Exhibit 3.3
ARES REAL ESTATE INCOME TRUST INC.
SECOND ARTICLES OF RESTATEMENT
FIRST: Ares Real Estate Income Trust Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), desires to restate its charter as currently in effect.
SECOND: The following provisions are all the provisions of the charter currently in effect:
INCORPORATOR
The undersigned, John E. Biallas, whose address is 518 Seventeenth Street, 17th Floor, Denver, Colorado 80202, being at least 18 years of age, does hereby form a corporation under the general laws of the State of Maryland.
ARTICLE II
NAME
The name of the corporation (which is hereinafter called the “Corporation”) is:
Ares Real Estate Income Trust Inc.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSES AND POWERS
The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity (including, without limitation or obligation, engaging in business as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute (the “Code”)) for which corporations may be organized under the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force. For purposes of these Articles, “REIT” means a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.
ARTICLE IV
PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN STATE AND RESIDENT AGENT
The address of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is c/o CSC – Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 11 East Chase Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The name and address of the resident agent of the Corporation are CSC – Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 11 East Chase Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The resident agent is a Maryland corporation.
As used in the Charter, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context otherwise requires:
Acquisition Expenses. The term “Acquisition Expenses” shall mean any and all expenses incurred by the Corporation, the Advisor, or any Affiliate of either in connection with the selection, acquisition or development of any Asset, whether or not acquired, including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses, travel and communications expenses, costs of appraisals, nonrefundable option payments on property not acquired, accounting fees and expenses, title insurance, and the costs of performing due diligence.
Acquisition Fee. The term “Acquisition Fee” shall mean any and all fees and commissions, exclusive of Acquisition Expenses, paid by any Person to any other Person (including any fees or commissions paid by or to any Affiliate of the Corporation or the Advisor) in connection with making or investing in Mortgages or the purchase, development or construction of a Property, including real estate commissions, selection fees, Development Fees, Construction Fees, nonrecurring management fees, loan fees, points or any other fees of a similar nature. Excluded shall be Development Fees and Construction Fees paid to any Person not affiliated with the Sponsor in connection with the actual development and construction of a project.
Advisor or Advisors. The term “Advisor” or “Advisors” shall mean the Person or Persons, if any, appointed, employed or contracted with by the Corporation pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof and responsible for directing or performing the day-to-day business affairs of the Corporation, including any Person to whom the Advisor subcontracts all or substantially all of such functions.
Advisory Agreement. The term “Advisory Agreement” shall mean the agreement between the Corporation and the Advisor pursuant to which the Advisor will direct or perform the day-to-day business affairs of the Corporation.
Affiliate or Affiliated. The term “Affiliate” or “Affiliated” shall mean, with respect to any Person, (i) any Person directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding, with the power to vote, ten percent or more of the outstanding voting securities of such other Person;
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(ii) any Person ten percent or more of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned, controlled or held, with the power to vote, by such other Person; (iii) any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such other Person; (iv) any executive officer, director, trustee or general partner of such other Person; and (v) any legal entity for which such Person acts as an executive officer, director, trustee or general partner.
Aggregate Share Ownership Limit. The term “Aggregate Share Ownership Limit” shall mean not more than 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding Shares.
Asset. The term “Asset” shall mean any Property, Mortgage or other investment (other than investments in bank accounts, money market funds or other current assets) owned by the Corporation, directly or indirectly through one or more of its Affiliates, and any other investment made by the Corporation, directly or indirectly through one or more of its Affiliates.
Asset Management Fee. The term “Asset Management Fee” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 9.14 herein.
Average Invested Assets. The term “Average Invested Assets” shall mean, for a specified period, the average of the aggregate book value of the assets of the Corporation invested, directly or indirectly, in equity interests in and loans secured by real estate (including, without limitation, equity interests in REITs, mortgage pools, commercial mortgage-backed securities and residential mortgage-backed securities), before deducting depreciation, bad debts or other non-cash reserves, computed by taking the average of such values at the end of each month during such period.
Beneficial Ownership. The term “Beneficial Ownership” shall mean ownership of Shares by a Person, whether the interest in Shares is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h)(1)(B) of the Code. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.
Board or Board of Directors. The term “Board” or “Board of Directors” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
Business Day. The term “Business Day” shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
Bylaws. The term “Bylaws” shall mean the Bylaws of the Corporation, as amended from time to time.
Charitable Beneficiary. The term “Charitable Beneficiary” shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Charitable Trust as determined pursuant to Section 7.2.6, provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to
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each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.
Charitable Trust. The term “Charitable Trust” shall mean any trust provided for in Section 7.2.1.
Charitable Trustee. The term “Charitable Trustee” shall mean the Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and a Prohibited Owner, that is appointed by the Corporation to serve as Trustee of the Charitable Trust.
Charter. The term “Charter” shall mean the charter of the Corporation.
Class D Common Shares. The term “Class D Common Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 6.1 herein.
Class D-PR Common Shares. The term “Class D-PR Common Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 6.1 herein.
Class D-PR Conversion Rate. The term “Class D-PR Conversion Rate” shall mean the number of Class I-PR Common Shares equal to the product of each Class D-PR Common Share to be converted and a fraction, the numerator of which is the Class D-PR NAV Per Share and the denominator of which is the Class I-PR NAV Per Share.
Class D-PR NAV Per Share. The term “Class D-PR NAV Per Share” shall mean the net asset value per Class D-PR Common Share, calculated as described in the most recent Valuation Procedures.
Class D-R Common Shares. The term “Class D-R Common Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 6.1 herein.
Class D-R Conversion Rate. The term “Class D-R Conversion Rate” shall mean the number of Class I-R Common Shares equal to the product of each Class D-R Common Share to be converted and a fraction, the numerator of which is the Class D-R NAV Per Share and the denominator of which is the Class I-R NAV Per Share.
Class D-R NAV Per Share. The term “Class D-R NAV Per Share” shall mean the net asset value per Class D-R Common Share, calculated as described in the most recent Valuation Procedures.
Class E Common Shares. The term “Class E Common Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 6.1 herein.
Class E NAV Per Share. The term “Class E NAV Per Share” shall mean the net asset value per Class E Common Share, calculated as described in the most recent Valuation Procedures.
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Class I Common Shares. The term “Class I Common Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 6.1 herein.
Class I-PR Common Shares. The term “Class I-PR Common Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 6.1 herein.
Class I-PR NAV Per Share. The term “Class I-PR NAV Per Share” shall mean the net asset value per Class I-PR Common Share, calculated as described in the most recent Valuation Procedures.
Class I-R Common Shares. The term “Class I-R Common Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 6.1 herein.
Class I-R NAV Per Share. The term “Class I-R NAV Per Share” shall mean the net asset value per Class I-R Common Share, calculated as described in the most recent Valuation Procedures.
Class S Common Shares. The term “Class S Common Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 6.1 herein.
Class S-PR Common Shares. The term “Class S-PR Common Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 6.1 herein.
Class S-PR Conversion Rate. The term “Class S-PR Conversion Rate” shall mean the number of Class I-PR Common Shares equal to the product of each Class S-PR Common Share to be converted and a fraction, the numerator of which is the Class S-PR NAV Per Share and the denominator of which is the Class I-PR NAV Per Share.
Class S-PR NAV Per Share. The term “Class S-PR NAV Per Share” shall mean the net asset value per Class S-PR Common Share, calculated as described in the most recent Valuation Procedures.
Class S-R Common Shares. The term “Class S-R Common Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 6.1 herein.
Class S-R Conversion Rate. The term “Class S-R Conversion Rate” shall mean the number of Class I-R Common Shares equal to the product of each Class S-R Common Share to be converted and a fraction, the numerator of which is the Class S-R NAV Per Share and the denominator of which is the Class I-R NAV Per Share.
