
Duration
Under Brandywines Declaration of Trust, Brandywine has a perpetual term of existence and will
continue perpetually subject to the authority of its Board of Trustees to terminate its existence
and liquidate its assets and subject to termination pursuant to the Maryland REIT Law.
Board of Trustees
Brandywines Declaration of Trust provides that the number of its trustees shall not be less
than three nor more than 15. Any vacancy, including a vacancy created by an increase in the number
of trustees, may be filled by a majority of the trustees.
Brandywines trustees generally will each serve for a one-year term. In the event that
Brandywine fails to pay quarterly distributions for six or more quarters to the holders of the
Series C Preferred Shares and the Series D Preferred Shares, those holders will have the right,
voting together as a single class with any other series of Brandywines Preferred Shares ranking on
a parity with the Series C Preferred Shares and the Series D Preferred Shares and upon which like
voting rights have been conferred, to elect two additional members to the Board of Trustees. See
Description of Shares of Beneficial InterestPreferred Shares of Beneficial Interest.
Brandywines Declaration of Trust generally provides that a trustee may be removed from office
only at a meeting of shareholders. However, a trustee elected solely by holders of a series of
Preferred Shares may be removed only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Preferred Shares
of that series voting as a single class.
Business Combinations
Under Maryland law, as applicable to Maryland real estate investment trusts, certain business
combinations (including certain mergers, consolidations, share exchanges or, in certain
circumstances, asset transfers or issuances or reclassifications of equity securities) between a
Maryland real estate investment trust and an interested shareholder or an affiliate of the
interested shareholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the
interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder includes a
person who beneficially owns, and an affiliate or associate (as defined under Maryland law) of the
trust who, at any time during the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial
owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the trusts then outstanding voting shares.
Thereafter, any such business combination must be recommended by the trustees of such trust and
approved by the affirmative vote of at least:
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80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares of
beneficial interest of the trust, voting together as a single voting group; and |
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two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares
of beneficial interest other than shares held by the interested shareholder with whom
or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or by the interested
shareholders affiliates or associates, voting together as a single voting group. |
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These super-majority voting requirements do not apply if the trusts common shareholders
receive a minimum price (as defined under Maryland law) for their shares and the consideration is
received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the interested shareholder for its
shares. These provisions also do not apply to business combinations that are approved or exempted
by the Board of Trustees of the trust prior to the time that the
interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. An amendment to a Maryland REITs
declaration of trust electing not to be subject to the foregoing requirements must be approved by
the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding
voting shares of beneficial interest of the trust, voting together as a single voting group, and
two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares of beneficial
interest other than shares of beneficial interest held by interested shareholders. Any such
amendment shall not be effective until 18 months after the vote of shareholders and does not apply
to any business combination of the trust with an interested shareholder that has such status on the
date of the shareholder vote. Brandywines Board of Trustees has previously exempted any business
combinations involving Safeguard Scientifics, Inc., Pennsylvania State Employees Retirement
System, LF Strategic Realty Investors L.P., Morgan Stanley Asset Management Inc., Five Arrows
Realty Securities III L.L.C. and Gerard H. Sweeney and their respective affiliates and associates
from the business combination provisions summarized above and, consequently, the five-year
prohibition and the supermajority vote requirements will not apply to business combinations between
Brandywine and any of them.
The business combination statute could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing
offers to acquire Brandywine and of increasing the difficulty of consummating any such transaction.
Control Share Acquisitions
Under Maryland law, as applicable to Maryland real estate investment trusts, control shares
of a Maryland real estate investment trust acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting
rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on
the matter by shareholders, excluding shares owned by the acquirer, by officers or by trustees who
are employees of the trust in question. Control shares are voting shares of beneficial interest
which, if aggregated with all other shares previously acquired by such acquirer or in respect of
which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by
virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise the voting power in the
election of trustees within one of the following ranges of voting power:
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one-tenth or more but less than one-third; |
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one-third or more but less than a majority; or |
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a majority or more of all voting power. |
Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result
of having previously obtained shareholder approval. A control share acquisition means the
acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.
A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition, upon satisfaction of
certain conditions (including an undertaking to pay expenses), may compel Brandywines Board of
Trustees to call a special meeting of shareholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider
the voting rights of the shares. If no request for a meeting is made, the trust may itself present
the question at any shareholders meeting.
If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver
an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then, subject to certain conditions and
limitations, the trust may redeem any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting
rights have previously been approved, for fair value determined, without regard to the absence of
voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the
acquirer or of any meeting of shareholders at which the voting rights of such shares are considered
and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a shareholders meeting and
the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other
shareholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for
purposes of such appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the
acquirer in the control share acquisition, and certain limitations and restrictions otherwise
applicable to the exercise of dissenters rights do not apply in the context of a control share
acquisition.
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Brandywines Bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute
any and all acquisitions by any person of our shares. There can be no assurance that this
provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future.
Amendment to the Declaration of Trust
Brandywines Declaration of Trust may be amended only by the affirmative vote of the holders
of not less than a majority of the shares then outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, except for
the provisions of Brandywines Declaration of Trust relating to (1) increases or decreases in the
aggregate number of shares of any class, which may generally be made by the Board of Trustees
without shareholder approval subject to approval rights of holders of the Series C Preferred Shares
and the Series D Preferred Shares with respect to issuances of Preferred Shares that would rank
senior as to distributions or in liquidation and (2) the Maryland General Corporation Law
provisions on business combinations, amendment of which requires the affirmative vote of the
holders of not less than 80% of the shares then outstanding and entitled to vote. In addition, if
Brandywines Board of Trustees determines, with the advice of counsel, that any one or more of the
provisions of its Declaration of Trust conflict with the Maryland REIT Law, the Code or other
applicable Federal or state law(s), the conflicting provisions of Brandywines Declaration of Trust
shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of its Declaration of Trust, even without any
amendment thereof.
Termination of Brandywine Realty Trust and REIT Status
Subject to the rights of any outstanding Preferred Shares and to the provisions of the
Maryland REIT Law, Brandywines Declaration of Trust permits its Board of Trustees to terminate
Brandywines existence and to discontinue its election to be taxed as a REIT.
Transactions between Brandywine Realty Trust and its Trustee or Officers
Brandywines Declaration of Trust provides that any contract or transaction between it and one
or more of its trustees, officers, employees or agents must be approved by a majority of
Brandywines trustees who have no interest in the contract or transaction.
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification
The Maryland REIT Law permits a Maryland REIT to include in its Declaration of Trust a
provision limiting the liability of its trustees and officers to the trust and its shareholders for
money damages except for liability resulting from (1) actual receipt of an improper benefit or
profit in money, property or services or (2) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a
final judgment as being material to the cause of action. Brandywines Declaration of Trust
contains a provision which eliminates such liability to the maximum extent permitted by the
Maryland REIT Law.
The Maryland REIT Law permits a Maryland REIT to indemnify and advance expenses to its
trustees and officers to the same extent as permitted for directors and officers of a Maryland
corporation under the Maryland General Corporation Law. In the case of directors and officers of a
Maryland corporation, the Maryland General Corporation Law permits a Maryland corporation to
indemnify present and former directors and officers against judgments, penalties, fines,
settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to
which they may be made a party by reason of such service, unless it is established that either: (1)
the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the
proceeding and either (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate
dishonesty; (2) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money,
property or services; or (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had
reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.
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Brandywines Bylaws require Brandywine to indemnify, without a preliminary determination of
the ultimate entitlement to indemnification: (1) any present or former trustee, officer or
shareholder who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of a proceeding to
which he was made a party by reason of such status, against reasonable expenses incurred by him in
connection with the proceeding; (2) any present or
former trustee or officer against any claim or liability to which he may become subject by
reason of such status unless it is established that (a) his act or omission was committed in bad
faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) he actually received an improper
personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of a criminal proceeding, he had
reasonable cause to believe that his act or omission was unlawful; and (3) each shareholder or
former shareholder against any claim or liability to which he may be subject by reason of such
status as a shareholder or former shareholder.
In addition, Brandywines Bylaws require Brandywine to pay or reimburse, in advance of final
disposition of a proceeding, reasonable expenses incurred by a present or former trustee, officer
or shareholder made a party to a proceeding by reason of his status as a trustee, officer or
shareholder provided that, in the case of a trustee or officer, Brandywine shall have received (1)
a written affirmation by the trustee or officer of his good faith belief that he has met the
applicable standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by Brandywine as authorized by the
Bylaws and (2) a written undertaking by him or on his behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed
by Brandywine if it shall ultimately be determined that the applicable standard of conduct was not
met. The Bylaws also (1) permit Brandywine, with the approval of its trustees, to provide
indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses to a present or former trustee, officer or
shareholder who served Brandywines predecessor in such capacity, and to any of Brandywines
employees or agents of its predecessor, (2) provide that any indemnification or payment or
reimbursement of the expenses permitted by its Bylaws shall be furnished in accordance with the
procedures provided for indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses under Section
2-418 of the Maryland General Corporation Law for directors of Maryland corporations and (3) permit
Brandywine to provide such other and further indemnification or payment or reimbursement of
expenses as may be permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law for directors of Maryland
corporations.
The limited partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership also provides for
indemnification by the Operating Partnership of Brandywine, as general partner, for any costs,
expenses or liabilities incurred by it by reason of any act performed by it for or on behalf of the
Operating Partnership; provided that such persons actions were taken in good faith and in the
belief that such conduct was in the best interests of the Operating Partnership and that such
person was not guilty of fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted
to our trustees and officers pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, we have been
advised that, although the validity and scope of the governing statute has not been tested in
court, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In addition,
state securities laws may limit indemnification.
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SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS
Information about selling securityholders, where applicable, will be set forth in a prospectus
supplement, in a post-effective amendment, or in filings we make with the SEC under the Exchange
Act which are incorporated by reference.
MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion describes the material U.S. federal income tax considerations
relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of Brandywines common shares, preferred shares
and debt securities and debt securities of Brandywine Operating Partnership, and the qualification
and taxation of Brandywine Realty Trust as a REIT.
Because this is a summary that is intended to address only material U.S. federal income tax
considerations relating to the ownership and disposition of Brandywines common shares, preferred
shares or debt securities that will apply to all holders, this summary may not contain all the
information that may be important to you. As you review this discussion, you should keep in mind
that:
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the tax consequences to you may vary depending on your particular tax situation; |
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special rules that are not discussed below may apply to you if, for example, you are
a tax-exempt organization, a broker-dealer, a non-U.S. person, a trust, an estate, a
regulated investment company, a REIT, a financial institution, an insurance company, a
holder of debt securities or shares through a partnership or other pass-through entity,
or otherwise subject to special tax treatment under the Code; |
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this summary does not address state, local or non-U.S. tax considerations; |
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this summary deals only with our shareholders and debt holders that hold common
shares, preferred shares or debt securities as capital assets within the meaning of
Section 1221 of the Code; and |
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this discussion is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, tax advice. |
You are urged both to review the following discussion and to consult with your own tax advisor
to determine the effect of ownership and disposition of our common shares, preferred shares or debt
securities on your individual tax situation, including any state, local or non-U.S. tax
consequences.
