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TABLE OF CONTENTS
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 13, 2003
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
6798 (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) |
04-3372948 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
111 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7610
(617) 236-3300
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)
Mortimer B. Zuckerman, Chairman
Edward H. Linde, President and Chief Executive Officer
Boston Properties, Inc.
111 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7610
(617) 236-3300
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
With copies to:
Gilbert G. Menna, P.C.
Ettore A. Santucci, P.C.
Goodwin Procter LLP
Exchange Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02109-2881
(617) 570-1000
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as possible after the effective date of this registration statement and the consummation of the merger described in this registration statement.
If the securities being registered on this form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, please check the following box. o
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 number for the same offering. o
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) 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. o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities to be Registered |
Amount to be Registered |
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share(1) |
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1) |
Amount of Registration Fee |
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5.00% Senior Notes due 2015 | $250,000,000 | 100% | $250,000,000 | $20,225 | ||||
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
Subject to completion, dated June 13, 2003
The information in this prospectus is not completed and may be changed. We may not exchange the outstanding securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities, in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Prospectus
BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Offer to Exchange up to $250,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of
5.00% Senior Notes due 2015
for
All of the $250,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of our Outstanding
5.00% Senior Notes due 2015
We are offering to exchange, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and the accompanying letter of transmittal, $250,000,000 principal amount of our 5.00% Senior Notes due 2015 that we issued on May 22, 2003 for $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our registered 5.00% Senior Notes due 2015. In this prospectus, we refer to the outstanding original notes as the "old notes" and the registered notes as the "new notes." The old notes and new notes are collectively referred to in this prospectus as the "notes."
The New Notes
The Exchange Offer
Each broker-dealer that receives new notes pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes. If the broker-dealer acquired the old notes as a result of market making or other trading activities, such broker-dealer may use this prospectus for the exchange offer, as supplemented or amended, in connection with the resale of the new notes.
See the section entitled "Risk Factors" that begins on page 12 for a discussion of the risks that you should consider prior to tendering your outstanding old notes for exchange.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2003
The information contained in this prospectus was obtained from us and other sources believed by us to be reliable. This prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about Boston Properties Limited Partnership that is not included in or delivered with this prospectus.
You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any supplement is current as of any date other than the date on the front page of this prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell nor is it seeking an offer to buy these securities in any state or jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and we are required to file reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or "SEC." You may read and copy these reports and information at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies at the prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at its principal office in Washington, D.C. You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference rooms. The SEC maintains a Web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants, including Boston Properties Limited Partnership, that file electronically with the SEC. You may access the SEC's Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
Boston Properties, Inc. has a Web site located at http://www.bostonproperties.com. The information on Boston Properties, Inc.'s Web site is not a part of this prospectus.
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information that we file with them. Incorporation by reference means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents that are legally considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supercede the information in this prospectus, any supplement and the documents listed below. We incorporate by reference the specific documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act which shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and to be part of this prospectus from the date we subsequently file such reports and documents until we sell all of the securities:
You may request a copy of these filings, and any exhibits we have specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit in this prospectus, at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
Boston
Properties, Inc.
111 Huntington Avenue, Suite 300
Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7610
(617) 236-3300
Attention: Investor Relations
To obtain timely delivery, you must request the information no later than , 2003.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we have filed with the SEC relating to the securities. As permitted by the SEC, this prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits we file with the SEC. You may refer to the registration statement and the exhibits for more information about us and our securities. The registration statement and exhibits are also available through the SEC's Web site.
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or any supplement and any information incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information that is different. If you receive any unauthorized information, you must not rely on it. You should disregard anything we said in an earlier document that is inconsistent with what is in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
This prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws principally, but not only, under the caption "Risk Factors." We caution investors that any forward-looking statements presented in this prospectus, or which management may make orally or in writing from time to time, are based on management's beliefs and assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. When used, the words "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "estimate," "project," "should," "will," "result" and similar expressions which do not relate solely to historical matters are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are not guarantees of future performance, which may be affected by known and unknown risks, trends, uncertainties and factors that are beyond our control. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected. We caution you that, while forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs when we make them, they are not guarantees of future performance and are impacted by actual events when they occur after we make such statements. We expressly disclaim any responsibility to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Accordingly, investors should use caution in relying on past forward-looking statements, which are based on results and trends at the time they are made, to anticipate future results or trends.
Some of the risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:
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Other sections of this prospectus include a more detailed discussion of these and other factors which could adversely affect our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors, nor can it assess the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results.
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This summary highlights what we believe to be the material information appearing in other sections of this prospectus. However, it likely does not contain all of the information that is important to you or that you should consider before exchanging your old notes for new notes. You should carefully read this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference and should consider consulting with your own legal and tax advisors to understand fully the terms of the exchange offer and the new notes. For purposes of this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, all references to "BPLP," "we," "us," and "ours" or similar expressions refer to Boston Properties Limited Partnership and its subsidiaries, and their respective predecessor entities for the applicable periods, considered as a single enterprise.
BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Boston Properties Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership, which we call "BPLP," is the entity through which Boston Properties, Inc., a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, or "REIT," and one of the largest owners and developers of office properties in the United States, conducts substantially all of its business and owns (either directly or through subsidiaries) substantially all of its assets.
Our properties are concentrated in four core markets: Boston, Washington, D.C., midtown Manhattan and San Francisco. We have full-service offices in Boston, New York City, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Princeton, New Jersey, and achieve efficiencies of scale by operating a centralized financial control and data center at our Boston headquarters that is responsible for operating budgets, billing and payments for all of our existing and development properties.
We focus on major markets with high barriers to entry, where we can attract high quality, financially stable tenants who favor state-of-the-art office buildings with long-term leases, and which produce the highest rental rates. Our average lease term of 7.1 years at March 31, 2003, which results in low roll-over of leases (leases for only 3.43% of the total square feet from our Class A office properties will expire during the nine-month period ending December 31, 2003) and predictable cash flows, coupled with our diversified tenant roster, provides us with a relatively stable revenue base through economic cycles. We pursue a strategy of long-term ownership of the highest quality Class A office properties, with the objective of becoming a dominant landlord in our core markets. Our financing strategy centers on strong relationships with multiple sources of capital in each segment of the capital markets, which leads to superior access to equity and debt capital with a long average tenor of debt.
Boston Properties, Inc. is our sole general partner and at March 31, 2003 the owner of an approximately 76.4% economic interest in BPLP. Economic interest was calculated as the number of common partnership units of BPLP owned by Boston Properties, Inc. as a percentage of the sum of (i) the actual aggregate number of outstanding common partnership units of BPLP and (ii) the number of common partnership units issuable upon conversion of outstanding preferred partnership units of BPLP. This structure is commonly referred to as an umbrella partnership REIT or "UPREIT." Boston Properties, Inc.'s general and limited partnership interests in BPLP entitles it to share in cash distributions from, and in the profits and losses of, BPLP in proportion to its percentage interest therein and entitles it to vote on all matters requiring a vote of the limited partners. The common units held by Boston Properties, Inc. represented, as of March 31, 2003, approximately 83% of all common units then outstanding. The other limited partners are persons who contributed their direct or indirect interests in certain properties to us in exchange for common or preferred units of limited partnership interest in BPLP either in connection with Boston Properties, Inc.'s initial public offering in 1997 or in subsequent transactions.
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BPLP and Boston Properties, Inc. were formed to succeed to the real estate development, redevelopment, acquisition, operating and leasing business associated with a predecessor company founded by Messrs. Mortimer B. Zuckerman and Edward H. Linde in 1970. We believe that we have created significant value for our tenants and investors by developing well located properties that meet the demands of today's office tenants, redeveloping underperforming assets, and continuously improving the marketing and management of our assets.
Our principal executive office is located at 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199, and our telephone number at that address is (617) 236-3300. In addition, we have regional offices at 401 9th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20004; 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022; Four Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, California 94111; and 302 Carnegie Center, Princeton, New Jersey 08540.
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SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
The Exchange Offer | We are offering to exchange up to $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the new notes for up to $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the old notes. | ||||
The terms of the new notes are identical in all material respects to the old notes except that the new notes will not contain the terms with respect to transfer restrictions, registration rights and payments of additional interest that relate to the old notes. The new notes and the old notes will be governed by the same indenture dated December 13, 2002, as supplemented by a fourth supplemental indenture dated May 22, 2003. |
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Outstanding old notes may be tendered, and will be exchanged, only in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. New notes will be issued only in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. |
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Registration Rights Agreement |
We issued $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the old notes on May 22, 2003 in a private offering. In connection with the offering, we and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, the initial purchasers in the offering, entered into a registration rights agreement that granted the holders of the old notes exchange and registration rights. Specifically, in the registration rights agreement, we agreed to file, on or before August 20, 2003, this exchange offer registration statement with respect to a registered offer to exchange the old notes for the new notes. We also agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to complete the exchange offer on or before December 18, 2003. If we fail to fulfill our obligations under the registration rights agreement, additional interest will accrue on the old notes at a rate of 0.25% per annum if (i) the exchange offer registration statement is not filed on or before August 20, 2003 or (ii) the exchange offer is not completed on or before December 18, 2003. If the exchange offer is not completed on or before March 28, 2004, the additional interest will increase by an additional 0.25% for each subsequent 90 day period up to a maximum additional annual rate of 0.50%. |
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Expiration Date |
The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , 2003, unless we extend the exchange offer. The offer will not under any circumstances be extended beyond , 2003. |
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Conditions to the Exchange Offer |
The exchange offer is not subject to any conditions, other than that the exchange offer does not violate any applicable law or applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC. Please read the section entitled "The Exchange Offer-Conditions to the Exchange Offer" for more information regarding the conditions to the exchange offer. |
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Procedures for Tendering Old Notes |
If your old notes are held through The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, and you wish to participate in the exchange offer, you do so through the automated tender offer program of DTC. By participating in the exchange offer through the DTC program, you will agree to be bound by the letter of transmittal that we are providing with this prospectus as though you had signed the letter of transmittal. A letter of transmittal need not accompany tenders effected in this manner. |
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By tendering your old notes, you will represent to us that, among other things: |
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the new notes you receive will be acquired in the ordinary course of your business; |
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you have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")) of the new notes in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act; |
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you are not our affiliate (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act); and |
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if you are a broker-dealer that will receive new notes for its own account in exchange for old notes that were acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities, that you will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes. |
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Special Procedures for Beneficial Owners |
If you are the beneficial owner of book-entry interests and your name does not appear on a security position listing of DTC as the holder of those book-entry interests or you own a beneficial interest in outstanding old notes that are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and you wish to tender that book-entry interest of old notes in the exchange offer, you should contact the registered holder promptly and instruct the registered holder to tender on your behalf. |
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Guaranteed Delivery Procedures |
If you wish to tender your old notes and cannot comply, prior to the expiration date, with the applicable procedures under the automated tender offer program of DTC, you must tender your old notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures described in "The Exchange OfferProcedures for Tendering Old NotesGuaranteed Delivery." |
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Effect of Not Tendering |
Old notes that are not tendered or that are tendered but not accepted will, following the completion of the exchange offer, continue to be subject to existing restrictions upon transfer of the old notes. |
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The trading market for old notes not exchanged in the exchange offer may be significantly more limited than it is at present. Therefore, if your old notes are not tendered and accepted in the exchange offer, it may become more difficult for you to sell or transfer your unexchanged old notes. |
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Broker-Dealers |
Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes. The letter of transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that, for a period of 180-days after the expiration date (as defined herein), we will make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See "Plan of Distribution." |
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Any broker-dealer who acquired old notes from the issuer may not rely on interpretations of the staff of the SEC to the foregoing effect and must instead comply with the registration requirements and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act (including being named as a selling securityholder) in order to resell the old notes or the new notes. |
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Withdrawal Rights |
You may withdraw your tender of old notes at any time prior to the expiration date. To withdraw, the exchange agent must receive a notice of withdrawal at its address indicated under "The Exchange OfferExchange Agent" before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. We will return to you, without charge, promptly after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer any old notes that you tendered but were not accepted for exchange. |
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Tax Consequences |
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United States Holders |
The exchange of unregistered old notes for registered new notes in the exchange offer will not constitute an exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes and you will not recognize a gain or loss if you exchange your unregistered old notes for registered new notes. You must generally include the interest on the new notes in ordinary income in accordance with your regular method of accounting. Generally, you will recognize gain or loss upon the sale, exchange, redemption, payment upon maturity or other taxable disposition of a new note. See "United States Federal Income Tax ConsequencesTaxation of Holders Who Are U.S. Persons." |
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Non-United States Holders |
The exchange of undesignated old notes for registered new notes will not constitute an exchange of U.S. federal income tax purposes. You generally will not be subject to United States federal withholding tax on any interest paid on the new notes or any gain realized on a sale or other disposition of the new notes provided you comply with applicable certification requirements. In certain circumstances, you may be subject to regular United States income tax on certain income from the new notes in the same manner as if you were a U.S. person. In addition, if you are a foreign corporation, you may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax (unless reduced or eliminated by an applicable treaty) on your effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to certain adjustments. See "United States Federal Income Tax ConsequencesTaxation of Holders Who Are Non-U.S. Persons." |
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Acceptance of Old Notes and Delivery of New Notes |
We will accept for exchange any and all old notes that are properly tendered in the exchange offer prior to the expiration date. See "The Exchange OfferProcedures for Tendering Old Notes." The new notes issued pursuant to the exchange offer will be delivered promptly following the expiration date. |
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Exchange Agent |
We have appointed The Bank of New York as the exchange agent for the exchange offer. The mailing address and telephone number of the exchange agent are: 101 Barclay Street, New York, NY 10286, (212) . See "The Exchange OfferExchange Agent." |
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Use of Proceeds |
We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the new notes. |
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Issuer |
Boston Properties Limited Partnership |
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New Notes |
$250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 5.00% Senior Notes due 2015. |
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Maturity Date |
June 1, 2015 |
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Interest Rate and Payment Dates |
5.00% per annum. Interest will be payable semi-annually, in cash, on June 1 and December 1 beginning December 1, 2003. |
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Optional Redemption |
The new notes will be redeemable, at our option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of their principal amount and (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (but excluding any accrued interest) discounted, on a semi-annual basis, at the treasury rate plus 25 basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. When we refer to the treasury rate, we mean the treasury rate at the time of redemption for treasury notes with a maturity comparable to the remaining terms of the new notes, determined as described under the caption "Description of the New NotesOptional Redemption." |
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Sinking Fund |
None |
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Ranking |
The new notes will rank equally among themselves and with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of BPLP from time to time outstanding. As of March 31, 2003, we had approximately $1.2 billion of indebtedness ranking equally with the notes and no indebtedness ranking senior to the notes by its terms. However, as of March 31, 2003, we had $3.8 billion of secured indebtedness on a consolidated basis (excluding unconsolidated joint venture debt) which would effectively rank senior to the notes to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. |
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Covenants |
We will issue the new notes under an indenture with The Bank of New York, as trustee. Under the indenture, we have agreed, among other things, to certain restrictions on incurring debt, using our assets as security in other transactions and other restrictions. These restrictions are subject to detailed conditions and qualifications. See the description under the caption "Description of the New NotesCovenants" for more information about these restrictions. |
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Form and Denominations |
The new notes will be issued in the form of one or more fully registered global notes, without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 in principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000. These global notes will be deposited with the trustee as custodian for, and registered in the name of, a nominee of DTC. New notes in certificated form will be issued in exchange for the global notes only under limited circumstances on the terms set forth in the indenture. |
An investment in the new notes involves risks. Listed below is a summary list of what we believe to be the most material risks associated with investing in the notes. This summary does not contain all of the risks that may be important to you or that you should consider before exchanging your old notes for new notes.
You should carefully review and consider all of the information contained and set forth in this prospectus, including the information under the caption "Risk Factors," before tendering your old notes for new notes in the exchange offer.
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An investment in the notes involves risks. You should carefully consider these risk factors together with all of the information provided to you or incorporated by reference in this prospectus before you decide whether to exchange your old notes for new notes. The risks described below, and statements found elsewhere in this prospectus, contain forward-looking statements. You should read the explanation of the qualifications and limitations on such forward-looking statements discussed on page 2.
Our performance and value are subject to risks associated with our real estate assets and with the real estate industry.
Our economic performance and the value of our real estate assets, and consequently the value of the notes, are subject to the risk that if our office, industrial, and hotel properties do not generate revenues sufficient to meet our operating expenses, including debt service and capital expenditures, our cash flow and ability to make interest payments to holders of the notes will be adversely affected. The following factors, among others, may adversely affect the income generated by our office, industrial and hotel properties:
We are dependent upon the economic climates of our four core marketsBoston, Washington, D.C., midtown Manhattan and San Francisco.
Over 90% of our revenues in fiscal year 2002 and the first quarter of 2003 were derived from properties located in our four core markets: Boston, Washington, D.C., midtown Manhattan and San Francisco. As a result of the current slowdown in economic activity, there has been an increase in vacancy rates for office properties in these markets. A continued downturn in the economies of these markets, or the impact that the downturn in the overall national economy may have upon these economies, could result in further reduced demand for office space. Because our portfolio consists primarily of office buildings (as compared to a more diversified real estate portfolio), a decrease in demand for office space in turn could adversely affect our results from operations. Additionally, there are submarkets within our core markets that are dependent upon a limited number of industries. For example in our Washington, D.C. market, we focus on leasing office properties to governmental
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agencies, in our midtown Manhattan market, we focus on leasing properties to financial, legal and other professional firms and in our suburban Boston submarket, we focus on leasing office buildings to companies in the technology sector. A significant downturn in one or more of these industries could also adversely affect our results of operations.
Our investment in property development may be more costly than anticipated.
We have a significant development pipeline and intend to continue to develop and substantially renovate office, industrial and hotel properties. Our current and future development and construction activities may be exposed to the following risks:
Investment returns from our developed properties may be lower than anticipated.
Our developed properties may be exposed to the following risks:
Our use of joint ventures may limit our flexibility with jointly owned investments.
In appropriate circumstances, we intend to develop and acquire properties in joint ventures with other persons or entities when circumstances warrant the use of these structures. We currently have seven joint ventures, which are not consolidated with our financial statements. Our share of the aggregate revenue of these joint ventures represents 3.5% of our base revenue (the sum of our total consolidated revenue and our share of such joint venture revenue). We could become engaged in a dispute with any of our joint venturers which might affect our ability to operate a property. In addition, our joint venture partners may have different objectives than we do regarding the appropriate timing and pricing of any sale or refinancing of properties. Finally, in many instances, our joint venture partners have competing interests in our markets that could create conflict of interest issues.
We face risks associated with property acquisitions.
Since the initial public offering of Boston Properties, Inc., our general partner, we have made acquisitions of large properties and portfolios of properties. We intend to continue to acquire
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properties and portfolios of properties, including large portfolios that could increase our size and result in alterations to our capital structure. Our acquisition activities and their success are subject to the following risks:
We have acquired in the past and in the future may acquire properties or portfolios of properties through tax deferred contribution transactions in exchange for partnership interests in BPLP. This acquisition structure has the effect, among others, of reducing the amount of tax depreciation we can deduct over the tax life of the acquired properties, and typically requires that we agree to protect the contributors' ability to defer recognition of taxable gain through restrictions on our ability to dispose of the acquired properties and/or the allocation of partnership debt to the contributors to maintain their tax basis.
Acquired properties may expose us to unknown liability.
We may acquire properties subject to liabilities and without any recourse, or with only limited recourse, with respect to unknown liabilities. As a result, if a liability were asserted against us based upon ownership of those properties, we might have to pay substantial sums to settle it, which could adversely affect our cash flow. Unknown liabilities with respect to properties acquired might include:
Competition for acquisitions may result in increased prices for properties.
We plan to continue to acquire properties as we are presented with attractive opportunities. We may be competing for acquisition opportunities with other investors and such competition may adversely affect us by subjecting us to the following risks:
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We face potential difficulties or delays renewing leases or re-leasing space.
We derive most of our income from rent received from our tenants. If a tenant experiences a downturn in its business or other types of financial distress, it may be unable to make timely rental payments. Also, when our tenants decide not to renew their leases or terminate early, we may not be able to re-lease the space. Even if tenants decide to renew, the terms of renewals or new leases, including the cost of required renovations or concessions to tenants, may be less favorable than current lease terms. As a result, our cash flow could decrease and our ability to make interest payments to holders of the notes could be adversely affected.
We face potential adverse effects from major tenants' bankruptcies or insolvencies.
The bankruptcy or insolvency of a major tenant may adversely affect the income produced by our properties. Our tenants could file for bankruptcy protection or become insolvent in the future. We cannot evict a tenant solely because of its bankruptcy. On the other hand, a bankrupt tenant may reject and terminate its lease with us. In such case, our claim against the bankrupt tenant for unpaid and future rent would be subject to a statutory cap that might be substantially less than the remaining rent actually owed under the lease, and, even so, our claim for unpaid rent would likely not be paid in full. This shortfall could adversely affect our cash flow and results of operations.
We may have difficulty selling our properties which may limit our flexibility.
Large and high quality office, industrial and hotel properties like the ones that we own could be difficult to sell. This may limit our ability to change our portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions. In addition, federal tax laws limit our ability to sell properties that we have owned for fewer than four years. These restrictions reduce our ability to respond to changes in the performance of our investments and could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our ability to dispose of some of our properties is constrained by their tax attributes. Properties which we developed and have owned for a significant period of time or which we acquired through tax deferred contribution transactions in exchange for partnership interests in BPLP often have a low tax basis. If we dispose of these properties outright in taxable transactions, we will recognize a significant amount of taxable gain, which in turn would impact our cash flow under the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code for REITs like Boston Properties, Inc. In some cases, we are restricted from disposing of properties contributed in exchange for our partnership interests under tax protection agreements with the contributors of such properties. To dispose of low basis or tax-protected properties efficiently we often use like-kind exchanges, which qualify for non-recognition of taxable gain, but can be difficult to consummate and result in the property for which the disposed assets are exchanged inheriting their low basis and other tax attributes (including tax protection covenants).
Our properties face significant competition.
We face significant competition from developers, owners and operators of office, industrial and other commercial real estate, including sublease space available from our tenants. Substantially all of our properties face competition from similar properties in the same market. Such competition may affect our ability to attract and retain tenants and may reduce the rents we are able to charge. These competing properties may have vacancy rates higher than our properties, which may result in their owners being willing to make space available at lower prices than the space in our properties.
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Because of the ownership structure of our three hotel properties, we face potential adverse effects from changes to the applicable tax laws.
We own three hotel properties. However, REITs like Boston Properties, Inc. are not allowed under the Internal Revenue Code to operate hotels directly or indirectly. Accordingly, we lease our hotel properties to our taxable REIT subsidiary, or TRS. As lessor, we are entitled to a percentage of the gross receipts from the operation of the hotel properties. Marriott International, Inc. manages the hotels under the Marriott® name pursuant to a management contract with the TRS as lessee. While the TRS structure allows the economic benefits of ownership to flow to us, the TRS is subject to tax on its income from the operations of the hotels at the federal and state level. In addition, the TRS is subject to detailed tax regulations which affect how it can be capitalized and operated. If the tax laws applicable to taxable REIT subsidiaries are modified, we may be forced to modify the structure for owning our hotel properties, and such changes may adversely affect the cash flows from our hotels. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Treasury Department and Congress frequently review federal income tax legislation and we cannot predict whether, when or to what extent new federal tax laws, regulations, interpretations or rulings will be adopted. Any of such legislative action may prospectively or retroactively modify the tax treatment of the TRS and, therefore, may adversely affect our after-tax returns from our hotel properties.
Because we own three hotel properties, we face the risks associated with the hospitality industry.
Because the lease payments we receive under the leases for the three hotels we own are based on a participation in the gross receipts of the hotels, if the hotels do not generate sufficient receipts, our cash flow would be decreased, which could reduce the amount of cash available for interest payments to holders of the notes. The following factors, among others, are common to the hotel industry, and may reduce the receipts generated by our hotel properties:
In addition, because all three of our hotel properties are located within a two-mile radius in downtown Boston and Cambridge, they are all subject to the Boston market's fluctuations in demand, increases in operating costs and increased competition from additions in supply.
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Compliance or failure to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act or other safety regulations and requirements could result in substantial costs.
The Americans with Disabilities Act generally requires that public buildings, including office buildings and hotels, be made accessible to disabled persons. Noncompliance could result in the imposition of fines by the federal government or the award of damages to private litigants. If, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, we are required to make substantial alterations and capital expenditures in one or more of our properties, including the removal of access barriers, it could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations, as well as the amount of cash available for interest payments to holders of the notes.
Our properties are subject to various federal, state and local regulatory requirements, such as state and local fire and life safety requirements. If we fail to comply with these requirements, we could incur fines or private damage awards. We do not know whether existing requirements will change or whether compliance with future requirements will require significant unanticipated expenditures that will affect our cash flow and results of operations.
Some potential losses are not covered by insurance.
We carry insurance coverage on our properties of types and in amounts that we believe are in line with coverage customarily obtained by owners of similar properties. In response to the uncertainty in the insurance market following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the federal Terrorism Risk Insurance Act was enacted in November 2002 to require regulated insurers to make available coverage for certified acts of terrorism (as defined by the statute) under property insurance policies. On March 1, 2003 we renewed our "all risk" property insurance program which includes coverage for acts of terrorism (as defined by the statute) on an occurrence basis up to our policy limits, which we consider commercially reasonable. We continue to monitor the state of the insurance market in general, and the scope and cost of coverage for acts of terrorism in particular, but we can not anticipate what coverage will be available on commercially reasonable terms in future policy years.
We carry earthquake insurance on our properties located in areas known to be subject to earthquakes in an amount and subject to deductibles and self-insurance that we believe are commercially reasonable. However, the amount of our earthquake insurance coverage may not be sufficient to cover losses from earthquakes. As a result of increased costs of coverage and decreased availability, the amount of third party earthquake insurance we have been able to purchase in the marketplace upon commercially reasonable terms has been reduced. In addition, we may discontinue earthquake insurance on some or all of our properties in the future if the premiums exceed our estimation of the value of the coverage.
In January 2002, we formed a wholly-owned insurance subsidiary, IXP, Inc. ("IXP"), to act as a captive insurance company and be one of the elements of our overall insurance program. IXP acts as a primary carrier with respect to a portion of our earthquake insurance coverage for our Greater San Francisco properties. Insofar as we own IXP, we are responsible for its liquidity and capital resources, and the accounts of IXP are part of our consolidated financial statements. If we experience a loss and IXP is required to pay under its insurance policy, we would ultimately record the full amount of the loss. Therefore, insurance coverage provided by IXP should not be considered as the equivalent of third party insurance, but rather as a modified form of self-insurance. In the future, IXP may provide additional or different coverage, as a reinsurer or a primary insurer, depending on the availability and cost of third party insurance in the marketplace and the level of self insurance that we believe is commercially reasonable.
There are other types of losses, such as from wars, acts of bio-terrorism or the presence of mold at our properties, for which we cannot obtain insurance at all or at a reasonable cost. With respect to such losses and losses from non-certified acts of terrorism, earthquakes or other catastrophic events, if
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we experience a loss that is uninsured or that exceeds policy limits, we could lose the capital invested in the damaged properties, as well as the anticipated future revenues from those properties. Depending on the specific circumstances of each affected property, it is possible that we could be liable for mortgage indebtedness or other obligations related to the property. Any such loss could materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition and results of operations.
Potential liability for environmental contamination could result in substantial costs.
Under federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, we may be required to investigate and clean up the effects of releases of hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum products at our properties simply because of our current or past ownership or operation of the real estate. If unidentified environmental problems arise, we may have to make substantial payments which could adversely affect our cash flow and our ability to make interest payments to holders of the notes because:
These costs could be substantial and in extreme cases could exceed the value of the contaminated property. The presence of hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum products or the failure to properly remediate contamination may materially and adversely affect our ability to borrow against, sell or rent an affected property. In addition, applicable environmental laws create liens on contaminated sites in favor of the government for damages and costs it incurs in connection with a contamination. Changes in laws increasing the potential liability for environmental conditions existing at our properties, or increasing the restrictions on the handling, storage or discharge of hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum products or other actions may result in significant unanticipated expenditures.
Environmental laws also govern the presence, maintenance and removal of asbestos. Such laws require that owners or operators of buildings containing asbestos:
Such laws may impose fines and penalties on building owners or operators who fail to comply with these requirements and may allow third parties to seek recovery from owners or operators for personal injury associated with exposure to asbestos fibers. Some of our properties are located in urban, industrial and previously developed areas where fill or current or historic industrial uses of the areas have caused site contamination.
It is our policy to retain independent environmental consultants to conduct Phase I environmental site assessments and asbestos surveys with respect to our acquisition of properties. These assessments generally include a visual inspection of the properties and the surrounding areas, an examination of current and historical uses of the properties and the surrounding areas and a review of relevant state,
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federal and historical documents, but do not involve invasive techniques such as soil and ground water sampling. Where appropriate, on a property-by-property basis, our practice is to have these consultants conduct additional testing, including sampling for asbestos, for lead in drinking water, for soil contamination where underground storage tanks are or were located or where other past site usages create a potential environmental problem, and for contamination in groundwater. Even though these environmental assessments are conducted, there is still the risk that:
Inquiries about indoor air quality may necessitate special investigation and, depending on the results, remediation beyond our regular indoor air quality testing and maintenance programs. Indoor air quality issues can stem from inadequate ventilation, chemical contaminants from indoor or outdoor sources, and biological contaminants such as molds, pollen, viruses and bacteria. Indoor exposure to chemical or biological contaminants above certain levels can be alleged to be connected to allergic reactions or other health effects and symptoms in susceptible individuals. If these conditions were to occur at one of our properties, we may need to undertake a targeted remediation program, including without limitation, steps to increase indoor ventilation rates and eliminate sources of contaminants. Such remediation programs could be costly, necessitate the temporary relocation of some or all of the property's tenants or require rehabilitation of the affected property.