Class S-R NAV Per Share. The term “Class S-R NAV Per Share” shall mean the net asset value per Class S-R Common Share, calculated as described in the most recent Valuation Procedures.
Class T Common Shares. The term “Class T Common Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 6.1 herein.
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Class T-R Common Shares. The term “Class T-R Common Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 6.1 herein.
Class T-R Conversion Rate. The term “Class T-R Conversion Rate” shall mean the number of Class I-R Common Shares equal to the product of each Class T-R Common Share to be converted and a fraction, the numerator of which is the Class T-R NAV Per Share and the denominator of which is the Class I-R NAV Per Share.
Class T-R NAV Per Share. The term “Class T-R NAV Per Share” shall mean the net asset value per Class T-R Common Share, calculated as described in the most recent Valuation Procedures.
Code. The term “Code” shall have the meaning as provided in Article III herein.
Commencement of the Initial Public Offering. The term “Commencement of the Initial Public Offering” shall mean the date that the Securities and Exchange Commission declares effective the registration statement filed under the Securities Act for the Initial Public Offering.
Common Share Ownership Limit. The term “Common Share Ownership Limit” shall mean not more than 9.8% (in value or in number of Shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding Common Shares.
Common Shares. The term “Common Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 6.1 herein.
Competitive Real Estate Commission. The term “Competitive Real Estate Commission” shall mean a real estate or brokerage commission paid for the purchase or sale of a Property that is reasonable, customary and competitive in light of the size, type and location of the Property.
Construction Fee. The term “Construction Fee” shall mean a fee or other remuneration for acting as general contractor and/or construction manager to construct improvements, supervise and coordinate projects or to provide major repairs or rehabilitations on a Property.
Constructive Ownership. The term “Constructive Ownership” shall mean ownership of Shares by a Person, whether the interest in Shares is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms “Constructive Owner,” “Constructively Owns” and “Constructively Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.
Contract Purchase Price. The term “Contract Purchase Price” shall mean the amount actually paid or allocated in respect of the purchase, development, construction or
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improvement of a Property or the amount of funds advanced with respect to a Mortgage, in each case exclusive of Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses.
Corporation. The term “Corporation” shall have the meaning as provided in Article II herein.
Dealer Manager. The term “Dealer Manager” shall mean Ares Wealth Management Solutions, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company and an Affiliate of the Corporation, or such other Person selected by the Board to act as the dealer manager for an Offering.
Development Fee. The term “Development Fee” shall mean a fee for the packaging of a Property, including the negotiation and approval of plans, and any assistance in obtaining zoning and necessary variances and financing for a specific Property, either initially or at a later date.
Distribution Fees. The term “Distribution Fees” shall mean ongoing fees (whether labeled distribution fees, dealer manager fees, or any other name), which are distinguished from Selling Commissions by not being payable up-front or at one time, payable to the Dealer Manager and reallowable to Soliciting Dealers.
Director. The term “Director” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 8.1 herein.
Distributions. The term “Distributions” shall mean any distributions of money or other property, pursuant to Section 6.5 hereof, by the Corporation to owners of Shares, including distributions that may constitute a return of capital for federal income tax purposes.
Excepted Holder. The term “Excepted Holder” shall mean a Stockholder for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by this Article VII or by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.1.7.
Excepted Holder Limit. The term “Excepted Holder Limit” shall mean, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.1.7 and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 7.1.8, the percentage limit established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.1.7.
Excess Amount. The term “Excess Amount” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 9.11 herein.
Expense Year. The term “Expense Year” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 9.11 herein.
Gross Proceeds. The term “Gross Proceeds” shall mean the aggregate purchase price of all Shares sold for the account of the Corporation through an Offering, without deduction for Selling Commissions, volume discounts, any marketing support and due diligence
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expense reimbursement or Organization and Offering Expenses. For the purpose of computing Gross Proceeds, the purchase price of any Share for which reduced Selling Commissions are paid to the Dealer Manager or a Soliciting Dealer (where net proceeds to the Corporation are not reduced) shall be deemed to be the full amount of the offering price per Share pursuant to the Prospectus for such Offering without reduction.
Indemnitee. The term “Indemnitee” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 13.2(c) herein.
Independent Appraiser. The term “Independent Appraiser” shall mean a Person with no material current or prior business or personal relationship with the Advisor or the Directors and who is engaged to a substantial extent in the business of rendering opinions regarding the value of Real Property and/or other Assets of the type held by the Corporation. Membership in a nationally recognized appraisal society such as the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers or the Society of Real Estate Appraisers shall be conclusive evidence of being engaged to a substantial extent in the business of rendering opinions regarding the value of Real Property.
Independent Director. The term “Independent Director” shall mean a Director who is not on the date of determination, and within the last two years from the date of determination has not been, directly or indirectly associated with the Sponsor or the Advisor by virtue of (i) ownership of an interest in the Sponsor, the Advisor or any of their Affiliates, other than the Corporation, (ii) employment by the Sponsor, the Advisor or any of their Affiliates, (iii) service as an officer or director of the Sponsor, the Advisor or any of their Affiliates, other than as a Director of the Corporation, (iv) performance of services, other than as a Director, for the Corporation, (v) service as a director or trustee of more than three real estate investment trusts organized by the Sponsor or advised by the Advisor, or (vi) maintenance of a material business or professional relationship with the Sponsor, the Advisor or any of their Affiliates. A business or professional relationship is considered “material” if the aggregate gross revenue derived by the Director from the Sponsor, the Advisor and their Affiliates exceeds five percent of either the Director’s annual gross revenue during either of the last two years or the Director’s net worth on a fair market value basis. An indirect association with the Sponsor or the Advisor shall include circumstances in which a Director’s spouse, parent, child, sibling, mother- or father-in-law, son- or daughter-in-law or brother- or sister-in-law is or has been associated with the Sponsor, the Advisor, any of their Affiliates or the Corporation.
Initial Date. The term “Initial Date” shall mean the date upon which these Fifth Articles of Amendment and Restatement are accepted for record by the SDAT.
Initial Investment. The term “Initial Investment” shall mean that portion of the initial capitalization of the Corporation contributed by the Sponsor or its Affiliates pursuant to Section II.A. of the NASAA REIT Guidelines.
Initial Public Offering. The term “Initial Public Offering” shall mean the first Offering pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act.
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Invested Capital. The term “Invested Capital” shall mean the amount calculated by multiplying the total number of Shares purchased by Stockholders by the issue price at the time of such purchase, reduced by the portion of any Distribution that is attributable to Net Sales Proceeds and by any amounts paid by the Corporation to repurchase Shares pursuant to the Corporation’s plan for the repurchase of Shares.
Joint Ventures. The term “Joint Ventures” shall mean those joint venture or partnership arrangements in which the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries is a co-venturer or general partner established to acquire or hold Assets.
Leverage. The term “Leverage” shall mean the aggregate amount of indebtedness of the Corporation for money borrowed (including purchase money mortgage loans) outstanding at any time, both secured and unsecured.
Listing. The term “Listing” shall mean the listing of the Common Shares on a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq National Market (or the receipt by the holders of Common Shares of securities that are listed on a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq National Market in exchange for Common Shares). Upon such Listing, the Common Shares shall be deemed Listed.
Market Price. The term “Market Price” on any date shall mean, with respect to any class or series of outstanding Shares, the Closing Price for such Shares on such date. The “Closing Price” on any date shall mean the last sale price for such Shares, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Shares, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or, if such Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such Shares are listed or admitted to trading or, if such Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or, if such system is no longer in use, the principal other automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Shares are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Shares selected by the Board of Directors or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Shares, the then current offering price or, if no offering is then taking place (and provided that the most recent offering terminated no earlier than January 1 of the year prior to the then current year), the most recent offering price and, thereafter, the fair market value of the Shares, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.
