EX-5.6 8 dex56.htm EXHIBIT 5.6 EXHIBIT 5.6

Exhibit 5.6

 

        200 EAST BROWARD BOULEVARD
        FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33301
       

[RUDEN MCCLOSKY LOGO APPEARS HERE]

  POST OFFICE BOX 1900
        FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33302
       
        (954) 527-2473
        FAX: (954) 333-4073
        ROBERT.BRIGHTON@RUDEN.COM
    December 30, 2003    

 

Host Marriott, L.P.

6903 Rockledge Drive

Suite 1500

Bethesda, Maryland 20817

 

  Re: Registration Statement on Form S-4 Relating to $725,000,000 Aggregate
     Principal Amount 7 1/8% Series K Senior Notes due 2013

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special counsel to Ameliatel, a Florida general partnership (the “Covered Guarantor”) having as its partners, HMC Amelia I LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Amelia I”), and HMC Amelia II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Amelia II”), in connection with the guarantee (individually, the “Guarantee” and collectively, the “Guarantees”) by the Covered Guarantor and certain other entities set forth on Schedule A hereto (collectively, the “Guarantors”) of the obligations of Host Marriott, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Company”), under its $725,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7 1/8% Series K Senior Notes due 2013 (the “Securities”) which are being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), pursuant to a Form S-4 registration statement filed by the Company and certain co-registrants named therein with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on December 9, 2003 (SEC File No. 333-111021-18) (the “Registration Statement”). The Securities and the Guarantees will be issued pursuant to a Twelfth Supplemental Indenture, dated November 6, 2003 (the “Supplemental Indenture”), among the Company, the Guarantors and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the “Trustee”), which supplements the Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of August 5, 1998 (as so supplemented, the “Indenture”), originally among HMH Properties, Inc. (now, the Company), the guarantors named therein and HSBC Bank USA (f/k/a Marine Midland Bank), as trustee. The Securities and the Guarantees will be issued in exchange for the Company’s outstanding 7 1/8% Series J Senior Notes due 2013 on the terms set forth in the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement and the Letter of Transmittal filed as an exhibit thereto. The Indenture, the Securities and the Guarantees are sometimes referred to herein collectively as the “Operative Documents.” Capitalized terms used herein without definition have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

 

 

RUDEN, McCLOSKY, SMITH, SCHUSTER & RUSSELL, P.A.


CARACAS n FT. LAUDERDALE n MIAMI n NAPLES n PORT ST. LUCIE n SARASOTA n ST. PETERSBURG n TALLAHASSEE n TAMPA n WEST PALM BEACH


Host Marriott, L.P.

December 30, 2003

Page 2

 

In our capacity as special counsel to the Covered Guarantor, in connection with such Guarantee, we have reviewed resolutions of Amelia I and Amelia II in connection with the authorization and issuance of the Indenture by the Covered Guarantor pursuant to which the Securities, including the Guarantee, will be issued and have reviewed a signed copy of the Supplemental Indenture bearing the signature of W. Edward Walter on behalf of the Company and John A. Carnella on behalf of each of the Guarantors, including the Covered Guarantor, which includes a form of Securities.

 

In addition, we have examined originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of the following documents:

 

  (i) Resolutions of the Board of Directors of Host Marriott Corporation, dated September 23, 2003;

 

  (ii) Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement dated as of January 20, 1998 (“Restated Partnership Agreement”) by and between BRE/Amelia Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and BRE/Amelia L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company;

 

  (iii) First Amendment to Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement dated January     , 2001 (“First Amendment”), between HMC Amelia I LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Amelia I”), and HMC Amelia II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Amelia II;” and together with Amelia I, the “General Partners”);

 

  (iv) Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement dated October 24, 2003 (“Second Amendment” and together with the Restated Partnership Agreement and the First Amendment, the “Partnership Agreement”), between Amelia I and Amelia II; and

 

  (v) Resolutions of the Board of Managers of Amelia I and Amelia II, dated October 24, 2003 as General Partners of the Partnership.

 

The documents described in clauses (i) through (vi) above are collectively referred to herein as the “Corporate Documents.” With respect to all factual matters, we have relied solely upon, and have assumed the accuracy, completeness and genuineness of, the representations, warranties and certificates contained in and made pursuant to, the Operative Documents and the Corporate Documents and a certificate of an officer of each of Amelia I and Amelia II.


Host Marriott, L.P.

December 30, 2003

Page 3

 

We have examined the Operative Documents and the Corporate Documents and the originals or certified photostatic or facsimile copies of such records and other documents as we have deemed relevant and necessary as the basis for the opinions set forth below.

