-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Ds/ScJrZw9bOARP1UNKjgic/KhVXY/RrwFXwZU73Se7x8sY2sdjjnRiDmBoV5zKS f82zHBTIQj8wLayoABD4Bg== 0000905148-97-000874.txt : 19970530 0000905148-97-000874.hdr.sgml : 19970530 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000905148-97-000874 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-3 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 19970529 SROS: NYSE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: RECKSON ASSOCIATES REALTY CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000930548 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798] IRS NUMBER: 113233650 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MD FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-28015 FILM NUMBER: 97616219 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 225 BROADHOLLOW RD CITY: MELVILLE STATE: NY ZIP: 11747 BUSINESS PHONE: 5166946900 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 225 BROADHOLLOW RD CITY: MELVILLE STATE: NY ZIP: 11747 S-3 1 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 29, 1997 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-_____ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 __________________ FORM S-3 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 __________________ RECKSON ASSOCIATES REALTY CORP. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) MARYLAND 11-3233650 (State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. employer of incorporation or organization) identification number) 225 BROADHOLLOW ROAD MELVILLE, NEW YORK 11747 (516) 694-6900 (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices) DONALD J. RECHLER CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER RECKSON ASSOCIATES REALTY CORP. 225 BROADHOLLOW ROAD MELVILLE, NEW YORK 11747 (516) 694-6900 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) ___________________ Copy to: DOUGLAS A. SGARRO, ESQ. BROWN & WOOD LLP ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER, 58TH FLOOR NEW YORK, N.Y. 10048 ___________________ APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE OF PUBLIC: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective. ___________________ If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box./ / If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box./x/ If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering./ / If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering./ / If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box./x/ ___________________ CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed Maximum Title of Class of Aggregate Offering Amount of Securities to be Registered Price(1) Registration Fee - ------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ----------------- Common Stock, $.01 par value per share(2) . . . . . . . Preferred Stock, $.01 per value per share(3) . . . . . Common Stock Warrants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $500,000,000 $151,515.15(4) Preferred Stock Warrants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee. (2) Such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices or upon conversion of Preferred Stock registered hereunder or upon exercise of Common Stock Warrants registered hereunder, as the case may be. (3) Such indeterminate number of shares of Preferred Stock as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices or upon exercise of Preferred Stock Warrants registered hereunder, as the case may be. (4) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE. Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State. SUBJECT TO COMPLETION PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 29, 1997 PROSPECTUS - ---------- $500,000,000 RECKSON ASSOCIATES REALTY CORP. COMMON STOCK, PREFERRED STOCK AND WARRANTS _________________ Reckson Associates Realty Corp. (the "Company") may offer and issue from time to time (i) shares of its common stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), (ii) shares of its preferred stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Preferred Stock") and (iii) warrants to purchase Common Stock or Preferred Stock (the "Warrants"), with an aggregate initial public offering price of up to $500,000,000 on terms to be determined at the time of offering. The Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Warrants (collectively, the "Securities") may be offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this Prospectus (each a "Prospectus Supplement"). The specific terms of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and will include, where applicable: (i) in the case of Common Stock, any initial public offering price, (ii) in the case of Preferred Stock, the specific title and stated value, any dividend, liquidation, redemption, conversion, voting and other rights, and any initial public offering price and (iii) in the case of Warrants, the Securities as to which such Warrants may be exercised, the duration, offering price, exercise price and detachability features. In addition, such specific terms may include limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions on transfer of the Securities, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve the status of the Company as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") for United States federal income tax purposes. See "Restrictions on Ownership of Capital Stock". The applicable Prospectus Supplement will also contain information, where applicable, about certain United States federal income tax considerations relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the Securities covered by such Prospectus Supplement. SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 3 OF THIS PROSPECTUS FOR A DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PURCHASERS OF THE SECURITIES. The Securities may be offered directly or through agents designated from time to time by the Company or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of the Securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement. No Securities may be sold by the Company through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a Prospectus Supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such Securities. See "Plan of Distribution." _________________________ THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. _________________________ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK HAS NOT PASSED ON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THIS OFFERING. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL. _________________________ THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS __________________, 1997. AVAILABLE INFORMATION The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Reports, proxy statements and other information filed by the Company may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, as well as the regional offices of the Commission at 7 World Trade Center (13th Floor), New York, New York 10048, and Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of such information can be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Such materials can also be inspected at the office of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. ("NYSE"), 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. The Commission maintains a Web site at http://www.sec.gov containing reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants, including the Company, that file electronically with the Commission. The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the Securities. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further information with respect to the Company and the Securities, reference is made to the Registration Statement, including the exhibits filed as a part thereof and otherwise incorporated therein. Statements made in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other document referred to are not necessarily complete; with respect to each such contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, reference is made to such exhibit for a more complete description of the matter involved, and each such statement shall be deemed qualified in its entirety by such reference. Copies of the Registration Statement and the exhibits may be inspected, without charge, at the offices of the Commission, or obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at the address set forth above. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE The following documents heretofore filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated by reference in this Prospectus: 1. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996. 2. Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997. 3. Current Reports on Form 8-K and dated March 8, 1996, October 1, 1996, October 22, 1996, November 25, 1996, February 18, 1997 and May 15, 1997, respectively. 4. The description of the Company's Common Stock which is contained in Item 1 of the Company's registration statement on Form 8-A, as amended, filed May 9, 1995 pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act. All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities hereunder shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such reports and documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for the purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus. The Company will provide a copy of any or all of such documents (exclusive of exhibits unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference therein), without charge, to each person to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request to Reckson Associates Realty Corp., 225 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York 11747, Attn: Jason M. Barnett, Senior Vice President and General Counsel (516) 694-6900. THE COMPANY Reckson Associates Realty Corp. (the "Company") was incorporated in September 1994 and commenced operations effective with the completion of its initial public offering (the "IPO") on June 2, 1995. The Company, together with Reckson Operating Partnership, L.P. (the "Operating Partnership"), were formed for the purpose of continuing the commercial real estate business of Reckson Associates, its affiliated partnerships and other entities ("Reckson"). For more than 35 years, Reckson has been engaged in the business of owning, developing, acquiring, constructing, managing and leasing suburban office and industrial properties in the New York metropolitan area. Based on industry surveys, management believes that the Company is one of the largest owners and managers of Class A suburban office and industrial properties in the New York City metropolitan Tri-State area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut (the "Tri-State area"). The Company's growth strategy is currently focused on suburban markets within a 50 mile radius surrounding New York City. The Company operates as a fully-integrated, self administered and self-managed REIT. As of March 31, 1997, the Company owned 123 properties (the "Properties") (including three joint venture properties) encompassing approximately 9.6 million rentable square feet, all of which are managed by the Company. The Properties consist of 32 Class A suburban office properties (the "Office Properties") encompassing approximately 4.4 million rentable square feet, 89 industrial properties (the "Industrial Properties") encompassing approximately 5.2 million rentable square feet and two 10,000 square foot retail properties. In addition, as of March 31, 1997, the Company owned or had contracted to acquire approximately 140 acres of land in nine separate parcels that may present future development opportunities and had invested approximately $50.9 million in certain mortgage indebtedness encumbering four Class A office properties on Long Island and one Class A office property in New Jersey encompassing an aggregate of approximately 881,000 square feet. The Office Properties are Class A suburban office buildings and are well-located, well-maintained and professionally managed. In addition, these properties are modern with high finishes or have been modernized to successfully compete with newer buildings and achieve among the highest rent, occupancy and tenant retention rates within their markets. The majority of the Office Properties are located in six planned office parks and are tenanted primarily by national service firms such as "big six" accounting firms, securities brokerage houses, insurance companies and health care providers. The Industrial Properties are utilized for distribution, warehousing, research and development and light manufacturing/assembly activities and are located primarily in three planned industrial parks. The Company's executive offices are located at 225 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York 11747 and its telephone number at that location is (516) 694-6900. At December 31, 1996, the Company had approximately 185 employees. RISK FACTORS This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed below. An investment in the Securities involves various risks. Prospective investors should carefully consider the following information in conjunction with the other information contained in this Prospectus before purchasing the Securities offered hereby (the "Offering"). DEPENDENCE ON TRI-STATE AREA MARKET CONDITIONS DUE TO LIMITED GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSIFICATION Currently, all of the Properties are located in the Tri-State area. Consequently, the Company is dependent upon the continued demand for office, industrial and other commercial space in the Tri-State area. Like other real estate markets, the commercial real estate markets have experienced periodic economic fluctuations and a future decline in the Tri-State area economy or in the market for commercial real estate could affect the Company's cash available for distribution and its ability to make distributions to shareholders. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN THE BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY Tax Consequences Upon Sale or Refinancing. Holders of units of limited partnership of the Operating Partnership ("Units") or co-owners of properties not owned entirely by the Company may suffer different and more adverse tax consequences than the Company upon the sale or refinancing of the Properties owned by the Operating Partnership and therefore such holders or co-owners and the Company may have different objectives regarding the appropriate pricing and timing of any sale or refinancing of such Properties. While the Company, as the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, has the exclusive authority as to whether and on what terms to sell or refinance each Property owned solely by the Operating Partnership, those Directors and officers of the Company who hold Units may seek to influence the Company not to sell or refinance the Properties, even though such a sale might otherwise be financially advantageous to the Company, or may seek to influence the Company to refinance a Property with a higher level of debt. Policies With Respect to Conflicts of Interest. The Company has adopted certain policies designed to eliminate or minimize conflicts of interest. These policies include a requirement that all transactions in which officers or Directors have a conflicting interest must be approved by a majority of the Directors of the Company who are neither officers of the Company nor affiliated with Reckson (the "Independent Directors"). However, there can be no assurance that these policies will be successful in minimizing or eliminating such conflicts and, if they are not successful, decisions could be made that might fail to reflect fully the interests of all stockholders. RISKS OF ADVERSE EFFECT ON COMPANY FROM DEBT SERVICING AND REFINANCING, INCREASES IN INTEREST RATES, FINANCIAL COVENANTS AND ABSENCE OF LIMITATION OF DEBT Debt Financing. The Company is subject to the risks normally associated with debt financing, including the risk that the Company's cash flow will be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest, the risk that existing indebtedness on the Properties (which in most cases will not have been fully amortized at maturity) will not be able to be refinanced or that the terms of such refinancing will not be as favorable as the terms of the existing indebtedness. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to refinance any indebtedness the Company may incur or to otherwise obtain funds by selling assets or raising equity to make required payments on maturing indebtedness. Existing Debt Maturities; Foreclosures. The Company anticipates that only a portion of the principal of the Company's mortgage indebtedness currently outstanding will be repaid prior to maturity. However, the Company may not have on hand funds sufficient to repay such indebtedness at maturity; it may therefore be necessary for the company to refinance debt through additional debt financing or equity offerings. If the Company is unable to refinance this indebtedness on acceptable terms, the Company may be forced to dispose of properties upon disadvantageous terms, which could result in losses to the Company and adversely affect the amount of cash available for distribution to stockholders. Further, if a property or properties are mortgaged to secure payment of indebtedness and the Company is unable to meet mortgage payments, the property or properties could be foreclosed upon by or otherwise transferred to the mortgagee with a consequent loss of income and asset value to the Company. In addition, even with respect to non-recourse indebtedness, the lender may have the rights to recover deficiencies from the Company in certain circumstances, including fraud and environmental liabilities. Risk of Rising Interest Rates. Outstanding advances under the Credit Facility (defined below) and the Credit Facility (defined below) bear interest at a variable rate. In addition, the Company may incur indebtedness in the future that also bears interest at a variable rate or may be required to refinance its debt at higher rates. Accordingly, increases in interest rates could increase the Company's interest expense, which could adversely affect the Company's ability to pay expected distributions to stockholders. Credit Facility Requirements. The Company has obtained a three-year unsecured credit facility from The Chase Manhattan Bank and Union Bank of Switzerland, as co-arrangers. The Credit Facility provides for a maximum borrowing amount of up to $175 million which, upon syndication, may be increased. The Company's ability to borrow under the Credit Facility is subject to the satisfaction of certain financial covenants, including covenants relating to limitations on unsecured and secured borrowings, minimum interest and fixed charge coverage ratios, a minimum equity value and a maximum dividend payout ratio. In addition, borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a floating rate equal to one, two, three or six month LIBOR (at the Company's election) plus a spread ranging from 1.125% to 1.5%, based on the Company's leverage ratio. No Limitation on Debt. The Company currently has a policy of incurring debt only if upon such incurrence the Company's Debt Ratio would be 50% or less. For these purposes, Debt Ratio is defined as the total debt of the Company as a percentage of the market value of outstanding shares of Common Stock on a full diluted basis plus total debt. However, the organizational documents of the Company do not contain any limitation on the amount of indebtedness the Company may incur. Accordingly, the Board of Directors could alter or eliminate this policy and would do so, for example, if it were necessary in order for the Company to continue to qualify as a REIT. If this policy were changed, the Company could become more highly leveraged, resulting in an increase in debt service that could adversely affect the Company's cash available for distribution to stockholders and could increase the risk of default on the Company's indebtedness. LIMITS ON OWNERSHIP AND CHANGES IN CONTROL MAY DETER CHANGES IN MANAGEMENT AND THIRD PARTY ACQUISITION PROPOSALS Ownership Limit. In order to maintain its qualification as a REIT, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding capital stock of the Company may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") to include certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first year). In order to protect the Company against the risk of losing REIT status due to a concentration of ownership among its stockholders, the Articles of Incorporation of the Company limit ownership of the issued and outstanding Common Stock by any single stockholder to 9.0% of the number or value of the outstanding shares of Common Stock from time to time. See "Restrictions on Ownership of Capital Stock." Such provision may have the effect of precluding a change of control of the Company by a third party without the consent of the Board of Directors even if a change of control were in the best interests of stockholders. Staggered Board. The Board of Directors of the Company is divided into three classes of directors. The terms of the first, second and third classes will expire in 1999, 1997 and 1998, respectively. Directors for each class are chosen for a three-year term upon the expiration of the applicable prior term. Required Consent of Holders of Units for Certain Transactions. For the five-year period following completion of the IPO, the Operating Partnership may not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets or engage in any other similar transaction (regardless of the form of such transaction) without the consent of the holders of 85% of all outstanding Units. This voting requirement could delay, defer or prevent a change in control of the Company. Future Issuances of Common Stock. The Articles of Incorporation authorize the Board of Directors to issue additional shares of Common Stock without shareholder approval. Any such issuance could have the effect of diluting existing shareholders' interests in the Company. Preferred Stock. The Articles of Incorporation authorize the Board of Directors to issue up to 25 million shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Preferred Stock" and, together with the Common Stock, the "Stock"), to reclassify unissued shares of Stock, and to establish the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations and restrictions on ownership, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption for each such class or series of any Preferred Stock issued. Limitations on Acquisition of and Changes in Control Pursuant to Maryland Law. Certain provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the "MGCL") may have the effect of inhibiting a third party from making an acquisition proposal for the Company or of impending a change in control of the Company under circumstances that otherwise could provide the holders of shares of Common Stock with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price of such shares. RISKS OF ACQUISITION, DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES The Company intends to acquire existing office and industrial properties to the extent that they can be acquired on advantageous terms and meet the Company's investment criteria. Acquisitions of commercial properties entail general investment risks associated with any real estate investment, including the risk that investments will fail to perform as expected or that estimates of the cost of improvements to bring an acquired property up to standards established for the intended market position may prove inaccurate. The Company also intends to continue the selective development and construction of office and industrial properties in accordance with the Company's development and underwriting policies as opportunities arise in the future. Risks associated with the Company's development and construction activities include the risks that: the Company may abandon development opportunities after expending resources to determine feasibility; construction costs of a project may exceed original estimates; occupancy rates and rents at a newly completed property may not be sufficient to make the property profitable; financing may not be available on favorable terms for development of a property; and construction and lease-up may not be completed on schedule, resulting in increased debt service expense and construction costs. Development activities are also subject to risks relating to the inability to obtain, or delays in obtaining, all necessary zoning, land-use, building, occupancy and other required governmental permits and authorizations. If any of the above occur, the Company's ability to make expected distributions to stockholders could be adversely affected. In addition, new development activities, regardless of whether or not they are ultimately successful, typically require a substantial portion of management's time and attention. REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT RISKS General Risks. Investments of the Company are subject to the risks incident to the ownership and operation of commercial real estate generally. The yields available from equity investments in real estate depend on the amount of income generated and expenses incurred. If the Company's properties do not generate revenues sufficient to meet operating expenses, including debt service and capital expenditures, the Company's cash available for distributions and ability to make distributions to its stockholders will be adversely affected. A commercial property's revenues and value may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including the national, state and local economic climate and real estate conditions (such as oversupply of or reduced demand for space and changes in market rental rates); the perceptions of prospective tenants of the safety, convenience and attractiveness of the properties; the ability of the owner to provide adequate management, maintenance and insurance; the ability to collect on a timely basis all rent from tenants; the expense of periodically renovating, repairing and reletting spaces; and increasing operating costs (including real estate taxes and utilities) which may not be passed through to tenants. Certain significant expenditures associated with investments in real estate (such as mortgage