MGCL. The term “MGCL” shall have mean the Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time.
Mortgages. The term “Mortgages” shall mean, in connection with mortgage financing provided, invested in, participated in or purchased by the Corporation, all of the notes,
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deeds of trust, security interests or other evidences of indebtedness or obligations, which are secured by or collateralized by Real Property owned by the borrowers under such notes, deeds of trust, security interests or other evidences of indebtedness or obligations.
Multiple Class Plan. The term “Multiple Class Plan” shall mean a written plan adopted by the Board, as such plan may be amended from time to time, that sets forth the method by which distributions among classes of Common Shares shall be determined relative to each other, and may set forth other terms of classes of Common Shares relative to each other.
NASAA REIT Guidelines. The term “NASAA REIT Guidelines” shall mean the Statement of Policy Regarding Real Estate Investment Trusts published by the North American Securities Administrators Association.
Net Assets. The term “Net Assets” shall mean the total assets of the Corporation (other than intangibles) at cost, before deducting depreciation, reserves for bad debts or other non-cash reserves, less total liabilities, calculated quarterly by the Corporation on a basis consistently applied.
Net Income. The term “Net Income” shall mean for any period, the Corporation’s total revenues applicable to such period, less the total expenses applicable to such period other than additions to reserves for depreciation, bad debts or other similar non-cash reserves and excluding any gain from the sale of the Assets.
Net Sales Proceeds. The term “Net Sales Proceeds” shall mean in the case of a transaction described in clause (i)(A) of the definition of Sale, the proceeds of any such transaction less the amount of selling expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Corporation, including all real estate commissions, closing costs and legal fees and expenses. In the case of a transaction described in clause (i)(B) of such definition, Net Sales Proceeds means the proceeds of any such transaction less the amount of selling expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Corporation, including any legal fees and expenses and other selling expenses incurred in connection with such transaction. In the case of a transaction described in clause (i)(C) of such definition, Net Sales Proceeds means the proceeds of any such transaction actually distributed to the Corporation or the Operating Partnership from the Joint Venture less the amount of any selling expenses, including legal fees and expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Corporation (other than those paid by the Joint Venture). In the case of a transaction or series of transactions described in clause (i)(D) of the definition of Sale, Net Sales Proceeds means the proceeds of any such transaction (including the aggregate of all payments under a Mortgage on or in satisfaction thereof other than regularly scheduled interest payments) less the amount of selling expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Corporation, including all commissions, closing costs and legal fees and expenses. In the case of a transaction described in clause (i)(E) of such definition, Net Sales Proceeds means the proceeds of any such transaction less the amount of selling expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Corporation, including any legal fees and expenses and other selling expenses incurred in connection with such transaction. In the case of a transaction described in clause (ii) of the definition of Sale, Net Sales Proceeds means the proceeds of such transaction or series of transactions less all amounts generated thereby which are reinvested in one or more Assets within 180 days thereafter and less the amount of any real estate commissions, closing costs, and legal fees and expenses and other selling expenses incurred by
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or allocated to the Corporation or the Operating Partnership in connection with such transaction or series of transactions. Net Sales Proceeds shall also include any amounts that the Corporation determines, in its discretion, to be economically equivalent to proceeds of a Sale. Net Sales Proceeds shall not include any reserves established by the Corporation in its sole discretion.
Non-Compliant Tender Offer. The term “Non-Compliant Tender Offer” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 12.7 herein.
NYSE. The term “NYSE” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.
Offering. The term “Offering” shall mean any offering and sale of Shares.
OP Units. The term “OP Units” shall mean units of partnership interest in the Operating Partnership.
Operating Partnership. The term “Operating Partnership” shall mean AREIT Operating Partnership LP, a Delaware limited partnership, through which the Corporation may own Assets.
Organization and Offering Expenses. The term “Organization and Offering Expenses” shall mean any and all costs and expenses incurred by and to be paid from the assets of the Corporation in connection with the formation, qualification and registration of the Corporation, and the marketing and distribution of Shares, including, without limitation (if paid from the assets of the Corporation), total underwriting and brokerage discounts and commissions (including fees of the underwriters’ attorneys), expenses for printing, engraving, amending, supplementing, mailing and distributing costs, salaries of employees while engaged in sales activity, telephone and other telecommunications costs, all advertising and marketing expenses (including the costs related to investor and broker-dealer sales meetings), charges of transfer agents, registrars, trustees, escrow holders, depositories, experts, fees, expenses and taxes related to the filing, registration and qualification of the sale of the Shares under federal and state laws, including accountants’ and attorneys’ fees.
Person. The term “Person” shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Sections 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other entity and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and a group to which an Excepted Holder Limit applies.
Preferred Shares. The term “Preferred Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 6.1 herein.
Primary Offering. The term “Primary Offering” shall mean, with respect to an Offering, the primary portion of such Offering, excluding any distribution reinvestment plan portion of such Offering.
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Prohibited Owner. The term “Prohibited Owner” shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 7.1.1, would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares, and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of Shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.
Property or Properties. The term “Property” or “Properties” shall mean, as the context requires, any, or all, respectively, of the Real Property acquired by the Corporation, directly or indirectly through joint venture arrangements or other partnership or investment interests.
Prospectus. The term “Prospectus” shall mean the same as that term is defined in Section 2(10) of the Securities Act, including a preliminary prospectus, an offering circular as described in Rule 256 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act, or, in the case of an intrastate offering, any document by whatever name known, utilized for the purpose of offering and selling Securities to the public.
Real Property or Real Estate. The term “Real Property” or “Real Estate” shall mean land, rights in land (including leasehold interests), and any buildings, structures, improvements, furnishings, fixtures and equipment located on or used in connection with land and rights or interests in land.
Reinvestment Plan. The term “Reinvestment Plan” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 6.10 herein.
REIT. The term “REIT” shall mean a corporation, trust, association or other legal entity (other than a real estate syndication) that qualifies as a real estate investment trust under the REIT Provisions of the Code.
REIT Provisions of the Code. The term “REIT Provisions of the Code” shall mean Sections 856 through 860 of the Code and any successor or other provisions of the Code relating to real estate investment trusts (including provisions as to the attribution of ownership of beneficial interests therein) and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
Restriction Termination Date. The term “Restriction Termination Date” shall mean the first day after the Initial Date on which the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of Shares set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Corporation to qualify as a REIT.
Roll-Up Entity. The term “Roll-Up Entity” shall mean a partnership, real estate investment trust, corporation, trust or similar entity that would be created or would survive after the successful completion of a proposed Roll-Up Transaction.
Roll-Up Transaction. The term “Roll-Up Transaction” shall mean a transaction involving the acquisition, merger, conversion or consolidation either directly or indirectly of the
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Corporation and the issuance of securities of a Roll-Up Entity to the Stockholders. Such term does not include:
(a)a transaction involving securities of the Corporation that have been for at least twelve months listed on a national securities exchange or traded through Nasdaq’s National Market System; or
(b)a transaction involving the conversion to corporate, trust or association form of only the Corporation, if, as a consequence of the transaction, there will be no significant adverse change in any of the following:
(i)Stockholders’ voting rights;
(ii)the term of existence of the Corporation;
(iii)Sponsor or Advisor compensation; or
(iv)the Corporation’s investment objectives.