We face risks associated with the use of debt to fund acquisitions and developments, including refinancing risk.
We are subject to the risks normally associated with debt financing, including the risk that our cash flow will be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest. We anticipate that only a small portion of the principal of our debt will be repaid prior to maturity. Therefore, we are likely to need to refinance at least a portion of our outstanding debt as it matures. There is a risk that we may not be able to refinance existing debt or that the terms of any refinancing will not be as favorable as the terms of our existing debt. If principal payments due at maturity cannot be refinanced, extended or repaid with proceeds from other sources, such as new equity capital, our cash flow will not be sufficient to repay all maturing debt, including the notes, in years when significant "balloon" payments come due or the notes mature.
We have agreements with a number of limited partners of BPLP who contributed properties in exchange for partnership interests that require BPLP to maintain secured debt on certain of our assets and/or allocate partnership debt to such limited partners to enable them to continue to defer recognition of their taxable gain with respect to the contributed property. These tax protection and debt allocation agreements may restrict our ability to repay or refinance debt.
An increase in interest rates would increase our interest costs on variable rate debt and could adversely impact our ability to refinance existing debt.
As of March 31, 2003, we had approximately $695.0 million of, and may incur more, indebtedness that bears interest at variable rates. Accordingly, if interest rates increase, so will our interest costs, which may adversely affect our cash flow and our ability to pay principal and interest on our debt.
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Further, rising interest rates could limit our ability to refinance existing debt when it matures. We may from time to time enter into agreements such as interest rate swaps, caps, floors and other interest rate hedging contracts with respect to a portion of our variable rate debt. While these agreements may lessen the impact of rising interest rates on us, they also expose us to the risk that other parties to the agreements will not perform or that the agreements will be unenforceable.
Our subsidiaries' creditors are entitled to payment of amounts owed to them before our subsidiaries may pay any dividends or distributions to us.
We hold a substantial portion of our properties through subsidiaries. We, therefore, depend on cash distributions to us by our subsidiaries for a large portion of our revenue. The creditors of each subsidiary are entitled to payment of the subsidiary's obligations to them, when due and payable, before the subsidiary may make distributions to us. Thus, our ability to pay interest on and principal of the debt securities depends in part on our subsidiaries' ability to satisfy their obligations to their creditors and to subsequently make distributions to us. In addition, we may participate in any distribution of the assets of any of our subsidiaries upon the liquidation, reorganization or insolvency of the subsidiary, and consequently, holders of the notes may participate in those assets, only after claims of the creditors, including secured creditors and trade creditors, if any, of that subsidiary are satisfied.
Covenants in our debt agreements could adversely affect our financial condition.
The mortgages on our properties contain customary covenants such as those that limit our ability, without the prior consent of the lender, to further mortgage the applicable property or to discontinue insurance coverage. Our credit facilities and unsecured debt securities contain customary restrictions, requirements and other limitations on our ability to incur indebtedness, including total debt to asset ratios, secured debt to total asset ratios, debt service coverage ratios and minimum ratios of unencumbered assets to unsecured debt which we must maintain. Our continued ability to borrow under our credit facilities is subject to compliance with our financial and other covenants. In addition, our failure to comply with such covenants could cause a default under the applicable debt agreement, and we may then be required to repay such debt with capital from other sources. Under those circumstances, other sources of capital may not be available to us, or be available only on unattractive terms. Additionally, in the future our ability to satisfy current or prospective lenders' insurance requirements may be adversely affected if lenders generally insist upon greater insurance coverage against acts of terrorism than is available to us in the marketplace or on commercially reasonable terms.
We rely on debt financing, including borrowings under our credit facilities, issuances of unsecured debt securities and debt secured by individual properties, to finance our acquisition and development activities and for working capital. If we are unable to obtain debt financing from these or other sources, or to refinance existing indebtedness upon maturity, our financial condition and results of operations would likely be adversely affected. If we breach covenants in our debt agreements, the lenders can declare a default and, if the debt is secured, can take possession of the property securing the defaulted loan. In addition, our unsecured debt agreements contain specific cross-default provisions with respect to specified other indebtedness, giving the unsecured lenders the right to declare a default if we are in default under other loans in some circumstances. Defaults under our debt agreements could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our degree of leverage could limit our ability to obtain additional financing or affect the market price of the debt securities.
On March 31, 2003, we had approximately $5.0 billion in total indebtedness outstanding on a consolidated basis (excluding unconsolidated joint venture debt). Debt to market capitalization ratio, which measures total debt as a percentage of the aggregate of our total debt plus the market value of
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outstanding equity securities, is often used by analysts to gauge leverage for equity REITs such as Boston Properties, Inc. Our market value is calculated using the closing stock price per share of common stock of Boston Properties, Inc. Using the closing stock price of $37.90 per share of common stock of Boston Properties, Inc. on March 31, 2003, multiplied by the sum of (i) the actual aggregate number of outstanding common partnership units of BPLP (including common partnership units held by Boston Properties, Inc.) and (ii) the number of common partnership units issuable upon conversion of preferred partnership units of BPLP, our debt to market capitalization ratio was approximately 51.13% as of March 31, 2003.
Our degree of leverage could affect our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, development or other general corporate purposes. Our degree of leverage could also make us more vulnerable to a downturn in business or the economy generally. There is a risk that changes in our debt to market capitalization ratio, which is in part a function of the stock price of Boston Properties, Inc., or our ratio of indebtedness to other measures of asset value used by financial analysts may have an adverse effect on the market price of the notes.
Failure of Boston Properties, Inc. to qualify as a REIT would have a material adverse effect on BPLP.
BPLP, in general, and the holders of our limited partnership interests and the notes, in particular, must rely on Boston Properties, Inc., as our general partner, to manage the affairs and business of BPLP. Boston Properties, Inc. is subject to certain risks that may affect its financial and other conditions, including particularly adverse consequences if it fails to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. While Boston Properties, Inc. intends to operate in a manner that will allow it to continue to qualify as a REIT, we cannot assure you that it will remain qualified as such in the future. This is because qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code as to which there are only limited judicial and administrative interpretations, and involves the determination of facts and circumstances not entirely within our control. In addition, future legislation, new regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions may significantly change the tax laws or the application of the tax laws with respect to qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes or the federal income tax consequences of such qualification. If Boston Properties, Inc. fails to qualify as a REIT, it will face serious tax consequences which will directly and adversely impact BPLP and may substantially reduce the funds available for payment of interest to holders of the notes, and it may be barred from qualifying as a REIT for the four years following such failure.
In order to maintain the REIT status of our general partner, Boston Properties, Inc., we may be forced to borrow funds on a short-term basis during unfavorable market conditions.
In order to maintain the REIT status of our general partner, Boston Properties, Inc., we may need to borrow funds on a short-term basis to meet the REIT distribution requirements, even if the then prevailing market conditions are not favorable for these borrowings. To qualify as a REIT, Boston Properties, Inc. generally must distribute to its stockholders at least 90% of its net taxable income each year, excluding capital gains. In addition, Boston Properties, Inc. will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which dividends paid by it in any calendar year are less than the sum of 85% of its ordinary income, 95% of its capital gain net income and 100% of its undistributed income from prior years. Boston Properties, Inc. may need short-term debt to fund required distributions as a result of differences in timing between the actual receipt of income and the recognition of income for federal income tax purposes, or the effect of non-deductible capital expenditures, the creation of reserves or required debt or amortization payments.
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Our success depends on key personnel whose continued service is not guaranteed.
We depend on the efforts of key personnel, particularly Mortimer B. Zuckerman, Chairman of the board of directors of Boston Properties, Inc., and Edward H. Linde, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Boston Properties, Inc. Among the reasons that Messrs. Zuckerman and Linde are important to our success is that each has a national reputation which attracts business and investment opportunities and assists us in negotiations with lenders. If we lost their services, our relationships with lenders, potential tenants and industry personnel would diminish. Mr. Zuckerman has substantial outside business interests which could interfere with his ability to devote his full time to our business and affairs.
The two Executive Vice Presidents, Chief Financial Officer and other executive officers of Boston Properties, Inc. who serve as managers of our regional offices have strong reputations. Their reputations aid us in identifying opportunities, having opportunities brought to us, and negotiating with tenants and build-to-suit prospects. While we believe that we could find replacements for these key personnel, the loss of their services could materially and adversely affect our operations because of diminished relationships with lenders, prospective tenants and industry personnel.
We did not obtain new owner's title insurance policies in connection with properties acquired during the initial public offering of Boston Properties, Inc.
We acquired many of our properties from our predecessors at the completion of the initial public offering of Boston Properties, Inc., our general partner, in June 1997. Before we acquired these properties each of them was insured by a title insurance policy. We did not, however, obtain new owner's title insurance policies in connection with the acquisition of these properties. Nevertheless, because in many instances we acquired these properties indirectly by acquiring ownership of the entity which owned the property and those owners remain in existence as our subsidiaries, some of these title insurance policies may continue to benefit us. Many of these title insurance policies may be for amounts less than the current values of the applicable properties. If there was a title defect related to any of these properties, or to any of the properties acquired at the time of the initial public offering of Boston Properties, Inc., that is no longer covered by a title insurance policy, we could lose both our capital invested in and our anticipated profits from such property. We have obtained title insurance policies for all properties that we have acquired after the initial public offering of Boston Properties, Inc.
We face possible adverse changes in tax laws.
From time to time changes in state and local tax laws or regulations are enacted, which may result in increase in our tax liability. The shortfall in tax revenues for states and municipalities in recent years may lead to an increase in the frequency and size of such changes. We also face the risk that tax authorities may challenge certain aspects of our acquisition, operation or disposition of properties. If such challenges are successful, we may be required to pay additional taxes on our assets or income and may be assessed interest and penalties on such additional taxes. These increased tax costs could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and our ability to make interest payments to holders of the notes.
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Risks Related to Tendering Old Notes for New Notes
Purchasers of the notes may not be able to sell the notes since there may not be an active trading market for the notes.
The new notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We do not intend to list the new notes on any securities exchange. An active trading market for the new notes may not develop or last, in which case the trading price of the new notes could be adversely affected. If an active trading market does develop, the new notes may trade at prices higher or lower than their initial offering price. The trading price of the new notes will depend on many factors, including:
You must carefully follow the required procedures in order to exchange your old notes.
The new notes will be issued in exchange for the old notes only after timely receipt by the exchange agent of a duly executed letter of transmittal and all other required documents. Therefore, if you wish to tender your old notes, you must allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery. Neither we nor the exchange agent has any duty to notify you of defects or irregularities which respect to tenders of old notes for exchange. Any holder of old notes who tenders in the exchange offer for purpose of participating in a distribution of the new notes will be required to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction. Each broker or dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account in exchange for old notes that were acquired in market-making or other trading activities must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the new notes.
Risks Related to Continued Ownership of Old Notes
If you do not exchange old notes for new notes, transfer restrictions will continue and trading of the old notes may be adversely affected.
The old notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and are subject to substantial restrictions on transfer. Old notes that are not tendered for exchange or are tendered but are not accepted will, following completion of the exchange offer, continue to be subject to existing restrictions upon transfers. We do not currently expect to register the old notes under the Securities Act. To the extent that old notes are tendered and accepted in the exchange offer, the trading market for the old notes, if any, could be adversely affected. See "The Exchange OfferConsequences of Failure to Exchange."
The trading market for unexchanged old notes could be limited.
The trading market for unexchanged old notes could become significantly more limited after the exchange offer due to the reduction in the amount of old notes outstanding upon consummation of the exchange offer. Therefore, if your old notes are not exchanged for new notes in the exchange offer it may become more difficult for you to sell or otherwise transfer your old notes. This reduction in liquidity may in turn reduce the market price, and increase the price volatility, of the old notes. There is a risk that an active trading market in the unexchanged old notes will not exist, develop or be maintained and we cannot give you any assurances regarding the prices at which the unexchanged old notes may trade in the future.
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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated is as follows:
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2003 |
Year Ended December 31, 2002 |
Year Ended December 31, 2001 |
Year Ended December 31, 2000 |
Year Ended December 31, 1999 |
Year Ended December 31, 1998 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges | 2.54 | 2.48 | 1.54 | 1.52 | 1.54 | 1.93 |
The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges. Earnings consist of income before minority interests in property partnerships, income from unconsolidated joint ventures, income from discontinued operations, gain on sale of real estate from discontinued operations, extraordinary items, cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle and preferred distributions, plus amortization of interest capitalized, distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures, fixed charges, minus interest capitalized and preferred distributions. Fixed charges consist of interest expensed, which includes credit enhancement fees and amortization of loan cost fees, interest capitalized, and preferred distributions.
The exchange offer is intended to satisfy certain agreements we made with the initial purchasers of the old notes. The net proceeds of the sale of the old notes were used to pay secured and unsecured indebtedness and also for general business purposes. We will not, however, receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the new notes offered by this prospectus. In consideration for issuing the new notes contemplated by this prospectus, we will receive the old notes in like principal amount, the form and terms of which are substantially the same as the form and term of the new notes (which replace the old notes and which represent the same indebtedness). The old notes surrendered in exchange for the new notes will be retired and canceled and cannot be reissued. Accordingly, the issuance of the new notes will not result in any increase or decrease in our indebtedness.
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Purposes and Effects of the Exchange Offer
We sold $250 million aggregate principal amount of the old notes on May 22, 2003 to initial purchasers, who resold the old notes to "qualified institutional buyers" (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) and certain institutional non-U.S. persons under Regulation S under the Securities Act in a private offering. In the registration rights agreement executed by BPLP and the initial purchasers, we agreed to file with the SEC a registration statement (the "exchange registration statement") with respect to an offer to exchange the old notes for new notes. In addition, we agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to cause the exchange registration statement to become effective under the Securities Act by December 18, 2003, to offer the new notes pursuant to the exchange offer and to issue the new notes in exchange for the old notes tendered prior to the expiration of the exchange offer. We will be required to pay the holders of old notes additional interest, up to 0.50% per annum, if we fail to meet the filing and completion deadlines set forth in each of the registration rights agreements.
This prospectus is part of the exchange registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. The exchange offer is being made pursuant to each of the registration rights agreements to satisfy our obligations thereunder. You are a "holder" with respect to the exchange offer if your old notes are registered in your name on our books or if you have obtained a properly completed bond power from the registered holder or any person whose old notes are held of record by DTC. Upon completion of the exchange offer, we will be required to file a registration statement to register any outstanding old notes only if a holder of old notes so requests and such holder is a broker-dealer or an affiliate of BPLP, or is not permitted pursuant to applicable law or applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC to participate in the exchange offer (the "shelf registration statement"). If you do not tender your old notes, or if your old notes are tendered but not accepted, you generally will have to rely on exemptions to registration requirements under the securities laws, including the Securities Act, if you wish to sell your old notes.
Based on interpretations of the SEC staff set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, we believe that new notes issued under the exchange offer in exchange for old notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by you without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, if:
If you participate in the exchange offer for the purpose of distributing securities in a manner not permitted by the SEC's interpretation, the position of the staff of the SEC enunciated in the interpretive letters is inapplicable to you and you are required to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction. Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities must acknowledge (by delivering a completed letter of transmittal or agent's message if its tender is made through DTC) that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the new notes.
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The exchange offer is not being made to you, and you may not participate in the exchange offer, in any jurisdiction in which the exchange offer or its acceptance would not be in compliance with the securities laws of that jurisdiction.
Exchange Terms
An aggregate of $250 million principal amount of outstanding old notes are currently issued and outstanding. The maximum principal amount of new notes that will be issued in exchange for outstanding old notes is $250 million.
The form and terms of the new notes will be the same in all material respects as the form and terms of the old notes tendered in exchange for such new notes, except that the new notes will be registered under the Securities Act and will not bear legends restricting their transfer. The new notes will not represent additional indebtedness of BPLP and will be entitled to the benefits of the indenture, which is the same indenture under which the old notes were issued. Old notes that are accepted for exchange will be canceled and retired.
Interest on the new notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on the old notes or, if no interest has been paid, from May 22, 2003. Accordingly, registered holders of new notes on the relevant record date for the first interest payment date following the completion of the exchange offer will receive interest accruing from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from May 22, 2003. Old notes accepted for exchange will cease to accrue interest from and after the date the exchange offer closes. If your old notes are accepted for exchange, you will not receive any payment in respect of interest on the old notes for which the record date occurs on or after completion of the exchange offer.
You do not have any appraisal rights or dissenters' rights under the indenture in connection with the exchange offer. We intend to conduct the exchange offer in accordance with the provisions of each of the registration rights agreements. If you do not tender for exchange or if your tender is not accepted, the old notes will remain outstanding and you will be entitled to the benefits of the indenture, but generally will not be entitled to any registration rights under either registration rights agreement. We are not asking you for a proxy and you are requested not to send us a proxy.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the accompanying letter of transmittal, we will accept for exchange any old notes properly tendered in the exchange offer, and the exchange agent will deliver the new notes promptly after the expiration date (as defined below) of the exchange offer. You should read "Expiration Date; Extension; Termination; Amendments" below for an explanation of how the expiration date may be extended.
You may tender some or all of your old notes pursuant to the exchange offer. However, old notes may be tendered only in integral multiples of $1,000. The exchange offer is not conditioned upon any number or aggregate principal amount of old notes being tendered.
Expiration Date; Extensions; Termination; Amendments
The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , 2003, the "expiration date," unless extended by us. The offer will not under any circumstances by extended beyond , 2003. We expressly reserve the right to extend the exchange offer on a daily basis or for such period or periods as we may determine in our sole discretion from time to time by giving oral or written notice to the exchange agent and by making a public announcement to that effect, prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the first business day following the previously scheduled expiration date. During any extension of the exchange offer, all old notes previously tendered, not validly withdrawn and not accepted for exchange will remain subject to the exchange offer and may be accepted for exchange by us.
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To the extent we are legally permitted to do so, we expressly reserve the absolute right, in our sole discretion, to amend any of the terms of the exchange offer. Any amendment to the exchange offer will apply to all old notes tendered, regardless of when or in what order the old notes were tendered. If we make a material change in the terms of the exchange offer, we will disseminate additional exchange offer materials, and we will extend the exchange offer to the extent required by law.
We expressly reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to terminate the exchange offer if the conditions set forth under "Conditions to the Exchange Offer" exists. Any such termination will be followed promptly by a public announcement. In the event we terminate the exchange offer, we will give immediate notice to the exchange agent, and all old notes previously tendered and not accepted for payment will be returned promptly to the tendering holders.
In the event that the exchange offer is withdrawn or otherwise not completed, new notes will not be given to holders of old notes who have tendered their old notes.
Acceptance of Old Notes for Exchange
We will accept for exchange old notes validly tendered pursuant to the exchange offer, or defectively tendered, if such defect has been waived by us, and not withdrawn prior to the expiration date of the exchange offer. We will not accept old notes for exchange subsequent to the expiration date of the exchange offer. Tenders of old notes will be accepted only in principal amounts equal to $1,000 or integral multiples thereof.
If for any reason, we delay acceptance for exchange of validly tendered old notes or we are unable to accept for exchange validly tendered old notes, then the exchange agent may, nevertheless, on our behalf, retain tendered old notes, without prejudice to our rights described under "Expiration Date; Extensions; Termination; Amendments" and "Withdrawal of Tenders" subject to Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, which requires that an offeror pay the consideration offered or return the securities deposited by or on behalf of the holders thereof promptly after the termination or withdrawal of a tender offer.
If any tendered old notes are not accepted for exchange for any reason, including if certificates are submitted evidencing more old notes than those that are tendered, certificates evidencing old notes that are not exchanged will be returned, without expense, to the tendering holder, or, in the case of old notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the exchange agent's account at a book-entry transfer facility under the procedure set forth under "Procedures for Tendering Old NotesBook-Entry Transfer," such old notes will be credited to the account maintained at such book-entry transfer facility from which such old notes were delivered, unless otherwise required by such holder under "Special Delivery Instructions" in the letter of transmittal, promptly following the exchange date or the termination of the exchange offer.
Tendering holders of old notes exchanged in the exchange offer will not be obligated to pay brokerage commissions or transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of their old notes other than as described in "Transfer Taxes" or in Instruction 9 to the letter of transmittal. We will pay all other charges and expenses in connection with the exchange offer. Each holder of old notes shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such holder's old notes pursuant to the shelf registration statement.
Procedures For Tendering Old Notes
Any beneficial owner whose old notes are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee or held through a book-entry transfer facility and who wishes to tender old notes should contact such registered holder promptly and instruct such registered holder to tender old notes on such beneficial owner's behalf.
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Tender of Old Notes Held Through DTC. The exchange agent and DTC have confirmed that the exchange offer is eligible for the DTC automated tender offer program. Accordingly, DTC participants may electronically transmit their acceptance of the exchange offer by causing DTC to transfer old notes to the exchange agent in accordance with DTC's automated tender offer program procedures for transfer. DTC will then send an agent's message to the exchange agent.
The term "agent's message" means a message transmitted by DTC, received by the exchange agent and forming part of the book-entry confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgement from the participant in DTC tendering old notes that are the subject of that book-entry confirmation that the participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal, and that we may enforce such agreement against such participant. In the case of an agent's message relating to guaranteed delivery, the term means a message transmitted by DTC and received by the exchange agent, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgement from the participant in DTC tendering old notes that they have received and agree to be bound by the notice of guaranteed delivery.
Tender of Old Notes Held in Physical Form. For a holder to validly tender old notes held in physical form:
Letters of transmittal and old notes should be sent only to the exchange agent and not to us or to any book-entry transfer facility.
The method of delivery of old notes, letters of transmittal and all other required documents to the exchange agent is at the election and risk of the holder tendering old notes. Delivery of such documents will be deemed made only when actually received by the exchange agent. If such delivery is by mail, we suggest that the holder use properly insured, registered mail with return receipt requested, and that the mailing be made sufficiently in advance of the expiration date of the exchange offer to permit delivery to the exchange agent prior to such date. No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders of old notes will be accepted.
Signature Guarantees. Signatures on the letter of transmittal must be guaranteed by an eligible institution unless:
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An eligible institution is a firm that is a participant in the Security Transfer Agents Medallion Program or the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program, which is generally a member of a registered national securities exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or trust company having an office in the United States.
Book-Entry Transfer. The exchange agent will seek to establish a new account or utilize an outstanding account with respect to the old notes at DTC promptly after the date of this prospectus. Any financial institution that is a participant in the book-entry transfer facility system and whose name appears on a security position listing it as the owner of the old notes may make book-entry delivery of old notes by causing the book-entry transfer facility to transfer such old notes into the exchange agent's account. However, although delivery of old notes may be effected through book-entry transfer into the exchange agent's account at a book-entry transfer facility, a properly completed and validly executed letter of transmittal, or a manually signed facsimile thereof, must be received by the exchange agent at its address set forth in this prospectus on or prior to the expiration date of the exchange offer, or else the guaranteed delivery procedures described below must be complied with. The confirmation of a book-entry transfer of old notes into the exchange agent's account at a book-entry transfer facility is referred to in this prospectus as a "book-entry confirmation." Delivery of documents to the book-entry transfer facility in accordance with that book-entry transfer facility's procedures does not constitute delivery to the exchange agent.
Guaranteed Delivery. If you wish to tender your old notes and:
then, you may tender if both of the following are complied with:
The notice of guaranteed delivery must:
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required documents, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of the notice of guaranteed delivery.
Other Matters. New notes will be issued in exchange for old notes accepted for exchange only after timely receipt by the exchange agent of:
All questions as to the form of all documents and the validity, including time of receipt, and acceptance of all tenders of old notes will be determined by us, in our sole discretion, the determination of which shall be final and binding. Alternative, conditional or contingent tenders of old notes will not be considered valid. We reserve the absolute right to reject any or all tenders of old notes that are not in proper form or the acceptance of which, in our opinion would be unlawful. We also reserve the right to waive any defects or irregularities as to particular old notes.
Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer, including the instructions in the letter of transmittal, will be final and binding.
Any defect or irregularity in connection with tenders of old notes must be cured within the time we determine, unless waived by us. Tenders of old notes will not be deemed to have been made until all defects and irregularities have been waived by us or cured. Neither we, the exchange agent nor any other person will be under any duty to give notice of any defects or irregularities in tenders of old notes, or will incur any liability to holders for failure to give any such notice.
Withdrawal of Tenders
Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, you may withdraw your tender of old notes at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.
For a withdrawal to be effective:
Any notice of withdrawal must:
If old notes have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer described above, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn old notes and otherwise comply with the procedures of DTC.
We will determine all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility and time of receipt of notice of withdrawal, and our determination shall be final and binding on all parties. We will deem any old notes so withdrawn not to have been validly tendered for exchange for purposes of the exchange offer.
Any old notes that have been tendered for exchange but that are not exchanged for any reason will be returned to their holder without cost to the holder or, in the case of old notes tendered by
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book-entry transfer into the exchange agent's account at DTC according to the procedures described above, such old notes will be credited to an account maintained with DTC for the old notes. This return or crediting will take place as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the exchange offer. You may retender properly withdrawn old notes by following one of the procedures described under "Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" at any time on or prior to the expiration date.
Conditions to the Exchange Offer
We will not be required to accept for exchange, or exchange any new notes for, any old notes tendered, and we may terminate, extend or amend the exchange offer and may, subject to Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, which requires that an offeror pay the consideration offered or return the securities deposited by or on behalf of the holders thereof promptly after the termination or withdrawal of a tender offer, postpone the acceptance for exchange of old notes so tendered if, on or prior to the expiration date of the exchange offer we have determined that the exchange offer would violate any applicable law or interpretation of the staff of the SEC.
This condition to the exchange offer is for our sole benefit and may be asserted by us in our sole discretion or may be waived by us, in whole or in part, in our sole discretion. We have not made a decision as to what circumstances would lead us to waive the condition, and any waiver would depend on circumstances prevailing at the time of that waiver. Any determination by us concerning the events described in this section shall be final and binding upon all persons.
Although we have no present plans or arrangements to do so, we reserve the right to amend, at any time, the terms of the exchange offer. We will give holders notice of any amendments if required by applicable law.
Consequences of Failure to Exchange
If you do not exchange your old notes for new notes in the exchange offer, your old notes will remain outstanding and will continue to be subject to their existing terms. The old notes will continue to be senior unsecured obligations of BPLP. In addition, interest on the old notes will continue to accrue at the annual rate of 5.00%. Moreover, the old notes will continue to be subject to restrictions on transfer:
In general, you may not offer or sell the old notes unless they are registered under the Securities Act, or if the offer or sale is exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.
The trading market for old notes not exchanged in the exchange offer may be significantly more limited than it is at present. Therefore, if your old notes are not tendered and accepted in the exchange offer, it may become more difficult for you to sell or transfer your unexchanged old notes. See "Risk FactorsRisks Arising from the Exchange Offer."
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Termination of Certain Rights
You will not be entitled to certain rights under the registration rights agreements following the completion of the exchange offer. The rights that generally will terminate are:
Exchange Agent
The Bank of New York has been appointed as exchange agent for the exchange offer. You should direct questions and requests for assistance, requests for additional copies of this prospectus, the letter of transmittal or any other documents to the exchange agent. You should send certificates for old notes, letters of transmittal and any other required documents to the exchange agent addressed as follows:
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street
New York, New York 10286
Attention:
Fees and Expenses
Except for customary fees we have agreed to pay the exchange agent, we will not pay any fees or commissions to any broker, dealer or other person for soliciting tenders of old notes pursuant to the exchange offer.
Accounting Treatment
The new notes will be recorded at the same carrying value as the old notes, as reflected in our accounting records on the date of the exchange. Accordingly, we will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting purposes upon the completion of the exchange offer.
Transfer Taxes
We will pay all transfer taxes applicable to the transfer and exchange of old notes pursuant to the exchange offer. If, however:
then the amount of any such transfer taxes, whether imposed on the record holder of any other person, will be payable by the tendering holder prior to the issuance of the new notes.
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The new notes will be, and the old notes were, issued under an indenture, dated as of December 13, 2002, by and between BPLP and The Bank of New York, as trustee, as supplemented by a fourth supplemental indenture dated as of May 22, 2003. The indenture is subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The following is a summary of the material terms of the new notes and certain provisions of the indenture. However, this is only a summary, and it likely does not contain all of the information that you may find useful. Copies of the indenture and the forms of certificates evidencing the new notes are available from us upon request. In this description of new notes, the words, "we," "our," "ours," and "us" refer to BPLP and not to any of its subsidiaries.
The new notes will:
The notes will be effectively subordinated to secured indebtedness of BPLP to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness, and to indebtedness of any subsidiaries now existing or that may be formed by BPLP in the future because such indebtedness must be satisfied in full before holders of the notes can realize any value from assets of such subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2003, the total amount of unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness of BPLP was approximately $1.2 billion (excluding unconsolidated joint venture debt), the total amount of secured indebtedness of BPLP was approximately $3.8 billion (excluding unconsolidated joint venture debt), our subsidiaries had no unsecured indebtedness, and our share of unconsolidated joint venture debt was approximately $240.7 million.