payments, real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance costs) are generally not reduced when circumstances cause a reduction in rental revenues from the property. If a property is mortgaged to secure the payment of indebtedness and if the Company is unable to meet its mortgage payments, a loss could be sustained as a result of foreclosure on the property or the exercise of other remedies by the mortgagee. In addition, real estate values and income from properties are also affected by such factors as compliance with laws, including tax laws, interest rate levels and the availability of financing. Also, the rentable square feet of commercial property is often affected by market conditions and may therefore fluctuate over time. Tenant Defaults. Substantially all of the Company's income is derived from rental income from real property and, consequently, the Company's distributable cash flow and ability to make expected distributions to stockholders would be adversely affected if a significant number of tenants of its properties failed to meet their lease obligations. In the event of a default by a lessee, the Company may experience delays in enforcing its rights as lessor and may incur substantial costs in protecting its investment. Market Illiquidity. Equity real estate investments are relatively illiquid. Such illiquidity will tend to limit the ability of the Company to vary its portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions. In addition, provisions of the Code limit a REIT's ability to sell properties held for fewer than four years, which may affect the Company's ability to sell properties at a time when it is otherwise economically advantageous to do so, thereby adversely affecting returns to stockholders. Operating Risks. The Properties are subject to operating risks common to commercial real estate in general, any and all of which may adversely affect occupancy or rental rates. The Properties are subject to increases in operating expenses such as cleaning; electricity; heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC"); elevator repair and maintenance; insurance and administrative costs; and other general costs associated with security, landscaping, repairs and maintenance. While the Company's tenants generally are currently obligated to pay a portion of these escalating costs, there can be no assurance that tenants will agree to pay such costs upon renewal or that new tenants will agree to pay such costs. If operating expenses increase, the local rental market may limit the extent to which rents may be increased to meet increased expenses without decreasing occupancy rates. While the Company implements costs saving incentive measures at each of its Properties, if any of the above occurs, the Company's ability to make distributions to stockholders could be adversely affected. Competition. There are numerous commercial properties that compete with the Company in attracting tenants and numerous companies that compete in selecting land for development and properties for acquisition. Third-Party Property Management and Construction. The Company pursues actively (through its affiliated management company) the management of properties which are owned by third parties. Risks associated with the management of properties owned by third parties include the risk that management contracts (which are typically cancelable without notice) will be terminated by the entity controlling the property or in connection with the sale of such property, that contracts may not be renewed upon expiration or may not be renewed on terms consistent with current terms and that the rental revenues upon which management fees are based will decline as a result of general real estate market conditions or specific market factors affecting properties managed by the Company, resulting in decreased management fee income. The Company's third-party interior construction business (which is conducted through its affiliated construction company) is subject to similar risks. Uninsured Loss. The Company carries comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage and rental loss insurance with respect to all of the Properties, with policy specifications, insured limits and deductibles customarily carried for similar properties. There are, however, certain types of losses (such as losses arising from acts of war or relating to pollution) that are not generally insured because they are either uninsurable or not economically insurable. Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occur, the Company could lose its capital invested in a property, as well as the anticipated future revenue from such property and would continue to be obligated on any mortgage indebtedness or other obligations related to the property. Any such loss would adversely affect the business of the Company and its financial condition and results of operations. Investments in Mortgage Debt. From time to time, the Company may invest in mortgages which are secured by office or industrial properties and, in certain circumstances, may result in the acquisition of the related properties through foreclosure proceedings or negotiated settlements. In addition to the risks associated with investments in commercial properties, investments in mortgage indebtedness present additional risks, including the risk that the fee owners of such properties may default in payments of interest on a current basis and that the Company may not realize its anticipated return or sustain losses relating to such investments. In that regard, as of March 31, 1997, the Company had invested approximately $50.9 million in mortgage indebtedness encumbering four Class A office properties on Long Island and one Class A office property in New Jersey. RISKS INVOLVED IN PROPERTY OWNERSHIP THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AND JOINT VENTURES The Company owns through the Operating Partnership a 60% general partner interest in Omni Partners, L.P. (the "Omni Partnership"), the partnership that owns the Omni, a 575,000 square foot office building located in the Company's Nassau West Corporate Center Office Park. Odyssey Partners, L.P. and an affiliate of Odyssey (collectively, "Odyssey") own the remaining 40% interest. Through its partnership interest, the Company acts as managing partner and has the sole authority to conduct the business and affairs of the Omni Partnership subject to the limitations set forth in the Omni Partnership Agreement. These limitations include Odyssey's right to negotiate under certain circumstances a refinancing of the mortgage debt encumbering the Omni. The Operating Partnership will continue to act as the sole managing partner of the Omni Partnership unless the Operating Partnership fails to satisfy certain conditions specified in the Omni Partnership Agreement. Under such circumstances, the Operating Partnership may convert to a co-managing partner with an Odyssey affiliate or a limited partner (in which case an Odyssey affiliate would become the sole managing partner). In addition, the Company may in the future acquire either a limited partnership interest in a property partnership without partnership management responsibility or a co-venturer interest or co-general partnership interest in a property partnership with shared responsibility for managing the affairs of a property partnership or joint venture and, therefore, will not be in a position to exercise sole decision-making authority regarding the property partnership or joint venture. In that regard, the Company (through the Operating Partnership) owns a 60% managing member interest in a limited liability company that owns 520 White Plains Road, a 171,761 square foot office building located in Tarrytown, New York. The remaining 40% member interest is held by Tarrytown Corporate Center III, L.P., a partnership affiliated with the Halpern organization ("TCC"). Pursuant to the member agreement governing the joint venture arrangement, the Company will be required to obtain the consent of TCC prior to engaging in certain activities, including entering into or modifying a major lease (i.e., a lease for more than 25,000 rentable square feet), financing or refinancing indebtedness encumbering the property and selling or otherwise transferring the property. The Company also owns (through the Operating Partnership) a 50% co-managing member interest in a limited liability company that owns 360 Hamilton Avenue, a 365,000 square foot office building located in White Plains, New York. The remaining 50% co-managing member interest is held by an unaffiliated corporation. Pursuant to the member agreement governing this joint venture, decisions that affect the business and affairs of the joint venture generally require the approval of both co-managing members and such members are jointly responsible for the day-to-day operation of the property. Partnership or joint venture investments may, under certain circumstances, involve risks not otherwise present, including the possibility that the Company's partners or co-venturer might become bankrupt, that such partners or co-venturer might at any time have economic or other business interests or goals which are inconsistent with the business interests or goals of the Company, and that such partners or co-venturer may be in a position to take action contrary to the instructions or the requests of the Company and contrary to the Company's policies or objectives, including the Company's policy with respect to maintaining its qualification as a REIT. Such investments may also have the potential risk of impasse on decisions, such as a sale, because neither the Company nor the partner or co-venturer would have full control over the partnership or joint venture. Consequently, actions by such partner or co-venturer might result in subjecting properties owned by the partnership or joint venture to additional risk. The Company will, however, seek to maintain sufficient control of such partnerships or joint ventures to permit the Company's business objectives to be achieved. There is no limitation under the Company's organizational documents as to the amount of available funds that may be invested in partnerships or joint ventures. POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY RELATED TO THE PROPERTIES Under various Federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, an owner of real estate is liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances on or in such property. These laws often impose such liability without regard to whether the owner knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances. The cost of any required remediation and the owner's liability therefore as to any property is generally not limited under such enactments and could exceed the value of the property and/or the aggregate assets of the owner. The presence of such substances, or the failure to properly remediate such substances, may adversely affect the owner's ability to sell or rent such property or to borrow using such property as collateral. Persons who arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances may also be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of such substances at a disposal or treatment facility, whether or not such facility is owned or operated by such person. Certain environmental laws govern the removal, encapsulation or disturbance of asbestos-containing materials ("ACMs") when such materials are in poor condition, or in the event of renovation or demolition. Such laws impose liability for release of ACMs into the air and third parties may seek recovery from owners or operators of real properties for personal injury associated with ACMs. In connection with the ownership (direct or indirect), operation, management and development of real properties, the Company may be considered an owner or operator of such properties or as having arranged for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances and, therefore, potentially liable for removal or remediation costs, as well as certain other related costs, including governmental fines and injuries to persons and property. All of the Office Properties and all of the Industrial Properties have been subjected to a Phase I or similar environmental site assessment after April 1, 1994 (which involved general inspections without soil sampling, ground water analysis or radon testing and, for the Properties constructed in 1978 or earlier, survey inspections to ascertain the existence of ACMs were conducted) completed by independent environmental consultant companies (except for 35 Pinelawn Road which was originally developed by Reckson and subjected to a Phase I in April 1992). These environmental site assessments have not revealed any environmental liability that would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business. RISKS OF FAILURE TO QUALIFY AS A REIT The Company intends to operate so as to qualify as a REIT under the Code commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 1995. Although management of the Company believes that the Company has been organized and operates in such a manner, no assurance can be given that the Company will qualify or remain qualified as a REIT. See "Federal Income Tax Considerations." EFFECT OF MARKET INTEREST RATES ON PRICE OF COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED STOCK One of the factors that influences the market price of the shares of Common Stock in public markets is the annual yield on the price paid for shares of Common Stock from distributions by the Company. An increase in market interest rates may lead prospective purchasers of the Common Stock to demand a higher annual yield from future distributions. Such an increase in the required distribution yield may adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock. Similar risks may apply to shares of Preferred Stock. USE OF PROCEEDS The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Securities offered hereby will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of existing indebtedness, the development or acquisition of additional properties as suitable opportunities arise and the renovation, expansion and improvement of the Company's existing properties. Further details relating to the use of the net proceeds will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES The following table sets forth the Company's consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods shown:
June 3, 1995 January 1, 1995 Three Months Ended Year Ended to to Year Ended December 31, March 31, 1997 December 31, 1996 December 31, 1995 June 2, 1995 1994 1993 1992 - ----------------- ------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ---- ------ ----- 2.55x 2.72x 2.71x 0.96x(1) 0.97x(1) 0.65x(1) 0.70x(1)
(1) Prior to completion of the IPO on June 2, 1995, the Company's predecessors operated in a manner as to minimize net taxable income to the owners. The IPO and the related formation transactions permitted the Company to deleverage its properties significantly, resulting in a significantly improved ratio of earnings to fixed charges. The ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges were computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges. For this purpose, earnings consist of income from continuing operations before minority interest and fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense (including interest costs capitalized) and the amortization of debt issuance costs. To date, the Company has not issued any Preferred Stock; therefore, the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and Preferred Stock dividends are unchanged from the ratios in this section. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK GENERAL The Articles of Incorporation of the Company provide that the Company may issue up to 25 million shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per share, of which no Preferred Stock was outstanding at the date hereof. The following description of the Preferred Stock sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the Preferred Stock to which any Prospectus Supplement may relate. The statements below describing the Preferred Stock are in all respects subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the applicable provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company and any applicable articles supplementary to the Articles of Incorporation designating terms of a series of Preferred Stock (a "Designating Amendment"). The issuance of Preferred Stock could adversely affect the voting power, dividend rights and other rights of holders of Common Stock. Issuance of Preferred Stock also could, depending on the terms of such issue, either impede, delay, prevent or facilitate a merger, tender offer or change in control of the Company. Although the Board of Directors is required to make a determination as to the best interests of the stockholders of the Company when issuing Preferred Stock, the Board could act in a manner that would discourage an acquisition attempt or other transaction that some, or a majority, of the stockholders might believe to be in the best interests of the Company or in which stockholders might receive a premium for their shares over the then prevailing market price. Management believes that the availability of Preferred Stock will provide the Company with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financing and acquisitions and in meeting other needs that might arise. TERMS Subject to the limitations prescribed by the Articles of Incorporation, the Board of Directors is authorized to fix the number of shares constituting each series of Preferred Stock and the designations and powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including such provisions as may be desired concerning voting, redemption, dividends, dissolution or the distribution of assets, conversion or exchange, and such other subjects or matters as may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors. The Preferred Stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable by the Company and will have no preemptive rights. Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Preferred Stock offered thereby for specific terms, including: (1) The title and stated value of such Preferred Stock; (2) The number of shares of such Preferred Stock offered, the liquidation preference per share and the offering price of such Preferred Stock; (3) The dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of calculation thereof applicable to such Preferred Stock; (4) The date from which dividends on such Preferred Stock shall accumulate, if applicable; (5) The procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for such Preferred Stock; (6) The provision for a sinking fund, if any, for such Preferred Stock; (7) The provision for redemption, if applicable, of such Preferred Stock; (8) Any listing of such Preferred Stock on any securities exchange; (9) The terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which such Preferred Stock will be convertible into Common Stock of the Company, including the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof); (10) Any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of such Preferred Stock; (11) A discussion of federal income tax considerations applicable to such Preferred Stock; (12) The relative ranking and preferences of such Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company; (13) Any limitations on issuance of any series of Preferred Stock ranking senior to or on a parity with such series of Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company; and (14) Any limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions on transfer, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve the status of the Company as a REIT. RANK Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement, the Preferred Stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, rank (i) senior to all classes or series of Common Stock of the Company, and to all equity securities ranking junior to such Preferred Stock; (ii) on a parity with all equity securities issued by the Company the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank on a parity with the Preferred Stock; and (iii) junior to all equity securities issued by the Company the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to the Preferred Stock. The term "equity securities" does not include convertible debt securities. DIVIDENDS Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement, the Preferred Stock will have the rights with respect to payment of dividends set forth below. Holders of the Preferred Stock of each series will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Company, out of assets of the Company legally available for payment, cash dividends at such rates and on such dates as will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Each such dividend shall be payable to holders of record as they appear on the share transfer books of the Company on such record dates as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors of the Company. Dividends on any series of the Preferred Stock may be cumulative or non- cumulative, as provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Dividends, if cumulative, will be cumulative from and after the date set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. If the Board of Directors of the Company fails to declare a dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series of the Preferred Stock for which dividends are non-cumulative, then the holders of such series of the Preferred Stock will have no right to receive a dividend in respect of the dividend period ending on such dividend payment date, and the Company will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for such period, whether or not dividends on such series are declared payable on any future dividend payment date. If Preferred Stock of any series is outstanding, no dividends will be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any capital stock of the Company of any other series ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with or junior to the Preferred Stock of such series for any period unless (i) if such series of Preferred Stock has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative dividends have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for such payment on the Preferred Stock of such series for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period or (ii) if such series of Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative dividend, full dividends for the then current dividend period have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for such payment on the Preferred Stock of such series. When dividends are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart) upon Preferred Stock of any series and the shares of any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with the Preferred Stock of such series, all dividends declared upon Preferred Stock of such series and any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with such Preferred Stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share of Preferred Stock of such series and such other series of Preferred Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the Preferred Stock of such series (which shall not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if such Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative dividend) and such other series of Preferred Stock bear to each other. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on Preferred Stock of such series which may be in arrears. Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless (i) if such series of Preferred Stock has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative dividends on the Preferred Stock of such series have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period, and (ii) if such series of Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative dividend, full dividends on the Preferred Stock of such series have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for the then current dividend period, no dividends (other than in shares of Common Stock or other capital shares ranking junior to the Preferred Stock of such series as to dividends and upon liquidation) shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment or other distribution shall be declared or made upon the Common Stock, or any other capital shares of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity with the Preferred Stock of such series as to dividends or upon liquidation, nor shall any shares of Common Stock, or any other capital shares of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity with the Preferred Stock of such series as to dividends or upon liquidation be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such shares) by the Company (except by conversion into or exchange for other capital shares of the Company ranking junior to the Preferred Stock of such series as to dividends and upon liquidation). REDEMPTION If so provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Preferred Stock will be subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at the option of the Company, as a whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in such Prospectus Supplement. The Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Preferred Stock that is subject to mandatory redemption will specify the number of shares of such Preferred Stock that shall be redeemed by the Company in each year commencing after a date to be specified, at a redemption price per share to be specified, together with an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (which shall not, if such Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative dividend, include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods) to the date of redemption. The redemption price may be payable in cash or other property, as specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. If the redemption price for Preferred Stock of any series is payable only from the net proceeds of the issuance of capital shares of the Company, the terms of such Preferred Stock may provide that, if no such capital shares shall have been issued or to the extent the net proceeds from any issuance are insufficient to pay in full the aggregate redemption price then due, such Preferred Stock shall automatically and mandatorily be converted into the applicable