Sale or Sales. The term “Sale” or “Sales” shall mean (i) any transaction or series of transactions whereby: (A) the Corporation or the Operating Partnership directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of any Property or portion thereof, including the lease of any Property consisting of a building only, and including any event with respect to any Property which gives rise to a significant amount of insurance proceeds or condemnation awards; (B) the Corporation or the Operating Partnership directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of all or substantially all of the interest of the Corporation or the Operating Partnership in any Joint Venture in which it is a co-venturer or partner; (C) any Joint Venture directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) in which the Corporation or the Operating Partnership as a co-venturer or partner sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of any Property or portion thereof, including any event with respect to any Property which gives rise to insurance claims or condemnation awards; or (D) the Corporation or the Operating Partnership directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) sells, grants, conveys or relinquishes its interest in any Mortgage or portion thereof (including with respect to any Mortgage, all payments thereunder or in satisfaction thereof other than regularly scheduled interest payments) of amounts owed pursuant to such Mortgage and any event which gives rise to a significant amount of insurance proceeds or similar awards; or (E) the Corporation or the Operating Partnership directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of any other Asset not previously described in this definition or any portion thereof, but (ii) not including any transaction or series of transactions specified in clause (i) (A) through (E) above in which the proceeds of such transaction or series of transactions are reinvested by the Corporation in one or more Assets within 180 days thereafter.
SDAT. The term “SDAT” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 6.4 herein.
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Securities. The term “Securities” shall mean any of the following issued by the Corporation, as the text requires: Shares, any other stock, shares or other evidences of equity or beneficial or other interests, voting trust certificates, bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in, temporary or interim certificates for, receipts for, guarantees of, or warrants, options or rights to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.
Securities Act. The term “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto. Reference to any provision of the Securities Act shall mean such provision as in effect from time to time, as the same may be amended, and any successor provision thereto, as interpreted by any applicable regulations as in effect from time to time.
Selling Commissions. The term “Selling Commissions” shall mean any and all up-front fees and commissions payable to underwriters, dealer managers or other broker-dealers in connection with the sale of Shares, including, without limitation, up-front fees or commissions payable to the Dealer Manager.
Shares. The term “Shares” shall mean shares of stock of the Corporation of any class or series, including Common Shares or Preferred Shares.
Soliciting Dealers. The term “Soliciting Dealers” shall mean those broker-dealers that are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or that are exempt from broker-dealer registration, and that, in either case, enter into participating broker or other agreements with the Dealer Manager to sell or provide services with respect to Shares.
Special OP Units. The term “Special OP Units” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 9.8 herein.
Sponsor. The term “Sponsor” shall mean any Person which (i) is directly or indirectly instrumental in organizing, wholly or in part, the Corporation, (ii) will control, manage or participate in the management of the Corporation, and any Affiliate of any such Person, (iii) takes the initiative, directly or indirectly, in founding or organizing the Corporation, either alone or in conjunction with one or more other Persons, (iv) receives a material participation in the Corporation in connection with the founding or organizing of the business of the Corporation, in consideration of services or property, or both services and property, (v) has a substantial number of relationships and contacts with the Corporation, (vi) possesses significant rights to control Properties, (vii) receives fees for providing services to the Corporation which are paid on a basis that is not customary in the industry, or (viii) provides goods or services to the Corporation on a basis which was not negotiated at arm’s-length with the Corporation. “Sponsor” does not include wholly independent third parties such as attorneys, accountants and underwriters whose only compensation is for professional services.
Stockholder List. The term “Stockholder List” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 12.5 herein.
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Stockholders. The term “Stockholders” shall mean the holders of record of the Shares as maintained in the books and records of the Corporation or its transfer agent.
Subsequent Liquidity Event. The term “Subsequent Liquidity Event” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 9.8 herein.
Tender Offer. The term “Tender Offer” shall mean a tender offer that is not otherwise subject to the provisions set forth in Regulation 14D of the Exchange Act.
Tendered Shares. The term “Tendered Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 12.7 herein.
Termination Date. The term “Termination Date” shall mean the date of termination of the Advisory Agreement.
Termination Event. The term “Termination Event” means the termination or nonrenewal of the Advisory Agreement (i) in connection with a merger, sale of assets or transaction involving the Corporation pursuant to which a majority of the Directors then in office are replaced or removed, (ii) by the Advisor for “good reason” (as defined in the Advisory Agreement), or (iii) by the Corporation other than for “cause” (as defined in the Advisory Agreement).
Termination of the Initial Public Offering. The term “Termination of the Initial Public Offering” shall mean the earlier of (i) the date on which the Initial Public Offering expires or is terminated by the Corporation or (ii) the date on which all Shares offered in the Initial Public Offering are sold, excluding warrants offered thereunder and Shares that may be acquired upon exercise of such warrants and Shares offered thereunder that may be acquired pursuant to the Reinvestment Plan.
Total Account-Level Underwriting Compensation. The term “Total Account-Level Underwriting Compensation” shall mean, with respect to any Common Share sold for the account of the Corporation through an Offering, all Selling Commissions and Distribution Fees paid to the Dealer Manager or to Soliciting Dealers.
Total Corporation-Level Underwriting Compensation. The term “Total Corporation-Level Underwriting Compensation” shall mean all underwriting compensation paid or incurred with respect to an Offering from all sources, determined pursuant to the rules and guidance of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., including Selling Commissions and Distribution Fees.
Total Operating Expenses. The term “Total Operating Expenses” shall mean all costs and expenses paid or incurred by the Corporation, as determined under generally accepted accounting principles, that are in any way related to the operation of the Corporation or to corporate business, including asset management fees and other fees paid to Advisors, but excluding (i) the expenses of raising capital such as Organization and Offering Expenses, legal, audit, accounting, underwriting, brokerage, listing, registration, and other fees, printing and other such expenses and tax incurred in connection with the issuance, distribution, transfer, registration
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and Listing, (ii) interest payments, (iii) taxes, (iv) non-cash expenditures such as depreciation, amortization and bad debt reserves, (v) incentive fees paid in compliance with the NASAA REIT Guidelines; (vi) Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses, (vii) real estate commissions on the Sale of Property, and (viii) other fees and expenses connected with the acquisition, disposition, management and ownership of real estate interests, mortgage loans or other property (including the costs of foreclosure, insurance premiums, legal services, maintenance, repair, and improvement of property). The definition of “Total Operating Expenses” set forth above is intended to encompass only those expenses which are required to be treated as Total Operating Expenses under the NASAA REIT Guidelines. As a result, and notwithstanding the definition set forth above, any expense of the Corporation which is not part of Total Operating Expenses under the NASAA REIT Guidelines shall not be treated as part of Total Operating Expenses for purposes hereof.
Transfer. The term “Transfer” shall mean any issuance, sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event that causes any Person to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, of Shares or the right to vote or receive dividends on Shares, including (a) the granting or exercise of any option (or any disposition of any option), (b) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Shares or any interest in Shares or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and (c) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of Shares; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, Constructively Owned or Beneficially Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms “Transferring” and “Transferred” shall have the correlative meanings.
2%/25% Guidelines. The term “2%/25% Guidelines” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 9.11 herein.
Unimproved Real Property. The term “Unimproved Real Property” shall mean Property in which the Corporation has an equity interest that was not acquired for the purpose of producing rental or other operating income, that has no development or construction in process and for which no development or construction is planned, in good faith, to commence within one year.
Valuation Procedures. The term “Valuation Procedures” shall mean written valuation procedures adopted by the Board, as such procedures may be amended from time to time, that set forth the method by which the net asset value per each class of Common Share shall be calculated.