Neither any limited or general partner of BPLP, including Boston Properties, Inc., nor any principal, shareholder, officer, director, trustee or employee of any limited or general partner of BPLP has any obligation for payment of the new notes or for any of BPLP's obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the new notes or the indenture. By accepting the new notes, you waive and release all liability of this kind.
The new notes will be represented by one or more fully registered global notes in book-entry form without coupons registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, which we refer to as "DTC" in this prospectus, or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the global note will be shown on, and transfers of such interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to beneficial interests of participants) or by participants or persons that hold interests through participants (with respect to beneficial interests of beneficial owners). Owners of beneficial interests in the global note will be entitled to physical delivery of new notes in certificated form equal in principal amount to their respective beneficial interests only under limited circumstances as set forth under the caption "Book-Entry Settlement and Clearance."
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Principal and Interest
The new notes will bear interest at a rate of 5.00% from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or provided for on the old notes or, if no interest has been paid on the old notes, from May 22, 2003, payable semiannually on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning December 1, 2003, each such date being referred to as an "interest payment date," to the persons in whose name the applicable new notes are registered in the security register at the close of business 15 calendar days prior to such interest payment date, each such date being referred to as a "regular record date." Interest on the new notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Any interest not punctually paid or duly provided for on any interest payment date with respect to a new note will forthwith cease to be payable to the holder on the applicable regular record date and may either be paid to the person in whose name such new note is registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such interest to be fixed by the trustee, notice of which shall be given to the holder of such new note not less than ten days prior to such special record date, or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner, as more particularly described in the indenture.
If any interest payment date or maturity falls on a day that is not a business day, the required payment shall be on the next business day as if it were made on the date such payment was due and no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such interest payment date or maturity, as the case may be. A "business day" means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are required or authorized by law, regulation or executive order to close.
The principal of (and premium or make-whole amount, if any) and interest on the new notes will be payable at the corporate trust office of the trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York initially located at 101 Barclay Street-21W, New York, NY 10286, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debt, provided that, at our option, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as it appears in the security register.
The new notes will not be subject to any sinking fund provisions and will not be convertible into or exchangeable for any equity interest in BPLP or Boston Properties, Inc.
We may, from time to time, without the consent of holders of any outstanding notes, reopen this issue of new notes and issue additional notes with the same terms and conditions as the new notes being offered hereby in all respects, except for the issue date, issue price and, if applicable, the first payment of interest thereon. If we issue additional notes having the same terms as these new notes, those additional notes will, upon issuance and sale, constitute a single series of notes under the indenture.
Covenants
This subsection describes promises we make in the notes for the benefit of the holders of the notes. Compliance with the covenants described below with respect to the new notes generally may not be waived by the board of directors of Boston Properties, Inc., as our general partner, or by the trustee under our indenture unless the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding notes consent to the waiver. The defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions of the indenture described under the caption "Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance" apply to the new notes, including with respect to the covenants herein.
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Limitations on Incurrence of Debt
The indenture requires BPLP to comply with certain restrictive covenants which are detailed below. These covenants contain specialized terms which we capitalize and define under the caption "Special Terms Used in Covenants" at the end of this subsection.
Limitation on Outstanding Debt. BPLP may not, and may not permit any Subsidiary to, Incur any Debt, other than Intercompany Debt, if, immediately after giving effect to the Incurrence of the additional Debt and any other Debt, other than Intercompany Debt, Incurred since the end of the Latest Completed Quarter prior to the Incurrence of the additional Debt and the application of the net proceeds of the additional Debt and such other Debt, Total Outstanding Debt would exceed 60% of Total Assets, in each case determined as of the end of such Latest Completed Quarter.
Limitation on Secured Debt. BPLP may not, and may not permit any Subsidiary to, Incur any Secured Debt, other than Secured Debt that is also Intercompany Debt, if, immediately after giving effect to the Incurrence of the additional Secured Debt and any other Secured Debt, other than Intercompany Debt, Incurred since the end of the Latest Completed Quarter prior to the Incurrence of the additional Secured Debt and the application of the net proceeds of the additional Secured Debt and such other Secured Debt, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Secured Debt is greater than 50% of Total Assets determined as of the end of such Latest Completed Quarter.
Ratio of Annualized Consolidated EBITDA to Annualized Interest Expense. BPLP may not, and may not permit any Subsidiary to, Incur any Debt, other than Intercompany Debt, if, immediately after giving effect to the Incurrence of the additional Debt, the ratio of Annualized Consolidated EBITDA for the Latest Completed Quarter prior to the Incurrence of the additional Debt, to Annualized Interest Expense for that quarter would be less than 1.50 to 1.00 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Incurrence of the additional Debt and to the application of the net proceeds therefrom, and calculated on the assumption, without duplication, that:
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Maintenance of Unencumbered Assets
BPLP and its Subsidiaries will maintain at all times Unencumbered Assets of not less than 150% of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Unsecured Debt of BPLP and its Subsidiaries.
Special Terms Used in Covenants
In this subsection entitled "Covenants," we use several terms that have special meanings relevant to the promises we make in the notes for the benefit of the holders of the new notes. We define these terms as follows:
"Annualized Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any quarter, the product of Consolidated EBITDA for such period of time multiplied by four (4), provided that any non-recurring item that is an expense shall be added back to net income in determining such Consolidated EBITDA before such multiplication and deducted once from such product, and further provided that any non-recurring item that is income shall be added to such product once and shall not be multiplied by four.
"Annualized Interest Expense" means, for any quarter, the Interest Expense for that quarter multiplied by four (4).
"Another Person's Share" means, in connection with the defined term "Contingent Liabilities of Boston Properties Limited Partnership and Subsidiaries," (1) the percentage share of a Person other than BPLP or any of its Subsidiaries, based on such Person's direct and indirect ownership interest in the applicable Partially-Owned Entity or (2) in the case of reimbursement owed to BPLP or any of its Subsidiaries by a third party in respect of payment made under a guaranty, the amount to be reimbursed to BPLP or any of its Subsidiaries.
"Capitalization Rate" means: (i) 9.0% for properties other than the CBD Properties, and (ii) 8.5% for properties which are CBD Properties.
"Capitalized Property Value" means, as of any date, the sum of (1) with respect to CBD Properties and non-CBD Properties, in each case that are not hotel properties, the aggregate sum of all Property EBITDA for each such CBD Property and non-CBD Property for the Latest Completed Quarter prior to such date, annualized (i.e., multiplied by four (4)), and capitalized at the applicable Capitalization Rate plus (2) with respect to CBD Properties and non-CBD Properties, in each case that are hotel properties, the aggregate sum of all Property EBITDA for each such CBD Property and non-CBD Property for the most recent four (4) consecutive completed fiscal quarters, capitalized at the applicable Capitalization Rate; provided, however, that if the value of a particular property calculated pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above, as applicable, is less than the undepreciated book value of such property as determined in accordance with GAAP, such undepreciated book value shall be used in lieu thereof with respect to such property.
"CBD Properties" means each of the following properties, together with each additional property which is, from time to time, determined in good faith by us to be located within the central business
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district of a CBD Market and designated by us as a CBD Property in an officer's certificate delivered to the trustee, in accordance with the terms of the indenture:
Property |
Location |
|
---|---|---|
265 Franklin Street | Boston, MA | |
Prudential Center Properties | Boston, MA | |
Cambridge Center Properties | Cambridge, MA | |
University Place | Cambridge, MA | |
Citigroup Center | New York, NY | |
599 Lexington Avenue | New York, NY | |
280 Park Avenue | New York, NY | |
5 Times Square | New York, NY | |
Times Square Tower | New York, NY | |
399 Park Avenue | New York, NY | |
100 East Pratt Street | Baltimore, MD | |
Riverfront Plaza | Richmond, VA | |
Embarcadero Center Properties | San Francisco, CA | |
Metropolitan Square | Washington, DC | |
Market Square North | Washington, DC | |
1301 New York Avenue | Washington, DC | |
Capital Gallery | Washington, DC | |
500 E Street | Washington, DC | |
Sumner Square | Washington, DC | |
901 New York Avenue | Washington, DC |
"CBD Markets" means each of the following markets:
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"Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period of time, without duplication (1) net income (loss), excluding net derivative gains and gains (losses) on dispositions of real estate, before deductions for (i) Interest Expense; (ii) taxes; (iii) depreciation, amortization, net derivative losses and all other non-cash items, as determined in good faith by us, deducted in arriving at net income (loss); (iv) extraordinary items; (v) non-recurring items, as determined in good faith by us (including prepayment penalties); and (vi) minority interest, of BPLP and its Subsidiaries; plus (2) the product of (A) net income (loss), excluding net derivative gains and gains (losses) on dispositions of real estate, before deductions for (i) interest expense; (ii) taxes; (iii) depreciation, amortization, net derivative losses and all other non-cash items, as determined in good faith by us, deducted in arriving at net income (loss); (iv) extraordinary items; and (v) non-recurring items, as determined in good faith by us (including prepayment penalties), of Partially-Owned Entities, multiplied by (B) BPLP's and its Subsidiaries' percentage share of such Partially-Owned Entities; minus (3) BPLP's income (loss) from Partially-Owned Entities. In each case (1), (2) and (3) for such period, amounts will be as reasonably determined by us in accordance with GAAP, except to the extent GAAP is not applicable with respect to the determination of all non-cash and non-recurring items. Consolidated EBITDA will be adjusted, without duplication, to give pro forma effect: (x) in the case of any assets having been placed-in-service or removed from service since the beginning of the period and on or prior to the date of determination, to include or exclude, as the case may be, any Consolidated EBITDA earned or eliminated as a result of the placement of such assets in service or removal of such assets from service as if the placement of such assets in service or removal of such assets from service occurred at the beginning of the period; and (y) in the case of any acquisition or disposition of any asset or group of assets since the beginning of the period and on or prior to the date of determination, including, without limitation, by merger, or stock or asset purchase or sale, to include or exclude, as the case may be, any Consolidated EBITDA earned or eliminated as a result of the acquisition or disposition of those assets as if the acquisition or disposition occurred at the beginning of the period.
"Consolidated Financial Statements" means, with respect to any Person, collectively, the consolidated financial statements and notes to those financial statements, of that Person and its subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of this definition, if as of any date or for any period actual consolidated financial statements of any Person have not been prepared, then this term will include the books and records of that Person ordinarily used in the preparation of such financial statements.
"Contingent Liabilities of Boston Properties Limited Partnership and Subsidiaries" means, as of any date, without duplication, those liabilities of BPLP or any of its Subsidiaries consisting of indebtedness for borrowed money, as determined in accordance with GAAP, that are or would be stated and quantified as contingent liabilities in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of BPLP as of that date; provided, however, that Contingent Liabilities of Boston Properties Limited Partnership and Subsidiaries will exclude Another Person's Share of Duplicated Obligations.
"Debt" means, as of any date, without duplication, (1) in the case of BPLP, all indebtedness and liabilities for borrowed money, secured or unsecured, of BPLP, including the notes to the extent outstanding from time to time; (2) in the case of BPLP's Subsidiaries, all indebtedness and liabilities for borrowed money, secured or unsecured, of the Subsidiaries, including in each case (1) and (2) mortgage and other notes payable, but excluding in each case (1) and (2) any indebtedness, including mortgages and other notes payable, which is secured by cash, cash equivalents or marketable
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securities or defeased (it being understood that cash collateral shall be deemed to include cash deposited with a trustee with respect to third party indebtedness; provided that such trustee holds such cash for not more than 60 days from the date of deposit); and (3) all Contingent Liabilities of Boston Properties Limited Partnership and Subsidiaries. It is understood that Debt will not include any redeemable equity interest in BPLP.
"Duplicated Obligations" means, as of any date, collectively, all those payment guaranties in respect of indebtedness and other liabilities, secured or unsecured, of Partially-Owned Entities, including mortgage and other notes payable, for which (1) BPLP or any of its Subsidiaries, on one hand, and another Person or Persons, on the other hand, are jointly and severally liable or (2) BPLP or any of its Subsidiaries are entitled to reimbursement in respect of payment under such guaranties from another Person or Persons.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently applied, as in effect from time to time.
"Incur" means, with respect to any Debt or other obligation of any Person, to create, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect of the Debt or other obligation, and "Incurrence" and "Incurred" have the meanings correlative to the foregoing.
"Intercompany Debt" means, as of any date, Debt to which the only parties are Boston Properties, Inc., Boston Properties Limited Partnership, any Subsidiary of either of them as of that date or any Partially-Owned Entity.
"Interest Expense" means, for any period of time, the aggregate amount of interest recorded in accordance with GAAP for such period of time by BPLP and its Subsidiaries, but excluding: (i) interest reserves funded from the proceeds of any loan and (ii) amortization of deferred financing costs; and including, without duplication: (A) effective interest in respect of original issue discount as determined in accordance with GAAP; and (B) without limitation or duplication, the interest expense (determined as provided above) of Partially-Owned Entities, multiplied by BPLP's Percentage Interest of the Partially-Owned Entity Outstanding Debt in such Partially-Owned Entities, in all cases as reflected in the applicable Consolidated Financial Statements.
"Latest Completed Quarter" means the most recently ended fiscal quarter of BPLP for which Consolidated Financial Statements of BPLP have been completed, it being understood that at any time when BPLP is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and in accordance therewith files annual and quarterly reports with the SEC, the term "Latest Completed Quarter" shall be deemed to refer to the fiscal quarter covered by BPLP's most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or, in the case of the last fiscal quarter of the year, BPLP's Annual Report on Form 10-K.
"Lien" means, without duplication, any lien, mortgage, trust deed, deed of trust, deed to secure debt, pledge, security interest, assignment for collateral purposes, deposit arrangement, or other security agreement, excluding any right of setoff but including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, and any other like agreement granting or conveying a security interest; provided, that for purposes hereof, "Lien" shall not include any mortgage that has been defeased by us in accordance with the provisions thereof through the deposit of cash, cash equivalents or marketable securities (it being understood that cash collateral shall be deemed to include cash deposited with a trustee with respect to third party indebtedness).
"Partially-Owned Entity" means, at any time, any of the partnerships, associations, corporations, limited liability companies, trusts, joint ventures or other business entities in which BPLP, directly, or indirectly through full or partial ownership of another entity, owns an equity interest, but which is not required in accordance with GAAP to be consolidated with BPLP for financial reporting purposes.
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"Partially-Owned Entity Outstanding Debt" means, as of any date, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding indebtedness and liabilities for borrowed money, secured or unsecured, of the applicable Partially-Owned Entity, including mortgage and other notes payable but excluding any indebtedness which is secured by cash, cash equivalents or marketable securities or defeased (it being understood that cash collateral shall be deemed to include cash deposited with a trustee with respect to third party indebtedness), all as reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements of such Partially-Owned Entity as of such date.
"Percentage Interest" means, with respect to a Partially-Owned Entity, BPLP's direct or indirect interest in the equity capital of such entity without giving effect to any incentive or performance-based sharing in the entity's cash flow from operations or proceeds from capital transactions in excess of such equity interest.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity or organization.
"Property EBITDA" means, for any property, CBD Property or non-CBD Property, for any period of time, without duplication, (1) if the property is owned by BPLP or any of its Subsidiaries, the net income (loss) derived from such property, excluding net derivative gains and gains (losses) on dispositions of real estate, before deductions for (i) Interest Expense, (ii) taxes, (iii) depreciation, amortization, net derivative losses and all other non-cash items, as determined in good faith by us, deducted in arriving at net income (loss), (iv) extraordinary items, (v) non-recurring items, as determined in good faith by us (including prepayment penalties), and (vi) minority interest, and (2) if the property is owned by a Partially-Owned Entity, the product of (A) net income (loss) derived from such property, excluding net derivative gains and gains (losses) on dispositions of real estate, before deductions for (i) interest expense, (ii) taxes, (iii) depreciation, amortization, net derivative losses and all other non-cash items, as determined in good faith by us, deducted in arriving at net income (loss), (iv) extraordinary items, and (v) non-recurring items, as determined in good faith by us (including prepayment penalties), multiplied by (B) BPLP's and its Subsidiaries' percentage share of such Partially-Owned Entity. In each case (1) and (2) for such period, amounts will be as reasonably determined by us in accordance with GAAP, except to the extent GAAP is not applicable with respect to the determination of all non-cash and non-recurring items. Property EBITDA will be adjusted, without duplication, to give pro forma effect: (x) in the case of any assets having been placed-in-service or removed from service since the beginning of the period and on or prior to the date of determination, to include or exclude, as the case may be, any Property EBITDA earned or eliminated as a result of the placement of such assets in service or removal of such assets from service as if the placement of such assets in service or removal of such assets from service occurred at the beginning of the period; and (y) in the case of any acquisition or disposition of any asset or group of assets since the beginning of the period and on or prior to the date of determination, including, without limitation, by merger, or stock or asset purchase or sale, to include or exclude, as the case may be, any Property EBITDA earned or eliminated as a result of the acquisition or disposition of those assets as if the acquisition or disposition occurred at the beginning of the period. For purposes of this definition, in the case of (1) and (2) above, Property EBITDA will exclude general and administrative expenses as reflected in BPLP's audited year-end Consolidated Financial Statements or reviewed interim Consolidated Financial Statements available for the Latest Completed Quarter or the most recent four (4) consecutive completed fiscal quarters, as applicable.
"Secured Debt" means, as of any date, that portion of Total Outstanding Debt as of that date that is secured by a Lien on properties or other assets of BPLP, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Partially-Owned Entities.
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"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, a corporation, partnership, association, joint venture, trust, limited liability company or other business entity, which is required to be consolidated with BPLP or Boston Properties, Inc. in accordance with GAAP.
"Total Assets" means, with respect to any Incurrence of Debt or Secured Debt, as of any date, in each case as determined by us, without duplication, the sum of: (1) Capitalized Property Value; (2) cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of BPLP and its Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP; (3) with respect to notes receivable and mortgages, the lesser of (i) the aggregate amount of principal under such note or mortgage that will be due and payable to BPLP or its Subsidiaries and (ii) the purchase price paid by BPLP or its Subsidiaries to acquire such note or mortgage; (4) with respect to real estate assets which are undeveloped land, the book value thereof in accordance with GAAP; (5) without duplication, the cost basis of properties of BPLP and its Subsidiaries that are under development, determined in accordance with GAAP, as of the end of the quarterly period used for purposes of clause (1) above; (6) without duplication, the proceeds of the Debt or Secured Debt or the assets to be acquired in exchange for such proceeds, as the case may be, other than Intercompany Debt, Incurred from the end of the Latest Completed Quarter prior to the Incurrence of the Debt or Secured Debt, as the case may be, to the date of determination; and (7) BPLP's and its Subsidiaries' percentage share of Partially-Owned Entities' assets described in clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6) above.
"Total Outstanding Debt" means, as of any date, the sum, without duplication, of (1) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Debt of BPLP as of that date; (2) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Debt of BPLP's Subsidiaries, all as of that date; and (3) the sum of the aggregate principal amount of all Partially-Owned Entity Outstanding Debt of each of the Partially-Owned Entities multiplied by BPLP's respective Percentage Interest in such Partially-Owned Entity as of that date.
"Unencumbered Assets" means, as of any date, in each case as determined by us without duplication, the sum of: (1) Unencumbered Capitalized Property Value; (2) cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of BPLP and its Subsidiaries, other than restricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities pledged to secure Debt, determined in accordance with GAAP; (3) with respect to notes receivable and mortgages, the lesser of (i) the aggregate amount of principal under such note or mortgage that will be due and payable to BPLP or its Subsidiaries and (ii) the purchase price paid by BPLP or its Subsidiaries to acquire such note or mortgage, except any notes receivable or mortgages that are serving as collateral for Secured Debt; (4) with respect to real estate assets which are undeveloped land, the book value thereof in accordance with GAAP, except any land that is serving as collateral for Secured Debt; (5) without duplication, the cost basis of properties of BPLP and its Subsidiaries that are under development, determined in accordance with GAAP, as of the end of the quarterly period used for purposes of clause (1) above, except any properties that are serving as collateral for Secured Debt; (6) without duplication, the proceeds of the Debt or Secured Debt or the assets to be acquired in exchange for such proceeds, as the case may be, other than Intercompany Debt, Incurred from the end of the Latest Completed Quarter prior to such date to the date of determination, except in each case any proceeds or assets that are serving as collateral for Secured Debt; and (7) BPLP's and its Subsidiaries' percentage share, of Partially-Owned Entities' assets described in clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6) above. For the avoidance of doubt, cash held by a "qualified intermediary" in connection with proposed like-kind exchanges pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code which may be classified as "restricted" for GAAP purposes will nonetheless be included in clause (2) above, so long as we have the right to (i) direct the qualified intermediary to return such cash to us if and when we fail to identify or acquire the proposed like-kind property or at the end of the 180-day replacement period or (ii) direct the qualified intermediary to use such cash to acquire like-kind property.
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"Unencumbered Capitalized Property Value" means, as of any date, (1) with respect to CBD Properties and non-CBD Properties, in each case that are not hotel properties, the aggregate of all Unencumbered Property EBITDA for each such CBD Property and non-CBD Property for the Latest Completed Quarter prior to such date, annualized (i.e., multiplied by four (4)), and capitalized at the applicable Capitalization Rate plus, (2) with respect to CBD Properties and non-CBD Properties, in each case that are hotel properties, the aggregate of all Unencumbered Property EBITDA for each such CBD Property and non-CBD Property for the most recent four (4) consecutive completed fiscal quarters, capitalized at the applicable Capitalization Rate; provided, however, that if the value of a particular property calculated pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above, as applicable, is less than the undepreciated book value of such property determined in accordance with GAAP, such undepreciated book value shall be used in lieu thereof with respect to such property.
"Unencumbered Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period of time, Consolidated EBITDA for such period of time less any portion thereof attributable to assets serving as collateral for Secured Debt.
"Unencumbered Property EBITDA" means, for any period of time, Property EBITDA for such period of time less any portion thereof attributable to assets serving as collateral for Secured Debt.
"Unsecured Debt" means, as of any date, that portion of Total Outstanding Debt as of that date that is neither Secured Debt nor Contingent Liabilities of Boston Properties Limited Partnership and Subsidiaries.
Existence
Except as permitted under the caption "Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets," the indenture requires us to do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect our existence, material rights and material franchises. However, the indenture does not require us to preserve any right or franchise if the board of directors of Boston Properties, Inc. determines that any right or franchise is no longer desirable in the conduct of our business.
Maintenance of Properties
If we determine that it is necessary in order to properly and advantageously carry on our business, the indenture requires us to:
However, the indenture does not prohibit us or our subsidiaries from (i) removing permanently any property that has been condemned or suffered a casualty loss, if it is in our best interest, or (ii) selling or otherwise disposing of our respective properties for value in the ordinary course of business.
Insurance
The indenture requires our insurable properties to be insured against loss or damage in an amount deemed reasonable by the board of directors of Boston Properties, Inc., our sole general partner, with insurers of recognized responsibility.
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Payment of Taxes and Other Claims
The indenture requires us to pay, discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before they become delinquent:
However, we will not be required to pay, discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
Provision of Financial Information
The indenture requires us, within 15 days of each of the respective dates by which we would have been required to file annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents with the SEC, if we were subject to such filing requirements, (1) to mail to all holders of new notes, as their names and addresses appear in the register for the new notes, without cost to such holders, copies of the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents that we would have been required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and (2) file with the trustee copies of the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents that we would have been required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. If filing of such documents by BPLP with the SEC is not permitted under the Exchange Act, we are required to supply, promptly upon written request and payment of the reasonable cost of duplication and delivery, copies of such documents to any prospective holder.
Compliance with the covenants described in this prospectus and with respect to the new notes generally may not be waived by BPLP or by the trustee unless the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding notes consent to such waiver, except that the defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions of the indenture described under the caption "Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance," will apply to the new notes, including with respect to the covenants described in this prospectus.
Optional Redemption
The new notes will be redeemable, at our option, at any time in whole, or from time to time in part at a price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the new notes to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present values as of the date of redemption of the remaining payments of principal and interest that would have been payable in respect of such principal had such redemption not been made (exclusive of any interest accrued and unpaid to the date of redemption) discounted to the date of redemption on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30 day months) at the applicable Treasury Yield plus 25 basis points, plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.
New notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption (the "Redemption Date"). Notices of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each noteholder to be redeemed at its registered address. The notice of redemption for the new notes will state the amount to be redeemed. On and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on any new notes that are redeemed. If less than all the new notes are redeemed at any time, the trustee will select new notes on a pro rata basis or by any other method the trustee deems fair and appropriate.
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For purposes of determining the optional redemption price, the following definitions are applicable:
"Treasury Yield" means, with respect to any Redemption Date applicable to the new notes, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity (computed as of the third business day immediately preceding such Redemption Date) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the applicable Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the new notes that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining terms of the new notes.
"Independent Investment Banker" means J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated or such other independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by us.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (a) the bid price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) at 4:00 P.M. on the third business day preceding such Redemption Date, as set forth on "Telerate Page 500" (or such other page as may replace Telerate Page 500), or (b) if such page (or any successor page) is not displayed or does not contain such bid prices at such time (i) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations obtained by the trustee for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest of four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (ii) if the trustee is unable to obtain at least four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations obtained by the trustee.
"Reference Treasury Dealer" means J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (and their respective successors) or such other primary U.S. government securities dealer appointed by us and three other primary U.S. government securities dealers in New York City selected by the Independent Investment Banker (each, a "Primary Treasury Dealer"); provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, we will substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date for the notes, an average, as determined by the trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue for the new notes (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such Redemption Date.
Except as set forth above, the new notes will not be redeemable by us prior to maturity and will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets
The indenture provides that we may, without the consent of the holders of any outstanding notes, (1) consolidate with, (2) sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of our assets to, or (3) merge with or into, any other entity provided that:
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Events of Default, Notice and Waiver
The indenture provides that the following events are "events of default" with respect to the notes:
If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to any outstanding new notes, then the trustee or the holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the notes will have the right to declare the principal amount of all the notes to be due and payable.
The indenture also provides that the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series or of all debt securities then outstanding under the indenture may on behalf of all holders waive any past default with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default:
The indenture requires the trustee to give notice to the holders of new notes within 90 days of a default unless such default has been cured or waived. However, the trustee may withhold notice if specified responsible officers of the trustee consider such withholding to be in the interest of the holders of new notes. The trustee may not withhold notice of a default in the payment of principal, any premium or interest on any note.
The indenture provides that holders of notes may not institute any proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless the trustee fails to act for a period of 60 days after the trustee has
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received a written request to institute proceedings in respect of an event of default from the holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the outstanding notes, as well as an offer of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee. However, this provision will not prevent any holder of new notes from instituting suit for the enforcement of payment of the principal of, and any premium (or make-whole amount) and interest on, the new notes at the maturity date.
The indenture provides that, subject to provisions in the indenture relating to its duties in the case of a default, the trustee has no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers at the request or direction of any holders of any new notes then outstanding under the indenture, unless the holders have offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series or of all debt securities then outstanding under the indenture shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or of exercising any trust or power conferred upon the trustee. However, the trustee may refuse to follow any direction which:
Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, we will be required to deliver to the trustee a certificate, signed by one of our several specified officers stating whether or not that officer has knowledge of any default under the indenture. If the officer has knowledge of any default, the notice must specify the nature and status of the default.
Modification of the Indenture
The indenture provides that modifications and amendments may be made only with the consent of the affected holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities issued under the indenture. However, no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holders of the notes affected by the modification or amendment:
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The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes may, on behalf of all holders of notes, waive our compliance with material restrictive covenants of the indenture.
BPLP and the trustee may make modifications and amendments to the indenture without the consent of any holder of new notes for any of the following purposes:
Voting
The indenture provides that in determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding notes have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver under the indenture or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of holders of notes, notes owned by us or by any of our affiliates will be disregarded.
The indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the holders of notes. A meeting will be permitted to be called at any time by the trustee, and also, upon request, by us or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes, in any such case upon notice given as provided in the indenture. Except for any consent that must be given by the holder of each note affected by the modifications and amendments of the indenture described above, any resolution presented at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes represented at such meeting.
Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, except as referred to above, any resolution relating to a request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that may be made, given or taken by the holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, of the aggregate
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principal amount of the outstanding notes may be adopted at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present by the affirmative vote of such specified percentage.
Any resolution passed or decision taken at any properly held meeting of holders of notes will be binding on all holders of notes. The quorum at any meeting called to adopt a resolution, and at any reconvened meeting, will be persons holding or representing a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes. However, if any action is to be taken relating to a consent or waiver which may be given by the holders of at least a specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding notes, the persons holding such percentage will constitute a quorum.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the indenture provides that if any action is to be taken at a meeting with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver and other action that the indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities affected by such action, or of the holders of such series and one or more additional series:
Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
The indenture allows us to discharge our obligations to holders of notes when:
The indenture provides that, upon our irrevocable deposit with the trustee, in trust, of an amount of cash or government obligations, or both, which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with the terms of the notes, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of, and any premium (or make-whole amount) and interest on, the notes, on the scheduled due dates therefor, we may elect either:
Notwithstanding the above, we may not elect to defease and be discharged from the obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the new notes, to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen new notes, to maintain an office or agency in respect of the new notes, or to hold monies for payment in trust.
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The indenture only permits us to establish the trust described in the paragraph above if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. Such opinion of counsel, in the case of defeasance, will be required to refer to and be based upon a ruling received from or published by the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable federal income tax law occurring after the date of the indenture. In the event of such defeasance, the holders of the notes would be able to look only to such trust fund for payment of principal, any premium (or make-whole amount), and interest.