capital shares of the Company pursuant to conversion provisions specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless (i) if such series of Preferred Stock has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative dividends on all shares of any series of Preferred Stock shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period, and (ii) if such series of Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative dividend, full dividends on the Preferred Stock of any series have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for the then current dividend period, no shares of any series of Preferred Stock shall be redeemed unless all outstanding Preferred Stock of such series is simultaneously redeemed; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of Preferred Stock of such series to preserve the REIT status of the Company or pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding Preferred Stock of such series. In addition, unless (i) if such series of Preferred Stock has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative dividends on all outstanding shares of any series of Preferred Stock have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past dividend period and the then current dividend period, and (ii) if such series of Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative dividend, full dividends on the Preferred Stock of any series have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for the then current dividend period, the Company shall not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any shares of Preferred Stock of such series (except by conversion into or exchange for capital shares of the Company ranking junior to the Preferred Stock of such series as to dividends and upon liquidation); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of Preferred Stock of such series to preserve the REIT status of the Company or pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding Preferred Stock of such series. If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock of any series are to be redeemed, the number of shares to be redeemed will be determined by the Company and such shares may be redeemed pro rata from the holders of record of such shares in proportion to the number of such shares held or for which redemption is requested by such holder (with adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional shares) or by lot in a manner determined by the Company. Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of record of Preferred Stock of any series to be redeemed at the address shown on the share transfer books of the Company. Each notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the number of shares and series of the Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (iii) the redemption price; (iv) the place or places where certificates for such Preferred Stock are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (v) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption date; and (vi) the date upon which the holder's conversion rights, if any, as to such shares shall terminate. If fewer than all the shares of Preferred Stock of any series are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to each such holder thereof shall also specify the number of shares of Preferred Stock to be redeemed from each such holder. If notice of redemption of any Preferred Stock has been given and if the funds necessary for such redemption have been set aside by the Company in trust for the benefit of the holders of any Preferred Stock so called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date dividends will cease to accrue on such Preferred Stock, and all rights of the holders of such shares will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price. LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, before any distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of any Common Stock or any other class or series of capital shares of the Company ranking junior to the Preferred Stock in the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of each series of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive out of assets of the Company legally available for distribution to shareholders liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation preference per share (set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement), plus an amount equal to all dividends accrued and unpaid thereon (which shall not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if such Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative dividend). After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Preferred Stock will have no rights or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Company. In the event that, upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the available assets of the Company are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding Preferred Stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of other classes or series of capital shares of the Company ranking on a parity with the Preferred Stock in the distribution of assets, then the holders of the Preferred Stock and all other such classes or series of capital shares shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled. If liquidating distributions shall have been made in full to all holders of Preferred Stock, the remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed among the holders of any other classes or series of capital shares ranking junior to the Preferred Stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, according to their respective rights and preferences and in each case according to their respective number of shares. For such purposes, the consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation, trust or entity, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of the property or business of the Company, shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. VOTING RIGHTS Holders of the Preferred Stock will not have any voting rights, except as set forth below or as otherwise from time to time required by law or as indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Whenever dividends on any shares of Preferred Stock shall be in arrears for six or more consecutive quarterly periods, the holders of such shares of Preferred Stock (voting separately as a class with all other series of Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) will be entitled to vote for the election of two additional directors of the Company at a special meeting called by the holders of record of at least ten percent (10%) of any series of Preferred Stock so in arrears (unless such request is received less than 90 days before the date fixed for the next annual or special meeting of the stockholders) or at the next annual meeting of stockholders, and at each subsequent annual meeting until (i) if such series of Preferred Stock has a cumulative dividend, all dividends accumulated on such shares of Preferred Stock for the past dividend periods and the then current dividend period shall have been fully paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set aside for payment or (ii) if such series of Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative dividend, four consecutive quarterly dividends shall have been fully paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set aside for payment. In such case, the entire Board of Directors of the Company will be increased by two directors. Unless provided otherwise for any series of Preferred Stock, so long as any shares of Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company will not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of each series of Preferred Stock outstanding at the time, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at a meeting (such series voting separately as a class), (i) authorize or create, or increase the authorized or issued amount of, any class or series of capital stock ranking prior to such Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up or reclassify any authorized capital stock of the Company into such shares, or create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares; or (ii) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Company's Articles of Incorporation or the Designating Amendment for such series of Preferred Stock, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise (an "Event"), so as to materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of such series of Preferred Stock or the holders thereof; provided, however, with respect to the occurrence of any of the Events set forth in (ii) above so long as the Preferred Stock remains outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged, taking into account that upon the occurrence of an Event, the Company may not be the surviving entity, the occurrence of any such Event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting power of holders of Preferred Stock and provided further that (x) any increase in the amount of the authorized Preferred Stock or the creation or issuance of any other series of Preferred Stock, or (y) any increase in the amount of authorized shares of such series or any other series of Preferred Stock, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the Preferred Stock of such series with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers. The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding shares of such series of Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed or called for redemption and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption. CONVERSION RIGHTS The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any series of Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of Common Stock will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Preferred Stock are convertible, the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of the Preferred Stock or the Company, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of such series of Preferred Stock. SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY As discussed below under "Description of Common Stock -- General," applicable Maryland law provides that no shareholder, including holders of Preferred Stock, shall be personally liable for the acts and obligations of the Company and that the funds and property of the Company shall be the only recourse for such acts or obligations. RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP As discussed below under "Restrictions on Ownership of Capital Stock," for the Company to qualify as a REIT under the Code, not more than 50% in value of its outstanding capital stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year. Therefore, the Designating Amendment for each series of Preferred Stock may contain provisions restricting the ownership and transfer of the Preferred Stock. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will specify any additional ownership limitation relating to a series of Preferred Stock. REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT The Registrar and Transfer Agent for the Preferred Stock will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK GENERAL The Company's Articles of Amendment and Restatement (the "Articles of Incorporation") provide that the Company may issue up to 100 million shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share. Each outstanding share of Common Stock will entitle the holder to one vote on all matters presented to stockholders for a vote and cumulative voting is not permitted. Holders of the Common Stock do not have preemptive rights. On May 27, 1997, there were 34,293,602 shares of Common Stock outstanding. All shares of Common Stock offered hereby have been duly authorized, and will be fully paid and nonassessable. Subject to the preferential rights of any other shares or series of stock and to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation regarding Excess Stock (as defined under "Restrictions on Ownership of Capital Stock"), holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends on such stock if, as and when authorized and declared by the Board of Directors of the Company out of assets legally available therefor and to share ratably in the assets of the Company legally available for distribution to its stockholders in the event of its liquidation, dissolution or winding up after payment of or adequate provision for all known debts and liabilities of the Company. Subject to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation regarding Excess Stock, each outstanding share of Common Stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors, and, except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of such shares will possess the exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock can elect all of the directors then standing for election and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors. Holders of shares of Common Stock have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund, redemption or appraisal rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any securities of the Company. Subject to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation regarding