The information in this summary is based on the Code, current, temporary and proposed Treasury
regulations, the legislative history of the Code, current administrative interpretations and
practices of the Internal Revenue Service, including its practices and policies as endorsed in
private letter rulings, which are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service, and existing court
decisions. Future legislation, regulations, administrative interpretations and court decisions
could change current law or adversely affect existing interpretations of current law. Any change
could apply retroactively. We have not obtained any rulings from the Internal Revenue Service
concerning the tax treatment of the matters discussed in this summary. Therefore, it is possible
that the Internal Revenue Service could challenge the statements in this summary, which do not bind
the Internal Revenue Service or the courts, and that a court could agree with the Internal Revenue
Service.
Taxation of the Company
Qualification of Brandywine as a REIT
Brandywine first elected to be taxed as a REIT for the taxable year ended December 31, 1986.
A REIT generally is not subject to federal income tax on the income that it distributes to its
shareholders if it meets the applicable REIT distribution requirements and other requirements for
qualification.
We believe that we are organized and have operated in such a manner so as to qualify as a
REIT, but there can be no assurance that we have qualified or will
remain qualified as a REIT.
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Qualification and taxation as a REIT depends on our ability to meet, on a continuing basis,
through actual operating results, distribution levels, and diversity of stock ownership, various
qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code. Our ability to qualify as a REIT also
requires that we satisfy certain asset tests, some of which depend upon the fair market values of
assets directly or indirectly owned by us. Such values may not be susceptible to a precise
determination. While we intend to continue to operate in a manner that will allow us to qualify as
a REIT, no assurance can be given that the actual results of our operations for any taxable year
will satisfy such requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.
Taxation of Brandywine as a REIT
If we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal corporate
income taxes on that portion of our ordinary income or capital gain that we distribute currently to
our shareholders, because the REIT provisions of the Code generally allow a REIT a deduction for
distributions paid to its shareholders. This deduction substantially eliminates the double
taxation on earnings (taxation at both the corporate level and shareholder level) that generally
results from investment in a corporation. However, even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we
will be subject to federal income tax as follows:
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We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed REIT taxable
income, including undistributed net capital gains; |
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Under certain circumstances, we may be subject to the alternative minimum tax
on our items of tax preference, if any; |
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If we have net income from prohibited transactions (which are, in general,
certain sales or other dispositions of property, other than foreclosure property,
held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business) such
income will be subject to a 100% tax. See Sale of Partnership Property; |
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If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure
of a mortgage loan or leasehold as foreclosure property, we may thereby avoid the
100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise
constitute a prohibited transaction), but the income from the sale or operation of
the property (and any other non-qualifying income from foreclosure property) may be
subject to corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate (currently 35%); |
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If we should fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income
test (as discussed below), and nonetheless have maintained our qualification as a
REIT because certain other requirements have been met, we will be subject to a 100%
tax on the net income attributable to the greater of the amount by which we fail
the 75% or 95% test, multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect our
profitability; |
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If we fail to satisfy any of the REIT asset tests, as described below, by larger
than a de minimis amount, but our failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to
willful negligence and we nonetheless maintain our REIT qualification because of
specified cure provisions, we will be required to pay a tax equal to the greater of
$50,000 or 35% of the net income generated by the non-qualifying assets during the
period in which we failed to satisfy the asset tests; |
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If we fail to satisfy any provision of the Code that would result in our failure
to qualify as a REIT (other than a gross income or asset test requirement) and that
violation is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful negligence, we may
retain our REIT qualification, but we will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000
for each such failure; |
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We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain
circumstances, including if we fail to meet record-keeping requirements intended to
monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of our shareholders,
as described below in Requirements for Qualification as a REIT; |
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If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of
(a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain
net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior
years, we would be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required
distribution over the sum of (i) the amounts actually distributed plus (ii)
retained amounts on which corporate level tax is paid by us; |
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We may elect to retain and pay income tax on our net long-term capital gain. In
that case, a shareholder would include its proportionate share of our undistributed
long-term capital gain in its income and would be allowed a credit for its
proportionate share of the tax we paid; |
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A 100% excise tax may be imposed on some items of income and expense that are
directly or constructively paid between us, our tenants and/or our taxable REIT
subsidiaries if and to the extent that the IRS successfully adjusts the reported
amounts of these items; |
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If we acquire appreciated assets from a C corporation (a corporation generally
subject to corporate level tax) in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of
the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the
assets in the hands of the C corporation, we may be subject to tax on such
appreciation at the highest corporate income tax rate then applicable if we
subsequently recognize gain on a disposition of such assets during the ten-year
period following their acquisition from the C corporation, unless the C corporation
elects to treat the assets as if they were sold for their fair market value at the
time of our acquisition; and |
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Income earned by any of our taxable REIT subsidiaries will be subject to tax at
regular corporate rates. |
Requirements for Qualification as a REIT
We elected to be taxable as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our taxable year
ended December 31, 1986. In order to have so qualified, we must have met and continue to meet the
requirements discussed below, relating to our organization, sources of income, nature of assets and
distributions of income to shareholders.
The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:
1. that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;
2. the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares or by
transferable certificates of beneficial interest;
3. that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for the special Code
provisions applicable to REITs;
4. that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to
certain provisions of the Code;
5. the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;
6. in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value
of the outstanding shares is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer
individuals (as defined in the Code to include specified entities), after applying
certain attribution rules;
7. that makes an election to be taxable as a REIT, or has made this election for a
previous taxable year which has not been revoked or terminated, and satisfies all
relevant filing and other administrative requirements established by the Internal
Revenue Service that must be met to elect and maintain REIT status;
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8. that uses a calendar year for federal income tax purposes and complies with the
record keeping requirements of the Code and the Treasury Regulations; and
9. that meets other applicable tests, described below, regarding the nature of its
income and assets and the amount of its distributions.
Conditions (1) through (4) must be satisfied during the entire taxable year, and condition (5)
must be satisfied during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a
proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months.
We have previously issued common shares in sufficient proportions to allow us to satisfy
requirements (5) and (6) (the 100 Shareholder and five-or-fewer requirements). In addition,
our Declaration of Trust provides restrictions regarding the transfer of our shares that are
intended to assist us in continuing to satisfy the requirements described in conditions (5) and (6)
above. However, these restrictions may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy
the requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. In addition, we have not obtained a
ruling from the Internal Revenue Service as to whether the provisions of our Declaration of Trust
concerning restrictions on transfer and conversion of common shares to Excess Shares will allow
us to satisfy conditions (5) and (6). If we fail to satisfy such share ownership requirements, our
status as a REIT will terminate. However, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2005,
if the failure to meet the share ownership requirements is due to reasonable cause and not due to
willful neglect, we may avoid termination of our REIT status by paying a penalty of $50,000.
To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we are required to maintain
records regarding the actual ownership of our shares. To do so, we must demand written statements
each year from the record holders of certain percentages of our shares in which the record holders
are to disclose the actual owners of the shares (the persons required to include in gross income
the dividends paid by us). A list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand
must be maintained as part of our records. Failure by us to comply with these record-keeping
requirements could subject us to monetary penalties. If we satisfy these requirements and have no
reason to know that condition (6) is not satisfied, we will be deemed to have satisfied such
condition. A shareholder that fails or refuses to comply with the demand is required by Treasury
Regulations to submit a statement with its tax return disclosing the actual ownership of the shares
and other information.
Qualified REIT Subsidiaries
The Code provides that a corporation that is a qualified REIT subsidiary shall not be
treated as a separate corporation, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and
credit of a qualified REIT subsidiary shall be treated as assets, liabilities and items of
income, deduction and credit of the REIT. A qualified REIT subsidiary is a corporation, all of
the capital stock of which is owned by the REIT, that has not elected to be a taxable REIT
subsidiary (discussed below). In applying the requirements described herein, all of our
qualified REIT subsidiaries will be ignored, and all assets, liabilities and items of income,
deduction and credit of such subsidiaries will be treated as our assets, liabilities and items of
income, deduction and credit. These subsidiaries, therefore, will not be subject to federal
corporate income taxation, although they may be subject to state and local taxation.
Taxable REIT Subsidiaries
A REIT may generally jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether or not wholly owned,
to treat the subsidiary as a taxable REIT subsidiary. In addition, if a taxable REIT subsidiary
owns, directly or indirectly, securities representing 35% or more of the vote or value of a
subsidiary corporation, that subsidiary will also be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary. A
taxable REIT subsidiary is a corporation subject to U.S. federal income tax, and state and local
income tax where applicable, as a regular C corporation.
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Generally, a taxable REIT subsidiary of ours can perform some impermissible tenant services
without causing us to receive impermissible tenant services income under the REIT income tests.
However, several provisions regarding the arrangements between a REIT and its taxable REIT
subsidiaries ensure that a taxable REIT
subsidiary will be subject to an appropriate level of United States federal income taxation.
For example, a taxable REIT subsidiary is limited in its ability to deduct interest payments in
excess of a certain amount made to us. In addition, we will be obligated to pay a 100% penalty tax
on some payments that we receive or on certain expenses deducted by the taxable REIT subsidiary if
the economic arrangements among us, our tenants, and/or the taxable REIT subsidiary are not
comparable to similar arrangements among unrelated parties. A taxable REIT subsidiary may also
engage in other activities that, if conducted by us other than through a taxable REIT subsidiary,
could result in the receipt of non-qualified income or the ownership of non-qualified assets.
Ownership of Partnership Interests by a REIT
A REIT that is a partner in a partnership is deemed to own its proportionate share of the
assets of the partnership and is deemed to receive the income of the partnership attributable to
such share. In addition, the character of the assets and gross income of the partnership retains
the same character in the hands of the REIT. Accordingly, our proportionate share of the assets,
liabilities and items of income of the Operating Partnership are treated as assets, liabilities and
items of income of ours for purposes of applying the requirements described herein. Brandywine has
control over the Operating Partnership and most of the partnership and limited liability company
subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership and intends to operate them in a manner that is
consistent with the requirements for qualification of Brandywine as a REIT.
Income Tests
In order to qualify as a REIT, Brandywine must generally satisfy two gross income requirements
on an annual basis. First, at least 75% of our gross income (excluding gross income from
prohibited transactions) for each taxable year must be derived directly or indirectly from
investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including rents from real
property, dividends received from other REITs, interest income derived from mortgage loans secured
by real property (including certain types of mortgage-backed securities), and gains from the sale
of real estate assets, as well as income from certain kinds of temporary investments. Second, at
least 95% of our gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions) for each
taxable year must be derived from the same items which qualify under the 75% gross income test, and
from dividends, interest and gain from the sale or disposition of securities, which need not have
any relation to real property.
Rents received by a REIT will qualify as rents from real property in satisfying the gross
income requirements described above only if several conditions are met.