When we use the term "government obligations," we mean securities that are:
In the event that (a) we effect covenant defeasance with respect to any debt securities and (b) such debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amount of cash and government obligations on deposit with the trustee, will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the new notes at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the new notes at the time of the acceleration resulting from such event of default. However, we would remain liable to make payments of such amounts due at the time of acceleration.
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The indenture is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely in such state.
No Recourse
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in the indenture or the new notes, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had (i) against Boston Properties, Inc. or any other past, present or future partner in BPLP, (ii) against any other person or entity which owns an interest, directly or indirectly, in any partner of BPLP, or (iii) against any past, present or future shareholder, employee, officer or director, as such, of BPLP or Boston Properties, Inc. or any successor under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise. Each holder of new notes waives and releases all such liability by accepting the new notes. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the new notes.
Book-Entry Settlement and Clearance
The new notes will be evidenced by one or more certificates in registered global form which will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, or "DTC," in New York, New York and registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTC's nominee. Except as set forth below, a global note may be transferred, in whole or in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor to DTC or its nominee.
Book-Entry Procedures for the Global Notes
The descriptions of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream described below are provided solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of these settlement systems and are subject to change by them from time to time. Neither we nor the exchange agent takes any responsibility for these operations or procedures, and investors are urged to contact the relevant system or its participants directly to discuss these matters.
DTC has advised us that it is:
DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry changes to the accounts of its participants, which eliminates the need for physical transfer and delivery of certificates. DTC's participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies, clearing corporations and some other organizations. Indirect access to DTC's system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies. These indirect participants clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant in DTC, either directly or indirectly. Investors who are not DTC participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through
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participants or indirect participants in DTC. We expect that pursuant to procedures established by DTC:
The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. Accordingly, the ability to transfer interests in the new notes represented by a global note to these persons may be limited. In addition, because DTC can act only on behalf of its participants, who in turn act on behalf of persons who hold interests through participants, the ability of a person having an interest in new notes represented by a global note to pledge or transfer that interest to persons or entities that do not participate in DTC's system, or to otherwise take actions in respect of that interest, may be affected by the lack of a physical definitive security in respect of the interest.
So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global note, DTC or the nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the new notes represented by the global note for all purposes under the indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global note:
Accordingly, each holder owning a beneficial interest in a global note must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if the holder is not a participant or an indirect participant in DTC, on the procedures of the DTC participant through which the holder owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder of new notes under the indenture or the global note. We understand that under existing industry practice, if we request any action of holders of new notes, or a holder that is an owner of a beneficial interest in a global note desires to take any action that DTC, as the holder of the global note, is entitled to take, then DTC would authorize its participants to take the action and the participants would authorize holders owning through participants to take the action or would otherwise act upon the instruction of such holders. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of new notes by DTC, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC relating to the new notes.
Payments with respect to the principal of, and interest on, any new notes represented by a global note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee on the applicable record date will be payable by the trustee to or at the direction of DTC or its nominee in its capacity as the registered holder of the global note representing those new notes under the indenture. Under the terms of the indenture, we and the trustee may treat the persons in whose names the new notes, including the global notes, are registered as the owners of the new notes for the purpose of receiving payment on the new notes and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. Accordingly, neither we nor the trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of amounts to owners of beneficial interests in a global note, including principal and interest. Payments by the participants and the indirect participants in DTC to the owners of beneficial interests in a global note will be governed by standing instructions and
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customary industry practice and will be the responsibility of the participants or the indirect participants and DTC. Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC's procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds. Transfers between participants in Euroclear or Clearstream will be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.
Subject to compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the new notes, cross-market transfers between the participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC's rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by its respective depositary. These cross-market transactions, however, will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in that system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines, Brussels time, of that system. If the transaction meets its settlement requirements, Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will deliver instructions to its respective depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant global notes in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC.
Euroclear participants and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositaries for Euroclear or Clearstream. Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or Clearstream participant purchasing an interest in a global note from a participant in DTC will be credited, and any crediting will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream participant, during the securities settlement processing day, which must be a business day for Euroclear and Clearstream, immediately following the settlement date of DTC. Cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of interest in a global note by or through a Euroclear or Clearstream participant to a participant in DTC will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following DTC's settlement date.
Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the above procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the global notes among participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform the procedures, and the procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.
Certificated Notes
New notes in physical, certificated form will be issued and delivered to each person that DTC identifies as a beneficial owner of the related new notes only if:
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UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following discussion summarizes specified United States federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to the exchange of unregistered old notes for registered new notes pursuant to the exchange offer and to the ownership and disposition of the new notes by U.S. and non-U.S. holders, each as defined below, who acquire the new notes in the exchange offer. The following discussion does not purport to be a full description of all United States federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to the exchange offer or to the holding or disposition of the new notes. The discussion of the United States federal income tax considerations below is based on currently existing provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, the applicable Treasury regulations promulgated and proposed under the Internal Revenue Code, judicial decisions and administrative interpretations, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.
This summary does not represent a detailed description of the United States federal income tax consequences to holders of the notes in light of their particular circumstances or status, nor does it address specific tax consequences that may be relevant to particular persons (including, for example, financial institutions, broker-dealers, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, "controlled foreign corporations," "passive foreign investment companies," "foreign person holding companies" or banks whose receipt of interest on the notes is described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, and persons that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar or persons in special situations, such as those who have elected to mark securities to market or those who hold notes as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction or other integrated investment). In addition, this summary does not address U.S. federal alternative minimum tax consequences or consequences under the tax laws of any state, local or foreign jurisdiction. The discussion below assumes that the notes are held as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code.
If a partnership holds the notes, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding the notes, you should consult your tax advisors.
Exchange of Old Notes for New Notes
The exchange of unregistered old notes for registered new notes in the exchange offer will not constitute an exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the exchange offer will not have any U.S. federal income tax consequences to you and you will not recognize gain or loss if you exchange your unregistered old notes for registered new notes.
The new notes will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a continuation of the old notes. Accordingly, a beneficial owner of an old note will have the same adjusted tax basis and holding period in the new note as the owner had in the old note exchanged therefor. In addition, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding and disposing of your registered new notes will be the same as those applicable to your unregistered old notes.
The preceding discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations of the exchange offer is for general information only and is not tax advice. Accordingly, each holder should consult its own tax advisor as to particular tax consequences to it of exchanging unregistered old notes for registered new notes, including the applicability and effect of any state, local or foreign tax laws and of any proposed changes in applicable laws.
Taxation of Holders Who Are U.S. Persons
The discussion in this section applies only to holders of the new notes who are U.S. persons. A U.S. person is a person who is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, to the extent provided in Treasury Regulations, some trusts in existence on August 20, 1996, and treated as U.S. persons prior to this date that elect to continue to be treated as U.S. persons, are also considered U.S. persons.
Stated interest and market discount
You must generally include the interest on the new notes in ordinary income:
You should be aware that the holding and disposition of new notes may be affected by the market discount provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. These rules generally provide that if a holder of a debt instrument purchases it at a market discount and thereafter recognizes gain on a disposition of the debt instrument, including a gift or payment on maturity, the lesser of such gain or appreciation, in the case of a gift, and the portion of the market discount that accrued while the debt instrument was held by such holder will be treated as ordinary interest income at the time of the disposition. For this purpose, a purchase at a market discount includes a purchase after original issuance at a price below the debt instrument's stated principal amount. The market discount rules also provide that a holder who acquires a debt instrument at a market discount and who does not elect to include such market discount in income on a current basis may be required to defer a portion of any interest expense that may otherwise be deductible on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry such debt instrument until the holder disposes of the debt instrument in a taxable transaction.
A holder of a debt instrument acquired at a market discount may elect to include the market discount in income as the discount thereon accrues, either on a straight-line basis or, if elected, on a constant interest rate basis. The current inclusion election, once made, applies to all market discount obligations acquired by such holder on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service, or "IRS." If a holder of a new note elects to include market discount in income in accordance with the preceding sentence, the foregoing rules with respect to the recognition of ordinary income on a sale or particular other dispositions of such new note and the deferral of interest deductions on indebtedness related to such new note would not apply.
Amortizable bond premium
Generally, if the tax basis of an obligation held as a capital asset exceeds the amount payable at maturity of the obligation, such excess may constitute amortizable bond premium that the holder may elect to amortize under the constant interest rate method and deduct the amortized premium over the period from the holder's acquisition date to the obligation's maturity date. A holder who elects to amortize bond premium must reduce the tax basis in the related obligation by the amount of the aggregate deductions allowable for amortizable bond premium.
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The amortizable bond premium deduction is treated as an offset to interest income on the related note for federal income tax purposes. You are urged to consult your tax advisor as to the consequences of the treatment of such premium as an offset to interest income for federal income tax purposes.
Disposition
In general, you will recognize gain or loss upon the sale, exchange, redemption, payment upon maturity or other taxable disposition of a new note. The gain or loss is measured by the difference between (a) the amount of cash and the fair market value of property received and (b) your tax basis in the new note as increased by any market discount previously included in income and decreased by any amortizable bond premium deducted over the term of the new note. However, the amount of cash and the fair market value received excludes cash or other property attributable to the payment of accrued interest not previously included in income, which amount will be taxable as ordinary income. Subject to the market discount and amortizable bond premium rules above, any such gain or loss will generally be long-term capital gain or loss, provided the new note is a capital asset in your hands and you have held the new note for more than one year.
Backup withholding
You may be subject to a 28% backup withholding tax when you receive interest payments on the new note or proceeds upon the sale or other disposition of a new note. Certain holders (including, among others, corporations and certain tax-exempt organizations) are generally not subject to backup withholding. In addition, the 28% backup withholding tax will not apply to you if you provide your taxpayer identification number ("TIN") in the prescribed manner unless:
If the 28% backup withholding tax does apply to you, you may use the amounts withheld as a refund or credit against your United States federal income tax liability as long as you provide certain information to the IRS. A holder of new notes who does not provide us with his current taxpayer identification number may be subject to penalties imposed by the Commissioner of the IRS. Any amount paid as backup withholding will be creditable against your income tax liability.
We will report to you and the IRS the amount of any interest or dividends paid and any amount withheld with respect to the new notes during the calendar year.
Taxation of Holders Who Are Non-U.S. Persons
The discussion in this section applies to holders of the new notes who are not U.S. persons, such as nonresident alien individuals and foreign corporations.
Payments of principal and interest on a new note beneficially owned by you will not be subject to United States federal withholding tax; provided, in the case of interest:
(i) you do not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the capital or profits interest in BPLP;
(ii) you are not a controlled foreign corporation that is related, directly or indirectly, to BPLP or Boston Properties, Inc., and
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(iii) either (x) you provide an IRS Form W-8BEN certifying to the person otherwise required to withhold United States federal income tax from such interest that you are not a U.S. person and provide your name and address, or (y) the certification procedures set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.871-14(c)(2) are otherwise satisfied; or
provided that in each such case, the relevant certification or IRS Form is delivered pursuant to applicable procedures and is properly transmitted to the person otherwise required to withhold United States federal income tax, and none of the persons receiving the relevant certification or IRS Form has actual knowledge that the certification or any statement on the IRS Form is false.
You will not be subject to United States federal withholding tax on any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of a new note unless the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by you in the United States or, in the case of an individual, you are present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year in which the sale, exchange or other disposition occurs and certain other conditions are met.
If you engage in a trade or business in the United States, and if interest on the new note (or gain realized on its sale, exchange or other disposition) is effectively connected with the conduct by you of such trade or business, you will generally be subject to regular United States income tax on such effectively connected income in the same manner as if you were a U.S. person. In addition, if you are a foreign corporation, you may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax (unless reduced or eliminated by an applicable treaty) on your effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to certain adjustments. For purposes of the branch profits tax, interest on, and any gain recognized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of, a new note will be included in your effectively connected earnings and profits if such interest or gain, as the case may be, is effectively connected with the conduct by you of a trade or business in the United States.
You should be aware that if you do not properly provide the required IRS form, or if the IRS form (or, if permissible, a copy of such form) is not properly transmitted to and received by the United States person otherwise required to withhold United States federal income tax, interest on the new note may be subject to United States withholding tax at a 30% rate. Such tax, however, may in certain circumstances be allowed as a refund or as a credit against your United States federal income tax.
Classification of Boston Properties, Inc. as a REIT
In the opinion of our counsel, Goodwin Procter LLP, commencing with Boston Properties, Inc.'s taxable year ended December 31, 1997, Boston Properties, Inc. qualified to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, provided that Boston Properties, Inc. and BPLP operated and continue to operate in accordance with various assumptions and factual representations made by Boston Properties, Inc. and BPLP concerning their business, properties and operations. It must be emphasized that Goodwin Procter LLP's opinion is based on various assumptions and is conditioned upon such assumptions and representations made by Boston Properties, Inc. and BPLP concerning their business and properties. Moreover, such qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon Boston Properties, Inc.'s ability to meet, through actual annual operating results, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership, and various qualification tests imposed under the Internal Revenue Code, the results of which will not be reviewed by Goodwin Procter LLP. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of Boston Properties, Inc.'s operations for any one taxable year will satisfy
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such requirements. Additional information regarding the risks associated with the failure of Boston Properties, Inc. to qualify as a REIT are set forth under the caption "Risk Factors."
The opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP is also based upon existing law as currently applicable, the IRS regulations, currently published administrative positions of the IRS and judicial decisions which are subject to change either prospectively or retroactively. No assurance can be given that any such changes would not modify the conclusions expressed in their opinion. Moreover, unlike a tax ruling (which we will not seek), an opinion of counsel is not binding on the IRS and no assurance can be given that the IRS could not successfully challenge Boston Properties, Inc.'s status as a REIT.
If Boston Properties, Inc. has qualified and continues to qualify for taxation as a REIT, Boston Properties, Inc. generally will not be subject to federal corporate income taxes on that portion of its ordinary income or capital gain that it distributes currently to its shareholders. The REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code generally allow a REIT to deduct dividends paid to its shareholders. This deduction for dividends paid to shareholders substantially eliminates the federal double taxation of investment earnings that C corporations would be required to pay. When we use the term "double taxation," we refer to taxation of corporate income at two levels, taxation at the corporate level when the corporation must pay tax on the income it has earned and taxation again at the shareholder level when the shareholder pays taxes on the distributions received from the corporation's income in the way of dividends.
Even if Boston Properties, Inc. qualifies as a REIT, it will be subject to tax under certain circumstances. For example, it will be subject to a 100 percent tax on its net income from "prohibited transactions," which are generally sales or other dispositions of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. We currently do not expect to owe a material amount of any federal tax. In addition, activities conducted through a taxable REIT subsidiary are subject to tax at regular corporate rates. A taxable REIT subsidiary generally permits a REIT to engage in activities that would produce income not satisfying the REIT gross income tests, described below, or be subject to the 100 percent tax described below.
Requirements for qualification as a REIT
Boston Properties, Inc. elected to be taxable as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for its taxable year ended December 31, 1997. In order to have so qualified, Boston Properties, Inc. must have met and continue to meet the requirements discussed below, relating to its organization, sources of income, nature of assets and distributions of income to shareholders.
Organizational requirements
The Internal Revenue Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association that meets the following conditions:
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value of the outstanding stock, taking into account the applicable attribution rules (the "Five or Fewer Requirement").
In addition, other tests, described below, regarding the nature of income and assets of the REIT also must be satisfied. The Internal Revenue Code provides that conditions (1) through (4), inclusive, must be met during the entire taxable year. Condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months. Conditions (5) and (6) will not apply until after the first taxable year for which an election is made to be taxed as a REIT. For purposes of conditions (5) and (6), pension funds and particular other tax-exempt entities are treated as individuals, subject to an exception in the case of condition (6) that looks through the fund or entity to actual participants of the fund or the entity to its beneficial owners in determining the number of owners of the outstanding stock.
Protection from stock ownership concentration
In order to protect Boston Properties, Inc. from a concentration of ownership of stock that would cause it to fail the Five or Fewer Requirement, Boston Properties, Inc.'s charter provides that stock owned, or deemed to be owned or transferred to a shareholder in excess of certain ownership limits will automatically be converted into Excess Stock (as defined below) and transferred to a charity for resale. The original shareholder is entitled to receive certain proceeds from such a resale. Excess Stock is a separate class of Boston Properties, Inc.'s capital stock that is entitled to no voting rights but shares ratably with the common stock in dividends and rights upon dissolution. Because of the absence of authority on this issue, however, Boston Properties, Inc. cannot assure you that the operation of the Excess Stock or other provisions contained in its charter will, as a matter of law, prevent a concentration of ownership of stock in excess of the applicable ownership limits from causing Boston Properties, Inc. to violate the Five or Fewer Requirement. If there were such a concentration of ownership and the operation of the Excess Stock or other provisions contained in Boston Properties, Inc.'s charter were not held to cure such violation, Boston Properties, Inc. would be disqualified as a REIT. In rendering its opinion that Boston Properties, Inc. is organized in a manner that permits it to qualify as a REIT, Goodwin Procter LLP is relying on Boston Properties, Inc.'s representation that the ownership of its stock (without regard to the Excess Stock provisions) satisfies the Five or Fewer Requirement. Goodwin Procter LLP expresses no opinion as to whether, as a matter of law, the Excess Stock or other provisions contained in Boston Properties, Inc.'s charter preclude it from failing the Five or Fewer Requirement.
Boston Properties, Inc.'s status as a Partner in BPLP
In the case of a REIT that is a partner in a partnership, Treasury Regulations provide that the REIT is deemed to own its proportionate share (based on its interest in partnership capital) of the assets of the partnership and is deemed to be entitled to the income of the partnership attributable to such share. In addition, the character of the assets and gross income of the partnership shall retain the same character in the hands of the REIT for purposes of Section 856 of the Internal Revenue Code, including satisfying the gross income tests and asset tests. Thus, Boston Properties, Inc.'s proportionate share of the assets, liabilities and items of income of BPLP (including BPLP's share of the assets and liabilities and items of income with respect to any partnership in which it holds an interest) are treated as Boston Properties, Inc.'s assets, liabilities and items of income for purposes of applying the requirements described herein.
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Income tests
To maintain qualification as a REIT, two gross income requirements must be satisfied annually:
For purposes of this test, gross income excludes gross income from prohibited transactions.
Boston Properties, Inc. believes that it has satisfied the 75% and 95% income tests for each year beginning with its first taxable year as a REIT. You should be aware, however, that compliance with the income tests involves factual and legal determinations, the resolution of which is not always in Boston Properties, Inc.'s control.
If Boston Properties, Inc. fails to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, Boston Properties, Inc. may still qualify as a REIT for that year if Boston Properties, Inc. is eligible for relief under certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. These relief provisions generally will be available if:
It is not possible, however, to state whether, in all circumstances, Boston Properties, Inc. would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions. For example, if Boston Properties, Inc. fails to satisfy the gross income tests because nonqualifying income that it intentionally incurs exceeds the limits on such income, the IRS could conclude that Boston Properties, Inc.'s failure to satisfy the tests was not due to reasonable cause. Even if these relief provisions apply, a tax would be imposed with respect to the excess income.
Asset tests
At the close of each quarter of Boston Properties, Inc.'s taxable year, it also must satisfy four tests relating to the nature and diversification of its assets:
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The asset test referred to above generally must be met for any quarter in which Boston Properties, Inc. acquires an asset or securities of an issuer. After initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any quarter, Boston Properties, Inc. will not lose its status as a REIT for failure to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a later quarter solely by reason of changes in asset values. If the failure to satisfy the asset tests results from an acquisition during a quarter, the failure can be cured by disposition of sufficient nonqualifying assets within 30 days after the close of that quarter. Boston Properties, Inc. intends to maintain and believes that it has maintained adequate records of the value of Boston Properties, Inc.'s assets to ensure compliance with the asset tests and to take such other actions within 30 days after the close of any quarter as may be required to cure any noncompliance.
Annual distribution requirements
In order to be taxed as a REIT, Boston Properties, Inc. is required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to its shareholders in an amount at least equal to:
Such distribution must be paid in the taxable year to which it relates, or in the following taxable year if declared before Boston Properties, Inc. timely files its federal income tax return for such year and if paid on or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration.
Boston Properties, Inc. believes that it has made and intends to continue to make timely distributions sufficient to satisfy the annual distribution requirements. In this regard, BPLP's partnership agreement authorizes Boston Properties, Inc., as general partner, to take such steps as may be necessary to cause BPLP to distribute to its partners an amount sufficient to permit Boston Properties, Inc. to meet these distribution requirements.
Failure to Qualify
If Boston Properties, Inc. fails to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year and the relief provisions do not apply, Boston Properties, Inc. will be subject to tax on its taxable income at regular corporate rates, including any applicable alternative minimum tax. Distributions to shareholders in any year in which Boston Properties, Inc. fails to qualify will not be deductible by Boston Properties, Inc. nor will they be required to be made. In such event, to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits, all distributions to shareholders will be dividends, taxable as ordinary income, and subject to limitations of the Internal Revenue Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Unless Boston Properties, Inc. is entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, Boston Properties, Inc. also will be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost. It is not possible to state whether in all circumstances Boston Properties, Inc. would be entitled to such statutory relief. For example, if Boston Properties, Inc. fails to satisfy the gross income tests because nonqualifying income that Boston Properties, Inc. intentionally incurs exceeds the limit on such income, the IRS could conclude that Boston Properties, Inc.'s failure to satisfy the tests was not due to reasonable cause.
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Other Tax Consequences
Boston Properties, Inc., BPLP, and holders of notes may be subject to foreign, state, or local taxation in various foreign, state, or local jurisdictions, including those in which we or they own property, transact business, or reside. The foreign, state, and local tax treatment of us and holders of notes may not conform to the federal income tax consequences discussed above. Consequently, you should consult your own tax advisors regarding the effect of foreign, state, and local tax laws on an investment in the notes.
Based on interpretations by the SEC staff set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, including the Exxon Capital and Morgan Stanley letters and similar letters, BPLP believes that the new notes to be issued pursuant to the exchange offer in exchange for old notes may be offered for resale, resold, and otherwise transferred by any holder thereof (other than any holder which is an "affiliate" of BPLP within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that the new notes are acquired in the ordinary course of the holder's business and the holder has no arrangement with any person to participate in the distribution of the new notes. Accordingly, any holder using the exchange offer to participate in a distribution of the new notes will not be able to rely on these no-action letters. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of those new notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of new notes received in exchange for old notes where those old notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. For a period of up to 180 days after the expiration date, BPLP will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests these documents in the letter of transmittal. Any broker-dealer who acquired old notes from the issuer may not rely on interpretations of the staff of the SEC to the foregoing effect and must instead comply with the registration requirements and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act (including being named a selling securityholder) in order to resell the old notes or the new notes.
BPLP will not receive any proceeds from any sales of the new notes by broker-dealers. New notes received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the new notes or a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Any resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any new notes. Any broker-dealer that resells the new notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of the new notes may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any profit on any such resale of the new notes and any commissions or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
For a period of 180 days after the expiration date, we will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in the letter of transmittal. We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the exchange offer, other than commissions or concessions of any broker dealers, and will indemnify the holders of the new notes (including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
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The validity of the new notes will be passed upon for us by Goodwin Procter LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. Gilbert G. Menna, the sole stockholder of Gilbert G. Menna, P.C., a partner of Goodwin Procter LLP, serves as one of Boston Properties, Inc.'s Assistant Secretaries. Certain partners of Goodwin Procter LLP, together own approximately 20,000 shares of Boston Properties, Inc.'s common stock.
The audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2002 incorporated in this prospectus by reference to Boston Properties Limited Partnership's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 13, 2003 and the combined statement of revenue over certain operating expenses of 399 Park Avenue for the year ended December 31, 2001 incorporated in this prospectus by reference to Boston Properties Limited Partnership's Form 10 filed on March 6, 2003, including all amendments through May 13, 2003, have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 20. Indemnification of Officers and Directors
We are managed by Boston Properties, Inc., which serves as our sole general partner.
Boston Properties, Inc.'s certificate of incorporation generally limits the liability of its directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, as it now exists or may in the future be amended. The Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents and expressly provides that the indemnification provided for under the Delaware General Corporation Law shall not be deemed exclusive of any indemnification right under any bylaw, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. Delaware law permits indemnification against expenses and certain other liabilities arising out of legal actions brought or threatened against such persons for their conduct on behalf of a corporation, provided that each such person acted in good faith and in a manner that he or she reasonably believed was in or not opposed to the corporation's best interests and, in the case of a criminal proceeding, provided such person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Delaware law does not allow indemnification of directors in the case of an action by or in the right of a corporation unless the directors successfully defend the action or indemnification is ordered by the court.
Boston Properties, Inc.'s bylaws provide that its directors and officers will be, and, in the discretion of its board of directors, non-officer employees may be, indemnified by Boston Properties, Inc. to the fullest extent authorized by Delaware law, as it now exists or may in the future be amended, against all expenses and liabilities actually and reasonably incurred in connection with service for or on behalf of Boston Properties, Inc. The bylaws of Boston Properties, Inc. also provide that the right of directors and officers to indemnification shall be a contract right and shall not be exclusive of any other right now possessed or hereafter acquired under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders, or otherwise.
The certificate of incorporation of Boston Properties, Inc. contains a provision permitted by Delaware law that generally eliminates the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for breaches of their fiduciary duty, including breaches involving negligence or gross negligence in business combinations, unless the director has breached his or her duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, paid a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of the Delaware General Corporation Law or obtained an improper personal benefit. This provision does not alter a director's liability under the federal securities laws. In addition, this provision does not affect the availability of equitable remedies, such as an injunction or rescission, for breach of fiduciary duty.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling Boston Properties, Inc. pursuant to the foregoing provisions, Boston Properties, Inc. has been informed that in the opinion of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is therefore unenforceable.
Boston Properties, Inc. has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements require, among other things, that Boston Properties, Inc. indemnify its directors and executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by law and advance to its directors and executive officers all related expenses, subject to reimbursement if it is subsequently determined that indemnification is not permitted. Under these agreements, Boston Properties, Inc. must also indemnify and advance all expenses incurred by its directors and executive officers seeking to enforce their rights under the indemnification agreements and cover its directors and executive officers under the Boston Properties, Inc. directors' and officers' liability insurance. Although the form of indemnification agreement offers substantially the same scope of coverage afforded by
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Boston Properties, Inc.'s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, it provides greater assurance to the directors and executive officers of Boston Properties, Inc. that indemnification will be available, because, as a contract, it cannot be modified unilaterally in the future by Boston Properties, Inc.'s board of directors or by its stockholders to eliminate the rights it provides.
Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Exhibit No. |
Exhibit Description |
|
---|---|---|
3.1 | Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Boston Properties Limited Partnership dated as of June 29, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Boston Properties Limited Partnership Form 10 filed March 6, 2003) | |
4.1 |
Indenture dated as of December 13, 2002 by and between Boston Properties Limited Partnership and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K/A filed by Boston Properties, Inc. on December 13, 2002) |
|
4.2 |
Supplemental Indenture No. 4 dated as of May 22, 2003 by and between Boston Properties Limited Partnership and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, including a form of the 5.00% Senior Note due 2015 |
|
5.1 |
Opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP, as to the legality of the securities |
|
8.1 |
Opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP, as to certain tax matters |
|
12.1 |
Computation of Consolidated Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges |
|
21.1 |
Subsidiaries of the registrant (filed as Exhibit 21.1 to the Boston Properties Limited Partnership Form 10 filed March 6, 2003) |
|
23.1 |
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
|
23.2 |
Consent of Goodwin Procter LLP (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1) |
|
24.1 |
Power of Attorney (included in signature pages of the Registration Statement) |
|
25.1 |
Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York |
|
99.1 |
Form of Letter of Transmittal (with accompanying Substitute Form W-9 and related Guidelines |
|
99.2 |
Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery |
|
99.3 |
Form of Letter to Registered Holders and DTC participants |
|
99.4 |
Form of Letter from Registered Holders to Clients |
Item 22. Undertakings
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
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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 SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(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 of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the 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 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 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request.
(e) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has duly caused this registration statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the 13th day of June, 2003.
BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP |
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By: |
Boston Properties, Inc., its General Partner |
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By: |
/s/ EDWARD H. LINDE Edward H. Linde President and Chief Executive Officer |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENT, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Mortimer B. Zuckerman, Edward H. Linde and Douglas T. Linde as such person's true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person in such person's name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement (or any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that any said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following person in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Signature |
Title |
Date |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
/s/ MORTIMER B. ZUCKERMAN Mortimer B. Zuckerman |
Chairman of the Board of Directors | June 13, 2003 | ||
/s/ EDWARD H. LINDE Edward H. Linde |
President and Chief Executive Officer, Director (Principal Executive Officer) |
June 13, 2003 |
||
/s/ DOUGLAS T. LINDE Douglas T. Linde |
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
June 13, 2003 |
||
/s/ ALAN J. PATRICOF Alan J. Patricof |
Director |
June 13, 2003 |
||
II-4
Martin Turchin |
Director |
June , 2003 |
||
Alan B. Landis |
Director |
June , 2003 |
||
/s/ RICHARD E. SALOMON Richard E. Salomon |
Director |
June 13, 2003 |
||
/s/ LAWRENCE S. BACOW Lawrence S. Bacow |
Director |
June 13, 2003 |
||
/s/ WILLIAM M. DALEY William M. Daley |
Director |
June 13, 2003 |
||
/s/ DAVID A. TWARDOCK David A. Twardock |
Director |
June 13, 2003 |
II-5
Exhibit No. |
Exhibit Description |
|
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3.1 | Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Boston Properties Limited Partnership dated as of June 29, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Boston Properties Limited Partnership Form 10 filed March 6, 2003) | |
4.1 |
Indenture dated as of December 13, 2002 by and between Boston Properties Limited Partnership and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K/A filed by Boston Properties, Inc. on December 13, 2002) |
|
4.2 |
Supplemental Indenture No. 4 dated as of May 22, 2003 by and between Boston Properties Limited Partnership and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, including a form of the 5.00% Senior Note due 2015 |
|
5.1 |
Opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP, as to the legality of the securities |
|
8.1 |
Opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP, as to certain tax matters |
|
12.1 |
Computation of Consolidated Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges |
|
21.1 |
Subsidiaries of the registrant (filed as Exhibit 21.1 to the Boston Properties Limited Partnership Form 10 filed March 6, 2003) |
|
23.1 |
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
|
23.2 |
Consent of Goodwin Procter LLP (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1) |
|
24.1 |
Power of Attorney (included in signature pages of the Registration Statement) |
|
25.1 |
Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York |
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99.1 |
Form of Letter of Transmittal (with accompanying Substitute Form W-9 and related Guidelines |
|
99.2 |
Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery |
|
99.3 |
Form of Letter to Registered Holders and DTC Participants |
|
99.4 |
Form of Letter from Registered Holders to Clients |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXHIBIT 4.2
BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ISSUER
to
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
TRUSTEE
Supplemental Indenture No. 4
Dated as of May 22, 2003
$250,000,000
of
5.00% Senior Notes due 2015
THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 4, dated as of May 22, 2003 (the "Fourth Supplemental Indenture"), between BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a limited partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the "Company"), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (herein called the "Trustee").
The Company has heretofore delivered to the Trustee an Indenture dated as of December 13, 2002 (the "Senior Indenture"), providing for the issuance by the Company from time to time of its senior debt securities evidencing its unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness (the "Securities").
Section 3.01 of the Senior Indenture provides for various matters with respect to any series of Securities issued under the Senior Indenture to be established in an indenture supplemental to the Senior Indenture.
Section 9.01(7) of the Senior Indenture provides for the Company and the Trustee to enter into an indenture supplemental to the Senior Indenture to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as provided by Sections 2.01 and 3.01 of the Senior Indenture.
The Board of Directors of Boston Properties, Inc., the general partner of the Company, has duly adopted resolutions authorizing the Company to execute and deliver this Fourth Supplemental Indenture.
All of the conditions and requirements necessary to make this Fourth Supplemental Indenture, when duly executed and delivered, a valid and binding agreement in accordance with its terms and for the purposes herein expressed, have been performed and fulfilled.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the series of Securities provided for herein by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of Securities of such series, as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
RELATION TO SENIOR INDENTURE; DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1. Relation to Senior Indenture.
This Fourth Supplemental Indenture constitutes an integral part of the Senior Indenture.
For all purposes of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided for or unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Senior Indenture; and
(2) All references herein to Articles and Sections, unless otherwise specified, refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture.
"Additional Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d) hereof.
"Annualized Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any quarter, the product of Consolidated EBITDA for such period of time multiplied by four (4), provided that any non-recurring item that is an expense shall be added back to net income in determining such Consolidated EBITDA before such multiplication and deducted once from such product, and further provided that any non-recurring item that is income shall be added to such product once and shall not be multiplied by four.
"Annualized Interest Expense" means, for any quarter, the Interest Expense for that quarter multiplied by four (4).
"Another Person's Share" means, in connection with the defined term "Contingent Liabilities of Boston Properties Limited Partnership and Subsidiaries", (1) the aggregate direct and indirect interests of each Person other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the equity capital of the applicable Partially-Owned Entity, calculated by subtracting from 100% the Percentage Interest with respect to such Partially-Owned Entity, or (2) in the case of reimbursement owed to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by a third party in respect of payment made under a guaranty, the amount to be reimbursed to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by such third party.
"Applicable Procedures" means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, that apply to such transfer or exchange.
"Capitalization Rate" means: (i) 9.0% for properties other than the CBD Properties, and (ii) 8.5% for properties which are CBD Properties.
"Capitalized Property Value" means, as of any date, the sum of (1) with respect to CBD Properties and non-CBD Properties, in each case that are not hotel properties, the aggregate sum of all Property EBITDA for each such CBD Property and non-CBD Property for the Latest Completed Quarter prior to such date, annualized (i.e., multiplied by four (4)), and capitalized at the applicable Capitalization Rate plus (2) with respect to CBD Properties and non-CBD Properties, in each case that are hotel properties, the aggregate sum of all Property EBITDA for each such CBD Property and non-CBD Property for the most recent four (4) consecutive completed fiscal quarters, capitalized at the applicable Capitalization Rate; provided, however, that if the value of a particular property calculated pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above, as applicable, is less than the undepreciated book value of such property, as determined in accordance with GAAP, such undepreciated book value shall be used in lieu thereof with respect to such property.
"CBD Properties" means each of the properties set forth on Schedule A attached hereto, together with each additional property which is, from time to time, designated by the Company as a CBD Property in accordance with Section 2.19 hereof.
"CBD Markets" means each of the markets set forth on Schedule B attached hereto.
"Closing Date" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Notes that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such Notes.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (a) the bid price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) at 4:00 P.M. on the third business day preceding such Redemption Date, as set forth on "Telerate Page 500" (or such other page as may replace Telerate Page 500), or (b) if such page (or any successor page) is not displayed or does not contain such bid prices at such time (i) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations obtained by the Trustee for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest of four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (ii) if the Trustee is unable to obtain at least four such Reference Treasury Dealers Quotations, the average of all Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations obtained by the Trustee.
"Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period of time, without duplication (1) net income (loss), excluding net derivative gains and gains (losses) on dispositions of real estate, before deductions for (i) Interest Expense, (ii) taxes, (iii) depreciation, amortization, net derivative losses and all other
2
non-cash items, as determined in good faith by the Company, deducted in arriving at net income (loss), (iv) extraordinary items, (v) non-recurring items, as determined in good faith by the Company (including prepayment penalties), and (vi) minority interest, of the Company and its Subsidiaries; plus (2) the product of (A) net income (loss), excluding net derivative gains and gains (losses) on dispositions of real estate, before deductions for (i) interest expense, (ii) taxes, (iii) depreciation, amortization, net derivative losses and all other non-cash items, as determined in good faith by the Company, deducted in arriving at net income (loss), (iv) extraordinary items, and (v) non-recurring items, as determined in good faith by the Company (including prepayment penalties), of Partially-Owned Entities, multiplied by (B) the Company's and its Subsidiaries' percentage share of such Partially-Owned Entities; minus (3) the Company's income (loss) from Partially-Owned Entities. In each of cases (1), (2) and (3) for such period, amounts shall be as reasonably determined by the Company in accordance with GAAP, except to the extent GAAP is not applicable with respect to the determination of all non-cash and non-recurring items. Consolidated EBITDA shall be adjusted, without duplication, to give pro forma effect: (x) in the case of any assets having been placed-in-service or removed from service since the beginning of the period and on or prior to the date of determination, to include or exclude, as the case may be, any Consolidated EBITDA earned or eliminated as a result of the placement of such assets in service or removal of such assets from service as if the placement of such assets in service or removal of such assets from service occurred at the beginning of the period; and (y) in the case of any acquisition or disposition of any asset or group of assets since the beginning of the period and on or prior to the date of determination, including, without limitation, by merger, or stock or asset purchase or sale, to include or exclude, as the case may be, any Consolidated EBITDA earned or eliminated as a result of the acquisition or disposition of those assets as if the acquisition or disposition occurred at the beginning of the period.
"Consolidated Financial Statements" means, with respect to any Person, collectively, the consolidated financial statements and notes to those financial statements, of that Person and its subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of this definition, if as of any date or for any period actual consolidated financial statements of any Person have not been prepared, then this term shall include the books and records of that Person ordinarily used in the preparation of such financial statements.
"Contingent Liabilities of Boston Properties Limited Partnership and Subsidiaries" means, as of any date, without duplication, those liabilities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries consisting of indebtedness for borrowed money, as determined in accordance with GAAP, that are or would be stated and quantified as contingent liabilities in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company as of that date; provided, however, that Contingent Liabilities of Boston Properties Limited Partnership and Subsidiaries shall exclude Another Person's Share of Duplicated Obligations.
"Debt" means, as of any date, without duplication, (1) in the case of the Company, all indebtedness and liabilities for borrowed money, secured or unsecured, of the Company, including the Notes to the extent outstanding from time to time; (2) in the case of the Company's Subsidiaries, all indebtedness and liabilities for borrowed money, secured or unsecured, of the Subsidiaries, including in each of cases (1) and (2) mortgage and other notes payable, but excluding in each of cases (1) and (2) any indebtedness, including mortgages and other notes payable, which is secured by cash, cash equivalents or marketable securities or defeased (it being understood that cash collateral shall be deemed to include cash deposited with a trustee with respect to third party indebtedness; provided that such trustee holds such cash for not more than 60 days from the date of deposit); and (3) all Contingent Liabilities of Boston Properties Limited Partnership and Subsidiaries. It is understood that Debt shall not include any redeemable equity interest in the Company.
"Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 2.3 hereof.
3
"Definitive Note" means a certificated Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto, registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof, except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend.
"Depositary" has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.9(a) hereof.
"Duplicated Obligations" means, as of any date, collectively, all those payment guaranties in respect of indebtedness and other liabilities, secured or unsecured, of Partially-Owned Entities, including mortgage and other notes payable, for which (1) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and another Person or Persons, on the other hand, are jointly and severally liable or (2) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are entitled to reimbursement in respect of payment under such guaranties from another Person or Persons.
"Exchange Notes" means the debt securities of the Company to be offered to Holders in exchange for Initial Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer or otherwise pursuant to a registration of debt securities containing terms identical in all material respects to the Notes for which they are exchanged.
"Exchange Offer" means the exchange offer by the Company of Exchange Notes for Initial Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.
"Exchange Offer Registration Statement" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently applied, as in effect from time to time.
"Global Notes" means, individually or collectively, any of the Notes issued as Global Securities under the Senior Indenture.
"Global Note Legend" means the legend set forth in Section 2.03 of the Senior Indenture, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under the Senior Indenture.
"Holders" has the meaning specified in Section 2.3 hereof.
"Incur" means, with respect to any Debt or other obligation of any Person, to create, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect of the Debt or other obligation, and "Incurrence" and "Incurred" have the meanings correlative to the foregoing.
"Independent Investment Banker" means J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated or such other independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the Company.
"Indirect Participant" means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.
"Initial Notes" means the Notes issued under this Fourth Supplemental Indenture which are not Exchange Notes.
"Initial Purchasers" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.
"Intercompany Debt" means, as of any date, Debt to which the only parties are Boston Properties, the Company, any Subsidiary of either of them as of that date or any Partially-Owned Entity.
"Interest Expense" means, for any period of time, the aggregate amount of interest recorded in accordance with GAAP for such period of time by the Company and its Subsidiaries, but excluding: (i) interest reserves funded from the proceeds of any loan and (ii) amortization of deferred financing costs; and including, without duplication: (A) effective interest in respect of original issue discount as determined in accordance with GAAP; and (B) without limitation or duplication, the interest expense (determined as provided above) of Partially-Owned Entities, multiplied by the Company's Percentage
4
Interest of the Partially-Owned Entity Outstanding Debt in such Partially-Owned Entities, in all cases as reflected in the applicable Consolidated Financial Statements.
"Interest Payment Date" has the meaning specified in Section 2.3 hereof.
"Latest Completed Quarter" means the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company for which Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company have been completed, it being understood that at any time when the Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and in accordance therewith files annual and quarterly reports with the Commission, the term "Latest Completed Quarter" shall be deemed to refer to the fiscal quarter covered by the Company's most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or, in the case of the last fiscal quarter of the year, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.
"Letter Of Transmittal" means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Company and sent to all Holders of the Notes for use by such Holders in connection with the Exchange Offer.
"Lien" means, without duplication, any lien, mortgage, trust deed, deed of trust, deed to secure debt, pledge, security interest, assignment for collateral purposes, deposit arrangement, or other security agreement, excluding any right of setoff but including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, and any other like agreement granting or conveying a security interest; provided, that for purposes hereof, "Lien" shall not include any mortgage that has been defeased by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Partially-Owned Entities in accordance with the provisions thereof through the deposit of cash, cash equivalents or marketable securities (it being understood that cash collateral shall be deemed to include cash deposited with a trustee with respect to third party indebtedness).
"Non-U.S. Person" means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.
"Notes" has the meaning specified in Section 2.1 hereof. For all purposes of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture, the term "Notes" shall include the Initial Notes and any Exchange Notes to be issued and exchanged for any Initial Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and this Fourth Supplemental Indenture and, for purposes of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture, all Initial Notes and Exchange Notes shall vote together as one series of Notes under the Senior Indenture.
"Partially-Owned Entity" means, at any time, any of the partnerships, associations, corporations, limited liability companies, trusts, joint ventures or other business entities in which the Company, directly, or indirectly through full or partial ownership of another entity, owns an equity interest, but which is not required in accordance with GAAP to be consolidated with the Company for financial reporting purposes.
"Partially-Owned Entity Outstanding Debt" means, as of any date, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding indebtedness and liabilities for borrowed money, secured or unsecured, of the applicable Partially-Owned Entity, including mortgage and other notes payable but excluding any indebtedness which is secured by cash, cash equivalents or marketable securities or defeased (it being understood that cash collateral shall be deemed to include cash deposited with a trustee with respect to third party indebtedness), all as reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements of such Partially-Owned Entity as of such date.
"Participant" means, with respect to Euroclear, Clearstream or the Depositary, a Person who has an account with Euroclear, Clearstream or the Depositary, as the case may be (and, with respect to The Depository Trust Company, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).
"Participating Broker-Dealer" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.
5
"Percentage Interest" means, with respect to a Partially-Owned Entity, the Company's direct or indirect interest in the equity capital of such entity without giving effect to any incentive or performance-based sharing in the entity's cash flow from operations or proceeds from capital transactions in excess of such equity interest.
"Property EBITDA" means for any property, CBD Property or non-CBD Property, for any period of time, without duplication, (1) if the property is owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the net income (loss) derived from such property, excluding net derivative gains and gains (losses) on dispositions of real estate, before deductions for (i) Interest Expense, (ii) taxes, (iii) depreciation, amortization, net derivative losses and all other non-cash items, as determined in good faith by the Company, deducted in arriving at net income (loss), (iv) extraordinary items, (v) non-recurring items, as determined in good faith by the Company (including prepayment penalties), and (vi) minority interest, and (2) if the property is owned by a Partially-Owned Entity, the product of (A) net income (loss) derived from such property, excluding net derivative gains and gains (losses) on dispositions of real estate, before deductions for (i) interest expense, (ii) taxes, (iii) depreciation, amortization, net derivative losses and all other non-cash items, as determined in good faith by the Company, deducted in arriving at net income (loss), (iv) extraordinary items, and (v) non-recurring items, as determined in good faith by the Company (including prepayment penalties), multiplied by (B) the Company's and its Subsidiaries' percentage share of such Partially-Owned Entity. In each of cases (1) and (2) for such period, amounts shall be as reasonably determined by the Company in accordance with GAAP, except to the extent GAAP is not applicable with respect to the determination of all non-cash and non-recurring items. Property EBITDA shall be adjusted, without duplication, to give pro forma effect: (x) in the case of any assets having been placed-in-service or removed from service since the beginning of the period and on or prior to the date of determination, to include or exclude, as the case may be, any Property EBITDA earned or eliminated as a result of the placement of such assets in service or removal of such assets from service as if the placement of such assets in service or removal of such assets from service occurred at the beginning of the period; and (y) in the case of any acquisition or disposition of any asset or group of assets since the beginning of the period and on or prior to the date of determination, including, without limitation, by merger, or stock or asset purchase or sale, to include or exclude, as the case may be, any Property EBITDA earned or eliminated as a result of the acquisition or disposition of those assets as if the acquisition or disposition occurred at the beginning of the period. For purposes of this definition, in the case of (1) and (2) above, Property EBITDA shall exclude general and administrative expenses as reflected in the Company's audited year-end Consolidated Financial Statements or reviewed interim Consolidated Financial Statements available for the Latest Completed Quarter or the most recent four (4) consecutive completed fiscal quarters, as applicable.
"QIB" means a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A.
"Qualified Person" means a "qualified person" within the meaning of Code Section 49(a)(1)(D)(iv).
"Reference Treasury Dealer" means, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (and their respective successors) or such other primary U.S. Government securities dealer appointed by the Company and three other primary U.S. Government securities dealers in New York City selected by the Independent Investment Banker (each, a "Primary Treasury Dealer"); provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date for the Notes, an average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue for the Notes (expressed in each case as a percentage of its
6
principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such Redemption Date.
"Registrable Securities" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.
"Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2003, among the Company and the Initial Purchasers.
"Regular Record Date" has the meaning specified in Section 2.3 hereof.
"Regulation S Global Note" means a Global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the legend in Section 2.11(f)(i) hereof and deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.
"Restricted Definitive Note" means a Definitive Note bearing the Restricted Legend.
"Restricted Legend" means the legend initially set forth on the Initial Notes in the form set forth in Section 2.11(f)(ii).
"Restricted Period" means the period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the later of July 1, 2003 and the completion of the distribution of the Notes by the Initial Purchasers.
"Rule 144" means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, any successor rule or regulation to substantially the same effect or any additional rule or regulation under the Securities Act that permits transfers of restricted securities without registration such that the transferee thereof holds securities that are freely tradeable under the Securities Act.
"Rule 144A" means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act or any successor rule or regulation to substantially the same effect.
"Rule 144A Global Note" means a Global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Restricted Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee.
"Rule 903" means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act or any successor rule or regulation substantially to the same effect.
"Rule 904" means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act or any successor rule or regulation substantially to the same effect.
"Secured Debt" means, as of any date, that portion of Total Outstanding Debt as of that date that is secured by a Lien on properties or other assets of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Partially-Owned Entities.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
"Shelf Registration Statement" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.
"Special Record Date" has the meaning specified in Section 2.3 hereof.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, a corporation, partnership association, joint venture, trust, limited liability company or other business entity which is required to be consolidated with the Company or Boston Properties in accordance with GAAP.
7
"Target Filing Date" has the meaning specified in Section 2.3 hereof.
"Target Registration Date" has the meaning specified in Section 2.3 hereof.
"Total Assets" means, with respect to any Incurrence of Debt or Secured Debt, as of any date, in each case as determined by the Company without duplication, the sum of: (1) Capitalized Property Value; (2) cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of the Company and its Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP; (3) with respect to notes receivable and mortgages, the lesser of (i) the aggregate amount of principal under such note or mortgage that will be due and payable to the Company or its Subsidiaries and (ii) the purchase price paid by the Company or its Subsidiaries to acquire such note or mortgage; (4) with respect to real estate assets which are undeveloped land, the book value thereof in accordance with GAAP; (5) without duplication, the cost basis of properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries that are under development, determined in accordance with GAAP, as of the end of the quarterly period used for purposes of clause (1) above; (6) without duplication, the proceeds of the Debt or Secured Debt or the assets to be acquired in exchange for such proceeds, as the case may be, other than Intercompany Debt, Incurred from the end of the Latest Completed Quarter prior to the Incurrence of the Debt or Secured Debt, as the case may be, to the date of determination; and (7) the Company's and its Subsidiaries' percentage share of Partially-Owned Entities' assets described in clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) above.
"Total Outstanding Debt" means, as of any date, the sum, without duplication, of (1) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Debt of the Company as of that date; (2) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Debt of the Company's Subsidiaries, all as of that date; and (3) the sum of the aggregate principal amount of all Partially-Owned Entity Outstanding Debt of each of the Partially-Owned Entities multiplied by the Company's respective Percentage Interest in such Partially-Owned Entity as of that date.
"Treasury Yield" means, with respect to any Redemption Date applicable to the Notes, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity (computed as of the third business day immediately preceding such Redemption Date) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the applicable Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date.
"Unencumbered Assets" means, as of any date, in each case as determined by the Company without duplication, the sum of: (1) Unencumbered Capitalized Property Value; (2) cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than restricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities pledged to secure Debt, determined in accordance with GAAP; (3) with respect to notes receivable and mortgages, the lesser of (i) the aggregate amount of principal under such note or mortgage that will be due and payable to the Company or its Subsidiaries and (ii) the purchase price paid by the Company or its Subsidiaries to acquire such note or mortgage, except any notes receivable or mortgages that are serving as collateral for Secured Debt; (4) with respect to real estate assets which are undeveloped land, the book value thereof in accordance with GAAP, except any land that is serving as collateral for Secured Debt; (5) without duplication, the cost basis of properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries that are under development, determined in accordance with GAAP, as of the end of the quarterly period used for purposes of clause (1) above, except any properties that are serving as collateral for Secured Debt; (6) without duplication, the proceeds of the Debt or Secured Debt or the assets to be acquired in exchange for such proceeds, as the case may be, other than Intercompany Debt, Incurred from the end of the Latest Completed Quarter prior to such date to the date of determination, except in each case any proceeds or assets that are serving as collateral for Secured Debt; and (7) the Company's and its Subsidiaries' percentage share, of Partially-Owned Entities' assets described in clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) above. For the avoidance of doubt, cash held by a "qualified intermediary" in connection with proposed like-kind exchanges pursuant to Section 1031 of the Code which may be classified as "restricted" for GAAP purposes shall
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nonetheless be included in clause (2) above, so long as the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has the right to (i) direct the qualified intermediary to return such cash to the Company or such Subsidiary if and when the Company or such Subsidiary fails to identify or acquire the proposed like-kind property or at the end of the 180-day replacement period or (ii) direct the qualified intermediary to use such cash to acquire like-kind property.
"Unencumbered Capitalized Property Value" means, as of any date, the sum of (1) with respect to CBD Properties and non-CBD Properties, in each case that are not hotel properties, the aggregate of all Unencumbered Property EBITDA for each such CBD Property and non-CBD Property for the Latest Completed Quarter prior to such date, annualized (i.e., multiplied by four (4)), and capitalized at the applicable Capitalization Rate plus,(2) with respect to CBD Properties and non-CBD Properties, in each case that are hotel properties, the aggregate of all Unencumbered Property EBITDA for each such CBD Property and non-CBD Property for the most recent four (4) consecutive complete fiscal quarters, capitalized at the applicable Capitalization Rate; provided, however, that if the value of a particular property calculated pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above, as applicable, is less than the undepreciated book value of such property determined in accordance with GAAP, such undepreciated book value shall be used in lieu thereof with respect to such property.
"Unencumbered Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period of time, Consolidated EBITDA for such period of time less any portion thereof attributable to assets serving as collateral for Secured Debt.
"Unencumbered Property EBITDA" means, for any period of time, Property EBITDA for such period of time less any portion thereof attributable to assets serving as collateral for Secured Debt.
"Unrestricted Global Note" means a Global Note (other than a Regulation S Global Note) in the form of Exhibit A hereto that bears the Global Note Legend, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, but that does not bear and is not required to bear the Restricted Legend.
"Unrestricted Definitive Note" means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Restricted Legend.
"Unsecured Debt" means, as of any date, that portion of Total Outstanding Debt as of that date that is neither Secured Debt nor Contingent Liabilities of Boston Properties Limited Partnership and Subsidiaries.
"U.S. Person" means a "U.S. Person" as defined in Rule 902(k) under the Securities Act.
SECTION 2.1. Title of the Securities.
There shall be a series of Securities designated the "5.00% Senior Notes due 2015" (the "Notes").
SECTION 2.2. Limitation on Initial Aggregate Principal Amount; Further Issuances.
The aggregate principal amount of the Notes initially shall be limited to $250,000,000. The Company may, from time to time, subject to Section 2.4 of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture and applicable law, create and issue additional Notes under this Fourth Supplemental Indenture ranking equally and ratably with the outstanding Notes in all respects (or in all respects except for the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such additional Notes or except for the first payment of interest following the issue date of such additional Notes) without notice to or the consent of the Holders of outstanding Notes. The initially issued Notes and any additional Notes subsequently issued shall be consolidated and form a single series with the outstanding Notes for all purposes of this Fourth
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Supplemental Indenture and shall have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the outstanding Notes. Any such additional Notes referred to in this Section 2.2 will be issued under a further supplemental indenture.
Nothing contained in this Section 2.2 or elsewhere in this Fourth Supplemental Indenture, or in the Notes, is intended to or shall limit execution by the Company or authentication or delivery by the Trustee of Notes under the circumstances contemplated by Sections 3.03, 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 9.06, 11.07 and 13.05 of the Senior Indenture.
SECTION 2.3. Interest and Interest Rates; Maturity Date of Notes.
(a) The Notes shall bear interest at 5.00% per annum from May 22, 2003 or from the immediately preceding Interest Payment Date (as defined below) to which interest has been paid, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing December 1, 2003 (each, an "Interest Payment Date"), to the persons (the "Holders") in whose name the applicable Notes are registered in the Security Register at the close of business 15 calendar days prior to such Interest Payment Date (i.e., May 17 and November 16, respectively) (regardless of whether such day is a Business Day, as defined below), as the case may be (each, a "Regular Record Date"). Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. Interest, if any, not punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date with respect to a Note ("Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the applicable Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the person in whose name such Note is registered at the close of business on a special record date (the "Special Record Date") for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice of which shall be given to the Holder of such Note not less than ten days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner, as more particularly described in the Senior Indenture.
(b) If any Interest Payment Date or Maturity falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment shall be made on the next Business Day as if it were made on the date such payment was due and no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date or Maturity, as the case may be.
(c) The Notes shall mature on June 1, 2015.
(d) In the event that the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement, if required pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, has not been filed on or prior to the date which is 90 days after the Closing Date (the "Target Filing Date"), the Company shall pay additional interest (in addition to interest otherwise due on the Notes as provided herein) ("Additional Interest") to each Holder at a per annum rate equal to 0.25% from the Target Filing Date up to but excluding the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement, if required pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, is filed. In the event that either (i) the Exchange Offer has not been completed on or prior to the date which is 210 days after the Closing Date (the "Target Registration Date") or (ii) the Shelf Registration Statement, if required pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the Target Registration Date, the Company shall pay Additional Interest to each Holder at a per annum rate equal to 0.25% from the Target Registration Date up to but excluding the date on which the Exchange Offer is completed or the Shelf Registration Statement, if required pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, is declared effective by the SEC. In the event that either (x) the Exchange Offer has not been completed on or prior to the date which is 300 days after the Closing Date (the "Extended Registration Date") or (y) the Shelf Registration Statement, if required pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the Extended Registration Date, the Company shall pay Additional Interest to each Holder at a per annum rate equal to 0.25% from the Extended Registration Date up to but excluding the date on which the Exchange Offer is completed or the Shelf Registration Statement, if required pursuant to the
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Registration Rights Agreement, is declared effective by the SEC. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no Additional Interest shall be payable to any Holder of Notes pursuant to this Section 2.3(d) if such Notes have ceased to be Registrable Securities and (ii) in no event shall the Additional Interest payable pursuant to this Section 2.3(d) exceed 0.50% per annum. The Company shall pay such Additional Interest on each Interest Payment Date, and payment of Additional Interest shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement.
(e) There shall also be payable in respect of each Note all Additional Interest that may have accrued on such Note for which the Note was exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer, such Additional Interest to be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Note and payable at the same time and in the same manner as periodic interest on such Note.
SECTION 2.4. Limitations on Incurrence of Debt.
In addition to the covenants set forth in Article Ten of the Senior Indenture, there are established pursuant to Section 9.01(2) of the Senior Indenture the following covenants for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes and to which the Notes shall be subject:
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, Incur any Debt, other than Intercompany Debt, if, immediately after giving effect to the Incurrence of the additional Debt and any other Debt, other than Intercompany Debt, Incurred since the end of the Latest Completed Quarter prior to the Incurrence of the additional Debt and the application of the net proceeds of the additional Debt and such other Debt, Total Outstanding Debt would exceed 60% of Total Assets, in each case determined as of the end of such Latest Completed Quarter.
(b) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, Incur any Secured Debt, other than Secured Debt that is also Intercompany Debt, if, immediately after giving effect to the Incurrence of the additional Secured Debt and any other Secured Debt, other than Intercompany Debt, Incurred since the end of the Latest Completed Quarter prior to the Incurrence of the additional Secured Debt and the application of the net proceeds of the additional Secured Debt and such other Secured Debt, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Secured Debt is greater than 50% of Total Assets determined as of the end of such Latest Completed Quarter.