Excess Stock, shares of Common Stock will have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights. CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANY'S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended (the "MGCL"), a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business unless approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on the matter unless a lesser percentage (but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is set forth in the corporation's charter. The Articles of Incorporation do not provide for a lesser percentage in such situations. In addition, the Operating Partnership Agreement provides that for the five-year period following the completion of the IPO, the Operating Partnership may not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets or engage in any other similar transaction (regardless of the form of such transaction) without the consent of the holders of 85% of all outstanding Units. The Articles of Incorporation authorize the Board of Directors to reclassify any unissued shares of Common Stock into other classes or series of classes of stock and to establish the number of shares in each class or series and to set the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations and restrictions on ownership, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each such class or series. The Company's Board of Directors is divided into three classes of directors, each class constituting approximately one-third of the total number of directors, with the classes serving staggered terms. At each annual meeting of stockholders, the class of directors to be elected at such meeting will be elected for a three-year term and the directors in the other two classes will continue in office. The Company believes that classified directors will help to assure the continuity and stability of the Board of Directors and the Company's business strategies and policies as determined by the Board. The use of a staggered board may render more difficult a change in control of the Company or removal of incumbent management. RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP For the Company to qualify as a REIT under the Code, not more than 50% in value of its outstanding Common Stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code) during the last half of a taxable year and the Common Stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year). To satisfy the above ownership requirements and certain other requirements for qualification as a REIT, the Board of Directors has adopted, and the stockholders prior to the IPO approved, a provision in the Articles of Incorporation restricting the ownership or acquisition of shares of Common Stock. See "Restrictions on Ownership of Capital Stock." TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company. DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS The Company may issue Warrants for the purchase of Preferred Stock or Common Stock. 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 (each, a "Warrant Agreement") to be entered into between the Company and a warrant agent specified therein ("Warrant Agent"). The Warrant Agent will act solely as an agent of the Company 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: (1) the title of such Warrants; (2) the aggregate number of such Warrants; (3) the price or prices at which such Warrants will be issued; (4) the currencies in which the price or prices of such Warrants may be payable; (5) the designation, amount and terms of the Securities purchasable upon exercise of such Warrants; (6) the designation and terms of the other Securities, if any, with which such Warrants are issued and the number of such Warrants issued with each such security; (7) if applicable, the date on and after which such Warrants and the Securities purchasable upon exercise of such Warrants will be separately transferable; (8) the price or prices at which and currency or currencies in which the Securities purchasable upon exercise of such Warrants may be purchased; (9) the date on which the right to exercise such Warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; (10) the minimum or maximum amount of such Warrants which may be exercised at any one time; (11) information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; (12) a discussion of certain federal income tax considerations; and (13) any other material terms of such Warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such Warrants. RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP OF CAPITAL STOCK EXCESS STOCK The Articles of Incorporation provide that the Company may issue up to 75 million shares of excess stock, par value $.01 per share ("Excess Stock"). For a description of Excess Stock, see "--Restrictions on Ownership" below. RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP For the Company to qualify as a REIT under the Code, among other things, not more than 50% in value of its outstanding capital stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (defined in the Code to include certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first year) (the "Five or Fewer Requirement"), and such shares of capital stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than the first year) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Pursuant to the Code, Common Stock held by certain types of entities, such as pension trusts qualifying under Section 401(a) of the Code, United States investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, partnerships, trusts and corporations, will be attributed to the beneficial owners of such entities for purposes of the Five or Fewer Requirement (i.e., the beneficial owners of such entities will be counted as shareholders of the Company). In order to protect the Company against the risk of losing its status as a REIT due to a concentration of ownership among its stockholders, the Articles of Incorporation, subject to certain exceptions, provide that no stockholder may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code, more than 9.0% (the "Ownership Limit") of the aggregate number or value of the Company's outstanding shares of Common Stock. In the event the Company issues Preferred Stock, it may, in the Designating Amendment, determine a limit on the ownership of such stock. Any direct or indirect ownership of shares of stock in excess of the Ownership Limit or that would result in the disqualification of the Company as a REIT, including any transfer that results in shares of capital stock being owned by fewer than 100 persons or results in the Company being "closely held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, shall be null and void, and the intended transferee will acquire no rights to the shares of capital stock. The foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will not apply if the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Company to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, waive the Ownership Limit if evidence satisfactory to the Board of Directors and the Company's tax counsel is presented that the changes in ownership will not then or in the future jeopardize the Company's REIT status and the Board of Directors otherwise decides that such action is in the best interest of the Company. Shares of capital stock owned, or deemed to be owned, or transferred to a stockholder in excess of the Ownership Limit will automatically be converted into shares of Excess Stock that will be transferred, by operation of law, to the trustee of a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable organizations described in Section 170(b)(1)(A) and 170(c) of the Code (the "Charitable Beneficiary"). The trustee of the trust will be deemed to own the Excess Stock for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary on the date of the violative transfer to the original transferee-stockholder. Any dividend or distribution paid to the original transferee-stockholder of Excess Stock prior to the discovery by the Company that capital stock has been transferred in violation of the provisions of the Company's Articles of Incorporation shall be repaid to the trustee upon demand. Any dividend or distribution authorized and declared but unpaid shall be rescinded as void ab initio with respect to the original transferee-stockholder and shall instead be paid to the trustee of the trust for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any vote cast by an original transferee-stockholder of shares of capital stock constituting Excess Stock prior to the discovery by the Company that shares of capital stock have been transferred in violation of the provisions of the Company's Articles of Incorporation shall be rescinded as void ab initio. While the Excess Stock is held in trust, the original transferee-stockholder will be deemed to have given an irrevocable proxy to the trustee to vote the capital stock for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. The trustee of the trust may transfer the interest in the trust representing the Excess Stock to any person whose ownership of the shares of capital stock converted into such Excess Stock would be permitted under the Ownership Limit. If such transfer is made, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary shall terminate and the proceeds of the sale shall be payable to the original transferee-stockholder and to the Charitable Beneficiary as described herein. The original transferee-stockholder shall receive the lesser of (i) the price paid by the original transferee-stockholder for the shares of capital stock that were converted into Excess Stock or, if the original transferee-stockholder did not give value for such shares (e.g., the stock was received through a gift, devise or other transaction), the average closing price for the class of shares from which such shares of capital stock were converted for the ten trading days immediately preceding such sale or gift, and (ii) the price received by the trustee from the sale or other disposition of the Excess Stock held in trust. The trustee may reduce the amount payable to the original transferee-stockholder by the amount of dividends and distributions relating to the shares of Excess Stock which have been paid to the original transferee-stockholder and are owed by the original transferee-stockholder to the trustee. Any proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the original transferee-stockholder shall be paid by the trustee to the Charitable Beneficiary. Any liquidation distributions relating to Excess Stock shall be distributed in the same manner as proceeds of a sale of Excess Stock. If the foregoing transfer restrictions are determined to be void or invalid by virtue of any legal decision, statute, rule or regulations, then the original transferee-stockholder of any shares of Excess Stock may be deemed, at the option of the Company, to have acted as an agent on behalf of the Company in acquiring the shares of Excess Stock and to hold the shares of Excess Stock on behalf of the Company. In addition, the Company will have the right, for a period of 90 days during the time any shares of Excess Stock are held in trust, to purchase all or any portion of the shares of Excess Stock at the lesser of (i) the price initially paid for such shares by the original transferee-stockholder, or if the original transferee-stockholder did not give value for such shares (e.g., the shares were received through a gift, devise or other transaction), the average closing price for the class of stock from which such shares of Excess Stock were converted for the ten trading days immediately preceding such sale or gift, and (ii) the average closing price for the class of stock from which such shares of Excess Stock were converted for the ten trading days immediately preceding the date the Company elects to purchase such shares. The Company may reduce the amount payable to the original transferee- stockholder by the amount of dividends and distributions relating to the shares of Excess Stock which have been paid to the original transferee- stockholder and are owned by the original transferee-stockholder to the trustee. The Company may pay the amount of such reductions to the trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. The 90-day period begins on the later date of which notice is received of the violative transfer if the original transferee-stockholder gives notice to the Company of the transfer or, if no such notice is given, the date the Board of Directors determines that a violative transfer has been made. These restrictions will not preclude settlement of transactions through the New York Stock Exchange. All certificates representing shares of capital stock will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above. Each stockholder shall upon demand be required to disclose to the Company in writing any information with respect to the direct, indirect and constructive ownership of capital stock of the Company as the Board of Directors deems 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 may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company unless the Board of Directors determines that maintenance of REIT status is no longer in the best interest of the Company. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS The Company believes it has operated, and the Company intends to continue to operate, in such a manner as to qualify as a REIT under the Code, but no assurance can be given that it will at all times so qualify. The provisions of the Code pertaining to REITs are highly technical and complex. The following is a brief and general summary of certain provisions that currently govern the federal income tax treatment of the Company and its stockholders. For the particular provisions that govern the federal income tax treatment of the Company and its stockholders, reference is made to Sections 856 through 860 of the Code and the regulations thereunder. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by such reference. Under the Code, if certain requirements are met in a taxable year, a REIT generally will not be subject to federal income tax with respect to income that it distributes to its stockholders. If the Company fails to qualify during any taxable year as a REIT, unless certain relief provisions are available, it will be subject to tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on its taxable income at regular corporate rates, which could have a material adverse effect upon its stockholders. In any year in which the Company qualifies to be taxed as a REIT, distributions made to its stockholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits will be taxed to stockholders as ordinary income except that distributions of net capital gains designated by the Company as capital gain dividends will be taxed as long-term capital gain income to the stockholders. To the extent that distributions exceed current or accumulated earnings and profits, they will constitute a return of capital, rather than dividend or capital gain income, and will reduce the basis for the stockholder's Common Stock or Preferred Stock, with respect to which the distribution is paid or, to the extent that they exceed such basis, will be taxed in the same manner as gain from the sale of that Common Stock or Preferred Stock. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the appropriateness of an investment in the Securities offered hereby and with respect to the tax consequences arising under federal law and the laws of any state, municipality or other taxing jurisdiction, including tax consequences resulting from such investor's own tax characteristics. In particular, foreign investors should consult their own tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of an investment in the Company, including the possibility of United States income tax withholding on Company distributions. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION The Company may sell the Securities to one or more underwriters for public offering and sale by them or may sell the Securities to investors directly or through agents. Any such underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the Securities will be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Underwriters may offer and sell the Securities at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at prices related to the prevailing market prices at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. The Company also may, from time to time, authorize underwriters acting as the Company's agents to offer and sell the Securities upon the terms and conditions as are set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. In connection with the sale of Securities, underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from the Company in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of Securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell 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 agent. Any underwriting compensation paid by the Company to underwriters or agents in connection with the offering of Securities, and any discounts, concessions for commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, are set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the Securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions, under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"). Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with the Company, to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company will authorize dealers acting as the Company's agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase Securities from the Company at the public offering price set forth in such Prospectus Supplement pursuant to Delayed Delivery Contracts ("Contracts") providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in such Prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom Contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions, and other institutions but will in all cases be subject to the approval of the Company. Contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that the purchase by an institution of the Securities covered by its Contracts shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which such institution is subject. Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with and perform services for the Company and its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business. LEGAL MATTERS The legality of the Common Stock offered hereby and certain legal matters described under "Federal Income Tax Considerations" will be passed upon for the Company by Brown & Wood LLP, New York, New York. Brown & Wood LLP may rely on Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, Baltimore, Maryland, as to certain matters of Maryland law. EXPERTS The consolidated balance sheet of Reckson Associates Realty Corp. as of December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 1996 and the period from June 3, 1995 to December 31, 1995 and the related combined statements of operations, owners' deficit and cash flows of the Reckson Group for the period from January 1, 1995 to June 2, 1995 and for the year ended December 31, 1994 appearing in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996; the combined statement of revenues and certain expenses of the Westchester Properties (as defined therein) for the year ended December 31, 1995, appearing in the Company's Form 8-K/A, dated March 27, 1996; the combined statement of revenues and certain expenses of Landmark Square Properties (as defined therein) for the year ended December 31, 1995 and combined statements of revenues and certain expenses of Certain Option Properties (as defined therein) for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 appearing in the Company's Form 8-K, dated October 1, 1996; and the combined statement of revenues and certain expenses of the New Jersey Portfolio (as defined therein) for the year ended December 31, 1996, the combined statement of revenues and certain expenses for the Hauppauge Portfolio (as defined therein) for the year ended December 31, 1996 and the statement of revenues and certain expenses of the Uniondale Office Property (as defined therein), for the year ended December 31, 1996, appearing in the Company's Form 8-K, dated February 18, 1997, have in each case been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated and combined financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION The following sets forth the estimated expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the Registrant's securities being registered hereby, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, all of which will be borne by the Registrant: Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee . . . . $ 151,516 Printing and engraving expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200,000 NASD fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30,500 NYSE listing fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100,000 Legal fees and expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150,000 Accounting fees and expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40,000 Blue Sky fees and expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,000 Miscellaneous expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,984 --------- Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $750,000 ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. The Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time (the "MGCL"), permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation contain such a provision which eliminates such liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law. The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation authorize the Company, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to obligate itself to indemnify and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any present or former director or officer or (b) any individual who, while a director of the Company and at the request of the Company, serves or has served another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee of such corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise. The Bylaws of the Company obligate it, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any present or former director or officer who is made a party to the proceeding by reason of his service in that capacity or (b) any individual who, while a director of the Company and at the request of the Company, serves or has served another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee of such corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made a party to the proceeding by reason of his service in that capacity. The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws also permit the Company to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of the Company in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of the Company or a predecessor of the Company. MGCL requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation do not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of his service in that capacity. MGCL permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, 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 their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation. In addition, the MGCL requires the Company, as a condition to advancing expenses, to obtain (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his good faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Company as authorized by the Bylaws and (b) a written statement by or on his behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the Company if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct was not met. The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its executive officers and directors. The indemnification agreements require, among other matters, that the Company indemnify its executive officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by law and advance to the executive officers and directors all related expenses, subject to reimbursement if it is subsequently determined that indemnification is not permitted. Under these agreements, the Company must also indemnify and advance all expenses incurred by executive officers and directors seeking to enforce their rights under the indemnification agreements and may cover executive officers and directors under the Company's directors' and officers' liability insurance. Although indemnification agreements offer substantially the same scope of coverage afforded the Bylaws, they provide greater assurance to directors and executive officers that indemnification will be available, because, as contracts, they cannot be modified unilaterally in the future by the Board of Directors or the stockholders to eliminate the rights they provide. ITEM 16. EXHIBITS. 1 -- Form of Underwriting Agreement.(1) 4.1 -- Form of Common Stock Certificate.(2) 4.2 -- Form of Designating Amendment for Preferred Stock.(1) 4.3 -- Form of Preferred Stock Certificate.(1) 4.4 -- Form of Warrant Agreement.(1) 4.5 -- Form of Warrant.(1) 5 -- Opinion of Brown & Wood LLP as to the legality of the Securities. 8.1 -- Opinion of Brown & Wood LLP as to tax matters. 12 -- Calculation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges. 23.1 -- Consent of Brown & Wood LLP (included in Exhibit 5). 23.2 -- Consent of Ernst & Young LLP. 24 -- Power of attorney (included on signature page of this Registration Statement). _______________ (1) To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference in connection with the offering of Securities. (2) Previously filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 33-84324) and incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS. (a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement; (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement. Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement. (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. (b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that 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 the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding ) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. (d) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that: (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective. (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Reckson Associates Realty Corp. certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Township of Huntington, State of New York, on May 29, 1997. RECKSON ASSOCIATES REALTY CORP. By: /s/ Donald J. Rechler ------------------------------------ Donald J. Rechler Chairman KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that we, the undersigned officers and directors of Reckson Associates Realty Corp. hereby severally constitute Scott H. Rechler, Mitchell D. Rechler and J. Michael Maturo, and each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys with full power to them, and each of them singly, to sign for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below, the Registration Statement filed herewith and any and all amendments to said Registration Statement, and generally to do all such things in our names and in our capacities as officers and directors to enable Reckson Associates Realty Corp. to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said attorneys, or any of them, to said Registration Statement and any all amendments thereto. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE ----------- ------- ---------- Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive /s/ Donald J. Rechler Officer and Director (Principal Executive May 29, 1997 - --------------------------------- Officer) Donald J. Rechler /s/ Scott H. Rechler President, Chief Operating Officer and May 29, 1997 - --------------------------------- Director Scott H. Rechler Executive Vice President, Treasurer and /s/ J. Michael Maturo Chief Financial Officer (Principal May 29, 1997 - --------------------------------- Financial Officer and Principal J. Michael Maturo Accounting Officer) /s/ Roger M. Rechler Vice-Chairman of the Board and Director May 29, 1997 - --------------------------------- Roger M. Rechler /s/ Mitchell D. Rechler Executive Vice President and Director May 29, 1997 - --------------------------------- Mitchell D. Rechler /s/ Harvey R. Blau Director May 29, 1997 - --------------------------------- Harvey R. Blau /s/ Leonard Feinstein Director May 29, 1997 - --------------------------------- Leonard Feinstein /s/ Herve A. Kevenides Director May 29, 1997 - --------------------------------- Herve A. Kevenides /s/ John V.N. Klein Director May 29, 1997 - --------------------------------- John V.N. Klein /s/ Conrad D. Stephenson Director May 29, 1997 - --------------------------------- Conrad D. Stephenson
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBITS DESCRIPTION PAGE --------- -------------- ---- 1 -- Form of Underwriting Agreement.(1) 4.1 -- Form of Common Stock Certificate.(2) 4.2 -- Form of Designating Amendment for Preferred Stock. (1) 4.3 -- Form of Preferred Stock Certificates.(1) 4.4 -- Form of Warrant Agreement.(1) 4.5 -- Form of Warrant.(1) 5 -- Opinion of Brown & Wood LLP as to the legality of the Securities. 8.1 -- Opinion of Brown & Wood LLP as to tax matters. 12 -- Calculation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges. 23.1 -- Consent of Brown & Wood LLP (included in Exhibit 5). 23.2 -- Consent of Ernst & Young LLP. 24 -- Power of attorney (included on signature page of this Registration Statement).
_________________ (1) To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference in connection with the offering of Securities. (2) Previously filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 33-84324) and incorporated herein by reference. Exhibit 5 Brown & Wood LLP One World Trade Center NY, NY 10048 Telephone: (212) 839-5300 Facsimile: (212) 839-5599 May 29, 1997 Reckson Associates Realty Corp. 225 Broadhollow Road Melville, New York 11747 Ladies and Gentlemen: This opinion is furnished in connection with the registration statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement"), pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), relating to an indeterminate amount of shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Common Stock Warrants and Preferred Stock Warrants (as such terms are defined in the Registration Statement), of Reckson Associates Realty Corp., a Maryland corporation (the "Company") authorized for issuance under the Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the "Articles of Incorporation"), with an aggregate public offering price of up to $500,000,000 (collectively, the "Securities"). The Registration Statement provides that the Securities may be offered separately or together, in separate series, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more prospectus supplements to the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement (collectively, the "Prospectus"). In connection with rendering this opinion, we have examined the Articles of Incorporation, and the Bylaws, as amended, of the Company; such records of the corporate proceedings of the Company as we deemed appropriate; the Registration Statement, and such other certificates, receipts, records and documents as we considered necessary for the purposes of this opinion. We are attorneys admitted to practice in the State of New York. We express no opinion concerning the laws of any jurisdictions other than the laws of the United States of America, the State of Maryland and the State of New York. Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that: (a) The shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized and, when delivered and paid for in the manner contemplated by the Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. (b) The shares of Preferred Stock have been duly authorized and, when the number and specific terms thereof have been duly established in accordance with the Designating Amendment (as defined in the Prospectus) and such shares are delivered and paid for in the manner contemplated by the Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. (c) The Common Stock Warrants and Preferred Stock Warrants have been duly authorized and, when the number and specific terms thereof have been duly established and such warrants are duly executed and delivered by the Company and countersigned by the applicable Warrant Agent in accordance with an applicable Warrant Agreement (as such terms are defined in the Prospectus), and when delivered and paid for in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus, will constitute legally issued, valid and binding obligations of the Company and will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in the Warrant Agreement. The foregoing assumes that all requisite steps will be taken to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act and applicable requirements of state laws regulating the offer and sale of securities. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and the reference to our firm under the caption "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus. Very truly yours, /s/ Brown & Wood LLP Exhibit 8.1 Brown & Wood LLP One World Trade Center NY, NY 10048 Telephone: (212) 839-5300 Facsimile: (212) 839-5599 May 29, 1997 Reckson Associates Realty Corp. 225 Broadhollow Road Melville, New York 11747 Re: $500,000,000 Aggregate Offering Price of Securities of Reckson Associates Realty Corp. ------------------------------- Ladies and Gentlemen: You have requested our opinion concerning certain federal income tax matters with respect to Reckson Associates Realty Corp. (the "Company") in connection with the Form S-3 Registration Statement of the Company filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about May 29, 1997 (the "Registration Statement"). This opinion is based, in part, upon various assumptions and representations, including representations made by the Company as to factual matters set forth in the Registration Statement, in registration statements on Form S-11 previously filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in a letter delivered to us by the Company today. This opinion is also based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and existing administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as they exist at the date of this letter. All of the foregoing statutes, regulations and interpretations are subject to change, in some circumstances with retroactive effect. Any changes to the foregoing authorities might result in modifications of our opinions contained herein. Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, commencing with the Company's taxable year ended December 31, 1995, the Company has been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a real estate investment trust (a "REIT") under the Code, and the proposed method of operation of the Company will enable the Company to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. We express no opinion with respect to the transactions described herein and in the Registration Statement other than those expressly set forth herein. Furthermore, the Company's qualification as a REIT will depend upon the Company's meeting, in its actual operations, the applicable asset composition, source of income, shareholder diversification, distribution, recordkeeping and other requirements of the Code and Treasury Regulations necessary for a corporation to qualify as a REIT. We will not review these operations, and no assurance can be given that the actual operations of the Company and its affiliates will meet these requirements or the representations made to us with respect thereto. This opinion is furnished to you solely for your use in connection with the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 8.1 to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name in connection with the material discussed therein under the caption "Federal Income Tax Considerations." Very truly yours, /s/ Brown & Wood LLP EXHIBIT 12 Reckson Associates Realty Corp. Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges The following table sets forth the calculation of the Company's consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods shown (in Thousands):
For the Period For the Period For the Period from from from January 1, 1997 June 3, 1995 January 1, 1995 to to to Description March 31, 1997 1996 December 31, 1995 June 2, 1995 1994 1993 1992 Interest $5,075 $13,331 $5,331 $7,622 $17,426 $27,454 $27,597 Rent Expense 227 830 434 176 375 771 778 Amortization of Debt 165 525 400 195 564 489 505 Issuance Costs $5,467 $14,686 $6,165 $7,993 $18,365 $28,714 $28,880 Income from Continuing Operations before Minority Interest and Fixed Charges $13,933 $39,876 $16,719 $7,639 $17,872 $18,609 $20,151 Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 2.55 2.72 2.71 0.96 0.97 0.65 0.70
EXHIBIT 23.2 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the Registration Statement and related Prospectus of Reckson Associates Realty Corp. (the "Company") for the registration of $500,000,000 of common stock, preferred stock, common stock warrants, and preferred stock warrants and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated February 25, 1997, except for Note 14, as to which the date is March 12, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of the Company included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for year ended December 31, 1996 and the period June 3, 1995 to December 31, 1995 and the combined financial statements of the Reckson Group for the period January 1, 1995 to June 2, 1995 and for the year ended December 31, 1994, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We also consent to the incorporation by reference therein of: (i) our report dated February 23, 1996, with respect to the combined statement of revenues and certain expenses of the Westchester Properties for the year ended December 31, 1995, included in the Company's Form 8-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 1996, (ii) our report dated September 20, 1996, with respect to the combined statement of revenues and certain expenses of the Landmark Square Properties for the year ended December 31, 1995, included in the Company's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 1, 1996, (iii) our report dated September 16, 1996, with respect to the combined statements of revenues and certain expenses of the Certain Option Properties for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, included in the Company's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 1, 1996, (iv) our report dated February 4, 1997, with respect to the combined statement of revenues and certain expenses of the New Jersey Portfolio for the year ended December 31, 1996, included in the Company's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 19, 1997, (v) our report dated January 16, 1997, with respect to the statement of revenues and certain expenses of the Uniondale Office Property for the year ended December 31, 1996, included in the Company's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 19, 1997, and (vi) our report dated January 17, 1997, with respect to the combined statement of revenues and certain expenses of the Hauppauge Portfolio for the year ended December 31, 1996, included in the Company's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 19, 1997. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP New York, New York May 29, 1997 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----