 

As to various questions of fact material to the opinions rendered herein, we have relied upon the representations contained in the Operative Documents, a certificate of an authorized officer of each of the General Partners of the Covered Guarantor, and such other documents as we have deemed relevant and necessary for purposes of rendering the opinions expressed herein. In addition, for purposes of the opinions expressed herein, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures on, and the authenticity of, all documents submitted to us as originals and conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies.

 

We have also assumed (i) the due execution and delivery, pursuant to due authorization, of the documents that we have examined by each party thereto, (ii) that each such party has the full power, authority and legal right to enter into and perform its obligations under each such document to which it is a party, other than in the case of the Covered Guarantor, (iii) that each such documents constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of each such party, enforceable against each such party in accordance with its respective terms, and (iv) that all necessary consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations, declarations and filings, governmental or otherwise, and all other conditions precedent with respect to the legal and valid execution and delivery of, and performance under, the documents that we have examined by each party thereto, other than those that may be required in the case of the Covered Guarantor under the laws of the State of Florida and relating to the Indenture, the Guarantee and the Securities, have been made or satisfied, or have occurred and are in full force and effect.

 

We have not previously acted as counsel to the Covered Guarantor, the Company or any other party to the Indenture. We have not reviewed and are not familiar with the organizational documents of either of the General Partners and, in particular, have not reviewed their respective operating agreements. Moreover, we have not reviewed any agreements to which they may be a party or by which they may be bound, other than the Operative Documents, or any laws of the State of Florida that may be applicable to the Covered Guarantor, the Company or any other party to the Indenture, or their respective assets, other than laws of the State of Florida of general applicability. The scope of our involvement in the transactions contemplated by the Operative documents is limited, and we understand that other legal counsel have advised the Covered Guarantor, the Company and each of the other parties to the Indenture with respect to certain of the matters as to which we have either made assumptions or excluded from our opinions.


Host Marriott, L.P.

December 30, 2003

Page 4

 

For purposes of this opinion letter, the phrase “to our knowledge” and phrases of similar import mean the actual knowledge of those attorneys in this firm who have given substantive attention to the transactions that are the subject of this opinion letter.

 

For purposes of this opinion letter, our “ reliance” on a writing means that our opinions as set forth herein are conditioned upon the accuracy and validity of that writing. Our opinions expressed herein, to the extent based upon an assumption made by us, is conditioned upon and subject to the assumption being true in fact.

 

In rendering the opinions set forth below, we have relied, with your permission, upon the following specific assumptions, the accuracy of which we have not independently verified:

 

(i) Except for the Operative Documents, there are no other documents or agreements executed by or between any of the parties that would expand or otherwise modify the obligations of the Covered Guarantor under the Covered Guaranty or that would have any effect on the opinion rendered herein;

 

(ii) the provisions of the operating agreements of each of the General Partners authorize the General Partners to take any action necessary as a General Partner of the Partnership to enter into the Operative Documents and perform the actions required thereunder; and

 

(iii) the Partnership Agreement of the Covered Guarantor that has been provided to us is the current Partnership Agreement of the Covered Guarantor, and there have been no amendments to such Partnership Agreement that would have any effect on our opinions rendered herein.

 

We are members of the Bar of the State of Florida, and this opinion relates only to the corporate laws of the State of Florida. We are not opining on the laws of any other jurisdiction or any federal law, including any federal securities law, or any state securities law, including Florida securities laws, and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of the laws of any other jurisdiction, including the federal laws of the United States, or as to any matters of municipal law or the laws of any local agencies within any state.

 

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the assumptions and qualifications stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

 

1. The Indenture has been duly authorized by all necessary partnership action of the Covered Guarantor and has been duly executed and delivered by the Covered Guarantor.


Host Marriott, L.P.

December 30, 2003

Page 5

 

2. The Guarantee of the Securities has been duly authorized by all necessary partnership action of the Covered Guarantor.

 

This opinion is for the benefit of the addressees hereof and we consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm contained under the heading “Legal Matters” contained in the prospectus contained therein. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, this letter may not be quoted for any other purpose without our prior written consent.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Ruden, McClosky, Smith, Schuster & Russell, P.A.

 

RUDEN, McCLOSKY, SMITH,

SCHUSTER & RUSSELL, P.A.

 


Schedule A

 

Guarantors

 

Name   

State of other

Jurisdiction of

Formation


HMH Rivers, L.P.

   Delaware

HMH Marina LLC

   Delaware

HMC SBM Two LLC

   Delaware

HMC PLP LLC

   Delaware

HMC Retirement Properties, L.P.