(c) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, Incur any Debt, other than Intercompany Debt, if, immediately after giving effect to the Incurrence of the additional Debt, the ratio of Annualized Consolidated EBITDA for the Latest Completed Quarter prior to the Incurrence of the additional Debt, to Annualized Interest Expense for that quarter would be less than 1.50 to 1.00 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Incurrence of the additional Debt and to the application of the net proceeds therefrom, and calculated on the assumption, without duplication, that: (i) the additional Debt and any other Debt Incurred by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Partially-Owned Entities from the first day of that quarter to the date of determination, which was outstanding at the date of determination, had been Incurred at the beginning of that period and continued to be outstanding throughout that period, and the application of the net proceeds of that Debt, including to refinance (1) Debt under any revolving credit facility or (2) other Debt, had occurred at the beginning of that period; (ii) the repayment or retirement of any other Debt repaid or retired by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Partially-Owned Entities from the first day of that quarter to the date of determination occurred at the beginning of that period; provided that, except as set forth in clause (i) or (iii) of this Section 2.4(c), in determining the amount of Debt so repaid or retired, the amount of Debt under any revolving credit facility shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Debt during that period; and (iii) in the case of any acquisition or disposition of any asset or group of assets or the placement of any assets in service or removal of any assets from service by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Partially-Owned Entities from the first day of that quarter to the date of determination, including, without limitation, by merger, or stock or asset purchase or sale, (1) the acquisition, disposition, placement in service or removal from
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service had occurred as of the first day of that period, with the appropriate adjustments to Annualized Interest Expense with respect to the acquisition, disposition, placement in service or removal from service being included in that pro forma calculation and (2) the application of the net proceeds from a disposition to repay or refinance Debt, including, without limitation, Debt under any revolving credit facility, had occurred on the first day of that period.
(d) The Company and its Subsidiaries shall maintain at all times Unencumbered Assets of not less than 150% of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Unsecured Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
SECTION 2.5. Optional Redemption.
The Notes shall be redeemable, at the option of the Company, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 days but not more than 60 days' prior notice mailed to the registered address of each Holder of Notes to be so redeemed, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of (A) the present values as of the Redemption Date of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon from the Redemption Date to the date of Maturity (except for currently accrued but unpaid interest) discounted to the Redemption Date, on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months), at the applicable Treasury Yield, plus 25 basis points, plus (B) accrued interest to the Redemption Date.
SECTION 2.6. Places of Payment.
The Places of Payment where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment, where the Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to and upon the Company in respect of the Notes and the Senior Indenture may be served shall be in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and the office or agency for such purpose shall initially be located at c/o The Bank of New York, 101 Barclay Street-21W, New York, NY 10286.
SECTION 2.7. Method of Payment.
Payment of the principal of and interest on the Notes shall be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York (which shall initially be an office or agency of the Trustee), in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the option of the Company, payments of principal and interest on the Notes (other than payments of principal and interest due at Maturity) may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer to an account maintained by the Person entitled thereto located within the United States.
Principal and interest on the Notes shall be payable in Dollars.
SECTION 2.9. Registered Securities; Global Form.
(a) General. The Notes shall be issuable and transferable in fully registered form as Registered Securities, without coupons. The Notes shall initially be issued in the form of one or more permanent Global Notes, with the Restricted Legend affixed thereto. The depository for the Notes shall be The Depository Trust Company (the "Depositary"). The Notes shall not be issuable in definitive form except as provided in Section 3.05 of the Senior Indenture.
(b) Rule 144A Global Notes. Notes offered and sold to QIBs pursuant to Rule 144A shall be issued initially in the form of one or more Rule 144A Global Notes, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee. Each Rule 144A Global Note shall
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represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time as conclusively reflected in the books and records of the Trustee endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any change in the principal amount of a Rule 144A Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee as the custodian for the Depositary, at the direction of the Security Registrar, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.11 hereof.
(c) Regulation S Global Notes. Notes offered and sold to QIBs which are Qualified Persons in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of one or more Regulation S Global Notes, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee. During the Restricted Period, interests in a Regulation S Global Note must be held through Euroclear or Clearstream, if the holders are Participants in such systems, or indirectly through organizations that are Participants in such systems. Following the termination of the Restricted Period, beneficial interests in a Regulation S Global Note may be held, directly or indirectly, in the account of any Participant of the Depositary. Each Regulation S Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time as conclusively reflected in the books and records of the Trustee endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any change in the principal amount of a Regulation S Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee as the custodian for the Depositary, at the direction of the Security Registrar, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.11 hereof.
The Notes shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto.
SECTION 2.11. Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes shall be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if (i) the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary stating that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as a clearing agency for the Notes or is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act or other applicable law and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the date of such notice; or (ii) the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee; provided, that in no event shall a Regulation S Global Note be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee.
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(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of the Senior Indenture and the applicable procedures of the Depositary. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:
(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Type of Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Rule 144A Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Restricted Legend. Beneficial interests in any Regulation S Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period beneficial interests in a Regulation S Global Note may only be held through Euroclear or Clearstream, if the holders are Participants in such systems, or indirectly through organizations that are Participants in such systems. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Security Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.11(b)(i).
(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.11(b)(i) above, and, subject to any other requirement in this Section 2.11, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Security Registrar either: (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in a Global Note of another type in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B), subject to Section 2.11(a), (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream to the Security Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the exchange; provided that in no event shall Definitive Notes be issued upon the exchange of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Global Note prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained herein and in the Senior Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.11(h) hereof.
(iii) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Rule 144A Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if (x) the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.11(b)(ii) above and (y):
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal or via the Depositary's book-entry system that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or
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(3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company, and such Letter of Transmittal or book-entry system certification shall satisfy the requirements of Section 2.11(b)(ii);
(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;
(C) such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
(D) a certificate in the form of Exhibit B with the certification set forth in paragraph 3(d) or 4 thereof is completed, and, if the Security Registrar so requests or the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the transfer is permitted, and that upon transfer the Notes will not be restricted under the Securities Act, is furnished to the Security Registrar.
If any such transfer is effected at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of a Company Order in accordance with the Senior Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests so transferred.
(iv) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to and from Regulation S Global Notes.
(A) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in a Regulation S Global Note Prior to the Termination of the Restricted Period for Beneficial Interests in a Rule 144A Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Regulation S Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note if (x) the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.11(b)(ii) above and (y) the holder of the beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note delivers to the Trustee and the Security Registrar a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto with the certification set forth in paragraph 1 thereof completed.
(B) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in a Regulation S Global Note Following the Termination of the Restricted Period for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Regulation S Global Note following the termination of the Restricted Period may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if (x) the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.11(b)(ii) above and (y) the holder of the Regulation S Global Note delivers to the Security Registrar a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto with the certification set forth in paragraph 3(d) or 4 thereof completed.
(C) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in a Rule 144A Global Note for Beneficial Interests in a Regulation S Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Rule 144A Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note if (x) the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.11(b)(ii) above and (y) the holder of the beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note delivers to the Security Registrar a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto with the certification set forth in paragraph 2 thereof completed.
(c) Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes for Definitive Notes.
(i) Beneficial Interests in Rule 144A Global Notes or Regulation S Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Subject to Section 2.11(a), a holder of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note or Regulation S Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if such exchange is in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, and, if the Security Registrar so requests or the Applicable Procedures so require, an
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Opinion of Counsel or other certification to the effect that the exchange is permitted, and that upon exchange the Notes will not be restricted under the Securities Act, is furnished to the Security Registrar.
(ii) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note may, in the circumstances described in Section 2.11(a), exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note.
Any exchange pursuant to this Section 2.11(c) shall satisfy the requirements of Section 2.11(b)(ii). In any such case, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.11(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order in accordance with the Senior Indenture, shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Restricted Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.11(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Security Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered.
(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder's compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.11(d), the Security Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Security Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Security Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by his attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.11(d).
(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Security Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto with the certification set forth in paragraph 1 thereof completed,
(B) if the transfer will be made to a Non-U.S. Person which is a QIB and a Qualified Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto with the certification set forth in paragraph 2 thereof completed; and
(C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver an Opinion of Counsel and/or other certification in form and substance acceptable to the Security Registrar and the Company.
(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal, that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;
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(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;
(C) any such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
(D) a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto with the certification set forth in paragraph 3(d) or 4 thereof completed, and, if the Trustee and the Security Registrar so request or the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the transfer is permitted, and that upon transfer the Notes will not be restricted under the Securities Act, is furnished to the Trustee and the Securities Registrar.
(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Security Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.
(e) Exchange Offer; Shelf Registration Statement.
(i) Upon the occurrence of the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of a Company Order in accordance with the Senior Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate (x) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Rule 144A Global Notes and Regulation S Global Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (A) they are not broker-dealers, (B) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (C) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company, and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer and (y) Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer. Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Rule 144A Global Notes and/or Regulation S Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Company Order in accordance with the Senior Indenture, authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of the Restricted Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the appropriate principal amount.
(ii) Following the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement, if any, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of a Company Order in accordance with the Senior Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate from time to time (x) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes, or, if there shall be at the time one or more Unrestricted Global Notes outstanding and such increase can be effected in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, the Trustee shall increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount thereof, in each case in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Global Notes sold by Persons that certify as to the consummation of such sale under the Shelf Registration Statement in a manner acceptable to the Trustee and the Company and (y) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes sold by Persons that certify as to the consummation of such sale under the Shelf Registration Statement in a manner acceptable to the Trustee and the Company. Concurrently with the issuance of such Unrestricted Global Notes, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Rule 144A Global Notes and/or the Regulation S Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Company Order in accordance with the Senior Indenture, authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Restricted Definitive Notes so sold Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the appropriate principal amount.
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(f) Legends.
(i) Restricted Legend. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.11(g), each Initial Note shall bear the following legend on the face thereof:
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS NOTE MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, FOR THE BENEFIT OF BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (THE "ISSUER"), THAT THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WHICH IS A "QUALIFIED PERSON" WITHIN THE MEANING OF INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 49(a)(1)(D)(iv) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN A TRANSACTION COMPLYING WITH THE PROVISIONS OF RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF ANOTHER INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, OR (F) UNDER ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IF THE PURCHASER REPRESENTS THAT IT IS A "QUALIFIED PERSON" WITHIN THE MEANING OF INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 49(a)(1)(D)(iv), AND IN THE CASE OF (A) THROUGH (F) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION. EACH HOLDER WILL NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERENCED ABOVE.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY IS ENTITLED TO THE BENEFITS OF A REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF) AND, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES TO BE BOUND BY AND TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SUCH REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT.
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(ii) Regulation S Global Note Legend. The Regulation S Global Note shall bear the following legend on the face thereof:
DURING THE RESTRICTED PERIOD (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF), INTERESTS IN THIS REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE MAY ONLY BE HELD THROUGH EUROCLEAR AND CLEARSTREAM.
(g) (i) If the Company determines (upon the advice of counsel and such other certifications as the Company may reasonably require) that any Note is eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act (or a successor provision) and that the Restricted Legend is no longer necessary or appropriate in order to ensure that subsequent transfers of such Note (or a beneficial interest therein) are effected in compliance with the Securities Act, or (ii) after an Initial Note is (x) sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or otherwise, or (y) exchanged for an Exchange Note, the Company may instruct the Trustee to cancel such Note and issue to the Holder thereof (or to its transferee) a new Note of like tenor and amount, registered in the name of the Holder thereof (or its transferee), that does not bear the Restricted Legend and the Trustee will comply with such instruction.
(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Senior Indenture. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary to reflect such increase.
SECTION 2.12. General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.
(a) The Trustee and the Security Registrar will retain copies of all certificates, opinions and other documents received in connection with the transfer or exchange of a Note (or a beneficial interest therein), and the Company will have the right to inspect and make copies thereof at any reasonable time upon written notice to the Trustee or the Security Registrar, as the case may be.
(b) By its acceptance of any Note bearing the Restricted Legend, each Holder acknowledges the restrictions on transfer of such Note set forth in this Fourth Supplemental Indenture and in the Restricted Legend and agrees that it will transfer such Note only as provided in this Fourth Supplemental Indenture. The Security Registrar shall not register a transfer of any Note unless such transfer complies with the restrictions on transfer of such Note set forth in this Fourth Supplemental Indenture. In connection with any transfer of a Note, each Holder agrees by its acceptance of such Note to furnish the Security Registrar or the Company such certifications, legal opinions or other information as either of them may reasonably require to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act; provided, that the Security Registrar shall not be required to determine (but may rely on a determination made by the Company with respect to) the sufficiency of any such certifications, legal opinions or other information.
(c) Each Holder of a Note agrees to indemnify the Company and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder's Note in violation of any
19
provision of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture or applicable United States federal or state securities law.
(d) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Fourth Supplemental Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among members of, or Participants or Indirect Participants in, the Depositary or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Fourth Supplemental Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
SECTION 2.13. Registrar and Paying Agent.
The Trustee shall initially serve as Security Registrar and Paying Agent for the Notes.
The provisions of Sections 14.02 and 14.03 of the Senior Indenture, together with the other provisions of Article Fourteen of the Senior Indenture, shall be applicable to the Notes. The provisions of Section 14.03 of the Senior Indenture shall apply to the covenants set forth in Sections 2.4 and 2.15 of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture and to those covenants specified in Section 14.03 of the Senior Indenture.
SECTION 2.15. Provision of Financial Information.
Whether or not the Company is subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall, to the extent permitted under the Exchange Act, file with the Commission the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents which the Company would have been required to file with the Commission pursuant to such Section 13 or 15(d) if the Company were so subject, such documents to be filed with the Commission on or prior to the respective dates (the "Required Filing Dates") by which the Company would have been required so to file such documents if the Company were so subject.
The Company shall also in any event (x) within 15 days of each Required Filing Date (i) if the Company is not then subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, transmit by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, without cost to such Holders, copies of the annual reports and quarterly reports which the Company would have been required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Company were subject to such Sections, and (ii) file with the Trustee copies of annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents which the Company would have been required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Company were subject to such Sections and (y) if filing such documents by the Company with the Commission is not permitted under the Exchange Act, promptly upon written request and payment of the reasonable cost of duplication and delivery, supply copies of such documents to any prospective Holder.
SECTION 2.16. Waiver of Certain Covenants.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10.09 of the Senior Indenture, the Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 10.04 to 10.08, inclusive, of the Senior Indenture, with Sections 2.4 and 2.15 of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture and with any other term, provision or condition with respect to the Notes (except any such term, provision or condition which could not be amended without the consent of all Holders of the Notes), if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding Notes, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or condition. Except to the extent so expressly
20
waived, and until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 2.17. No Sinking Fund.
The provisions of Article Twelve of the Senior Indenture shall not be applicable to the Notes.
SECTION 2.18. No Repayment at Option of Holders.
The provisions of Article Thirteen of the Senior Indenture shall not be applicable to the Notes.
SECTION 2.19. Designation of CBD Properties.
From time to time, the Company may designate one or more additional properties as CBD Properties by delivering an Officers' Certificate, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, to the Trustee (i) setting forth the name of such property and (ii) certifying that, in the good faith opinion of such officers, such property is located in the central business district of a CBD Market. Upon delivery of such Officers' Certificate to the Trustee, such property shall be a CBD Property for all purposes of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture.
ARTICLE THREE
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 3.1. Ratification of Senior Indenture.
Except as expressly modified or amended hereby, the Senior Indenture continues in full force and effect and is in all respects confirmed, ratified and preserved.
This Fourth Supplemental Indenture and each Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. This Fourth Supplemental Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
This Fourth Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture. The statements and recitals herein are deemed to be those of the Company and not of the Trustee.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fourth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers hereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year first written above.
BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | ||||
By: |
Boston Properties, Inc., its general partner |
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By: |
/s/ EDWARD H. LINDE Name: Edward H. Linde Title: President and Chief Executive Officer |
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THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee |
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By: |
/s/ KISHA A. HOLDER Name: Kisha A. Holder Title: Assistant Vice President |
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SCHEDULE A
Property |
Location |
|
---|---|---|
265 Franklin Street | Boston, MA | |
Prudential Center Tower | Boston, MA | |
101 Huntington Avenue | Boston, MA | |
Prudential Center Retail | Boston, MA | |
Prudential Lord & Taylor | Boston, MA | |
Prudential Saks 5th Avenue | Boston, MA | |
111 Huntington Retail | Boston, MA | |
111 Huntington Avenue | Boston, MA | |
Huntington Retail Parcel | Boston, MA | |
Prudential Center Garage | Boston, MA | |
Cambridge Center One | Cambridge, MA | |
Cambridge Center Three | Cambridge, MA | |
Cambridge Center Eight | Cambridge, MA | |
Cambridge Center Ten | Cambridge, MA | |
Cambridge Center Eleven | Cambridge, MA | |
Cambridge Center Fourteen | Cambridge, MA | |
University Place | Cambridge, MA | |
Cambridge Center North Garage | Cambridge, MA | |
Citigroup Center | New York, NY | |
599 Lexington Avenue | New York, NY | |
280 Park Avenue | New York, NY | |
5 Times Square | New York, NY | |
Times Square Tower | New York, NY | |
399 Park Avenue | New York, NY | |
100 East Pratt Street | Baltimore, MD | |
Riverfront Plaza | Richmond, VA | |
Embarcadero Center One | San Francisco, CA | |
Embarcadero Center Two | San Francisco, CA | |
Embarcadero Center Three | San Francisco, CA | |
Embarcadero Center Four | San Francisco, CA | |
Federal Reserve | San Francisco, CA | |
West Tower | San Francisco, CA | |
Metropolitan Square | Washington, DC | |
Market Square North | Washington, DC | |
1301 New York Avenue | Washington, DC | |
Capital Gallery | Washington, DC | |
500 E Street | Washington, DC | |
Sumner Square | Washington, DC | |
901 New York Avenue | Washington, DC |
SC-A-1
SCHEDULE B
Los Angeles, California |
Orange County, California |
San Francisco, California |
San Jose, California |
Denver, Colorado |
Washington, D.C. |
Miami, Florida |
Atlanta, Georgia |
Chicago, Illinois |
Baltimore, Maryland |
Boston, Massachusetts |
Cambridge, Massachusetts |
Detroit, Michigan |
Minneapolis, Minnesota |
New York, New York |
Portland, Oregon |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Dallas, Texas |
Houston, Texas |
Richmond, Virginia |
Seattle, Washington |
SC-B-1
EXHIBIT A
[Face of Security]
[If this Security is an Initial Note, insert: THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS NOTE MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, FOR THE BENEFIT OF BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (THE "ISSUER"), THAT THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WHICH IS A "QUALIFIED PERSON" WITHIN THE MEANING OF INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 49(a)(1)(D)(iv) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN A TRANSACTION COMPLYING WITH THE PROVISIONS OF RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF ANOTHER INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, OR (F) UNDER ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IF THE PURCHASER REPRESENTS THAT IT IS A "QUALIFIED PERSON" WITHIN THE MEANING OF INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 49(a)(1)(D)(iv), AND IN THE CASE OF (A) THROUGH (F) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION. EACH HOLDER WILL NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERENCED ABOVE.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY IS ENTITLED TO THE BENEFITS OF A REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF) AND, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES TO BE BOUND BY AND TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SUCH REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT.]
[If this Security is a Regulation S Global Note, insert: DURING THE RESTRICTED PERIOD (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF), INTERESTS
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IN THIS REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE MAY ONLY BE HELD THROUGH EUROCLEAR AND CLEARSTREAM.]
[If the Holder of this Security (as indicated below) is The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or a nominee of DTC, insert: Unless this Security is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC"), to the Company or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and such Security issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co., or in such other name as requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL, inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.
Unless and until this Security is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in certificated form, this Security may not be transferred except as a whole by DTC to a nominee thereof or by a nominee thereof to DTC or another nominee of DTC or by DTC or any such nominee to a successor of DTC or a nominee of such successor.]
BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
5.00% Senior Notes due 2015
No. | $ | |
CUSIP No. |
BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Delaware limited partnership (herein referred to as the "Company," which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to or registered assigns the principal sum of Dollars on June 1, 2015 (the "Stated Maturity Date") or earlier at the option of the Company as provided herein (the "Redemption Date") and to pay interest thereon from May 22, 2003 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 in each year (each, an "Interest Payment Date"), commencing December 1, 2003, at the rate of 5.00% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided for. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Holder in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the May 17 or November 16 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose; provided, however, that such interest may be paid, at the Company's option, by mailing a check to such Holder at its registered address or by transfer of funds to an account maintained by such Holder within the United States. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date, and may be paid to the Holder in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in the Indenture. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
The principal of this Security payable on the Stated Maturity Date or the principal of, premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and, if the Redemption Date is not an Interest Payment Date, interest on
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this Security payable on the Redemption Date, will be paid against presentation of this Security at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
Interest payable on this Security on any Interest Payment Date and on the Stated Maturity Date or Redemption Date, as the case may be, will include interest accrued from and including the next preceding Interest Payment Date in respect of which interest has been paid or duly provided for (or from and including May 22, 2003, if no interest has been paid on this Security) to but excluding such Interest Payment Date or the Stated Maturity Date or Redemption Date, as the case may be. If any Interest Payment Date or the Stated Maturity Date or Redemption Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, as defined below, principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and/or interest payable with respect to such Interest Payment Date or Stated Maturity Date or Redemption Date, as the case may be, will be paid on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if it were paid on the date such payment was due, and no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date or Stated Maturity Date or Redemption Date, as the case may be. "Business Day" means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are required or authorized by law, regulation or executive order to close.
[If this Security is a Global Note, insert: All payments of principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest in respect of this Security will be made by the Company in immediately available funds.]
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the Certificate of Authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee by manual signature of one of its authorized signatories, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture, or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
A-3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its facsimile corporate seal.
Dated: | ||||
BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP |
||||
By: | Boston Properties, Inc., its general partner |
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By: |
Name: Title: |
|||
Attest: |
||||
Secretary |
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated: | THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee |
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By: |
Authorized Signatory |
A-4
BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the "Securities"), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of December 13, 2002, as supplemented by Supplemental Indenture No. 4, dated as of May 22, 2003 (as so supplemented, herein called the "Indenture"), each between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee," which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture with respect to the series of which this Security is a part), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities, and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. The aggregate principal amount of the Securities to be issued under such series is initially limited to $250,000,000 (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of other Securities). All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
If an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, with respect to the Securities shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
The Securities are subject to redemption, at the option of the Company, in whole at any time or in part from time to time at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of (A) the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon from the Redemption Date to the date of Maturity (except for currently accrued but unpaid interest) discounted to the Redemption Date, on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months), at the applicable Treasury Yield, plus 25 basis points, plus (B) accrued interest to the Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption will be given by mail to Holders of Securities, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, all as provided in the Indenture.
In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities for the unredeemed portion hereof shall be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.
In the event that the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement, if required pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, has not been filed on or prior to the date which is 90 days after the Closing Date (the "Target Filing Date"), the Company shall pay additional interest (in addition to interest otherwise due on the Notes as provided herein) ("Additional Interest") to each Holder at a per annum rate equal to 0.25% from the Target Filing Date up to but excluding the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement, if required pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, is filed. In the event that either (i) the Exchange Offer has not been completed on or prior to the date which is 210 days after the Closing Date (the "Target Registration Date") or (ii) the Shelf Registration Statement, if required pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the Target Registration Date, the Company shall pay Additional Interest to each Holder at a per annum rate equal to 0.25% from the Target Registration Date up to but excluding the date on which the Exchange Offer is completed or the Shelf Registration Statement, if required pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, is declared effective by the SEC. In the event that either (x) the Exchange Offer has not been completed on or prior to the date which is 300 days after the Closing Date (the "Extended Registration Date") or (y) the Shelf Registration Statement, if required pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the Extended Registration Date,
A-5
the Company shall pay Additional Interest to each Holder at a per annum rate equal to 0.25% from the Extended Registration Date up to but excluding the date on which the Exchange Offer is completed or the Shelf Registration Statement, if required pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, is declared effective by the SEC. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no Additional Interest shall be payable to any Holder of Securities pursuant to this provision if such Securities have ceased to be Registrable Securities and (ii) in no event shall the Additional Interest payable pursuant to this provision exceed 0.50% per annum. The Company shall pay such Additional Interest on each Interest Payment Date, and payment of Additional Interest shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement.
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of all Securities issued under the Indenture at the time Outstanding and affected thereby. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities, on behalf of the Holders of all such Securities, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture. Furthermore, provisions in the Indenture permit the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount, in certain instances, of the Outstanding Securities of any series to waive, on behalf of all of the Holders of Securities of such series, certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and other Securities issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on this Security at the times, places and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register of the Company upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or by his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, this Security is exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of different authorized denominations but otherwise having the same terms and conditions, as requested by the Holder hereof surrendering the same.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is
A-6
registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
No Holder shall have any recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture, or any indenture supplemental thereto, or this Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced hereby or thereby, including the payment of the principal of or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, or the interest on this Security, or for any claim based hereon or thereon, or otherwise in respect hereof or thereof, against (i) Boston Properties or any other past, present or future partner in the Company, (ii) any other person or entity which owns an interest, directly or indirectly, in any partner of the Company, or (iii) any past, present or future stockholder, employee, officer or director, as such, of the Company or Boston Properties or any successor under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise. Each Holder of this Security, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Security.
The Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely in such State.
A-7
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Security, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Security to
(Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.) |
||
(Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code) |
||
and irrevocably appoint |
||
to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him. | ||
Date: |
Your Signature: (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Security) |
|
Tax Identification No: |
||
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE: |
||
Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" meeting the requirements of the Security Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Security Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
A-8
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE1
The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
A-9
Date of Exchange |
Amount of decrease in principal amount of this Global Note |
Amount of increase in principal amount of this Global Note |
Principal amount of this Global Note following such decrease (or increase) |
Signature of authorized officer of Trustee or Note Custodian |
---|
EXHIBIT B
Boston
Properties Limited Partnership
111 Huntington Avenue
Suite 300
Boston, Massachusetts 02199
Attention:[ ]
The
Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street-21W
New York, New York 10286
Attention:[ ]
Reference is hereby made to Supplemental Indenture No. 4, dated as of May 22, 2003 (the "Fourth Supplemental Indenture"), between Boston Properties Limited Partnership (the "Company") and The Bank of New York, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Fourth Supplemental Indenture.
, (the "Transferor") owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $ in such Note[s] or interests (the "Transfer"), to (the "Transferee"), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
(1) o Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in a 144A Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note Pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believed and believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Restricted Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a "qualified institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Restricted Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Restricted Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Fourth Supplemental Indenture and under the Securities Act.
(2) o Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling
B-1
efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act, (iv) the transfer is being made to a person which is a QIB and a Qualified Person and (v) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than one of the Initial Purchasers). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Restricted Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Restricted Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Fourth Supplemental Indenture and under the Securities Act.
(3) o Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):
(a) o such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;
(b) o such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;
(c) o such Transfer is being effected to an institutional "accredited investor" (within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act); or
(d) o such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.
(4) o Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.
(a) o Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Fourth Supplemental Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Fourth Supplemental Indenture and the Restricted Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Restricted Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Fourth Supplemental Indenture.
(b) o Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Fourth Supplemental Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Fourth Supplemental Indenture and the Restricted Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Restricted Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Fourth Supplemental Indenture.
B-2
(c) o Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Fourth Supplemental Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Fourth Supplemental Indenture and the Restricted Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Restricted Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Fourth Supplemental Indenture.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for the benefit of the Trustee and the Company.
[Insert Name of Transferor] | ||||
By: |
Name: Title: |
|||
Dated: |
B-3
1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:
[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]
2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:
[CHECK ONE]
in accordance with the terms of the Fourth Supplemental Indenture.
ANNEX A-1
EXHIBIT C
Reference is made to Supplemental Indenture No. 4, dated as of May 22, 2003 (the "Fourth Supplemental Indenture"), between Boston Properties Limited Partnership (the "Company") and The Bank of New York, as trustee. Pursuant to Section 2.19 of the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, each of the undersigned officers of Boston Properties, Inc., the general partner of the Company, hereby certifies that in his good faith judgment the properties listed on the schedule attached hereto are located in a central business district of a CBD Market (as such term is defined in the Fourth Supplemental Indenture). In accordance with Section 2.19 of the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, each such property listed on such schedule shall be a CBD Property for all purposes of the Fourth Supplemental Indenture.
Name: Title: |
||
Name: Title: |
||
Dated: |
C-1
EXHIBIT 5.1
GOODWIN
PROCTER LLP
COUNSELLORS AT LAW
EXCHANGE PLACE
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02109
June 13, 2003
Boston
Properties Limited Partnership
111 Huntington Avenue
Suite 300
Boston, Massachusetts 02199
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Boston Properties Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the "Company"), and Boston Properties, Inc., a Delaware corporation and general partner of the Company (the "General Partner"), in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement"), relating to the registration of the offer by the Company to exchange up to $250 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.00% Senior Notes due 2015 (the "New Notes") for its existing 5.00% Senior Notes due 2015 (the "Old Notes"). The New Notes are proposed to be issued in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture dated as of December 13, 2002, between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), as supplemented by a fourth supplemental indenture dated May 22, 2003 (collectively, the "Indenture") as contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2003, by and among the Company and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (the "Registration Rights Agreement").
In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of (i) the Registration Statement, including the form of prospectus included therein and the documents incorporated by reference therein, (ii) the Company's Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership, as amended to date, (iii) such records of the corporate proceedings of the Company as we deemed material, (iv) the Indenture, (v) the Registration Rights Agreement, (vi) the Form T-1 of the Trustee filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and (vii) the form of the New Notes. In addition, we have examined and relied on the originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such other corporate and partnership records of the Company, and such other instruments and other certificates of public officials, officers and representatives of the Company and other persons, and we have made such investigations of law, as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinions expressed below.
In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have assumed and have not verified the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies, the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents, the legal capacity of each individual executing any document, and the factual accuracy and completeness of all representations, warranties and other statements made by the parties. We have also assumed that prior to the delivery of any New Notes, the Registration Statement will have been declared effective.
We are members of the Bar of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and in rendering the opinions expressed below, we express no opinion other than as to the laws of the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (collectively, the "Delaware Statutes") and the applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and reported judicial decisions interpreting the Delaware Statutes. To the extent that any other laws govern any of the
matters as to which we express an opinion herein, we have assumed, without independent investigation, that the laws of such jurisdiction are identical to those of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and we express no opinion as to whether such assumption is reasonable or correct.