ARTICLE VI
STOCK
Section 6.1Authorized Shares. The Corporation has authority to issue 2,700,000,000 Shares, consisting of 2,500,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (“Common Shares”), 500,000,000 of which are classified as Class D common stock (the “Class D Common Shares”) (100,000,000 of which are designated as a series of Class D
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Common Shares named Class D-R common stock (the “Class D-R Common Shares”) and 400,000,000 of which are designated as a series of Class D Common Shares named Class D-PR common stock (the “Class D-PR Common Shares”)), 100,000,000 of which are classified as Class E common stock (the “Class E Common Shares”), 1,300,000,000 of which are classified as Class I common stock (the “Class I Common Shares”) (600,000,000 of which are designated as a series of Class I Common Shares named Class I-R common stock (the “Class I-R Common Shares”) and 700,000,000 of which are designated as a series of Class I Common Shares named Class I-PR common stock (the “Class I-PR Common Shares”)), 500,000,000 of which are classified as Class S common stock (the “Class S Common Shares”) (100,000,000 of which are designated as a series of Class S Common Shares named Class S-R common stock (the “Class S-R Common Shares”) and 400,000,000 of which are designated as a series of Class S Common Shares named Class S-PR common stock (the “Class S-PR Common Shares”)) and 100,000,000 of which are classified as Class T common stock (the “Class T Common Shares”) (all of which are designated as a series of Class T Common Shares named Class T-R common stock (the “Class T-R Common Shares”)), and 200,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share (“Preferred Shares”). The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $27,000,000. All Shares shall be fully paid and non-assessable when issued. If Shares of one class of stock are classified or reclassified into Shares of another class of stock pursuant to this Article VI, the number of authorized Shares of the former class shall be automatically decreased and the number of Shares of the latter class shall be automatically increased, in each case by the number of Shares so classified or reclassified, so that the aggregate number of Shares of stock of all classes that the Corporation has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of Shares set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph. The Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board and without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of Shares or the number of Shares of any class or series of stock that the Corporation has authority to issue.
Section 6.2Common Shares.
Section 6.2.1Common Shares Subject to Terms of Preferred Shares. The Common Shares shall be subject to the express terms of any series of Preferred Shares.
Section 6.2.2Description. Subject to the provisions of Article VII and except as may otherwise be specified in the terms of any class or series of Common Shares, each Common Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote per share on all matters upon which Stockholders are entitled to vote pursuant to Section 12.2 hereof. The Board may classify or reclassify any unissued Common Shares from time to time in one or more classes or series of Shares.
Section 6.2.3Rights Upon Liquidation. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or any distribution of the assets of the Corporation, the aggregate assets available for distribution to holders of the Common Shares shall be determined in accordance with applicable law. Immediately before any liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or any distribution of the assets of the Corporation pursuant to a plan of liquidation, dissolution or winding up, Class D-R Common Shares will automatically convert to Class I-R Common Shares at the Class D-R Conversion Rate, Class D-PR Common Shares
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will automatically convert to Class I-PR Common Shares at the Class D-PR Conversion Rate, Class S-R Common Shares will automatically convert to Class I-R Common Shares at the Class S-R Conversion Rate, Class S-PR Common Shares will automatically convert to Class I-PR Common Shares at the Class S-PR Conversion Rate and Class T-R Common Shares will automatically convert to Class I-R Common Shares at the Class T-R Conversion Rate. Following such conversion, each holder of Common Shares of a particular class shall be entitled to receive, ratably with each other holder of Common Shares of such class, that portion of such aggregate assets available for distribution as the number of outstanding Common Shares of such class held by such holder bears to the total number of outstanding Common Shares of such class then outstanding.
Section 6.2.4Voting Rights. Except as may be provided otherwise in the Charter, and subject to the express terms of any series of Preferred Shares, the holders of the Common Shares shall have the exclusive right to vote on all matters (as to which a common stockholder shall be entitled to vote pursuant to applicable law) at all meetings of the Stockholders.
Section 6.2.5Conversion, Distributions and Suitability.
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a.Until the Class D-R Common Shares are Listed, in order to purchase Class D-R Common Shares in a public offering, the purchaser must represent to the Corporation that the applicable suitability standards set forth in the Prospectus have been satisfied.
b.Until the Class I-R Common Shares are Listed, in order to purchase Class I-R Common Shares in a public offering, the purchaser must represent to the Corporation that the applicable suitability standards set forth in the Prospectus have been satisfied.
c.Until the Class S-R Common Shares are Listed, in order to purchase Class S-R Common Shares in a public offering, the purchaser must represent to the Corporation that the applicable suitability standards set forth in the Prospectus have been satisfied.
d.Until the Class T-R Common Shares are Listed, in order to purchase Class T-R Common Shares in a public offering, the purchaser must represent to the Corporation that the applicable suitability standards set forth in the Prospectus have been satisfied.
Section 6.3Preferred Shares. The Board may classify any unissued Preferred Shares and reclassify any previously classified but unissued Preferred Shares of any series from time to time, in one or more classes or series of Shares.
Section 6.4Classified or Reclassified Shares. Prior to issuance of classified or reclassified Shares of any class or series, the Board by resolution shall: (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of Shares; (b) specify the number of Shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set or change, subject to the provisions of Article VII and subject to the express terms of any class or series of Shares outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (d) cause the Corporation to file articles supplementary with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (“SDAT”). Any of the terms of any class or series of Shares set or changed pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 6.4 may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the Charter (including determinations by the Board or other facts or events within the control of the Corporation) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of Shares is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary or other charter document.
Section 6.5Dividends and Distributions. The Board of Directors may from time to time authorize the Corporation to declare and pay to Stockholders such dividends or Distributions, in cash or other assets of the Corporation or in securities of the Corporation or from any other source as the Board of Directors in its discretion shall determine. The Board of Directors shall endeavor to authorize the Corporation to declare and pay such dividends and
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Distributions as shall be necessary for the Corporation to qualify as a REIT under the Code; however, Stockholders shall have no right to any dividend or Distribution unless and until authorized by the Board and declared by the Corporation. The exercise of the powers and rights of the Board of Directors pursuant to this Section 6.5 shall be subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares at the time outstanding. The receipt by any Person in whose name any Shares are registered on the records of the Corporation or by his or her duly authorized agent shall be a sufficient discharge for all dividends or Distributions payable or deliverable in respect of such Shares and from all liability to see to the application thereof. Distributions in kind shall not be permitted, except for distributions of readily marketable securities, distributions of beneficial interests in a liquidating trust established for the dissolution of the Corporation and the liquidation of its assets in accordance with the terms of the Charter or distributions in which (i) the Board advises each Stockholder of the risks associated with direct ownership of the property, (ii) the Board offers each Stockholder the election of receiving such in-kind distributions, and (iii) in-kind distributions are made only to those Stockholders that accept such offer.
Section 6.6Charter and Bylaws. The rights of all Stockholders and the terms of all Shares are subject to the provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws.
Section 6.7No Issuance of Share Certificates. Until Listing, the Corporation shall not issue stock certificates. A Stockholder’s investment shall be recorded on the books of the Corporation. To transfer his or her Shares, a Stockholder shall submit an executed form to the Corporation, which form shall be provided by the Corporation upon request. Such transfer will also be recorded on the books of the Corporation. Upon issuance or transfer of Shares, the Corporation will provide the Stockholder with information concerning his or her rights with regard to such Shares, as required by the Bylaws and the MGCL or other applicable law.
Section 6.8Suitability of Stockholders. Until Listing, the following provisions shall apply:
Section 6.8.1 Investor Suitability Standards. Subject to suitability standards established by individual states, to become a Stockholder in the Corporation, if such prospective Stockholder is an individual (including an individual beneficiary of a purchasing Individual Retirement Account), or if the prospective Stockholder is a fiduciary (such as a trustee of a trust or corporate pension or profit sharing plan, or other tax-exempt organization, or a custodian under a Uniform Gifts to Minors Act), such individual or fiduciary, as the case may be, must represent to the Corporation, among other requirements as the Corporation may require from time to time:
(a)that such individual (or, in the case of a fiduciary, that the fiduciary account or the donor who directly or indirectly supplies the funds to purchase the Shares) has a minimum annual gross income of $45,000 and a net worth (excluding home, furnishings and automobiles) of not less than $45,000; or
(b)that such individual (or, in the case of a fiduciary, that the fiduciary account or the donor who directly or indirectly supplies the funds to purchase the Shares) has a net worth (excluding home, furnishings and automobiles) of not less than $150,000.