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The amount of rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or
profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not
be excluded from the term rents from real property solely by reason of being
based on a fixed percentage or percentages of gross receipts or sales. |
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Rents received from a tenant will not qualify as rents from real property in
satisfying the gross income tests if the REIT, or a direct or indirect owner of 10%
or more of the REIT, directly or constructively, owns 10% or more of such tenant (a
Related Party Tenant). However, rental payments from a taxable REIT subsidiary
will qualify as rents from real property even if we own more than 10% of the total
value or combined voting power of the taxable REIT subsidiary if at least 90% of
the property is leased to unrelated tenants and the rent paid by the taxable REIT
subsidiary is substantially comparable to the rent paid by the unrelated tenants
for comparable space. |
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Rent attributable to personal property leased in connection with a lease of real
property will not qualify as rents from real property if such rent exceeds 15% of
the total rent received under the lease. |
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the REIT generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render
services to tenants, except through an independent contractor who is adequately
compensated and from whom the REIT derives no income, or through a taxable REIT
subsidiary. The independent
contractor requirement, however, does not apply to the extent the services provided
by the REIT are usually or customarily rendered in connection with the rental of
space for occupancy only, and are not otherwise considered rendered to the
occupant. In addition, a de minimis rule applies with respect to non-customary
services. Specifically, if the value of the non-customary service income with
respect to a property (valued at no less than 150% of the direct costs of performing
such services) is 1% or less of the total income derived from the property, then all
rental income except the non-customary service income will qualify as rents from
real property. A taxable REIT subsidiary may provide services (including
non-customary services) to a REITs tenants without tainting any of the rental
income received by the REIT, and will be able to manage or operate properties for
third parties and generally engage in other activities unrelated to real estate. |
We do not anticipate receiving rent that is based in whole or in part on the income or profits
of any person (except by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of gross
receipts or sales consistent with the rules described above). We also do not anticipate receiving
more than a de minimis amount of rents from any Related Party Tenant or rents attributable to
personal property leased in connection with real property that will exceed 15% of the total rents
received with respect to such real property.
We provide services to our properties that we own through the Operating Partnership, and we
believe that all of such services will be considered usually or customarily rendered in
connection with the rental of space for occupancy only so that the provision of such services will
not jeopardize the qualification of rent from the properties as rents from real property. In the
case of any services that are not usual and customary under the foregoing rules, we intend to
employ an independent contractor or a taxable REIT subsidiary to provide such services.
The Operating Partnership may receive certain types of income that will not qualify under the
75% or 95% gross income tests. In particular, dividends received from a taxable REIT subsidiary
will not qualify under the 75% test. We believe, however, that the aggregate amount of such items
and other non-qualifying income in any taxable year will not cause Brandywine to exceed the limits
on non-qualifying income under either the 75% or 95% gross income tests.
If Brandywine fails to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any
taxable year, Brandywine may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for such year if it is entitled to
relief under certain provisions of the Code. These relief provisions will be generally available
if (1) the failure to meet such tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect,
(2) we have attached a schedule of the sources of our income to our return, and (3) any incorrect
information on the schedule was not due to fraud with intent to evade tax. In addition, for
taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2005, we must also file a disclosure schedule with
the IRS after we determine that we have not satisfied one of the gross income tests. It is not
possible, however, to state whether in all circumstances Brandywine would be entitled to the
benefit of these relief provisions. As discussed above in Taxation of Brandywine as a REIT, even
if these relief provisions apply, a tax would be imposed based on the non-qualifying income.
Asset Tests
At the close of each quarter of each taxable year, Brandywine must satisfy the following four
tests relating to the nature of our assets:
First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination
of real estate assets, cash or cash items, U.S. government securities, and, under some
circumstances, stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real
estate assets include interests in real property, such as land, buildings, leasehold interests in
real property, stock of other REITs, and certain kinds of mortgage-backed securities and mortgage
loans. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% test are subject to the additional asset
tests described below, while securities that do qualify for purposes of the 75% test are generally
not subject to the additional asset tests.
Second, the value of any one issuers securities we own may not exceed 5% of the value of our
total assets.
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Third, we may not own more than 10% of the vote or value of any one issuers outstanding
securities. The 5% and 10% tests do not apply to our interests in the Operating Partnership,
non-corporate subsidiaries, taxable REIT subsidiaries and any qualified REIT subsidiaries, and the
10% value test does not apply with respect to certain straight debt securities.
Effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000, the safe harbor under which
certain types of securities are disregarded for purposes of the 10% value limitation includes (1)
straight debt securities (including straight debt securities that provides for certain contingent
payments); (2) any loan to an individual or an estate; (3) any rental agreement described in
Section 467 of the Code, other than with a related person; (4) any obligation to pay rents from
real property; (5) certain securities issued by a State or any political subdivision thereof, or
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; (6) any security issued by a REIT; and (7) any other arrangement
that, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, is excepted from the definition of a
security. In addition, for purposes of applying the 10% value limitation, (a) a REITs interest as
a partner in a partnership is not considered a security; (b) any debt instrument issued by a
partnership is not treated as a security if at least 75% of the partnerships gross income is from
sources that would qualify for the 75% REIT gross income test, and (c) any debt instrument issued
by a partnership is not treated as a security to the extent of the REITs interest as a partner in
the partnership.
Fourth, not more than 25% (20% for taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2008) of the
value of our assets may be represented by securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries.
We may own, directly or indirectly, common shares of certain entities that have elected or
will elect to be treated as a real estate investment trusts (Captive REITs). Provided that each
of the Captive REITs continues to qualify as a REIT (including satisfaction of the ownership,
income, asset and distribution tests discussed herein) the common shares of the Captive REITs will
qualify as real estate assets under the 75% test. However, if any Captive REIT fails to qualify as
a REIT in any year, then the common shares of such Captive REIT will not qualify as real estate
assets under the 75% test. In addition, if we own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the
common shares of each Captive REIT, Brandywine would not satisfy the 10% test if any Captive REIT
were to fail to qualify as a REIT. Accordingly, Brandywines qualification as a REIT depends upon
the ability of any more than 10% owned Captive REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT.
After initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any quarter, Brandywine will not lose
its status as a REIT for failure to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a later quarter solely by
reason of changes in asset values. If the failure to satisfy the asset tests results from an
acquisition of securities or other property during a quarter, the failure can be cured by
disposition of sufficient non-qualifying assets within 30 days after the close of that quarter. We
intend to maintain adequate records of the value of our assets to ensure compliance with the asset
tests, and to take such other action within 30 days after the close of any quarter as may be
required to cure any noncompliance. However, there can be no assurance that such other action will
always be successful. If we fail to cure any noncompliance with the asset tests within such time
period, our status as a REIT would be lost.
For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2005, the Code provides relief from certain
failures to satisfy the REIT asset tests. If the failure relates to the 5% test or 10% test, and
if the failure is de minimis (does not exceed the lesser of $10 million or 1% of our assets as of
the end of the quarter), we may avoid the loss of our REIT status by disposing of sufficient assets
to cure the failure within 6 months after the end of the quarter in which the failure was
identified. For failures to meet the asset tests that are more than a de minimis amount, we may
avoid the loss of our REIT status if: the failure was due to reasonable cause, we file a disclosure
schedule at the end of the quarter in which the failure was identified, we dispose of sufficient
assets to cure the failure within 6 months after the end of the quarter, and we pay a tax equal to
the greater of $50,000 or the highest corporate tax rate multiplied by the net income generated by
the non-qualifying assets.
Annual Distribution Requirements
In order to qualify as a REIT, Brandywine is required to distribute dividends (other than
capital gain dividends) to our shareholders in an amount at least equal to (1) the sum of (a) 90%
of its REIT taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and the
REITs net capital gain or loss) and (b) 90% of the net income (after tax), if any, from
foreclosure property, minus (2) certain excess non-cash income as defined in the Code. These
distributions must be paid in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable
year
if such distributions are declared in October, November or December of the taxable year, are
payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in any such month, and are actually paid
before the end of January of the following year. Such distributions are treated as both paid by us
and received by our shareholders on December 31 of the year in which they are declared.
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In addition, at our election, a distribution for a taxable year may be declared before we
timely file our tax return for the year provided we pay such distribution with or before our first
regular dividend payment after such declaration, and such payment is made during the 12-month
period following the close of such taxable year. Such distributions are taxable to our
shareholders in the year in which paid, even though the distributions relate to our prior taxable
year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement.
In order for distributions to be counted towards our distribution requirement, and to provide
a tax deduction to us, they must not be preferential dividends. A dividend is not a preferential
dividend if it is pro rata among all outstanding shares within a particular class and is in
accordance with the preferences among our different classes of shares as set forth in our
organizational documents.
To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our net taxable income,
we will be subject to tax at ordinary corporate tax rates on the retained portion. In addition, we
may elect to retain, rather than distribute our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such
gains. In this case, we would elect to have our shareholders include their proportionate share of
such undistributed long-term capital gains in their income and receive a corresponding credit for
their proportionate share of the tax paid by us. Our shareholders would then increase their
adjusted basis in our shares by the difference between the amount included in their long-term
capital gains and the tax deemed paid with respect to their shares.
If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year (or, in the case of distributions
with declaration and record dates falling in the last three months of the calendar year, by the end
of January following such calendar year) at least the sum of (1) 85% of our REIT ordinary income
for such year, (2) 95% of our REIT net capital gain income for such year and (3) any undistributed
taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such
required distribution over the sum of (a) the amounts actually distributed plus (b) retained
amounts on which corporate level tax is paid by us.
Brandywine intends to make timely distributions sufficient to satisfy the annual distribution
requirements. In this regard, the limited partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership
authorizes Brandywine, as general partner, to operate the partnership in a manner that will enable
it to satisfy the REIT requirements and avoid the imposition of any federal income or excise tax
liability. It is possible that we, from time to time, may not have sufficient cash or other liquid
assets to meet the 90% distribution requirement. This could arise, for example, when there is an
expenditure of cash for nondeductible items such as principal amortization or capital expenditures.
In addition, because we may deduct capital losses only to the extent of our capital gains, our
REIT taxable income may exceed our economic income. In order to meet the 90% distribution
requirement, we may borrow or may cause the Operating Partnership to arrange for short-term or
possibly long-term borrowing to permit the payment of required distributions, or we may pay
dividends in the form of taxable in-kind distributions of property, including potentially, our
shares.
Under certain circumstances, Brandywine may be able to rectify a failure to meet the
distribution requirement for a given year by paying deficiency dividends to shareholders in a
later year that may be included in Brandywines deduction for distributions paid for the earlier
year. Thus, Brandywine may be able to avoid losing our REIT qualification or being taxed on
amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. However, Brandywine will be required to pay to the
Internal Revenue Service interest and a penalty based upon the amount of any deduction taken for
deficiency dividends.
Failure to Qualify
For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2005, the Code provides relief for many
failures to satisfy the REIT requirements. In addition to the relief provisions for failures to
satisfy the income and asset tests (discussed above), the Code provides additional relief for other
failures to satisfy REIT requirements. If the failure
is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, and we elect to pay a penalty of
$50,000 for each failure, we can avoid the loss of our REIT status.