   Delaware

HMH Pentagon LLC

   Delaware

Airport Hotels LLC

   Delaware

Chesapeake Financial Services LLC

   Delaware

HMC Capital Resources LLC

   Delaware

YBG Associates LLC

   Delaware

PRM LLC

   Delaware

Host Park Ridge LLC

   Delaware

Host of Boston, Ltd.

   Massachusetts

Host of Houston, Ltd.

   Texas

Host of Houston 1979

   Texas

Philadelphia Airport Hotel LLC

   Delaware

HMC Hartford LLC

   Delaware

HMH Norfolk LLC

   Delaware

HMH Norfolk, L.P.

   Delaware

HMC Park Ridge LLC

   Delaware

HMC Partnership Holdings LLC

   Delaware

HMC Suites LLC

   Delaware

HMC Suites Limited Partnership

   Delaware

Wellsford-Park Ridge HMC Hotel Limited Partnership

   Delaware

City Center Interstate Partnership LLC

   Delaware

Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor Restaurants LLC

   Delaware

HMC Burlingame LLC

   Delaware

HMC California Leasing LLC

   Delaware

HMC Capital LLC

   Delaware

HMC Grand LLC

   Delaware

HMC Hotel Development LLC

   Delaware

HMC Mexpark LLC

   Delaware

HMC Polanco LLC

   Delaware

HMC NGL LLC

   Delaware

HMC OLS I L.P.

   Delaware


HMC Seattle LLC

   Delaware

HMC Swiss Holdings LLC

   Delaware

HMC Waterford LLC

   Delaware

HMH Restaurants LLC

   Delaware

HMH Rivers LLC

   Delaware

HMH WTC LLC

   Delaware

HMP Capital Ventures LLC

   Delaware

HMP Financial Services LLC

   Delaware

Host La Jolla LLC

   Delaware

City Center Hotel Limited Partnership

   Minnesota

MFR of Illinois LLC

   Delaware

MFR of Vermont LLC

   Delaware

MFR of Wisconsin LLC

   Delaware

PM Financial LLC

   Delaware

PM Financial LP

   Delaware

HMC Chicago LLC

   Delaware

HMC HPP LLC

   Delaware

HMC Desert LLC

   Delaware

HMC Hanover LLC

   Delaware

HMC Diversified LLC

   Delaware

HMC Properties I LLC

   Delaware

HMC Potomac LLC

   Delaware

HMC East Side II LLC

   Delaware

HMC Manhattan Beach LLC

   Delaware

Chesapeake Hotel Limited Partnership

   Delaware

HMH General Partner Holdings LLC

   Delaware

HMC IHP Holdings LLC

   Delaware

HMC OP BN LLC

   Delaware

S.D. Hotels LLC

   Delaware

HMC Gateway LLC

   Delaware

HMC Pacific Gateway LLC

   Delaware

MDSM Finance LLC

   Delaware

HMC Market Street LLC

   Delaware

New Market Street LP

   Delaware

Times Square LLC

   Delaware

Times Square GP LLC

   Delaware

HMC Atlanta LLC

   Delaware

Ivy Street LLC

   Delaware

HMC Properties II LLC

   Delaware

Santa Clara HMC LLC

   Delaware

HMC BCR Holdings LLC

   Delaware

HMC Palm Desert LLC

   Delaware

HMC Georgia LLC

   Delaware


HMC SFO LLC

   Delaware

Market Street Host LLC

   Delaware

HMC Property Leasing LLC

   Delaware

HMC Host Restaurants LLC

   Delaware

Durbin LLC

   Delaware

HMC HT LLC

   Delaware

HMC JWDC LLC

   Delaware

HMC OLS I LLC

   Delaware

HMC OLS II L.P.

   Delaware

HMT Lessee Parent LLC

   Delaware

HMC/Interstate Ontario, L.P.

   Delaware

HMC/Interstate Manhattan Beach, L.P.

   Delaware

Host/Interstate Partnership, L.P.

   Delaware

HMC/Interstate Waterford, L.P.

   Delaware

Ameliatel

   Florida

HMC Amelia I LLC

   Delaware

HMC Amelia II LLC

   Delaware

Rockledge Hotel LLC

   Delaware

Fernwood Hotel LLC

   Delaware

HMC Copley LLC

   Delaware

HMC Headhouse Funding LLC

   Delaware

Ivy Street Hopewell LLC

   Delaware

HMC Diversified American Hotels, L.P.

   Delaware

Potomac Hotel Limited Partnership

   Delaware