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Section 6.8.2 Determination of Suitability of Sale. Each Person selling Shares on behalf of the Corporation shall make every reasonable effort to determine that the purchase of Shares by Stockholders is a suitable and appropriate investment for such Stockholder. In making this determination, each Person selling Shares on behalf of the Corporation shall ascertain that the prospective Stockholder: (a) meets the minimum income and net worth standards established for the Corporation; (b) can reasonably benefit from the Corporation based on the prospective Stockholder’s overall investment objectives and portfolio structure; (c) is able to bear the economic risk of the investment based on the prospective Stockholder’s overall financial situation; and (d) has apparent understanding of (1) the fundamental risks of the investment; (2) the risk that the Stockholder may lose the entire investment; (3) the lack of liquidity of the Shares; (4) the restrictions on transferability of the Shares; (5) the tax consequences of the investment; and (6) the background of the Advisor.
Each Person selling Shares on behalf of the Corporation shall make this determination on the basis of information it has obtained from a prospective Stockholder. Relevant information for this purpose will include at least the age, investment objectives, investment experiences, income, net worth, financial situation, and other investments of the prospective Stockholder, as well as any other pertinent factors.
Each Person selling Shares on behalf of the Corporation shall maintain records of the information used to determine that an investment in Shares is suitable and appropriate for a Stockholder. Each Person selling Shares on behalf of the Corporation shall maintain these records for at least six years.
Section 6.8.3 Minimum Investment and Transfer. Subject to certain individual state requirements and the issuance of Shares under the Reinvestment Plan, no sale or transfer of Shares will be permitted of less than $2,000.
Section 6.9Repurchase of Shares. The Board may establish, from time to time, a program or programs by which the Corporation voluntarily repurchases Shares from its Stockholders; provided, however, that such repurchase does not impair the capital or operations of the Corporation. The Sponsor, Advisor, members of the Board or any Affiliates thereof may not receive any fees arising out of the repurchase of Shares by the Corporation.
Section 6.10Distribution Reinvestment Plans. The Board may establish, from time to time, a Distribution reinvestment plan or plans (each, a “Reinvestment Plan”). Under any such Reinvestment Plan, (i) all material information regarding Distributions to the Stockholders and the effect of reinvesting such Distributions, including the tax consequences thereof, shall be provided to the Stockholders not less often than annually, and (ii) each Stockholder participating in such Reinvestment Plan shall have a reasonable opportunity to withdraw from the Reinvestment Plan not less often than annually after receipt of the information required in clause (i) above.
ARTICLE VII
RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP OF SHARES
Section 7.1Shares.
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Section 7.1.1 Ownership Limitations. During the period commencing on the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, but subject to Section 7.3:
(a)Basic Restrictions.
(i) (1)No Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares in excess of the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, (2) no Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Common Shares in excess of the Common Share Ownership Limit and (3) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.
(ii)No Person shall Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares to the extent that such Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of Shares would result in the Corporation being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT (including, but not limited to, Beneficial or Constructive Ownership that would result in the Corporation owning (actually or Constructively) an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Corporation from such tenant would cause the Corporation to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code).
(iii)Any Transfer of Shares that, if effective, would result in Shares being beneficially owned by less than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Shares.
(b)Transfer in Trust. If any Transfer of Shares occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning Shares in violation of Section 7.1.1(a)(i) or (ii),
(i)then that number of Shares the Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 7.1.1(a)(i) or (ii) (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Charitable Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 7.2, effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such Shares; or
(ii)if the transfer to the Charitable Trust described in clause (i) of this sentence would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 7.1.1(a)(i) or (ii), then the Transfer of that number of Shares that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 7.1.1(a)(i) or (ii) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Shares.
Section 7.1.2 Remedies for Breach. If the Board of Directors or its designee (including, any duly authorized committee of the Board) shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 7.1.1 or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial or
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Constructive Ownership of any Shares in violation of Section 7.1.1 (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board of Directors or its designee shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, causing the Corporation to redeem Shares, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided, however, that any Transfers or attempted Transfers or other events in violation of Section 7.1.1 shall automatically result in the transfer to the Charitable Trust described above, and, where applicable, such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Directors or its designee.
Section 7.1.3 Notice of Restricted Transfer. Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Shares that will or may violate Section 7.1.1(a), or any Person who would have owned Shares that resulted in a transfer to the Charitable Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.1.1(b), shall immediately give written notice to the Corporation of such event, or in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Corporation’s status as a REIT.
Section 7.1.4 Owners Required To Provide Information. From the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:
(a)every owner of more than five percent (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder or as may be requested by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion) of the outstanding Shares, within 30 days after the end of each calendar year, shall give written notice to the Corporation stating the name and address of such owner, the number of Shares and other Shares Beneficially Owned and a description of the manner in which such Shares are held. Each such owner shall provide to the Corporation such additional information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, the Common Share Ownership Limit and the other restrictions set forth herein.
(b)each Person who is a Beneficial or Constructive Owner of Shares and each Person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding Shares for a Beneficial or Constructive Owner shall provide to the Corporation such information as the Corporation may request, in good faith, in order to determine the Corporation’s status as a REIT, to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance or to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, the Common Share Ownership Limit and the other restrictions set forth herein.
Section 7.1.5 Remedies Not Limited. Subject to Section 8.10 of the Charter, nothing contained in this Section 7.1 shall limit the ability of the Corporation to implement or enforce compliance with the terms of this Section 7.1 or the authority of the Board of Directors to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Corporation and the interests of its stockholders in preserving the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, the Common Share
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Ownership Limit and the other restrictions set forth herein, including, without limitation, refusal to give effect to a transaction on the books of the Corporation.
Section 7.1.6 Ambiguity. In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Section 7.1, Section 7.2 or any definition contained in Article V, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Section 7.1 or Section 7.2 with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Section 7.1 or 7.2 requires an action by the Board of Directors and the Charter fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Article V or Sections 7.1 or 7.2. Absent a decision to the contrary by the Board of Directors (which the Board may make in its sole and absolute discretion), if a Person would have (but for the remedies set forth in Section 7.1.2) acquired Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of Shares in violation of Section 7.1.1, such remedies (as applicable) shall apply first to the Shares which, but for such remedies, would have been Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned (but not actually owned) by such Person, pro rata among the Persons who actually own such Shares based upon the relative number of the Shares held by each such Person.
Section 7.1.7 Exceptions.
(a)Subject to Section 7.1.1(a)(ii), the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a Person from the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit and the Common Share Ownership Limit, as the case may be, and may establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person if:
(i)the Board of Directors obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person as are reasonably necessary to ascertain that no individual’s Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of such Shares will violate Section 7.1.1(a)(ii);
(ii)such Person does not and represents that it will not own, actually or Constructively, an interest in a tenant of the Corporation (or a tenant of any entity owned or controlled by the Corporation) that would cause the Corporation to own, actually or Constructively, more than a 9.9% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in such tenant and the Board of Directors obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person as are reasonably necessary to ascertain this fact (for this purpose, a tenant from whom the Corporation (or an entity owned or controlled by the Corporation) derives (and is expected to continue to derive) a sufficiently small amount of revenue such that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, rent from such tenant would not adversely affect the Corporation’s ability to qualify as a REIT, shall not be treated as a tenant of the Corporation); and
(iii)such Person agrees that any violation or attempted violation of such representations or undertakings (or other action which is contrary to the restrictions contained in Sections 7.1.1 through 7.1.6) will result in such Shares being automatically transferred to a Charitable Trust in accordance with Sections 7.1.1(b) and 7.2.