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If Brandywine fails to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year and the relief
provisions do not apply, it will be subject to tax (including any applicable corporate alternative
minimum tax) on its taxable income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to shareholders in
any year in which Brandywine fails to qualify will not be deductible to us. In such event, to the
extent of Brandywines current and accumulated earnings and profits, all distributions to
shareholders will be taxable to them as dividends, and, subject to certain limitations of the Code,
corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Under current law (in
effect through 2012), such dividends will generally be taxable to individual shareholders at the
15% rate for qualified dividends provided that applicable holding period requirements are met.
Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, Brandywine also will be disqualified
from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification
was lost. It is not possible to state whether in all circumstances Brandywine would be entitled to
such statutory relief.
Prohibited Transactions
Net income derived from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term
prohibited transaction generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than
foreclosure property) that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a
trade or business. Under existing law, whether property is held as inventory or primarily for sale
to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business is a question of fact that depends on
all the facts and circumstances of a particular transaction. We intend to hold properties for
investment with a view to long-term appreciation, to engage in the business of acquiring,
developing, owning and operating properties, and to make occasional sales of properties as are
consistent with our investment objectives. No assurance can be given that any property that we
sell will not be treated as property held for sale to customers, or that we can comply with certain
safe-harbor provisions of the Code that would prevent the imposition of the 100% tax. The 100% tax
does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a taxable REIT subsidiary or
other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of that
corporation at regular corporate tax rates.
Foreclosure Property
Foreclosure property is real property (including interests in real property) and any personal
property incident to such real property (1) that is acquired by a REIT as a result of the REIT
having bid on the property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced the property to ownership or
possession by agreement or process of law, after there was a default (or default was imminent) on a
lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by the REIT and secured by the property, (2) for
which the related loan or lease was made, entered into or acquired by the REIT at a time when
default was not imminent or anticipated and (3) for which such REIT makes an election to treat the
property as foreclosure property. REITs generally are subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate
(currently 35%) on any net income from foreclosure property, including any gain from the
disposition of the foreclosure property, other than income that would otherwise be qualifying
income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any gain from the sale of property for which a
foreclosure property election has been made will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from
prohibited transactions described above, even if the property is held primarily for sale to
customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business.
Hedging
We may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or
liabilities. Hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including interest rate swaps or
cap agreements, options, futures contracts, forward rate agreements or similar financial
instruments. Except to the extent provided by Treasury Regulations, any income from a hedging
transaction (i) made in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate
or price changes or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or
ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred by us to acquire or own real estate assets or (ii)
entered into after July 30, 2008 primarily to manage the risk of currency fluctuations with respect
to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% income tests (or
any property which generates such income or gain), which is clearly identified as such before the
close of the day on which it was acquired, originated or
entered into, including gain from the disposition of such a transaction, will not constitute
gross income for purposes of the 95% gross income test and, in respect of hedges entered into after
July 30, 2008, the 75% gross income test. To the extent we enter into other types of hedging
transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income
for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging
transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our ability to qualify as a REIT.
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Tax Aspect of Investments in the Operating Partnership and Subsidiary Partnerships
The following discussion summarizes certain Federal income tax considerations applicable to
Brandywines investment in the Operating Partnership and the Operating Partnerships subsidiary
partnerships and limited liability companies (referred to as the Subsidiary Partnerships).
General
We may hold investments through entities that are classified as partnerships for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, including our interest in the Operating Partnership and the equity interests
in Subsidiary Partnerships. In general, partnerships are pass-through entities that are not
subject to U.S. federal income tax. Rather, partners are allocated their proportionate shares of
the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of a partnership, and are subject to tax on
these items without regard to whether the partners receive a distribution from the partnership. We
will include in our income our proportionate share of these partnership items for purposes of the
various REIT income tests and in the computation of our REIT taxable income. Moreover, for purposes
of the REIT asset tests, we will include our proportionate share of assets held by subsidiary
partnerships. Consequently, to the extent that we hold an equity interest in a partnership, the
partnerships assets and operations may affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.
Classification of the Operating Partnership and Subsidiary Partnerships as Partnerships
The investment by us in partnerships involves special tax considerations, including the
possibility of a challenge by the Internal Revenue Service to the status of the Operating
Partnership or any if our Subsidiary Partnerships as a partnership, as opposed to an association
taxable as a corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If any of these entities were
treated as an association for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would be taxable as a
corporation and, therefore, could be subject to an entity-level tax on its income. In such a
situation, the character of our assets and items of our gross income would change and could
preclude us from satisfying the REIT asset tests or the REIT income tests as discussed in
Taxation of the Company Asset Tests and Income Tests above, and in turn could prevent us
from qualifying as a REIT. See Taxation of the Company Failure to Qualify, above, for a
discussion of the effect of our failure to meet these tests for a taxable year. In addition, any
change in the status of any of our subsidiary partnerships for tax purposes might be treated as a
taxable event, in which case we could have taxable income that is subject to the REIT distribution
requirements without receiving any cash.
Treasury Regulations that apply for tax periods beginning on or after January 1, 1997 provide
that a domestic business entity not otherwise organized as a corporation (an Eligible Entity) may
elect to be treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes. Unless
it elects otherwise, an Eligible Entity in existence prior to January 1, 1997, will have the same
classification for federal income tax purposes that it claimed under the entity classification
Treasury Regulations in effect prior to this date. In addition, an Eligible Entity that did not
exist or did not claim a classification prior to January 1, 1997 will be classified as a
partnership or disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes unless it elects otherwise. The
Operating Partnership and the Subsidiary Partnerships (other than those Subsidiary Partnerships
that have elected to be treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries) intend to claim classification as
partnerships or disregarded entities under these Treasury Regulations. As a result, we believe that
the Operating Partnership and such Subsidiary Partnerships (other than those Subsidiary
Partnerships that have elected to be treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries) will be classified as
partnerships or disregarded entities for federal income tax purposes. We have not requested and do
not intend to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service that the Operating Partnership or
Subsidiary Partnerships will be classified as partnerships for federal income tax purposes.
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Partnership Allocations
Although a partnership agreement will generally determine the allocation of income and losses
among partners, such allocations will be disregarded for tax purposes if they do not comply with
the provisions of Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder,
which require that partnership allocations respect the economic arrangement of the partners. If an
allocation is not recognized for Federal income tax purposes, the item subject to the allocation
will be reallocated in accordance with the partners interests in the partnership, which will be
determined by taking into account all of the facts and circumstances relating to the economic
arrangement of the partners with respect to such item. The Operating Partnerships allocations of
taxable income and loss are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code
and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
Tax Allocations With Respect to Contributed Properties
Pursuant to Section 704(c) of the Code, items of income, gain, loss and deduction attributable
to appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an
interest in the partnership must be allocated for federal income tax purposes in a manner such that
the contributor is charged with or benefits from the unrealized gain or unrealized loss associated
with the property at the time of the contribution. The amount of such unrealized gain or
unrealized loss is generally equal to the difference between the fair market value of the
contributed property at the time of contribution and the adjusted tax basis of such property at the
time of contribution. Such allocations are solely for federal income tax purposes and do not
affect other economic or legal arrangements among the partners.
Our Operating Partnership has entered into transactions involving the contribution to the
Operating Partnership of appreciated property, and the Operating Partnership may enter into such
transactions in the future. The partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership requires
allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to contributed property to be made in
a manner that is consistent with Section 704(c) of the Code. Treasury Regulations issued under
Section 704(c) give partnerships a choice of several methods of allocating taxable income with
respect to contributed properties. Depending upon the method chosen, (1) our tax depreciation
deductions attributable to those properties may be lower than they would have been if our Operating
Partnership had acquired those properties for cash and (2) in the event of a sale of such
properties, we could be allocated gain in excess of our corresponding economic or book gain. These
allocations may cause us to recognize taxable income in excess of cash proceeds received by us,
which might adversely affect our ability to comply with the REIT distribution requirements or
result in our shareholders recognizing additional dividend income without an increase in
distributions.
Depreciation
The Operating Partnerships assets include a substantial amount of appreciated property
contributed by its partners. Assets contributed to a partnership in a tax-free transaction
generally retain the same depreciation method and recovery period as they had in the hands of the
partner who contributed them to the partnership. Accordingly, a substantial amount of the
Operating Partnerships depreciation deductions for its real property are based on the historic tax
depreciation schedules for the properties prior to their contribution to the Operating Partnership.
The properties are being depreciated over a range of 15 to 40 years using various methods of
depreciation which were determined at the time that each item of depreciable property was placed in
service. Any depreciable real property purchased by the Partnerships is currently depreciated over
40 years. In certain instances where a partnership interest rather than real property is
contributed to the Partnership, the real property may not carry over its recovery period but rather
may, similarly, be subject to the lengthier recovery period.
Basis in Operating Partnership Interest
Our adjusted tax basis in each of the partnerships in which we have an interest generally (1)
will be equal to the amount of cash and the basis of any other property contributed to such
partnership by us, (2) will be increased by (a) our allocable share of such partnerships income
and (b) our allocable share of any indebtedness of such partnership, and (3) will be reduced, but
not below zero, by our allocable share of (a) such partnerships loss and (b) the amount of cash
and the tax basis of any property distributed to us and by constructive distributions resulting
from a reduction in our share of indebtedness of such partnership.
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If our allocable share of the loss (or portion thereof) of any partnership in which we have an
interest would reduce the adjusted tax basis of our partnership interest in such partnership below
zero, the recognition of such loss will be deferred until such time as the recognition of such loss
(or portion thereof) would not reduce our adjusted tax basis below zero. To the extent that
distributions to us from a partnership, or any decrease in our share of the nonrecourse
indebtedness of a partnership (each such decrease being considered a constructive cash distribution
to the partners), would reduce our adjusted tax basis below zero, such distributions (including
such constructive distributions) would constitute taxable income to us. Such distributions and
constructive distributions normally would be characterized as long-term capital gain if our
interest in such partnership has been held for longer than the long-term capital gain holding
period (currently 12 months).
Sale of Partnership Property
Generally, any gain realized by a partnership on the sale of property held by the partnership
for more than 12 months will be long-term capital gain, except for any portion of such gain that is
treated as depreciation or cost recovery recapture. However, under requirements applicable to
REITs under the Code, our share as a partner of any gain realized by the Operating Partnership on
the sale of any property held as inventory or other property held primarily for sale to customers
in the ordinary course of a trade or business will be treated as income from a prohibited
transaction that is subject to a 100% penalty tax. See Taxation of the Company Prohibited
Transactions.
Taxation of Shareholders
As used herein, a U.S. Shareholder means a beneficial owner of our common shares or
preferred shares, who is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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a citizen or resident of the U.S. as defined in section 7701(b) of the Code, |
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a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income
tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or any state
thereof or the District of Columbia, |
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an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation
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a trust if it (a) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the
U.S. and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial
decisions of the trust or (b) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S.
Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
As used herein, a non-U.S. Shareholder means a beneficial owner of our common shares or
preferred shares that is not a U.S. Shareholder and that is not a partnership (or other entity
treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes).
If a partnership holds common shares or preferred shares, the tax treatment of a partner will
generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are
a partner of a partnership holding common shares or preferred shares, you should consult your tax
advisors.
Taxation of Taxable U.S. Shareholders
Taxation of Ordinary Dividends on Shares
As long as Brandywine qualifies as a REIT, distributions made to Brandywines taxable U.S.
Shareholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits (and not designated as capital gain
dividends) (Ordinary Dividends) will be dividends taxable to such U.S. Shareholders as ordinary
income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. Dividends
received from REITs are generally not eligible for taxation at the preferential rates for qualified
dividends received by individual shareholders. We may designate a distribution as qualified
dividend income to the extent of (1) qualified dividend income we receive during the current year
(for example, dividends received from our taxable REIT subsidiaries), plus (2) income on which we
have been subject to corporate level tax during the prior year (for example, undistributed REIT
taxable income), plus
(3) any income attributable to the sale of a built in gain asset that was acquired from a C
corporation in a carry-over basis transaction less the tax paid on that income. To the extent that
we designate a dividend as qualified dividend income, an individual will be taxable at preferential
rates (15% maximum federal rate through the end of 2012) on such qualified dividend income provided
certain holding period requirements are met. However, we expect that ordinary dividends paid by
Brandywine generally will not be eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income to any
significant extent.
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Capital Gain Distributions
Distributions that are designated as long-term capital gain dividends will be taxed as
long-term capital gains (to the extent they do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the
taxable year) without regard to the period for which the U.S. Shareholder has held its shares of
beneficial interest. In general, U.S. Shareholders will be taxable on long term capital gains at a
maximum rate of 15% (through 2012), except that the portion of such gain that is attributable to
depreciation recapture will be taxable at the maximum rate of 25%. However, corporate shareholders
may be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income.
We may elect under the applicable provisions of the Code to retain and pay tax on our net
capital gains. In such event U.S. Shareholders will be taxable on their proportionate share of
such undistributed capital gains. Each U.S. Shareholder would then receive a credit, for use on
their return, in the amount of their proportionate share of the capital gains tax paid by us. If
the credit results in an amount owed to a U.S. Shareholder, such U.S. Shareholder would receive a
refund. A U.S. Shareholders basis in our shares will be increased by the amount of the
shareholders allocable share of any retained capital gains less the shareholders allocable share
of the tax paid by us on such capital gains.
Non-Dividend Distributions
Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits (Non-Dividend
Distributions) will not be taxable to a U.S. Shareholder to the extent that they do not exceed the
adjusted basis of the shareholders shares, but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of such
shares. To the extent that Non-Dividend Distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a U.S.
Shareholders shares, such distributions will be included in income as long-term capital gain (or
short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for 12 months or less) assuming the shares are
a capital asset in the hands of the shareholder. In determining the extent to which a distribution
on our shares constitutes a dividend for tax purposes, the earnings and profits of Brandywine will
be allocated first to distributions with respect to the preferred shares and second to
distributions with respect to common shares. Therefore, depending on our earnings and profits,
distributions with respect to the preferred shares (as compared to distributions with respect to
our common shares) are more likely to be treated as dividends than as a return of capital or a
distribution in excess of basis.
Dividends Paid in Common Shares
A recent Internal Revenue Service revenue procedure allows us to satisfy the REIT distribution
requirements with respect to certain taxable years by distributing up to 90% of our dividends in
the form of common shares rather than cash. In the event that we pay a portion of a dividend in
common shares, taxable U.S. Shareholders would be required to pay tax on the full amount of the
dividend (including the fair market value of any common shares received) and the amount of the tax
may exceed the amount of cash received.
Timing of Distributions
Any distribution declared by us in October, November or December of any year payable to a
shareholder of record on a specified date in any such month shall be treated as both paid by
Brandywine and received by the shareholder on December 31 of such year, provided that the
distribution is actually paid by Brandywine not later than the end of January of the following
calendar year. Shareholders may not include in their individual income tax returns any of
Brandywines losses.
Sale or Exchange of Common and Preferred Shares
In general, a U.S. Shareholder will recognize capital gain or loss on the disposition of
common or preferred shares equal to the difference between the sales price for such shares and the
adjusted tax basis for such shares. In
general, a U.S. Shareholders adjusted tax basis will equal the U.S. Shareholders acquisition
cost, increased by the U.S. Shareholders allocable share of any retained capital gains, less the
U.S. Shareholders allocable share of the tax paid by us on such retained capital gains, and
reduced by Non-Dividend Distributions.
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In general, capital gains recognized by individuals and other non-corporate U.S. Shareholders
upon the sale or disposition of shares of our shares will be subject to a maximum U.S. federal
income tax rate of 15% for taxable years through 2012, if our shares are held for more than 12
months, and will be taxed at ordinary income rates (of up to 35% through 2012) if our shares are
held for 12 months or less. Gains recognized by U.S. Shareholders that are corporations are subject
to U.S. federal income tax at a maximum rate of 35%, whether or not classified as long-term capital
gains.
Capital losses recognized by a U.S. Shareholder upon the disposition of our shares held for
more than one year at the time of disposition will be considered long-term capital losses, and are
generally available only to offset capital gain income of the U.S. Shareholder but not ordinary
income (except in the case of individuals, who may offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each
year). However, any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares by a U.S. Shareholder who has held such
shares for six months or less (after applying certain holding period rules) will be treated as a
long-term capital loss to the extent such shareholder has received distributions from us required
to be treated as long-term capital gain.
If a U.S. Shareholder recognizes a loss upon a subsequent disposition of our shares in an
amount that exceeds a prescribed threshold, it is possible that the provisions of Treasury
Regulations involving reportable transactions could apply, with a resulting requirement to
separately disclose the loss generating transactions to the IRS. While these regulations are
directed towards tax shelters, they are written broadly, and apply to transactions that would not
typically be considered tax shelters. Significant penalties apply for failure to comply with these
requirements. You should consult your tax advisors concerning any possible disclosure obligation
with respect to the receipt or disposition of our shares, or transactions that might be undertaken
directly or indirectly by us. Moreover, you should be aware that we and other participants in
transactions involving us (including our advisors) might be subject to disclosure or other
requirements pursuant to these regulations.
Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations
Distributions from us and gain from the disposition of shares will not be treated as passive
activity income and, therefore, U.S. Shareholders will not be able to apply any passive losses
against such income. Distributions from us (to the extent they do not constitute a return of
capital or capital gain dividends) will generally be treated as investment income for purposes of
the investment income limitation. A shareholder may elect to treat capital gain dividends and
capital gains from the disposition of shares as investment income for purposes of the investment
income limitation, but in such event a shareholder will be taxed at ordinary income rates on such
amounts.
Redemption of Preferred Shares
Our preferred shares are redeemable by us under certain circumstances. A redemption of
preferred shares will be treated under Section 302 of the Internal Revenue Code as a distribution
taxable as a dividend (to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits) at
ordinary income rates, unless the redemption satisfies one of the tests set forth in Section 302(b)
of the Internal Revenue Code and is therefore treated as a sale or exchange of the redeemed shares.
The redemption will be treated as a sale or exchange if it (i) is substantially disproportionate
with respect to the holder, (ii) results in a complete termination of the holders share interest
in our company, or (iii) is not essentially equivalent to a dividend with respect to the holder,
all within the meaning of Section 302(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.
In determining whether any of these tests has been met, there must be taken into account not
only any preferred shares owned by the holder, but also such holders ownership of our common
shares, other series of preferred shares and any options to acquire any of the foregoing. The
holder also must take into account any such securities (including options) which are considered to
be owned by such holder by reason of the constructive ownership rules set forth in Sections 318 and
302(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. If a particular holder owns (actually or constructively) no
common shares or an insubstantial percentage of common shares or preferred shares, based upon
current law, it is probable that the redemption of the preferred shares from such holder would be
considered not essentially equivalent to a dividend. However, because the determination as to
whether any of the
alternative tests of Section 302(b) of the Internal Revenue Code will be satisfied with
respect to any particular holder of preferred shares depends upon the facts and circumstances at
the time the determination must be made, prospective holders of preferred shares are advised to
consult their own tax advisors to determine such tax treatment.
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If a redemption of preferred shares is not treated as a distribution taxable as a dividend to
a particular holder, it will be treated as a taxable sale or exchange by that holder. As a result,
the holder will recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the
difference between (i) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received (less
any portion thereof attributable to accumulated and declared but unpaid dividends, which will be
taxable as a dividend to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits) and (ii)
the holders adjusted tax basis in the shares. Such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if
the shares were held as a capital asset, and will be long-term gain or loss if such shares were
held for more than one year.
If the redemption is treated as a distribution taxable as a dividend, the amount of the
distribution will be measured by the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property
received by the holder. The holders adjusted tax basis in the preferred shares redeemed will be
transferred to any other shareholdings of the holder in Brandywine. If the holder of the preferred
shares owns no other shares, under certain circumstances, such basis may be transferred to a
related person, or it may be lost entirely.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Applicable to U.S. Shareholders
In general, Brandywine will report to its U.S. Shareholders and the Internal Revenue Service
the amount of distributions paid (unless the U.S. Shareholder is an exempt recipient) during each
calendar year, and the amount of tax withheld, if any. Under the backup withholding rules, a
shareholder may be subject to backup withholding at the rate of 28% with respect to distributions
paid unless such shareholder (a) comes within certain exempt categories and, when required,
demonstrates this fact, or (b) provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss
of exemption from backup withholding and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the
backup withholding rules. A shareholder that does not provide us with his correct taxpayer
identification number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. In
addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distributions to any
shareholders who fail to certify their non-foreign status to Brandywine. See Taxation of
non-U.S. Shareholders. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under
the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against the shareholders
income tax liability, provided the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue
Service.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt Shareholders
U.S. tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and
individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from U.S. federal income taxation. However,
they are subject to taxation on their unrelated business taxable income or UBTI. Distributions by
us to a shareholder that is a tax-exempt entity should generally not constitute UBTI, as defined in
Section 512(a) of the Code provided that the tax-exempt entity has not financed the acquisition of
its shares with acquisition indebtedness within the meaning of the Code and the shares are not
otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business of the tax-exempt entity. Tax-exempt U.S.
Shareholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental
unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans exempt from U.S. federal
income taxation under sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Code, respectively,
are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally will require them to characterize
distributions from us as UBTI.
In certain circumstances, a pension trust (1) that is described in Section 401(a) of the Code,
(2) is tax exempt under section 501(a) of the Code, and (3) that owns more than 10% of our shares
could be required to treat a percentage of the dividends from us as UBTI if we are a pension-held
REIT. We will not be a pension-held REIT unless (1) either (A) one pension trust owns more than
25% of the value of our shares, or (B) a group of pension trusts, each individually holding more
than 10% of the value of our shares, collectively owns more than 50% of such shares and (2) we
would not have qualified as a REIT but for the fact that Section 856(h)(3) of the Code provides
that shares owned by such trusts shall be treated, for purposes of the requirement that not more
than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of a REIT is owned, directly or indirectly, by five
or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities). Certain restrictions
on ownership and transfer of our shares should generally
prevent a tax-exempt entity from owning more than 10% of the value of our shares, or us from
becoming a pension-held REIT.
Tax-exempt U.S. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisor regarding the U.S.
federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of
our shares.