Based on and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that when the New Notes (in the form examined by us) have been duly executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and issued and delivered upon consummation of the Exchange Offer against receipt of Old Notes surrendered in exchange therefor in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Indenture, the New Notes will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization, liquidation, voidable preference, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or conveyance or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect affecting creditors' rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity including without limitation reasonableness, materiality, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity) and to the effect of certain laws and judicial decisions upon the availability and enforceability of certain remedies, including without limitation the remedy of specific performance.
This opinion is based upon currently existing statutes, rules and regulations and judicial decisions and is rendered as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change in any of the foregoing sources of law or subsequent developments in law or changes in facts or circumstances which might affect any matters or opinions set forth herein.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Legal Opinions" in the prospectus which is part of the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ GOODWIN PROCTER LLP
GOODWIN PROCTER LLP
2
EXHIBIT 8.1
GOODWIN
PROCTER LLP
COUNSELLORS AT LAW
EXCHANGE PLACE
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02109
June 13, 2003
Boston
Properties, Inc.
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
111 Huntington Avenue
Suite 300
Boston, MA 02199
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This opinion is furnished in connection with the offer to exchange up to $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.00% Senior Notes due 2015 issued by Boston Properties Limited Partnership (the "Operating Partnership") for all of the $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Operating Partnership's outstanding 5.00% Senior Notes due 2015 pursuant to a registration statement (the "Registration Statement") on Form S-4 filed by the Operating Partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about the date hereof. This opinion relates to the qualification of Boston Properties, Inc. (the "Company") for federal income tax purposes as a real estate investment trust within the meaning of Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
In rendering the following opinion, we have examined the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, the Registration Statement, the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Boston Properties Limited Partnership, and such other records, certificates and documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of rendering the opinion set forth herein. We have reviewed the investment activities, operations and governance of the Company and its subsidiaries. We have relied upon representations of duly appointed officers of the Company and the Operating Partnership (including without limitation, representations contained in a letter dated as of this date (the "Officer's Certificate")), principally relating to the Company's organization and operations. We assume that each such representation is and will be true, correct and complete and that all representations that speak in the future, or to the intention, or to the best of the belief and knowledge of any person(s) or party(ies) are and will be true, correct and complete as if made without such qualification. Nothing has come to our attention which would cause us to believe that any of such representations are untrue, incorrect or incomplete. We assume that the Company will be operated in accordance with the applicable laws and the terms and conditions of applicable documents. In addition, we have relied upon certain additional facts and assumptions described below.
In rendering the opinion set forth herein, we have assumed (i) the genuineness of all signatures on documents we have examined, (ii) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, (iii) the conformity to the original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies, (iv) the conformity of final documents to all documents submitted to us as drafts, (v) the authority and capacity of the individual or individuals who executed any such documents on behalf of any person, (vi) the accuracy and completeness of all records made available to us, and (vii) the factual accuracy of all representations, warranties and other statements made by all parties. In addition, we assume that all interests in the Operating Partnership have been and will be issued in a transaction (or transactions) that are not required to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and that no interest in the Operating Partnership offered for sale outside the United States would have been required to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, if such interest had been offered for sale within the United States. We have further assumed that during its short 1997 taxable year ending December 31, 1997 and subsequent taxable years, the Company has operated and will operate in such a manner that has made and will make the representations contained in the Officer's
Certificate true for all such years, and that the Company and its subsidiaries will not make any amendments to its organizational documents after the date of this opinion that would affect the Company's qualification as a real estate investment trust for any taxable year. For purposes of our opinion, we have made no independent investigation of the facts contained in the documents and assumptions set forth above, the representations set forth in the Officer's Certificate, or the Registration Statement. No facts have come to our attention, however, that would cause us to question the accuracy and completeness of such facts or documents in a material way.
The discussion and conclusion set forth below are based upon the Code, the Income Tax Regulations and Procedure and Administration Regulations promulgated thereunder and administrative and judicial interpretation thereof, in each case as currently exist and all of which are subject to change, and the opinions below are rendered as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change in any of the foregoing sources of law or subsequent developments in law or changes in facts or circumstances which might affect any matters or opinions set forth herein. No assurance can therefore be given that the federal income tax consequences described below will not be altered in the future. Based on the documents and assumptions set forth above and the representations set forth in the Officer's Certificate, and provided that the Company continues to meet the applicable asset composition, source of income, shareholder diversification, distribution, and other requirements of the Code necessary for a corporation to qualify as a real estate investment trust, we are of the opinion that:
(1) Commencing with the Company's initial taxable year ended December 31, 1997, the Company has been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a "real estate investment trust" under the Code, and its method of operation enables it to meet the requirements for qualification as a "real estate investment trust" under the Code, provided that the Company continues to meet the applicable asset composition, source of income, shareholder diversification, distribution, record keeping and other requirements of the Code necessary for a corporation to qualify as a real estate investment trust, and
(2) The information in the Registration Statement under the caption "United States Federal Income Tax Consequences" to the extent that it constitutes matters of law or legal conclusions, has been reviewed by us and is correct in all material respects, and our opinion set forth in such discussion is confirmed.
We will not review on a continuing basis the Company's compliance with the documents or assumptions set forth above, or the representations set forth in the Officer's Certificate. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the Company's operations for any given taxable year will satisfy the requirements for qualification and taxation as a real estate investment trust under the Code. The ability of the Company to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a real estate investment trust will depend upon the Company's ability to continue to meet in each year the applicable asset composition, source of income, shareholder diversification, distribution, and other requirements of the Code necessary for a corporation to qualify as a real estate investment trust.
The foregoing opinion is limited to the federal income tax matters addressed herein, and no other opinion is rendered with respect to other federal tax matters or to any issues arising out of the tax laws of any state or locality. We express no opinion with respect to the transactions described herein other than those expressly set forth herein. You should recognize that our opinion is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service and that the Internal Revenue Service may disagree with the opinion contained herein. Although we believe that our opinion will be sustained if challenged, there is no guarantee that this will be the case. Except as specifically discussed above, the opinion expressed herein is based upon the laws that currently exist. Consequently, future changes in the law may cause the
2
federal income tax treatment of the transactions herein to be materially and adversely different from that described above.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption "United States Federal Income Tax Consequences" in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Goodwin Procter LLP
Goodwin Procter LLP
3
EXHIBIT 12.1
BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CALCULATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
Boston Properties Limited Partnership's ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the five years ended December 31, 2002 and the three months ended March 31, 2003 were as follows:
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2003 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
1999 |
1998 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
(dollars in thousands) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Add: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income before minority interests in property partnerships, income from unconsolidated joint ventures, gains (losses) on sales of real estate and land held for development, discontinued operations, extraordinary items, cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle and preferred distributions | $ | 72,333 | $ | 278,722 | $ | 246,544 | $ | 211,365 | $ | 169,227 | $ | 128,672 | ||||||||||
Gains (losses) on sales of real estate and land held for development | 64,694 | 233,304 | 11,238 | (313 | ) | 8,735 | | |||||||||||||||
Amortization of interest capitalized | 659 | 2,526 | 950 | 415 | 153 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||
Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures | 3,083 | 8,692 | 2,735 | 1,848 | 972 | | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed charges (see below) | 84,458 | 316,835 | 306,709 | 275,607 | 242,199 | 124,164 | ||||||||||||||||
Subtract: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest capitalized | (4,453 | ) | (22,510 | ) | (59,292 | ) | (37,713 | ) | (16,953 | ) | (6,933 | ) | ||||||||||
Preferred distributions | (6,360 | ) | (31,258 | ) | (36,026 | ) | (32,994 | ) | (32,111 | ) | (5,830 | ) | ||||||||||
Total earnings | $ | 214,414 | $ | 786,311 | $ | 472,858 | $ | 418,215 | $ | 372,222 | $ | 240,095 | ||||||||||
Fixed charges: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expensed | $ | 73,645 | $ | 263,067 | $ | 211,391 | $ | 204,900 | $ | 193,135 | $ | 111,401 | ||||||||||
Interest capitalized | 4,453 | 22,510 | 59,292 | 37,713 | 16,953 | 6,933 | ||||||||||||||||
Preferred distributions | 6,360 | 31,258 | 36,026 | 32,994 | 32,111 | 5,830 | ||||||||||||||||
Total fixed charges | $ | 84,458 | $ | 316,835 | $ | 306,709 | $ | 275,607 | $ | 242,199 | $ | 124,164 | ||||||||||
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges | 2.54 | 2.48 | 1.54 | 1.52 | 1.54 | 1.93 | ||||||||||||||||
The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges. Earnings consist of income before minority interests in property partnerships, income from unconsolidated joint ventures, discontinued operations, extraordinary items, cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle and preferred distributions, plus amortization of interest capitalized, distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures, fixed charges, minus interest capitalized and preferred distributions. Fixed charges consist of interest expensed, which includes credit enhancement fees and amortization of loan costs, interest capitalized, and preferred distributions.
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Boston Properties Limited Partnership of our report dated February 28, 2003, except for Notes 16 and 26 as to which the date is May 22, 2003, relating to the financial statements of Boston Properties Limited Partnership, which appears in Boston Properties Limited Partnership's Form 8-K filed on June 13, 2003 and our report dated November 22, 2002 with respect to the Combined Statement of Revenue Over Certain Operating Expenses of 399 Park Avenue for the year ended December 31, 2001, which appears in Boston Properties Limited Partnership's Form 10 filed on May 13, 2003. We also consent to the references to us under the heading "Independent Accountants" in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
June 13, 2003
EXHIBIT 25.1
FORM T-1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE
ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
SECTION 305(b)(2) o
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
New York (State of incorporation if not a U.S. national bank) |
13-5160382 (I.R.S. employer identification no.) |
|
One Wall Street, New York, N.Y. (Address of principal executive offices) |
10286 (Zip code) |
BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
04-3372948 (I.R.S. employer identification no.) |
|
111 Huntington Avenue Boston, Massachusetts (Address of principal executive offices) |
02199-7610 (Zip code) |
5.00%
Senior Notes due 2015
(Title of the indenture securities)
1. General information. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee:
Name |
Address |
|
---|---|---|
Superintendent of Banks of the State of New York | 2 Rector Street, New York, N.Y. 10006, and Albany, N.Y. 12203 | |
Federal Reserve Bank of New York |
33 Liberty Plaza, New York, N.Y. 10045 |
|
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation |
Washington, D.C. 20429 |
|
New York Clearing House Association |
New York, New York 10005 |
Yes.
2. Affiliations with Obligor.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.
None.
16. List of Exhibits.
Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the "Act") and 17 C.F.R. 229.10(d).
2
Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State of New York, on the 6th day of June, 2003.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK | |||
By: |
/s/ STACEY POINDEXTER Name: STACEY POINDEXTER Title: ASSISTANT TREASURER |
3
Exhibit 7
Consolidated Report of Condition of
of One Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286
And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,
a member of the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business March 31, 2003, published in accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.
|
Dollar Amounts In Thousands |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ASSETS | |||||
Cash and balances due from depository institutions: | |||||
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin | $ | 4,389,492 | |||
Interest-bearing balances | 3,288,212 | ||||
Securities: | |||||
Held-to-maturity securities | 654,763 | ||||
Available-for-sale securities | 17,626,360 | ||||
Federal funds sold in domestic offices | 1,759,600 | ||||
Securities purchased under agreements to resell | 911,600 | ||||
Loans and lease financing receivables: | |||||
Loans and leases held for sale | 724,074 | ||||
Loans and leases, net of unearned income | 32,368,718 | ||||
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses | 826,505 | ||||
Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance | 31,542,213 | ||||
Trading Assets | 7,527,662 | ||||
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) | 825,706 | ||||
Other real estate owned | 164 | ||||
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies | 260,940 | ||||
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding | 225,935 | ||||
Intangible assets | |||||
Goodwill | 2,027,675 | ||||
Other intangible assets | 75,330 | ||||
Other assets | 4,843,295 | ||||
Total assets | $ | 76,683,021 | |||
LIABILITIES | |||||
Deposits: | |||||
In domestic offices | $ | 33,212,852 | |||
Noninterest-bearing | 12,997,086 | ||||
Interest-bearing | 20,215,766 | ||||
In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs | 24,210,507 | ||||
Noninterest-bearing | 595,520 | ||||
Interest-bearing | 23,614,987 | ||||
Federal funds purchased in domestic offices | 375,322 | ||||
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | 246,755 | ||||
Trading liabilities | 2,335,466 | ||||
Other borrowed money: (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases) | 959,997 | ||||
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding | 227,253 | ||||
Subordinated notes and debentures | 2,090,000 | ||||
Other liabilities | 5,716,796 | ||||
Total liabilities | $ | 69,374,948 | |||
Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries | 540,772 | ||||
EQUITY CAPITAL |
|||||
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus | 0 | ||||
Common stock | 1,135,284 | ||||
Surplus | 1,056,295 | ||||
Retained earnings | 4,463,720 | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | (112,002 | ) | |||
Other equity capital components | 0 | ||||
Total equity capital | 6,767,301 | ||||
Total liabilities minority interest and equity capital | $ | 76,683,021 | |||
2
I, Thomas J. Mastro, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Thomas J. Mastro,
Senior Vice President and Comptroller
We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this statement of resources and liabilities. We declare that it has been examined by us, and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions and is true and correct.
Thomas A. Renyi Gerald L. Hassell Alan R. Griffith |
Directors |
3
EXHIBIT 99.1
BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
FOR TENDER OF ALL OUTSTANDING
5.00% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2015
(CUSIP Nos: U07978AC0 and 10112RAC8)
IN EXCHANGE FOR
5.00% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2015
(CUSIP No: )
PURSUANT TO THE
PROSPECTUS DATED JUNE , 2003
THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL
RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M.,
NEW YORK CITY TIME,
ON , 2003,
UNLESS THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK (THE
"EXCHANGE AGENT")
By Mail or overnight Courier: The Bank of New York 101 Barclay Street New York, NY 10286 Attention: |
By Hand Delivery: The Bank of New York 101 Barclay Street New York, NY 10286 Attention: |
By Facsimile Transmission: ( ) |
||
For Information or Confirmation by Telephone: ( ) |
DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OR TRANSMISSION THEREOF TO A FACSIMILE NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF ALL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING CERTIFICATES, IS AT THE RISK OF THE HOLDER. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED. THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
This letter of transmittal is being furnished by Boston Properties Limited Partnership (the "Company") in connection with its offer to exchange its 5.00% Senior Notes due 2015 (the "Old Notes") that were issued and sold in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), under that certain Indenture dated as of December 13, 2002, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee, as supplemented by a fourth supplemental indenture dated May 22, 2003, for like amounts of its newly issued 5.00% Senior Notes due 2015 that have been registered under the Securities Act (the "New Notes").
The undersigned acknowledges that he or she has received the Prospectus, dated June , 2003 (the "Prospectus") of the Company and this Letter of Transmittal and the instructions hereto (the "Letter of Transmittal"), which together constitute the Company's offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange each $1,000 principal amount of its Old Notes, of which $250,000,000 aggregate principal
1
amount is outstanding, for each $1,000 principal amount of outstanding New Notes upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus. The term "Expiration Date" shall mean 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , 2003, unless the Company, in its sole discretion, extends the Exchange Offer, in which case the term shall mean the latest date and time to which the Exchange Offer is extended by the Company. All other capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same meanings given them in the Prospectus.
This Letter of Transmittal is to be used either if (i) certificates representing Old Notes are to be physically delivered to the Exchange Agent herewith by holders, (ii) tender of Old Notes is to be made by book-entry transfer to an account maintained by the Exchange Agent at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), pursuant to the procedures set forth in "The Exchange OfferProcedures for Tendering Old Notes" in the Prospectus, by any financial institution that is a participant in DTC and whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of Old Notes, unless an Agent's Message (as defined in Instruction 2) is transmitted in lieu hereof, or (iii) tender of Old Notes is to be made according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus under "The Exchange OfferProcedures for Tendering Old Notes," unless an Agent's Message is transmitted in lieu hereof. Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents must be made to the Exchange Agent. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
The term "holder" as used herein means any person in whose name Old Notes are registered on the books of the Company or any other person who has obtained a properly completed bond power from the registered holder or any person whose name appears on a security position listing provided by DTC as an owner of Old Notes.
All holders of Old Notes who wish to tender their Old Notes must, prior to the Expiration Date: (1) complete, sign and deliver this Letter of Transmittal, or a facsimile thereof, to the Exchange Agent, in person or to the address set forth above, unless an Agent's Message is transmitted in lieu hereof; and (2) tender (and not withdraw) his or her Old Notes or, if a tender of Old Notes is to be made by book-entry transfer to the account maintained by the Exchange Agent at DTC, confirm such book-entry transfer (a "Book-Entry Confirmation"), in each case in accordance with the procedures for tendering described in the instructions to this Letter of Transmittal. Holders of Old Notes whose certificates are not immediately available, or who are unable to deliver their certificates or Book-Entry Confirmation and all other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal to be delivered to the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date, must tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth under the caption "The Exchange OfferProcedures for Tendering Old Notes" in the Prospectus. (See Instruction 2).
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the acceptance for exchange of the Old Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn and the issuance of the New Notes will be made promptly following the Expiration Date. For the purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall be deemed to have accepted for exchange validly tendered Old Notes when, as and if the Company has given oral (promptly confirmed in writing) or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent.
PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND THE PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY BEFORE CHECKING ANY BOX BELOW. THE INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED IN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MUST BE FOLLOWED. QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT. (SEE INSTRUCTION 12 HEREIN).
HOLDERS WHO WISH TO ACCEPT THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND TENDER THEIR OLD NOTES MUST COMPLETE BOX 1, BOX 2 AND BOX 4 AND SIGN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IN BOX 4 AND COMPLY WITH ALL OF ITS TERMS, UNLESS AN AGENT'S MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED IN LIEU HEREOF.
2
Box 1 Tender of Old Notes
IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR A FACSIMILE HEREOF OR AN AGENT'S MESSAGE IN LIEU HEREOF (TOGETHER WITH THE CERTIFICATES) FOR OLD NOTES OR A CONFIRMATION OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER OF SUCH OLD NOTES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS OR, IF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES ARE TO BE COMPLIED WITH, A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY, MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
o | CHECK HERE IF OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER TO AN ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: | |||
Name of Tendering Institution |
||||
Account Number |
||||
Transaction Code Number |
Holders whose Old Notes are not immediately available or who cannot deliver their Old Notes and all other documents required hereby to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date may tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange OfferProcedures for Tendering Old Notes." (See Instruction 2).
o |
CHECK HERE IF OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: |
|||
Name(s) of Tendering Holder(s) |
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery |
Transaction Code Number |
Name of Eligible Institution which Guaranteed Delivery |
3
Box 2 Description of Old Notes Tendered
List below the Old Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal relates. If the space provided below is inadequate, the Certificate Numbers and Principal Amounts should be listed on a separate signed schedule, attached hereto. The minimum permitted tender is $1,000 in principal amount of Old Notes. All other tenders must be in integral multiples of $1,000.
DESCRIPTION OF 5.00% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2015
Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered Owner(s) |
Boston Properties Limited Partnership Certificate(s) Surrendered (Attach additional signed schedule if necessary) |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Certificate No(s). |
Aggregate Principal Amount Represented by Certificate* |
Aggregate Principal Amount Tendered (if less than all)** |
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* |
Need not be completed by book-entry holders. |
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** | Need not be completed by holders who wish to tender with respect to all Old Notes listed. A holder will be deemed to have tendered all of such holders' Old Notes if no lesser amount is indicated. Old Notes tendered hereby must be in denominations of principal amount of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. |
4
Box 3 Special Registration and Delivery Instructions
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY INSTRUCTIONS 4, 5, 6 AND 7
SPECIAL REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Old Notes in a principal amount not tendered, or New Notes issued in exchange for Old Notes accepted for exchange, are to be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned, or if Old Notes delivered by book-entry transfer which are not accepted for exchange are to be returned by credit to an account maintained at DTC other than the account indicated on the following page.
Issue Old Notes and/or New Notes certificate(s) to:
Name |
(PLEASE PRINT) |
|
(PLEASE PRINT) |
||
Address |
||
(INCLUDING ZIP CODE) |
||
(TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER) |
||
o Credit unexchanged Old Notes delivered by book-entry transfer to the DTC account set forth below: |
||
(DTC ACCOUNT NUMBER) |
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Old Notes in a principal amount not tendered, or New Notes issued in exchange for Old Notes accepted for exchange, are to be delivered to someone other than the undersigned.
Deliver Old Notes and/or New Notes certificate(s) to:
Name |
(PLEASE PRINT) |
|
(PLEASE PRINT) |
||
Address |
||
(INCLUDING ZIP CODE) |
||
(TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER) |
5
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
PLEASE READ ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned is a holder of 5.00% Senior Notes due 2015 (the "Old Notes") issued by Boston Properties Limited Partnership (the "Company") under that certain Indenture dated as of December 13, 2002, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee, as supplemented by a fourth supplemental indenture dated May 22, 2003.
The undersigned acknowledges that he or she has received the Prospectus, dated June , 2003 (the "Prospectus") of the Company and this Letter of Transmittal and the instructions hereto (the "Letter of Transmittal"), which together constitute the Company's offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange each $1,000 principal amount of its Old Notes, of which $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount is outstanding, for each $1,000 principal amount of its newly issued 5.00% Senior Notes due 2015 that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "New Notes"). The term "Expiration Date" shall mean 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , 2003, unless the Company, in its sole discretion, extends the Exchange Offer, in which case the term shall mean the latest date and time to which the Exchange Offer is extended by the Company. All other capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same meanings given them in the Prospectus.
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus and in accordance with this Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned hereby tenders to the Company the principal amount of Old Notes indicated in the tables in Box 2 above labeled "Description of 5.00% Senior Notes due 2015" under the column heading "Aggregate Principal Amount Tendered" (or, if nothing is indicated therein, with respect to the entire aggregate principal amount represented by the Old Notes described in those tables). The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that Old Notes may not be tendered except in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal.
Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of the principal amount of Old Notes tendered hereby in accordance with this Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Company all right, title and interest in and to the Old Notes tendered hereby. The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent also acts as the agent of the Company and as Trustee and Registrar under the indenture governing the New Notes) with respect to the tendered Old Notes with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed an irrevocable power coupled with an interest), subject only to the right of withdrawal described in the Prospectus, to (i) deliver certificates for such Old Notes to the Company or transfer ownership of such Old Notes on the account books maintained by DTC, together, in either such case, with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order of, the Company and (ii) present such Old Notes for transfer on the books of the Company and receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Old Notes, all in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer.
The undersigned understands and agrees that the Company reserves the right not to accept tendered Old Notes from any tendering holder if the Company determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that conditions precedent, as set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange OfferConditions to the Exchange Offer," have not been satisfied.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, exchange, assign and transfer the Old Notes tendered hereby and to acquire New Notes issuable upon the exchange of such tendered Old Notes, and that, when the same are accepted for exchange, the Company will acquire good and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claim. The undersigned also
6
warrants that it will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed to be necessary or desirable by the Exchange Agent or the Company in order to complete the exchange, assignment and transfer of tendered Old Notes or transfer of ownership of such Old Notes on the account books maintained by a book-entry transfer facility.
The undersigned hereby further represents and warrants that: (i) the undersigned is acquiring the New Notes in the ordinary course of its business; (ii) the undersigned is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of the New Notes; (iii) the undersigned has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the New Notes; (iv) neither the undersigned nor any other such person is an affiliate of the Company; and (v) the undersigned is not a broker-dealer tendering Old Notes acquired directly from the Company.
The undersigned also acknowledges that the Exchange Offer is being made in reliance upon interpretations by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), as set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, that the New Notes issued in exchange for Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than any holder that is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act), without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders' business and the holders have no arrangement with any person to participate in the distribution of the New Notes. However, the Company has not obtained a no-action letter specifically for this Exchange Offer, and there can be no assurance that the staff of the SEC would make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offer as in other circumstances. If any holder is an affiliate of the Company, or is engaged in or intends to engage in or has any arrangement or understanding with respect to the distribution of the New Notes to be acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer, that holder (a) cannot rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC and (b) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction.
The undersigned understands and acknowledges that the Company reserves the right in its sole discretion to purchase or make offers for any Old Notes that remain outstanding subsequent to the Expiration Date or, as set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange OfferProcedures for Tendering Old Notes," to terminate the Exchange Offer and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, purchase Old Notes in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The terms of any such purchases or offers could differ from the terms of the Exchange Offer.
The undersigned understands that the Company may accept the undersigned's tender by delivering oral (promptly confirmed in writing) or written notice of acceptance to the Exchange Agent, at which time the undersigned's right to withdraw such tender will terminate. For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall be deemed to have accepted validly tendered Old Notes when, as and if the Company has given oral (which shall be promptly confirmed in writing) or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent.
The undersigned understands that tenders of Old Notes pursuant to the procedures described under the caption "The Exchange OfferProcedures for Tendering Old Notes" in the Prospectus and in the instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.
The undersigned acknowledges that the Exchange Offer is subject to the more detailed terms set forth in the Prospectus and, in case of any conflict between the terms of the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal, the Prospectus shall prevail.
If any tendered Old Notes are not accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer for any reason, certificates for any such unaccepted Old Notes will be returned (except as noted below with
7
respect to tenders through DTC), at the Company's cost and expense, to the undersigned at the address shown below or at a different address as may be indicated herein under "Special Delivery Instructions" as promptly as practicable after the Expiration Date.
All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by this Letter of Transmittal shall survive the death, incapacity or dissolution of the undersigned, and every obligation of the undersigned under this Letter of Transmittal shall be binding upon the undersigned's heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns. This tender may be withdrawn only in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Letter of Transmittal.
Unless otherwise indicated in Box 3 "Special Registration Instructions," please issue the certificates representing the New Notes issued in exchange for the Old Notes accepted for exchange and return any certificates for Old Notes not tendered or not exchanged, in the name(s) of the undersigned (or, in either such event in the case of Old Notes tendered by DTC, by credit to the account of the undersigned at DTC). Similarly, unless otherwise indicated in Box 3 "Special Delivery Instructions," please send the certificates representing the New Notes issued in exchange for the Old Notes accepted for exchange and any certificates for Old Notes not tendered or not exchanged (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the undersigned at the address shown below the undersigned's signature(s), unless, in either event, tender is being made through DTC. In the event that both "Special Registration Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" are completed, please issue the certificates representing the New Notes issued in exchange for the Old Notes accepted for exchange in the name(s) of, and return any certificates for Old Notes not tendered or not exchanged to, the person(s) so indicated. The undersigned understands that the Company has no obligations pursuant to the "Special Registration Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" to transfer any Old Notes from the name of the registered holder(s) thereof if the Company does not accept for exchange any of the Old Notes so tendered.
Holders who wish to tender the Old Notes and (i) whose Old Notes are not immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Notes, this Letter of Transmittal or an Agent's Message in lieu hereof or any other documents required hereby to the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date, may tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange OfferProcedures for Tendering Old Notes." (See Instruction 2).
o | Check here if you are a broker-dealer and wish to receive 10 additional copies of the prospectus and 10 copies of any amendments or supplements thereto. | |||
Name: |
||||
Address: |
If the undersigned is a broker-dealer holding Old Notes acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, it acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of New Notes received in respect of such Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
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Box 4
PLEASE SIGN HERE WHETHER OR NOT
OLD NOTES ARE BEING PHYSICALLY
TENDERED HEREBY AND WHETHER OR NOT TENDER IS TO BE
MADE PURSUANT TO THE GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
This Letter of Transmittal must be signed by the registered holder(s) as their name(s) appear on the Old Notes or, if tendered by a participant in DTC, exactly as such participant's name appears on a security listing as the owner of Old Notes, or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by a properly completed bond power from the registered holder(s), a copy of which must be transmitted with this Letter of Transmittal. If Old Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal relate are held of record by two or more joint holders, then all such holders must sign this Letter of Transmittal. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, then such person must (i) set forth his or her full title below and (ii) unless waived by the Company, submit evidence satisfactory to the Company of such person's authority so to act (See Instruction 4).
X |
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DATE |
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X |
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SIGNATURE(S) OF HOLDER(S) OR AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY | DATE |
Name(s): |
Address: |
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(PLEASE PRINT) |
(INCLUDING ZIP CODE) |
Capacity: |
Area Code and Telephone Number: |
Social Security No.: |
9
PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 HEREIN
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE (SEE INSTRUCTION 1)
CERTAIN SIGNATURES MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION
(Name of Eligible Institution Guaranteeing Signatures) |
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Address (Including Zip Code) and Telephone Number (Including Area Code) of Firm) |
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(Authorized Signature) |
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(Printed Name) |
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(Title) |
Date: |
10
INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
1. Guarantee of Signatures. Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal need not be guaranteed if (a) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Old Notes tendered herewith and such holder(s) have not completed Box 3 "Special Registration Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" or (b) such Old Notes are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution (See Instruction 6). Otherwise, all signatures on this Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, must be guaranteed by a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States (an "Eligible Institution"). All signatures on bond powers and endorsements on certificates must also be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
2. Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal and Old Notes. Certificates for all physically delivered Old Notes or confirmation of any book-entry transfer to the Exchange Agent at DTC of Old Notes tendered by book-entry transfer, as well as, in each case (including cases where tender is affected by book-entry transfer), a properly completed and duly executed copy of this Letter of Transmittal or facsimile hereof or an Agent's Message in lieu thereof and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.