(b)Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 7.1.7(a), the Board of Directors may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service,
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or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Corporation’s status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board of Directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exception.
(c)Subject to Section 7.1.1(a)(ii), an underwriter which participates in a public offering or a private placement of Shares (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) in excess of the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, the Common Share Ownership Limit or both such limits, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering or private placement.
(d)The Board of Directors may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder: (1) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at any time, or (2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Common Share Ownership Limit.
Section 7.1.8 Increase in Aggregate Share Ownership and Common Share Ownership Limits. Subject to Section 7.1.2(a)(ii), the Board of Directors may from time to time increase the Common Share Ownership Limit and the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit for one or more Persons and decrease the Common Share Ownership Limit and the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit for all other Persons; provided, however, that the decreased Common Share Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Share Ownership Limit will not be effective for any Person whose percentage ownership in Shares is in excess of such decreased Common Share Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Share Ownership Limit until such time as such Person’s percentage of Shares equals or falls below the decreased Common Share Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, but any further acquisition of Shares in excess of such percentage ownership of Shares will be in violation of the Common Share Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Share Ownership Limit and, provided further, that the new Common Share Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Share Ownership Limit would not allow five or fewer Persons to Beneficially Own more than 49.9% in value of the outstanding Shares.
Section 7.1.9 Legend. Each certificate for Shares shall bear substantially the following legend:
The Shares represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on Beneficial and Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose, among others, of the Corporation’s maintenance of its status as a Real Estate Investment Trust (a “REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Subject to certain further restrictions and except as expressly provided in the Corporation’s Charter, (i) no Person may Beneficially or Constructively Own Common Shares of the Corporation in excess of 9.8% percent (in value or number of Shares) of the outstanding
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Common Shares of the Corporation unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (ii) no Person may Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares of the Corporation in excess of 9.8% percent of the value of the total outstanding Shares of the Corporation, unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (iii) no Person may Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares that would result in the Corporation being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT (including, but not limited to, Beneficial or Constructive Ownership that would result in the Corporation owning (actually or Constructively) an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Corporation from such tenant would cause the Corporation to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code); and (iv) no Person may Transfer Shares if such Transfer would result in Shares of the Corporation being owned by fewer than 100 Persons. Any Person who Beneficially or Constructively Owns or attempts to Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares which cause or will cause a Person to Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Corporation. If any of the restrictions on transfer or ownership are violated, the Shares represented hereby will be automatically transferred to a Charitable Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. In addition, the Corporation may redeem Shares upon the terms and conditions specified by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion if the Board of Directors determines that ownership or a Transfer or other event may violate the restrictions described above. Furthermore, upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described above may be void ab initio. All capitalized terms in this legend have the meanings defined in the Corporation’s Charter, as the same may be amended from time to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on transfer and ownership, will be furnished to each holder of Shares of the Corporation on request and without charge. Requests for such a copy may be directed to the Secretary of the Corporation at its principal office.
Instead of the foregoing legend, the certificate may state that the Corporation will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on transferability to a stockholder on request and without charge. In the case of uncertificated Shares, the Corporation will send the holder of such Shares a written statement of the information otherwise required on certificates.
Section 7.2Transfer of Shares in Trust.
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Section 7.2.1 Ownership in Trust. Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 7.1.1(b) that would result in a transfer of Shares to a Charitable Trust, such Shares shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee as trustee of a Charitable Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer to the Charitable Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in the transfer to the Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 7.1.1(b). The Charitable Trustee shall be appointed by the Corporation and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Corporation as provided in Section 7.2.6.
Section 7.2.2 Status of Shares Held by the Charitable Trustee. Shares held by the Charitable Trustee shall continue to be issued and outstanding Shares of the Corporation. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the Shares held by the Charitable Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any Shares held in trust by the Charitable Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends or other Distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the Shares held in the Charitable Trust.
Section 7.2.3 Dividend and Voting Rights. The Charitable Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other Distributions with respect to Shares held in the Charitable Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other Distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Corporation that Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee shall be paid with respect to such Shares to the Charitable Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other Distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Charitable Trustee. Any dividends or Distributions so paid over to the Charitable Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to Shares held in the Charitable Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee, the Charitable Trustee shall have the authority (at the Charitable Trustee’s sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Charitable Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided, however, that if the Corporation has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Charitable Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VII, until the Corporation has received notification that Shares have been transferred into a Charitable Trust, the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on its share transfer and other stockholder records for purposes of preparing lists of stockholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of stockholders.
Section 7.2.4 Sale of Shares by Charitable Trustee. Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Corporation that Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trust, the Charitable Trustee shall sell the Shares held in the Charitable Trust to a person, designated by the Charitable Trustee, whose ownership of the Shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 7.1.1(a). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the Shares sold shall terminate and the Charitable Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 7.2.4. The
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Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the Shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the Shares in connection with the event causing the Shares to be held in the Charitable Trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the Shares on the day of the event causing the Shares to be held in the Charitable Trust and (2) the price per share received by the Charitable Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the Shares held in the Charitable Trust. The Charitable Trustee may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and Distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Charitable Trustee pursuant to Section 7.2.3 of this Article VII. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Corporation that Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee, such Shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such Shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Charitable Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such Shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 7.2.4, such excess shall be paid to the Charitable Trustee upon demand.
Section 7.2.5 Purchase Right in Shares Transferred to the Charitable Trustee. Shares transferred to the Charitable Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Corporation, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the Charitable Trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the Market Price at the time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the Corporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Charitable Trustee has sold the Shares held in the Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 7.2.4. Upon such a sale to the Corporation, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the Shares sold shall terminate and the Charitable Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner. The Charitable Trustee may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and Distributions which has been paid to the Prohibited Owner and is owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Charitable Trustee pursuant to Section 7.2.3 of this Article VII. The Charitable Trustee may pay the amount of such reduction to the Charitable Beneficiary.
Section 7.2.6 Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries. By written notice to the Charitable Trustee, the Corporation shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Charitable Trust such that (i) Shares held in the Charitable Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 7.1.1(a) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary and (ii) each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.
Section 7.3NYSE Transactions. Nothing in this Article VII shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Article VII and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Article VII.
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Section 7.4Enforcement. The Corporation is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Article VII.
Section 7.5Non-Waiver. No delay or failure on the part of the Corporation or the Board of Directors in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Corporation or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.
ARTICLE VIII
PROVISIONS FOR DEFINING, LIMITING
AND REGULATING CERTAIN POWERS OF THE
CORPORATION AND OF THE STOCKHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 8.1Number of Directors. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The number of Directors of the Corporation (the “Directors”) shall be seven, which number may be increased or decreased from time to time pursuant to the Bylaws; provided, however, that the total number of Directors shall not be fewer than three. A majority of the Board will be Independent Directors except for a period of up to 60 days after the death, removal or resignation of an Independent Director pending the election of such Independent Director’s successor. The names of the Directors who shall serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify are:
David A. Roth |
Rajat Dhanda |
Jay W. Glaubach |
Charles B. Duke |
Daniel J. Sullivan |
John P. Woodberry Brian P. Mathis |
These Directors may increase the number of Directors and fill any vacancy, whether resulting from an increase in the number of Directors or otherwise, on the Board of Directors prior to the mext annual meeting of Stockholders in the manner provided in the Bylaws.
The Corporation elects, at such time as it becomes eligible to make the election provided for under Section 3-802(b) of the MGCL, that, except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of Shares, any and all vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors in office, even if the remaining Directors do not constitute a quorum, and any Director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, Independent Directors shall nominate replacements for vacancies among the Independent Directors’ positions.