55
Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders
The rules governing United States federal income taxation of non-U.S. Shareholders are complex
and no attempt will be made herein to provide more than a summary of such rules. Prospective
non-U.S. Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors to determine the impact of
federal, state and local income and estate tax laws with regard to an investment in our shares,
including any reporting requirements.
Ordinary Dividends
The portion of Ordinary Dividends received by non-U.S. Shareholders that are not attributable
to gain from sales or exchanges by us of United States real property interests and which are not
effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. Shareholder will generally be
subject to a withholding tax equal to 30% of the gross amount of the distribution unless an
applicable tax treaty reduces or eliminates that tax. Under some treaties, however, the lower
rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from REITs. We intend to
withhold United States income tax at the rate of 30% on the gross amount of any such Ordinary
Dividends paid to a non-U.S. Shareholder unless (1) a lower treaty rate applies and the non-U.S.
Shareholder files a W-8 BEN (or applicable substitute form) claiming the benefits of the lower
treaty rate or (2) the non-U.S. Shareholder files an IRS Form W-8 ECI with us claiming that the
distribution is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business.
In general, non-U.S. Shareholders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or
business solely as a result of their ownership of our shares. If income from the investment in our
shares is treated as effectively connected with the non-U.S. Shareholders conduct of a United
States trade or business, the non-U.S. Shareholder generally will be subject to a tax at graduated
rates, in the same manner as U.S. Shareholders are taxed with respect to such distributions (and
may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a shareholder that is a foreign
corporation).
Non-Dividend Distributions
Unless our shares constitute a U.S. real property interest (USRPI), any Non-Dividend
Distributions will not be taxable to a shareholder to the extent that such distributions do not
exceed the adjusted basis of the shareholders shares, but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of
the shareholder in such shares. To the extent that Non-Dividend Distributions exceed the adjusted
basis of a non-U.S. Shareholders shares, such distributions will give rise to tax liability if the
non-U.S. Shareholder would otherwise be subject to tax on any gain from the sale or disposition of
its shares, as described below (See Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders Dispositions of our
Shares). If it cannot be determined at the time a distribution is made whether or not such
distribution will be in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distributions
will be subject to withholding at the same rate as Ordinary Dividends. Because we generally cannot
determine at the time we make a distribution whether or not the distribution will exceed our
current and accumulated earnings and profits, we normally will withhold tax on the entire amount of
any distribution at the same rate as we would withhold on Ordinary Dividends. However, amounts
thus withheld are refundable to the non-U.S. Shareholder if it is subsequently determined that such
distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits.
If our shares constitute a USRPI, as described below (See Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders
Dispositions of our Shares), Non-Dividend Distributions by us in excess of the non-U.S.
Shareholders adjusted tax basis in our shares will be taxed under the Foreign Investment in Real
Property Tax Act of 1980 (FIRPTA) at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains
rates, that would apply to a U.S. Shareholder of the same type (e.g., an individual or a
corporation, as the case may be), and the collection of the tax will be enforced by a refundable
withholding at a rate of 10% of the Non-Dividend Distribution.
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Capital Gain Distributions
Except as discussed below with respect to 5% or less holders of regularly traded classes of
shares, distributions that are attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of United States
real property interests will be taxed to a non-U.S. Shareholder under the provisions of FIRPTA
Under FIRPTA, distributions attributable to gain from sales of United States real property
interests are taxed to a non-U.S. Shareholder as if such gain were effectively connected with a
United States business. Individuals who are non-U.S. Shareholders will be required to report such
gain on a U.S. federal income tax return and such gain will be taxed at the normal capital gain
rates applicable to U.S. individual shareholders (subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and
a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals). Also,
distributions subject to FIRPTA may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a
foreign corporate shareholder not entitled to treaty relief. Brandywine is required by applicable
Treasury Regulations to withhold 35% of any distribution that could be designated by us as a
capital gains dividend. The amount is creditable against the non-U.S. Shareholders U.S. tax
liability.
However, distributions attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of United States
real property interests are treated as ordinary dividends (not subject to the 35% withholding tax
under FIRPTA) if the distribution is made to a non-U.S. Shareholder with respect to any class of
shares which is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States
and if the non-U.S. Shareholder did not own more than 5% of such class of shares at any time during
the taxable year. Such distributions will generally be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax
(subject to reduction under applicable treaty) and a non-U.S. Shareholder will not be required to
report the distribution on a U.S. tax return. In addition, the branch profits tax will not apply
to such distributions. See Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders Ordinary Dividends.
Dividends Paid in Common Shares
A recent Internal Revenue Service revenue procedure allows us to satisfy the REIT distribution
requirements with respect to certain taxable years by distributing up to 90% of our dividends in
the form of common shares rather than cash. In the event that we pay a portion of a dividend in
common shares, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such dividend, including in
respect of all or a portion of such dividend that is payable in common shares.
Dispositions of our Shares
Unless our shares constitutes a USRPI, gain recognized by a non-U.S. Shareholder upon a sale
of shares generally will not be taxed under FIRPTA. Our shares will not be treated as a USRPI if
Brandywine is a domestically controlled REIT, defined generally as a REIT in which at all times
during a specified testing period less than 50% in value of the shares of beneficial interest was
held directly or indirectly by foreign persons. It is currently anticipated that we will be a
domestically controlled REIT, and therefore the sale of shares by a non-U.S. Shareholder will not
be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. However, because the shares may be traded, we cannot be sure
that we will continue to be a domestically controlled REIT. Further, even if we are a
domestically controlled REIT, pursuant to wash sale rules under FIRPTA, a non-U.S. Shareholder
may incur tax under FIRPTA to the extent such non-U.S. Shareholder disposes of our shares within a
certain period prior to a capital gain distribution and directly or indirectly (including through
certain affiliates) reacquires our shares within certain prescribed periods.
However, a non-U.S. shareholder will not incur tax under FIRPTA on a sale of common or
preferred shares if (1) our preferred shares or common shares is regularly traded on an
established securities market within the meaning of applicable Treasury regulations and (2) the
non-U.S. Shareholder did not actually, or constructively under specified attribution rules under
the Code, own more than 5% of our preferred shares or common shares at any time during the shorter
of the five-year period preceding the disposition or the holders holding period.
Even if our common or preferred shares were not regularly traded on an established securities
market, a non-U.S. Shareholder would not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA as a sale of a U.S.
real property interest if such non-U.S. Shareholders common or preferred shares had a fair market
value on the date of acquisition that was equal to or less than 5% of our regularly traded class of
shares with the lowest fair market value. For purposes of this test, if a non-U.S. Shareholder
acquired shares of common or preferred shares and subsequently acquired
additional shares at a later date, then all such shares would be aggregated and valued as of
the date of the subsequent acquisition.
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If gain on the sale of our shares is subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S.
Shareholder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. Shareholder with respect to such gain,
subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of
non-resident alien individuals, and the purchaser of the shares could be required to withhold 10%
of the purchase price and remit such amount to the Internal Revenue Service. Gain not subject to
FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the United States to a non-U.S. Shareholder if (1) investment
in the shares is effectively connected with the non-U.S. Shareholders United States trade or
business, in which case the non-U.S. Shareholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S.
Shareholders with respect to such gain or (2) the non-U.S. Shareholder is a nonresident alien
individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year, in
which case the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individuals
capital gains.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Applicable to non-U.S. Shareholders
We must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. Shareholder the amount of dividends
paid to such holder and the tax withheld with respect to such dividends, regardless of whether
withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and
withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S.
Shareholder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.
Payments of dividends or of proceeds from the disposition of stock made to a non-U.S.
Shareholder may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless such holder
establishes an exemption, for example, by properly certifying its non-United States status on an
IRS Form W-8 BEN or another appropriate version of IRS Form W-8. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
backup withholding may apply if either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to
know, that a non-U.S. Shareholder is a United States person.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup
withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against the shareholders income tax
liability, provided the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
State, Local and Foreign Tax Consequences
Brandywine, the Operating Partnership, the Subsidiary Partnerships and Brandywines
shareholders may be subject to state, local and foreign taxation in various jurisdictions,
including those in which it or they transact business or reside. The state, local and foreign tax
treatment of Brandywine, the Operating Partnership, the Subsidiary Partnerships and Brandywines
shareholders may not conform to the federal income tax consequences discussed above. Any foreign
taxes incurred by us would not pass through to shareholders as a credit against their U.S. federal
income tax liability. Prospective shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the
effect of state, local and foreign tax laws on an investment in our shares.
Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs
The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons
involved in the legislative process and by the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury
Department. No assurance can be given as to whether, when, or in what form, the U.S. federal income
tax laws applicable to us and our shareholders may be enacted. Changes to the U.S. federal tax laws
and interpretations of U.S. federal tax laws could adversely affect an investment in our shares.
Taxation of Holders of Debt Securities
This section describes the material United States federal income tax consequences of owning
the debt securities that Brandywine Realty Trust or Brandywine Operating Partnership may offer.
This summary is for general information only and is not tax advice. The tax consequences of owning
any particular issue of debt securities will be discussed in the applicable prospectus.
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As used herein, a U.S. Holder means a beneficial owner of our debt securities, who is, for
U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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a citizen or resident of the U.S. as defined in section 7701(b) of the Code, |
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a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income
tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or any state
thereof or the District of Columbia, |
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an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation
regardless of its source or |
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a trust if it (a) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the
U.S. and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial
decisions of the trust or (b) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S.
Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
As used herein, a non-U.S. Holder means a beneficial owner of our debt securities that is
not a U.S. Holder, and that is not a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for
U.S. federal income tax purposes).
If a partnership holds debt securities, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend
upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a
partnership holding debt securities, you should consult your tax advisors.
Taxation of U.S. Holders
Interest
The stated interest on debt securities generally will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary
income at the time that it is paid or accrued, in accordance with the U.S. Holders method of
accounting for United States federal income tax purposes.
Original Issue Discount
If you own debt securities issued with original issue discount (OID), you will be subject to
special tax accounting rules, as described in greater detail below. In that case, you should be
aware that you generally must include OID in gross income in advance of the receipt of cash
attributable to that income. However, you generally will not be required to include separately in
income cash payments received on the debt securities, even if denominated as interest, to the
extent those payments do not constitute qualified stated interest, as defined below. If we
determine that a particular debt security will be an OID debt security, we will disclose that
determination in the prospectus relating to those debt securities.
A debt security with an issue price that is less than the stated redemption price at
maturity (the sum of all payments to be made on the debt security other than qualified stated
interest) generally will be issued with OID if that difference is at least 0.25% of the stated
redemption price at maturity multiplied by the number of complete years to maturity. The issue
price of each debt security in a particular offering will be the first price at which a
substantial amount of that particular offering is sold to the public. The term qualified stated
interest means stated interest that is unconditionally payable in cash or in property, other than
debt instruments of the issuer, and the interest to be paid meets all of the following conditions:
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it is payable at least once per year; |
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it is payable over the entire term of the debt security; and |
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it is payable at a single fixed rate or, subject to certain conditions, based on one
or more interest indices. |
If we determine that particular debt securities of a series will bear interest that is not
qualified stated interest, we will disclose that determination in the prospectus relating to those
debt securities.