The method of delivery of the tendered Old Notes, this Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent is at the election and risk of the holder and the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the Exchange Agent. If Old Notes are sent by mail, registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, is recommended. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to ensure timely delivery. No Letter of Transmittal or Old Notes should be sent to the Company.
The Exchange Agent will make a request to establish an account with respect to the Old Notes at DTC for purposes of the Exchange Offer within two business days after receipt of this Letter of Transmittal, and any financial institution that is a participant in DTC may make book-entry delivery of Old Notes by causing DTC to transfer such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC in accordance with DTC's procedures for transfer. However, although delivery of Old Notes may be effected through book-entry transfer at DTC, the Letter of Transmittal, with any required signature guarantees or an Agent's Message (as defined below) in connection with a book-entry transfer and any other required documents, must, in any case, be transmitted to and received by the Exchange Agent at the address specified on the cover page of the Letter of Transmittal on or prior to the Expiration Date or the guaranteed delivery procedures described below must be complied with.
A holder may tender Old Notes that are held through DTC by transmitting its acceptance through DTC's Automatic Tender Offer Program, for which the transaction will be eligible, and DTC will then edit and verify the acceptance and send an Agent's Message to the Exchange Agent for its acceptance. The term "Agent's Message" means a message transmitted by DTC to, and received by, the Exchange Agent and forming part of the Book-Entry Confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from each participant in DTC tendering the Old Notes and that such participant has received the Letter of Transmittal and agrees to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal and the Company may enforce such agreement against such participant.
Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes and (i) whose Old Notes are not immediately available, or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Notes, this Letter of Transmittal or any other documents required hereby to the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date or comply with book-entry transfer procedures on a timely basis must tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus. See "Exchange OfferProcedures for Tendering Old Notes."
11
Pursuant to such procedures: (i) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution; (ii) prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must have received from the Eligible institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (by facsimile transmission, overnight courier, mail or hand delivery) setting forth the name and address of the holder of the Old Notes, the certificate number or numbers of such Old Notes and the principal amount of Old Notes tendered, stating that the tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date, this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof or an Agent's Message in lieu hereof) together with the certificate(s) representing the Old Notes and any other required documents will be deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent; and (iii) such properly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof or an Agent's Message in lieu hereof), as well as all other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal and the certificate(s) representing all tendered Old Notes in proper form for transfer (or a confirmation of book-entry transfer of such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC), must be received by the Exchange Agent within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date, all in the manner provided in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange OfferProcedures for Tendering Old Notes." Any holder who wishes to tender his Old Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures described above must ensure that the Exchange Agent receives the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Upon request to the Exchange Agent, a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will be sent to holders who wish to tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth above.
All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt), acceptance of tendered Old Notes, and withdrawal of tendered Old Notes will be determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which determination will be final and binding. All tendering holders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof or an Agent's Message in lieu hereof), shall waive any right to receive notice of the acceptance of the Old Notes for exchange. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and all Old Notes not properly tendered or any Old Notes the Company's acceptance of which would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the right to waive any irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular Old Notes. The Company's interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the instructions in this Letter of Transmittal) shall be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Old Notes must be cured within such time as the Company shall determine. Neither the Company, the Exchange Agent, nor any other person shall be under any duty to give notification of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Old Notes, nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of Old Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or irregularities have been cured to the Company's satisfaction or waived. Any Old Notes received by the Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the Exchange Agent to the tendering holders pursuant to the Company's determination, unless otherwise provided in this Letter of Transmittal as soon as practicable following the Expiration Date. The Exchange Agent has no fiduciary duties to the holders with respect to the Exchange Offer and is acting solely on the basis of directions of the Company.
3. Inadequate Space. If the space provided is inadequate, the certificate numbers and/or the number of Old Notes should be listed on a separate signed schedule attached hereto.
4. Tender by Holder. Only a holder of Old Notes may tender such Old Notes in the Exchange Offer. Any beneficial owner of Old Notes who is not the registered holder and who wishes to tender should arrange with such registered holder to execute and deliver this Letter of Transmittal on such beneficial owner's behalf or must, prior to completing and executing this Letter of Transmittal and delivering his Old Notes, either make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the Old Notes
12
in such beneficial owners name or obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered holder or properly endorsed certificates representing such Old Notes.
5. Partial Tenders; Withdrawals. Tenders of Old Notes will be accepted only in integral multiples of $1,000. If less than the entire principal amount of any Old Note is tendered, the tendering holder should fill in the principal amount tendered in the table in Box 2 above labeled "Description of 5.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2015" under the column heading "Aggregate Principal Amount Tendered." The entire principal amount of any Old Notes delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated. If the entire principal amount of all Old Notes is not tendered, then Old Notes for the principal amount of Old Notes not tendered and a certificate or certificates representing New Notes issued in exchange for any Old Notes accepted will be sent to the holder at his or her registered address, unless a different address is provided in Box 3 "Special Delivery Instructions" above on this Letter of Transmittal or unless tender is made through DTC, promptly after the Old Notes are accepted for exchange.
Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. To withdraw a tender of Old Notes in the Exchange Offer, a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must (i) specify the name of the person having deposited the Old Notes to be withdrawn (the "Depositor"), (ii) identify the Old Notes to be withdrawn (including the certificate number or numbers and principal amount of such Old Notes, or, in the case of Old Notes transferred by book-entry transfer the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited), (iii) be signed by the Depositor in the same manner as the original signature on the Letter of Transmittal by which such Old Notes were tendered (including any required signature guarantees) or be accompanied by documents of transfer sufficient to have the Registrar with respect to the Old Notes register the transfer of such Old Notes into the name of the person withdrawing the tender and (iv) specify the name in which any such Old Notes are to be registered, if different from that of the Depositor. All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of such notices will be determined by the Company, whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Any Old Notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer and no New Notes will be issued with respect thereto unless the Old Notes so withdrawn are validly retendered. Any Old Notes which have been tendered but which are not accepted for exchange by the Company will be returned to the holder thereof without cost to such holder as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the Exchange Offer. Properly withdrawn Old Notes may be retendered by following one of the procedures described in the Prospectus under "The Exchange OfferProcedures for Tendering Old Notes" at any time prior to the Expiration Date.
6. Signatures on the Letter of Transmittal; Bond Powers and Endorsements. If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Old Notes tendered hereby, the signature must correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the Old Note without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.
If any of the Old Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
If a number of Old Notes registered in different names are tendered, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many copies of this Letter of Transmittal as there are different registrations of Old Notes.
If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed by the registered holder or holders (which term, for the purposes described herein, shall include a person whose name appears on a DTC security listing as the owner of the Old Notes) of Old Notes tendered and the certificate or certificates
13
for New Notes issued in exchange therefor is to be issued (or any untendered principal amount of Old Notes to be reissued) to the registered holder, then such holder need not and should not endorse any tendered Old Notes, nor provide a separate bond power. In any other case, such holder must either properly endorse the Old Notes tendered or transmit a properly completed separate bond power with this Letter of Transmittal with the signatures on the endorsement or bond power guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed by a person other than the registered holder or holders of any Old Notes listed, such Old Notes must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers in each case signed as the name of the registered holder or holders appears on the Old Notes.
If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) or any Old Notes or bond powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, or officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and unless waived by the Company, evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority so to act must be submitted with this Letter of Transmittal.
Endorsements on Old Notes or signatures on bond powers required by this Instruction 6 must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
7. Special Registration and Delivery Instructions. Tendering holders should indicate, in the applicable box or boxes, the name and address to which New Notes or substitute Old Notes for principal amounts not tendered or not accepted for exchange are to be issued or sent, if different from the name and address of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal. In the case of issuance in a different name, the taxpayer identification or social security number of the person named must also be indicated.
8. Backup Federal Income Tax Withholding and Substitute Form W-9. Under the federal income tax laws, payments that may be made by the Company on account of New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be subject to backup withholding. In order to avoid such backup withholding, each tendering holder should complete and sign the Substitute Form W-9 included in this Letter of Transmittal and provide the correct taxpayer identification number ("TIN") and certify, under penalties of perjury, (a) that the TIN provided is correct (or the holder is waiting for a number to be issued to him or her); (b) that either (i) the holder has not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") that the holder is subject to backup withholding as a result of failure to report all interest or dividends, (ii) the IRS has notified the holder that the holder is no longer subject to backup withholding; or (iii) provide an adequate basis for exemption, and (c) the holder is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). If the tendering holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for one, or intends to apply for one in the near future, such holder should write "Applied For" in the space provided for the TIN in Part I of the Substitute Form W-9, sign and date the Substitute Form W-9 and sign the Certificate of Payee Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number. If "Applied For" is written in Part I, the Company (or the Paying Agent under the indenture governing the New Notes) shall retain a portion of payments made to the tendering holder during the sixty-day period following the date of the Substitute Form W-9. If the holder furnishes the Exchange Agent or the Company with its TIN within sixty days after the date of the Substitute Form W-9, the Company (or the Paying Agent) shall remit such amounts retained during the sixty-day period to the holder and no further amounts shall be retained or withheld from payments made to the holder thereafter. If, however, the holder has not provided the Exchange Agent or the Company with its TIN within such sixty-day period, the Company (or the Paying Agent) shall remit such previously retained amounts to the IRS as backup withholding. In general, if a holder is an individual, the TIN is the Social Security number of such individual. If the Exchange Agent or the Company are not provided with the correct TIN, the holder may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the IRS. Certain holders (including, among others, certain corporations and
14
certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as an exempt recipient, such holder must submit a statement (generally, an appropriate IRS Form W-8), signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that individual's exempt status. Such statements can be obtained from the Exchange Agent. For further information concerning backup withholding and instructions for completing the Substitute Form W-9(including how to obtain a taxpayer identification number if you do not have one and how to complete the Substitute Form W-9 if Old Notes are registered in more than one name), consult the enclosed Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9.
Failure to complete the Substitute Form W-9 will not, by itself, cause Old Notes to be deemed invalidly tendered, but may require the Company (or the Paying Agent) to withhold a portion of the amount of any payments made on account of the New Notes. Backup withholding is not an additional federal income tax. Rather, the federal income tax liability of a person subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If backup withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from the IRS.
9. Transfer Taxes. The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If, however, certificates representing New Notes or Old Notes for principal amounts not tendered or accepted for exchange are to be delivered to, or are to be registered in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the Old Notes tendered hereby, or if tendered Old Notes are registered in the name of a person other than the person signing this Letter of Transmittal, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or on any other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with this Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering holder. See the Prospectus under "The Exchange OfferTransfer Taxes."
Except as provided in this Instruction 9, it will not be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Old Notes listed in this Letter of Transmittal.
10. Waiver of Conditions. The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend, waive or modify specified conditions in the Exchange Offer in the case of any Old Notes tendered.
11. Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Old Notes. Any tendering holder whose Old Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should contact the Exchange Agent at the address indicated herein for further instructions.
12. Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies. Requests for assistance and requests for additional copies of the Prospectus or this Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Exchange Agent at the address specified in the Prospectus. A holder may also contact such holder's broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Exchange Offer.
15
Under federal income tax laws, a holder whose tendered Old Notes are accepted for payment is required to provide the Exchange Agent (as payer) with such holder's correct TIN on Substitute Form W-9 below or otherwise establish a basis for exemption from backup withholding. If such holder is an individual, the TIN is his social security number. If the Exchange Agent is not provided with the correct TIN, a $50 penalty may be imposed by the IRS, and payments made pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be subject to backup withholding.
Certain holders (including, among others, certain corporations and certain foreign persons) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. Exempt holders should indicate their exempt status on Substitute Form W-9. A foreign person may qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting to the Exchange Agent a properly completed appropriate IRS Form W-8, signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that holder's exempt status. An appropriate Form W-8 can be obtained from the Exchange Agent. See the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional instructions.
If backup withholding applies, the Exchange Agent is required to withhold a portion of any payments made to the holder or other payee. Backup withholding is not an additional federal income tax. Rather, the federal income tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from the IRS.
PURPOSE OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
To prevent backup withholding on payments made with respect to the Exchange Offer, the holder is required to provide the Exchange Agent with (i) the holder's correct TIN by completing the Substitute Form W-9 below, certifying that the TIN provided on Substitute Form W-9 is correct (or that such holder is awaiting a TIN) and that (A) the holder has not been notified by the IRS that the holder is subject to backup withholding as a result of failure to report all interest or dividends, (B) the IRS has notified the holder that the holder is no longer subject to backup withholding, or (C) provide an adequate basis for exemption; and (ii) certify that the holder is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien).
WHAT NUMBER TO GIVE THE EXCHANGE AGENT
The holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN (e.g., social security number or employer identification number) of the registered holder of the Old Notes. If the Old Notes are held in more than one name or are held not in the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance on which number to report.
16
TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING HOLDERS
(SEE INSTRUCTION 8)
Department
of the Treasury
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
Substitute Form W-9
(To be completed by all holders)
Name: |
||
(If joint names, list both and circle the name of the person or entity whose number you enter in Part 1 below) |
Business Name: |
||
(Business name, trade name, or "doing business as" name) | ||
Check Appropriate Box: o Individual/Sole Proprietor o Corporation o Partnership |
o Other | ||
(Describe) |
Address: |
Part 1 Please provide your Taxpayer Identification Number ("TIN") in the space provided below and certify by signing and dating below. | Part 2 If you are exempt from backup withholding, check here. | |
(Social Security or Employer Identification Number) |
o Exempt from backup withholding |
Part 3 Certification Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
1. The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me), and
2. I am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) I am exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has informed me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding, and
3. I am a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien).
Certification Instructions You must cross out item 2 of Part 3 if you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup withholding because of underreporting interest or dividends on your tax return. However, if after being notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding, you receive another notification from the IRS stating that you are no longer subject to backup withholding, do not cross out item 2 of Part 3.
Signature: | Date: |
NOTE: Failure to complete and return this Substitute Form W-9 may result in backup withholding of any payments made to you. Please review Substitute Form W-9 (Instruction 8) for additional details.
17
CERTIFICATION OF PAYEE AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify, under penalties of perjury, that a Taxpayer Identification Number has not been issued to me, and that I mailed or delivered an application to receive a Taxpayer Identification Number to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office (or I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future). I understand that if I do not provide a Taxpayer Identification Number to the payer, a portion of all payments made to me on account of the New Notes shall be retained until I provide a Taxpayer Identification Number to the payer and that, if I do not provide my Taxpayer Identification Number within sixty days, such retained amounts shall be remitted to the Internal Revenue Service as backup withholding and a portion of all reportable payments made to me thereafter will be withheld and remitted to the Internal Revenue Service until I provide a Taxpayer Identification Number.
SIGNATURE |
DATE |
NOTE: |
FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF A PORTION OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU ON ACCOUNT OF THE NEW NOTES. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. |
18
GUIDELINE FOR CERTIFICATION OF
TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
Guideline for Determining the Proper Identification Number for the Payee (You) to give the Payer. Social Security numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e. 000-000-0000. Employer identification numbers have nine digits separated by only one hyphen: i.e., 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the number to give the payer. All "Section" references are to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. "IRS" is the Internal Revenue Service.
For this type of account: |
Give the Name and social security number of |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Individual | The individual | ||
2. |
Two or more individuals (joint account) |
The actual owner of the account or, if combined funds, the first individual on the account1 |
||
3. |
Custodian account of a minor (Uniform Gift to Minors Act) |
The minor2 |
||
4. |
a. The usual revocable savings trust (grantor is also trustee) |
The Grantor-trustee1 |
||
b. So-called trust account that is not a legal or valid trust under the law |
The actual owner1 |
|||
5. |
Sole proprietorship or single-owner LLC |
The owner3 |
For this type of account: |
Give the name and employer identification number of |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
6. | Sole proprietorship or single-owner LLC | The owner3 | ||
7. |
A valid trust, estate, or pension trust |
The legal entity4 |
||
8. |
Corporate or LLC electing corporate status on form 8837 |
The corporation |
||
9. |
Association, club, religious, charitable, educational, or other tax-exempt organization |
The organization |
||
10. |
Partnership or multi-member LLC |
The partnership |
||
11. |
A broker or registered nominee |
The broker or nominee |
||
12. |
Account with the Department of Agriculture in the name of a public government, school, district, or prison that receives agricultural program payments |
The public entity |
Note: |
If no name is circled when there is more than one name listed, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed. |
19
GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
Obtaining a Number
If you don't have a taxpayer identification number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card at the local Social Security Administration office, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, by calling 1 (800) TAX-FORM, and apply for a number.
Payees Exempt from Backup Withholding
Payees specifically exempted from backup withholding include:
Payees that may be exempt from backup withholding include:
Payments of dividends and patronage dividends generally exempt from backup withholding include:
Payments of interest generally subject to backup withholding include the following:
Certain payments, other than payments of interest, dividends, and patronage dividends, that are exempt from information reporting are also exempt from backup withholding. For details, see Sections 6041, 6041A, 6042, 6045, 6049, 6050A and 6050N and the regulations thereunder.
20
Exempt payees should complete a substitute Form W-9 to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. Furnish your taxpayer identification number, check the box in Part 2 on the form, sign and date the form and return it to the payer. Foreign payees who are not subject to backup withholding should complete an appropriate Form W-8 and return it to the payer.
Privacy Act Notice. Section 6109 requires you to provide your correct taxpayer identification number to payers who must report the payments to the IRS. The IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes and to help verify the accuracy of your return and may also provide this information to various government agencies for tax enforcement or litigation purposes. Payers must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are required to file tax returns. Payers must generally withhold 30% of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish a taxpayer identification number to a payer. Certain penalties may also apply.
Penalties
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.
21
EXHIBIT 99.2
NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
FOR TENDER OF
5.00% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2015
OF
BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
As set forth in the Prospectus dated June , 2003 (the "Prospectus") of Boston Properties Limited Partnership (the "Company") and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), this form or a form substantially equivalent to this form, or the electronic form used by The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") for this purpose, must be used to accept the Exchange Offer (as defined below) if certificates for outstanding 5.00% Senior Notes due 2015 (the "Old Notes") and all other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal are not immediately available to the registered holder of such Old Notes and cannot be delivered to the Exchange Agent (as defined below) prior to the Expiration Date (as defined below) or if compliance with book-entry transfer procedures for the transfer of Old Notes to the account of the Exchange Agent at DTC cannot be effected on a timely basis. Such form may be delivered by hand or transmitted by facsimile transmission, telex or mail to the Exchange Agent no later than the Expiration Date, and must include a signature guarantee by an Eligible Institution (as defined in the Letter of Transmittal) as set forth below.
To:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK (THE "EXCHANGE AGENT")
By
Mail or Overnight Courier:
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street
New York, NY 10286
Attention:
By
Hand Delivery:
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street
New York, NY 10286
Attention:
By
Facsimile Transmission:
( )
For
Information or Confirmation by Telephone:
( )
THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON , 2003 (THE "EXPIRATION DATE") UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED. TENDERS MAY BE WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.
DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OR TRANSMISSION THEREOF TO A FACSIMILE NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF ALL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING CERTIFICATES, IS AT THE RISK OF THE HOLDER. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED. THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IS COMPLETED.
This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery is not to be used to guarantee signatures. If a signature on a Letter of Transmittal is required to be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution under the instructions thereto, such signatures must appear in the applicable space provided on the Letter of Transmittal for Guarantee of Signature(s).
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus and the related Letter of Transmittal which describes the Company's offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange $1,000 in principal amount of 5.00% Senior Notes due 2015 of the Company (the "New Notes") for each $1,000 in principal amount of Old Notes.
The undersigned hereby tenders to the Company the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes set forth below on the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the related Letter of Transmittal pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in the section of the Prospectus entitled "The Exchange OfferProcedures for Tendering Old Notes."
The undersigned understands that no withdrawal of a tender of Old Notes may be made on or after the Expiration Date of the Exchange Offer. The undersigned understands that for a withdrawal of a tender of Old Notes to be effective, a written notice of withdrawal that complies with the requirements of the Exchange Offer must be timely received by the Exchange Agent at its address specified on the cover of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery prior to the Expiration Date.
The undersigned understands that the exchange of Old Notes for New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of (i) such Old Notes (or Book-Entry Confirmation of the transfer of such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC and (ii) a Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) with respect to such Old Notes, properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal or a properly transmitted Agent's Message. The term "Agent's Message" means a message transmitted by DTC to, and received by, the Exchange Agent and forming part of the confirmation of a book-entry transfer, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from each participant in DTC tendering Old Notes and that such participant has received the Letter of Transmittal and agrees to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal and the Company may enforce such agreement against such participant.
All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery shall not be affected by, and shall survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned, and every obligation of the undersigned under this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy, personal and legal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned.
PLEASE SIGN AND COMPLETE
Signature(s) of Registered Owner(s) or Authorized Signatory: | ||
Name(s) of Registered Holder(s): |
||
Address: |
||
Area Code and Telephone No.: |
Principal Amount of Outstanding Old Notes Tendered: |
||
Certificate No(s) of Old Notes: |
If Old Notes will be delivered by book-entry transfer at The Depository Trust Company, insert: |
Depository Account No.: |
Date: |
This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery must be signed by the registered Holder(s) of Old Notes exactly as its (their) name(s) appear on certificates for Old Notes or on a security position listing as the owner of Old Notes, or by person(s) authorized to become registered Holder(s) by endorsements and documents transmitted with this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person must provide the following information:
PLEASE PRINT NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)
Name(s): | ||
Capacity: |
||
Address(es): |
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DO NOT SEND OLD NOTES WITH THIS FORM. OLD NOTES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT TOGETHER WITH A PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
GUARANTEE
(NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEE)
The undersigned, a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or a correspondent in the United States, or otherwise an "eligible guarantor institution" within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), as amended, hereby (a) represents that each holder of Old Notes on whose behalf this tender is being made "own(s)" the Old Notes covered hereby within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, (b) represents that such tender of Old Notes complies with Rule 14e-4 of the Exchange Act and (c) guarantees that, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days from the expiration date of the Exchange Offer, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof or an Agent's Message in lieu thereof), together with certificates representing the Old Notes covered hereby in proper form for transfer (or confirmation of the book-entry transfer of such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at The Depository Trust Company, pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer set forth in the Prospectus) and required documents will be deposited by the undersigned with the Exchange Agent.
The undersigned acknowledges that it must deliver the Letter of Transmittal or an Agent's Message (as defined in the Letter of Transmittal) in lieu thereof and Old Notes tendered hereby to the Exchange Agent within the time period set forth above and that failure to do say could result in financial loss to the undersigned.
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EXHIBIT 99.3
BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
LETTER TO REGISTERED HOLDERS AND DTC PARTICIPANTS
REGARDING
OFFER TO EXCHANGE
5.00% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2015
FOR
ANY AND ALL
OUTSTANDING
5.00% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2015
The Exchange Offer and Withdrawal Rights will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , 2003 unless the offer is extended. Tenders may be withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.
To Registered Holders and The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") Participants:
Boston Properties Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the "Company"), is offering to exchange, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus dated May 13, 2003 (the "Prospectus") and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (which together with any amendments or supplements thereto collectively constitute the "Exchange Offer"), up to $250 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% Senior Notes due 2015 of the Company which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "New Notes"), for up to $250 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% Senior Notes due 2015 (the "Old Notes"). As set forth in the Prospectus, the terms of the New Notes are identical in all material respects to the Old Notes, except that the New Notes will not contain the terms with respect to transfer restrictions, registration rights and payments of additional interest that relate to the Old Notes.
For your information and for forwarding to your clients for whom you hold Old Notes registered in your name or in the name of your nominee as quickly as possible, enclosed herewith are copies of the following documents:
Your prompt action is required. Please note that the Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on , 2003, unless extended. Please furnish copies of the enclosed materials to your clients as quickly as possible.
To participate in the Exchange Offer, a beneficial holder must either (a) complete, sign and date the Letter of Transmittal and deliver it to The Bank of New York (the "Exchange Agent"), at the address set forth in the Letter of Transmittal, and either (i) deliver to the Exchange Agent certificates representing the registered Old Notes in proper form for transfer, or (ii) cause a DTC Participant to make book-entry delivery of the Old Notes; or (b) cause a DTC Participant to tender such holder's Old Notes to the Exchange Agent's account maintained at DTC for the benefit of the Exchange Agent through DTC's Automated Tender Offer Program ("ATOP"), including transmission of a computer-generated message that acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal (an "Agent's Message"). By complying with DTC's ATOP procedures with respect to the Exchange Offer, the DTC Participant confirms on behalf of itself and the beneficial owners of tendered Old
Notes all provisions of the Letter of Transmittal applicable to it and such beneficial owners as fully as if it completed, executed and returned the Letter of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent.
Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes and (a) whose Old Notes are not immediately available or (b) who cannot deliver their Old Notes, the Letter of Transmittal or an Agent's Message and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date must tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth under the caption "The Exchange OfferProcedures for Tendering Old Notes" in the Prospectus.
Pursuant to the Letter of Transmittal, each holder of Old Notes will make certain representations to the Company. The enclosed "Instruction to Registered Holder or DTC Participant from Beneficial Owner" form contains an authorization by the beneficial owners of Old Notes for you to make such representations.
The Exchange Offer is not being made to, nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of, holders of Old Notes residing in any jurisdiction in which the making of the Exchange Offer or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction. The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum number of Old Notes being tendered.
Except for customary fees the Company has agreed to pay the Exchange Agent, the Company will not pay any fee or commission to any broker or dealer or to any other persons in connection with the solicitation of tenders of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The Company will pay or cause to be paid any transfer taxes payable on the transfer of Old Notes to it, except as otherwise provided in Instruction 9 of the enclosed Letter of Transmittal.
Additional copies of the enclosed materials may be obtained from The Bank of New York, 101 Barclay Street, New York, NY 10286, Attention: .
Very truly yours,
BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Nothing contained herein or in the enclosed documents shall render you or any other person the agent of Boston Properties Limited Partnership or The Bank of New York, or authorize you or any other person to use any document or make any statement or representation on their behalf in connection with the Exchange Offer other than the documents enclosed herewith and the statements contained therein.
EXHIBIT 99.4
LETTER TO CLIENTS
REGARDING
BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
OFFER TO EXCHANGE
5.00% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2015
FOR
ANY AND ALL OUTSTANDING
5.00% SENIOR NOTES
DUE 2015
The Exchange Offer and Withdrawal Rights will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , 2003 unless the offer is extended. Tenders may be withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.
To Our Client:
We are enclosing herewith a Prospectus, dated June , 2003, of Boston Properties Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the "Company") and a related Letter of Transmittal (which together with any amendments or supplements thereto collectively constitute the "Exchange Offer"), relating to the offer by the Company to exchange up to $250 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% Senior Notes due 2015 of the Company (the "New Notes") which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), for up to $250 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% Senior Notes due 2015 (the "Old Notes"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal. As set forth in the Prospectus, the terms of the New Notes are identical in all material respects to the Old Notes, except that the New Notes will not contain the terms with respect to transfer restrictions, registration rights and payments of additional interest that relate to the Old Notes.
The enclosed material is being forwarded to you as the beneficial owner of Old Notes held by us for your account or benefit but not registered in your name. An exchange of Old Notes may only be made by us as the registered holder pursuant to your instructions. Therefore, the Company urges beneficial owners of Old Notes registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to contact such holder promptly if they wish to exchange Old Notes in the Exchange Offer. The Letter of Transmittal is furnished to you for your information only and cannot be used by you to tender your beneficial ownership of Old Notes held by us for your account.
We request instructions as to whether you wish to tender any or all of your Old Notes held by us for your account or benefit pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer. We also request that you confirm that we may, on your behalf, make the representations contained in the Letter of Transmittal that are to be made with respect to you as beneficial owner. We urge you to read carefully the Prospectus and Letter of Transmittal before instructing us to exchange your Old Notes and confirming that we may make the representations contained in the Letter of Transmittal.
Your attention is directed to the following:
The Exchange Offer is not being made to, nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of, holders of Old Notes residing in any jurisdiction in which the making of the Exchange Offer or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction.
If you wish us to tender any or all of your Old Notes held by us for your account or benefit, please so instruct us by completing, executing and returning to us the attached instruction form. If you authorize a tender of your Old Notes, the entire principal amount of Old Notes held for your account will be tendered unless otherwise specified on the instruction form. Your instructions must be forwarded to us in ample time to permit us to submit a tender on your behalf by the Expiration Date. Again, please note that the accompanying Letter of Transmittal is furnished to you only for informational purposes, and may not be used by you to exchange Old Notes held by us and registered in our name for your account or benefit.
BOSTON PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
OFFER TO EXCHANGE
5.00% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2015
FOR
ANY AND ALL OUTSTANDING
5.00% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2015
Instructions to Registered Holder from Beneficial Owner
The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of your letter and the enclosed Prospectus and related Letter of Transmittal in connection with the offer by the Company to exchange New Notes for Old Notes.
This will instruct you to tender the principal amount of Old Notes indicated below, held by you for the account of the undersigned, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the related Letter of Transmittal.
The undersigned represents that (i) the New Notes acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer are being obtained in the ordinary course of the undersigned's business, (ii) the undersigned is not engaging, does not intend to engage, and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate, in the distribution of such New Notes, (iii) the undersigned is not an "affiliate," as defined under Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of the Company and (iv) the undersigned is not a "broker" or "dealer" tendering Old Notes acquired directly from the Company.
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*Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all of the Old Notes listed are to be tendered.