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If you own a debt security issued with de minimis OID, which is discount that is not OID
because it is less than 0.25% of the stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by the number
of complete years to maturity, you generally must include the de minimis OID in income at the time
principal payments on the debt securities are made in proportion to the amount paid. Any amount of
de minimis OID that you have included in income will be treated as capital gain.
Certain of the debt securities may contain provisions permitting them to be redeemed prior to
their stated maturity at our option and/or at your option. OID debt securities containing those
features may be subject to rules that differ from the general rules discussed herein. If you are
considering the purchase of OID debt securities with those features, you should carefully examine
the applicable prospectus and should consult your own tax advisors with respect to those features
since the tax consequences to you with respect to OID will depend, in part, on the particular terms
and features of the debt securities.
If you own OID debt securities with a maturity upon issuance of more than one year you
generally must include OID in income in advance of the receipt of some or all of the related cash
payments using the constant yield method described in the following paragraphs. This method takes
into account the compounding of interest.
The amount of OID that you must include in income if you are the initial United States holder
of an OID debt security is the sum of the daily portions of OID with respect to the debt security
for each day during the taxable year or portion of the taxable year in which you held that debt
security (accrued OID). The daily portion is determined by allocating to each day in any accrual
period a pro rata portion of the OID allocable to that accrual period. The accrual period for an
OID debt security may be of any length and may vary in length over the term of the debt security,
provided that each accrual period is no longer than one year and each scheduled payment of
principal or interest occurs on the first day or the final day of an accrual period. The amount of
OID allocable to any accrual period is an amount equal to the excess, if any, of:
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the debt securitys adjusted issue price at the beginning of the accrual period
multiplied by its yield to maturity, determined on the basis of compounding at the
close of each accrual period and properly adjusted for the length of the accrual
period, over |
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the aggregate of all qualified stated interest allocable to the accrual period. |
OID allocable to a final accrual period is the difference between the amount payable at
maturity, other than a payment of qualified stated interest, and the adjusted issue price at the
beginning of the final accrual period. Special rules will apply for calculating OID for an initial
short accrual period. The adjusted issue price of a debt security at the beginning of any accrual
period is equal to its issue price increased by the accrued OID for each prior accrual period,
determined without regard to the amortization of any acquisition or bond premium, as described
below, and reduced by any payments made on the debt security (other than qualified stated interest)
on or before the first day of the accrual period. Under these rules, you will generally have to
include in income increasingly greater amounts of OID in successive accrual periods. We are
required to provide information returns stating the amount of OID accrued on debt securities held
of record by persons other than corporations and other exempt holders.
Floating rate debt securities are subject to special OID rules. In the case of an OID debt
security that is a floating rate debt security, both the yield to maturity and qualified stated
interest will be determined solely for purposes of calculating the accrual of OID as though the
debt security will bear interest in all periods at a fixed rate generally equal to the rate that
would be applicable to interest payments on the debt security on its date of issue or, in the case
of certain floating rate debt securities, the rate that reflects the yield to maturity that is
reasonably expected for the debt security. Additional rules may apply if either:
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the interest on a floating rate debt security is based on more than one interest
index; or |
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the principal amount of the debt security is indexed in any manner. |
This discussion does not address the tax rules applicable to debt securities with an indexed
principal amount. If you are considering the purchase of floating rate OID debt securities or
securities with indexed principal amounts, you should carefully examine the prospectus relating to
those debt securities, and should consult your own
tax advisors regarding the United States federal income tax consequences to you of holding and
disposing of those debt securities.
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You may elect to treat all interest on any debt securities as OID and calculate the amount
includible in gross income under the constant yield method described above. For purposes of this
election, interest includes stated interest, acquisition discount, OID, de minimis OID, market
discount, de minimis market discount and unstated interest, as adjusted by any amortizable bond
premium or acquisition premium. You must make this election for the taxable year in which you
acquired the debt security, and you may not revoke the election without the consent of the Internal
Revenue Service (the IRS). You should consult with your own tax advisors about this election.
Market Discount
If you purchase debt securities, other than OID debt securities, for an amount that is less
than their stated redemption price at maturity, or, in the case of OID debt securities, their
adjusted issue price, the amount of the difference will be treated as market discount for United
States federal income tax purposes, unless that difference is less than a specified de minimis
amount. Under the market discount rules, you will be required to treat any principal payment on, or
any gain on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of, the debt securities as ordinary
income to the extent of the market discount that you have not previously included in income and are
treated as having accrued on the debt securities at the time of their payment or disposition. In
addition, you may be required to defer, until the maturity of the debt securities or their earlier
disposition in a taxable transaction, the deduction of all or a portion of the interest expense on
any indebtedness attributable to the debt securities. You may elect, on a debt security-by-debt
security basis, to deduct the deferred interest expense in a tax year prior to the year of
disposition. You should consult your own tax advisors before making this election.
Any market discount will be considered to accrue ratably during the period from the date of
acquisition to the maturity date of the debt securities, unless you elect to accrue on a constant
interest method. You may elect to include market discount in income currently as it accrues, on
either a ratable or constant interest method, in which case the rule described above regarding
deferral of interest deductions will not apply. Your election to include market discount in income
currently, once made, applies to all market discount obligations acquired by you on or after the
first taxable year to which your election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the
IRS. You should consult your own tax advisor before making this election.
Acquisition Premium and Amortizable Bond Premium
If you purchase OID debt securities for an amount that is greater than their adjusted issue
price but equal to or less than the sum of all amounts payable on the debt securities after the
purchase date other than payments of qualified stated interest, you will be considered to have
purchased those debt securities at an acquisition premium. Under the acquisition premium rules,
the amount of OID that you must include in gross income with respect to those debt securities for
any taxable year will be reduced by the portion of the acquisition premium properly allocable to
that year.
If you purchase debt securities (including OID debt securities) for an amount in excess of the
sum of all amounts payable on those debt securities after the purchase date other than qualified
stated interest, you will be considered to have purchased those debt securities at a premium and,
if they are OID debt securities, you will not be required to include any OID in income. You
generally may elect to amortize the premium over the remaining term of those debt securities on a
constant yield method as an offset to interest when includible in income under your regular
accounting method. In the case of debt securities that provide for alternative payment schedules,
bond premium is calculated by assuming that (a) you will exercise or not exercise options in a
manner that maximizes your yield, and (b) we will exercise or not exercise options in a manner that
minimizes your yield (except that we will be assumed to exercise call options in a manner that
maximizes your yield). If you do not elect to amortize bond premium, that premium will decrease the
gain or increase the loss you would otherwise recognize on disposition of the debt security. Your
election to amortize premium on a constant yield method will also apply to all debt obligations
held or subsequently acquired by you on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which
the election applies. You may not revoke the election without the consent of the IRS. You should
consult your own tax advisor before making this election.
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Sale, Exchange and Retirement of Debt Securities
A U.S. Holder of debt securities will recognize gain or loss upon the sale, exchange,
retirement, redemption or other taxable disposition of such debt securities in an amount equal to
the difference between:
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the amount of cash and the fair market value of other property received in exchange
for such debt securities, other than amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid stated
interest, which will be subject to tax as ordinary income to the extent not previously
included in income; and |
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the U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in such debt securities. |
A U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in a debt security generally will equal the cost of the
debt security to such holder (A) increased by the amount of OID or accrued market discount (if any)
previously included in income by such holder and (B) decreased by the amount of any payments other
than qualified stated interest payments and any amortizable bond premium taken by the holder.
Any gain or loss recognized will generally be capital gain or loss, and such capital gain or
loss will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if debt securities has been held by the U.S.
Holder for more than one year. Long-term capital gain for non-corporate taxpayers is subject to
reduced rates of United States federal income taxation (15% maximum federal rate through the end of
2012). The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
If a U.S. Holder recognizes a loss upon a subsequent disposition of our debt securities in an
amount that exceeds a prescribed threshold, it is possible that the provisions of Treasury
Regulations involving reportable transactions could apply, with a resulting requirement to
separately disclose the loss generating transactions to the IRS. While these regulations are
directed towards tax shelters, they are written broadly, and apply to transactions that would not
typically be considered tax shelters. Significant penalties apply for failure to comply with these
requirements. You should consult your tax advisors concerning any possible disclosure obligation
with respect to the receipt or disposition of our debt securities, or transactions that might be
undertaken directly or indirectly by us. Moreover, you should be aware that we and other
participants in transactions involving us (including our advisors) might be subject to disclosure
or other requirements pursuant to these regulations.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt Holders of Debt Securities
Assuming the debt security is debt for tax purposes, interest income accrued on the debt
security should not constitute unrelated business taxable income to a tax-exempt holder. As a
result, a tax-exempt holder generally should not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the
interest income accruing on our debt securities. Similarly, any gain recognized by the tax-exempt
holder in connection with a sale of the debt security generally should not be unrelated business
taxable income. However, if a tax-exempt holder were to finance its acquisition of the debt
security with debt, a portion of the interest income and gain attributable to the debt security
would constitute unrelated business taxable income pursuant to the debt-financed property rules.
Tax-exempt holders should consult their own counsel to determine the potential tax consequences of
an investment in our debt securities.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders of Debt Securities
The rules governing the U.S. federal income taxation of a Non-U.S. Holder are complex and no
attempt will be made herein to provide more than a summary of such rules. Non-U.S. Holders should
consult their tax advisors to determine the effect of U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax
laws, as well as tax treaties, with regard to an investment in the debt securities.
Interest
Interest (including OID) paid to a non-U.S. Holder of debt securities will not be subject to
United States federal withholding tax under the portfolio interest exception, provided that:
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interest paid on debt securities is not effectively connected with a non-U.S.
Holders conduct of a trade or business in the United States; |
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the non-U.S. Holder does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the
capital or profits interest in the Operating Partnership (in the case of debt issued by
the Operating Partnership), or 10% or more of the shares of Brandywine (in the case of
debt issued by Brandywine); |
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the non-U.S. Holder is not |
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a controlled foreign corporation that is related to the Operating
Partnership or Brandywine, as applicable, or |
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a bank that receives such interest on an extension of credit made pursuant
to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or
business; and |
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the beneficial owner of debt securities provides a certification, which is generally
made on an IRS Form W-8BEN or a suitable substitute form and signed under penalties of
perjury, that it is not a United States person. |
A payment of interest (including OID) to a non-U.S. Holder that does not qualify for the
portfolio interest exception and that is not effectively connected to a United States trade or
business will be subject to United States federal withholding tax at a rate of 30%, unless a United
States income tax treaty applies to reduce or eliminate withholding.
A non-U.S. Holder will generally be subject to tax in the same manner as a U.S. Holder with
respect to payments of interest (including OID) if such payments are effectively connected with the
conduct of a trade or business by the non-U.S. Holder in the United States and, if an applicable
tax treaty provides, such gain is attributable to a United States permanent establishment
maintained by the non-U.S. Holder. In some circumstances, such effectively connected income
received by a non-U.S. Holder which is a corporation may be subject to an additional branch
profits tax at a 30% base rate or, if applicable, a lower treaty rate.
To claim the benefit of a lower treaty rate or to claim exemption from withholding because the
income is effectively connected with a United States trade or business, the non-U.S. Holder must
provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8ECI, or a suitable substitute form, as
applicable, prior to the payment of interest. Such certificate must contain, among other
information, the name and address of the non-U.S. Holder.
Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding applicable income tax
treaties, which may provide different rules.
Sale or Retirement of Debt Securities
A non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax or
withholding tax on gain realized on the sale, exchange or redemption of debt securities unless:
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the non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183
days or more in the taxable year of the sale, exchange or redemption, and certain other
conditions are met; or |
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the gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business of the
non-U.S. Holder in the United States and, if an applicable tax treaty so provides, such
gain is attributable to a United States permanent establishment maintained by such
holder. |
Except to the extent that an applicable tax treaty provides otherwise, a non-U.S. Holder will
generally be subject to tax in the same manner as a U.S. Holder with respect to gain realized on
the sale, exchange or redemption of debt securities if such gain is effectively connected with the
conduct of a trade or business by the non-U.S. Holder in the United States and, if an applicable
tax treaty provides, such gain is attributable to a United States permanent establishment
maintained by the non-U.S. Holder. In certain circumstances, a non-U.S. Holder that is a
corporation will be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or, if applicable,
a lower treaty rate on such income.
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U.S. Federal Estate Tax
Your estate will not be subject to U.S. federal estate tax on the debt securities beneficially
owned by you at the time of your death, provided that any payment to you on the debt securities,
including OID, would be eligible for exemption from the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax under the
portfolio interest rule described above, without regard to the certification requirement.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Applicable to Holders of Debt Securities
U.S. Holders
Certain U.S. Holders may be subject to information reporting requirements on payments of
principal and interest (including OID) on debt securities and payments of the proceeds of the sale,
exchange, or redemption of debt securities, and backup withholding, currently imposed at a rate of
28%, may apply to such payment if the U.S. Holder:
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fails to furnish an accurate taxpayer identification number, or TIN, to the payor in
the manner required; |
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is notified by the IRS that it has failed to properly report payments of interest or
dividends; or |
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under certain circumstances, fails to certify, under penalties of perjury, that it
has furnished a correct TIN and that it has not been notified by the IRS that it is
subject to backup withholding. |
Non-U.S. Holders
A non-U.S. Holder is generally not subject to backup withholding with respect to payments of
interest (including OID) on debt securities if it certifies as to its status as a non-U.S. Holder
under penalties of perjury or if it otherwise establishes an exemption, provided that neither we
nor our paying agent has actual knowledge or reason to know that the non-U.S. Holder is a United
States person or that the conditions of any other exemptions are not, in fact, satisfied.
Information reporting requirements, however, will apply to payments of interest (including OID) to
non-U.S. Holders where such interest is subject to withholding or exempt from United States
withholding tax pursuant to a tax treaty. Copies of these information returns may also be made
available under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the
country in which the non-U.S. Holder resides.
The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of debt securities to or through the United
States office of any broker, United States or foreign, will be subject to information reporting and
possible backup withholding unless the owner certifies as to its non-United States status under
penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption, provided that the broker does not have
actual knowledge or reason to know that the non-U.S. Holder is a United States person or that the
conditions of any other exemption are not, in fact, satisfied.
The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of debt securities to or through a non-United
States office of a non-United States broker that is not a United States related person generally
will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. For this purpose, a United
States related person is:
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a controlled foreign corporation for United States federal income tax purposes; |
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a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income from all sources for the
three-year period ending with the close of its taxable year preceding the payment, or
for such part of the period that the broker has been in existence, is derived from
activities that are effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or
business; or |
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a foreign partnership that at any time during the partnerships taxable year is
either engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United States or of which
50% or more of its income or capital interests are held by United States persons. |
In the case of the payment of proceeds from the disposition of debt securities to or through a
non-United States office of a broker that is either a United States person or a United States
related person, the payment may be subject to information reporting unless the broker has
documentary evidence in its files that the owner is a non-U.S. Holder and the broker has no
knowledge or reason to know to the contrary. Backup withholding will not apply to
payments made through foreign offices of a broker that is a United States person or a United
States related person, absent actual knowledge that the payee is a United States person.
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Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding
rules from a payment to a Holder will be allowed as a refund or a credit against such Holders
United States federal income tax liability, provided that the requisite procedures are followed.
Holders of debt securities are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding their
qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such an
exemption, if applicable.
New Legislation Relating to Foreign Accounts
On March 18, 2010 the President signed into law the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment
Act (the HIRE Act). The HIRE act may impose withholding taxes on certain types of payments made
to foreign financial institutions and non-financial foreign entities (as defined under these
rules). The legislation imposes a 30% withholding tax on withholdable payments, which include
payments of dividends on our common or preferred shares, payments of interest on our debentures
(without regard to the portfolio interest exception) or gross proceeds from the sale or other
disposition of our common shares, preferred shares or debentures paid to a foreign financial
institution or to a non-financial foreign entity, unless (i) the foreign financial institution
undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations with respect to certain U.S. account holders
or (ii) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any substantial U.S.
owners or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial U.S. owner. If the payee is
a foreign financial institution, it must enter into an agreement with the United States Treasury
requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain U.S. persons
or U.S.-owned foreign entities, annually report certain information about such accounts, and
withhold 30% on payments to account holders whose actions prevent it from complying with these
reporting and other requirements. The legislation would generally apply to payments made after
December 31, 2012, other than with respect to payments on debentures that were issued prior to
December 31, 2012. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the possible
implications of this legislation on their investment in our common shares, preferred shares or
debentures.
New Health Care Legislation
On March 30, 2010, the President signed into law the Health Care and Reconciliation Act of
2010 (the Reconciliation Act). The Reconciliation Act will require certain U.S. Shareholders who
are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds to pay a 3.8%
Medicare tax on net investment income which includes, among other things, dividends on shares,
interest on debentures and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of shares or
debentures, subject to certain exceptions. This tax will apply for taxable years beginning after
December 31, 2012. U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if
any, of this legislation on their ownership and disposition of our common shares, preferred shares
or debentures.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We and, where applicable, selling securityholders may sell the securities in any one or more
of the following ways:
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to investors through agents; |
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through underwriting syndicates led by one or more managing underwriters; and |
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through one or more underwriters acting alone. |
Any underwritten offering may be on a best efforts or a firm commitment basis. We may also
make direct sales through subscription rights distributed to our shareholders on a pro rata basis,
which may or may not be transferable. In any distribution of subscription rights to shareholders,
if all of the underlying securities are not subscribed for, we may then sell the unsubscribed
securities directly to third parties or may engage the services of one or more underwriters,
dealers or agents, including standby underwriters, to sell the unsubscribed securities to third
parties. We may also sell securities to our shareholders as part of a dividend on our common
shares if our board of trustees, in the future, should elect to pay dividends with a combination of
cash and common shares.
The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more
transactions:
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at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed; |
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at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
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at prices related to such prevailing market prices, including in at the market
offerings within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act; or |
Any of the prices may represent a discount from the then prevailing market prices.
In the sale of the securities, underwriters or agents may receive compensation from us or from
purchasers of the securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts,
concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and such
dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the
underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters,
dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be
underwriters under the Securities Act of 1933, and any discounts or commissions they receive from
us and any profit on the resale of securities they realize may be deemed to be underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. The applicable prospectus supplement will,
where applicable:
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identify any such underwriter or agent; |
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describe any compensation in the form of discounts, concessions, commissions or
otherwise received from us by each such underwriter or agent and in the aggregate to
all underwriters and agents; |
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identify the amounts underwritten; and |
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identify the nature of the underwriters obligation to take the securities. |
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Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, each series of securities
will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than the common shares, Series C
Preferred Shares and Series D Preferred Shares, which are listed on the NYSE. Any common shares
sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be listed on the NYSE, subject to official notice of
issuance. We may elect to list any series of debt securities or preferred shares, respectively, on
an exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may
make a market in a series of securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and
may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given
as to the liquidity of, or the trading market for, any series of debt securities or preferred
shares.
Until the distribution of the securities is completed, rules of the SEC may limit the ability
of any underwriters and selling group members to bid for and purchase the securities. As an
exception to these rules, underwriters are permitted to engage in some transactions that stabilize
the price of the securities. Such transactions consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of
pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities.
If any underwriters create a short position in the securities in an offering in which they
sell more securities than are set forth on the cover page of the applicable prospectus supplement,
the underwriters may reduce that short position by purchasing the securities in the open market.
The lead underwriters may also impose a penalty bid on other underwriters and selling group
members participating in an offering. This means that if the lead underwriters purchase securities
in the open market to reduce the underwriters short position or to stabilize the price of the
securities, they may reclaim the amount of any selling concession from the underwriters and selling
group members who sold those securities as part of the offering.
In general, purchases of a security for the purpose of stabilization or to reduce a short
position could cause the price of the security to be higher than it might be in the absence of such
purchases. The imposition of a penalty bid might also have an effect on the price of a security to
the extent that it were to discourage resales of the security before the distribution is completed.
We do not make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect
that the transactions described above might have on the price of the securities. In addition, we
do not make any representation that underwriters will engage in such transactions or that such
transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
Under agreements into which we may enter, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in
the distribution of the securities may be entitled to indemnification by us against some
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, perform services for us
or be our tenants in the ordinary course of business.
If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other
persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by particular institutions to purchase securities
from us at the public offering price set forth in such prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed
delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in such
prospectus supplement. Each delayed delivery contract will be for an amount no less than, and the
aggregate principal amounts of securities sold under delayed delivery contracts shall be not less
nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Institutions
with which such contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks,
insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions
and others, but will in all cases be subject to our approval. The obligations of any purchaser
under any such contract will be subject to the conditions that (a) the purchase of the securities
shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United
States to which the purchaser is subject, and (b) if the securities are being sold to underwriters,
we shall have sold to the underwriters the total principal amount of the securities less the
principal amount thereof covered by the contracts. The underwriters and such other agents will not
have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts.
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To comply with applicable state securities laws, the securities offered by this prospectus
will be sold, if necessary, in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or
dealers. In addition, securities may not be sold in some states unless they have been registered
or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or
qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
LEGAL MATTERS
Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered
will be passed upon for us by Pepper Hamilton LLP and for any underwriters by Simpson Thacher &
Bartlett LLP (or such other counsel as may be engaged by any such underwriters).
EXPERTS
The financial statements and managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting (which is included in Managements Report on Internal Control over
Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2010 for Brandywine Realty Trust have been so incorporated in
reliance on the report (which contains an explanatory paragraph on the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting due to the exclusion of Brandywines investments in Three Logan
Square from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010
because it was acquired by Brandywine during 2010) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and
accounting.
The financial statements and managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting (which is included in Managements Report on Internal Control over
Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2010 for Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. have been so
incorporated in reliance on the report (which contains an explanatory paragraph on the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting due to the exclusion of Brandywines
investments in Three Logan Square from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting
as of December 31, 2010 because it was acquired during 2010) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an
independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in
auditing and accounting.
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8,578,447 Shares
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest
Prospectus Supplement
BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC
Citi
Deutsche Bank Securities
June 3, 2011