Section 8.2Experience. Each Director shall have at least three years of relevant experience demonstrating the knowledge and experience required to successfully
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acquire and manage the type of assets being acquired by the Corporation. At least one of the Independent Directors shall have three years of relevant real estate experience.
Section 8.3Committees. The Board may establish such committees as it deems appropriate, in its discretion, provided that the majority of the members of each committee are Independent Directors.
Section 8.4Term. Except as may otherwise be provided in the terms of any Preferred Shares issued by the Corporation, each Director shall hold office for one year, until the next annual meeting of Stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. Directors may be elected to an unlimited number of successive terms.
Section 8.5Fiduciary Obligations. The Directors and the Advisor serve in a fiduciary capacity to the Corporation and have a fiduciary duty to the Stockholders of the Corporation, including, with respect to the Directors, a specific fiduciary duty to supervise the relationship of the Corporation with the Advisor.
Section 8.6Extraordinary Actions. Notwithstanding any provision of law permitting or requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of Shares entitled to cast a greater number of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of holders of Shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Section 8.7Authorization by Board of Stock Issuance. The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance from time to time of Shares of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into Shares of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board of Directors may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a stock split or stock dividend), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Charter or the Bylaws.
Section 8.8Preemptive Rights and Appraisal Rights. Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of classified or reclassified Shares pursuant to Section 6.4 or as may otherwise be provided by contract approved by the Board of Directors, no holder of Shares shall, as such holder, have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional Shares or any other security of the Corporation which it may issue or sell. Holders of Shares shall not be entitled to exercise any rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor statute unless the Board of Directors, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, shall determine that such rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such Shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights.
Section 8.9Determinations by Board. The determination as to any of the following matters, made in good faith by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors consistent with the Charter, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Corporation and every holder of Shares: the amount of the net income of the Corporation for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends,
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redemption of Shares or the payment of other Distributions on Shares; the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, annual or other cash flow, funds from operations, net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); any interpretation of the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or Distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any class or series of Shares; the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Corporation or any Shares; the number of Shares of any class of the Corporation; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Corporation; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Corporation or required or permitted by applicable law, the Charter or Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board of Directors. A majority of the Independent Directors will approve matters which are specified in section II.C.3 of the NASAA REIT Guidelines.
Section 8.10REIT Qualification. If the Corporation elects to qualify for federal income tax treatment as a REIT, the Board of Directors shall use its reasonable best efforts to take such actions as are necessary or appropriate to preserve the status of the Corporation as a REIT; however, if the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to continue to be qualified as a REIT, the Board of Directors may revoke or otherwise terminate the Corporation’s REIT election pursuant to Section 856(g) of the Code. The Board of Directors also may determine that compliance with any restriction or limitation on stock ownership and transfers set forth in Article VII is no longer required for REIT qualification.
Section 8.11Removal of Directors. Subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Shares to elect or remove one or more Directors, any Director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, but only by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of Directors.
Section 9.1Appointment and Initial Investment of Advisor. The Board is responsible for setting the general policies of the Corporation and for the general supervision of its business conducted by officers, agents, employees, advisors or independent contractors of the Corporation. However, the Board is not required personally to conduct the business of the Corporation, and it may (but need not) appoint, employ or contract with any Person (including a Person Affiliated with any Director) as an Advisor and may grant or delegate such authority to the Advisor as the Board may, in its sole discretion, deem necessary or desirable. The term of retention of any Advisor shall not exceed one year, although there is no limit to the number of times that a particular Advisor may be retained. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Person hired or retained by the Advisor to perform the property or securities management and related services
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for the Corporation or the Operating Partnership that is not hired or retained to perform substantially all of the functions of the Advisor with respect to the Corporation or the Operating Partnership as a whole shall not be deemed to be an Advisor.
Section 9.2Supervision of Advisor. The Board shall evaluate the performance of the Advisor before entering into or renewing an Advisory Agreement, and the criteria used in such evaluation shall be reflected in the minutes of the meetings of the Board. The Board may exercise broad discretion in allowing the Advisor to administer and regulate the operations of the Corporation, to act as agent for the Corporation, to execute documents on behalf of the Corporation and to make executive decisions that conform to general policies and principles established by the Board. The Board shall monitor the Advisor to assure that the administrative procedures, operations and programs of the Corporation are in the best interests of the Stockholders and are fulfilled. The Independent Directors are responsible for reviewing the fees and expenses of the Corporation at least annually or with sufficient frequency to determine that the expenses incurred are reasonable in light of the investment performance of the Corporation, its Net Assets, its Net Income and the fees and expenses of other comparable unaffiliated REITs. Each such determination shall be reflected in the minutes of the meetings of the Board. The Independent Directors also will be responsible for reviewing, from time to time and at least annually, the performance of the Advisor and determining that compensation to be paid to the Advisor is reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of services performed and the investment performance of the Corporation and that the provisions of the Advisory Agreement are being carried out. Specifically, the Independent Directors will consider factors such as (i) the amount of the fee paid to the Advisor in relation to the size, composition and performance of the Assets, (ii) the success of the Advisor in generating opportunities that meet the investment objectives of the Corporation, (iii) rates charged to other REITs and to investors other than REITs by advisors performing the same or similar services, (iv) additional revenues realized by the Advisor and its Affiliates through their relationship with the Corporation, including loan administration, underwriting or broker commissions, servicing, engineering, inspection and other fees, whether paid by the Corporation or by others with whom the Corporation does business, (v) the quality and extent of service and advice furnished by the Advisor, (vi) the performance of the Assets, including income, conservation or appreciation of capital, frequency of problem investments and competence in dealing with distress situations, and (vii) the quality of the Assets relative to the investments generated by the Advisor for its own account. The Independent Directors may also consider all other factors that it deems relevant, and the findings of the Independent Directors on each of the factors considered shall be recorded in the minutes of the Board. The Board shall determine whether any successor Advisor possesses sufficient qualifications to perform the advisory function for the Corporation and whether the compensation provided for in its contract with the Corporation is justified.
Section 9.3Fiduciary Obligations. The Advisor shall have a fiduciary responsibility and duty to the Corporation and to the Stockholders.
Section 9.4Affiliation and Functions. The Board, by resolution or in the Bylaws, may provide guidelines, provisions or requirements concerning the affiliation and functions of the Advisor.
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Section 9.5Termination. Either a majority of the Independent Directors or the Advisor may terminate the Advisory Agreement on 60 days’ written notice without cause or penalty, and, in such event, the Advisor will cooperate with the Corporation and the Board in making an orderly transition of the advisory function.
Section 9.6Real Estate Commission Fee on Sale of Property. Unless otherwise provided in any resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, the Corporation may pay the Advisor a real estate commission fee upon Sale of one or more Properties, in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) one-half of the Competitive Real Estate Commission, or (ii) one percent of the sales price of such Property or Properties. Payment of such fee may be made only if the Advisor provides a substantial amount of services in connection with the Sale of a Property or Properties, as determined by a majority of the Independent Directors. In addition, the amount paid when added to all other real estate commissions paid to unaffiliated parties in connection with such Sale shall not exceed the lesser of the Competitive Real Estate Commission or an amount equal to six percent of the sales price of such Property or Properties.
Section 9.7Property Management Fees. Unless otherwise provided in any resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, the Corporation shall pay to a property management company (which may be an affiliate of the Advisor) property management and leasing fees with respect to any Property that the Corporation considers reasonable taking into account the going rate of compensation for managing similar properties in the same locality, the services rendered, and other relevant factors. In addition, the Corporation may pay the property management company a separate fee for the one-time initial leasing-up of newly constructed properties in an amount not to exceed the fee customarily charged in arm’s-length transactions by other parties rendering similar services in the same geographic area for similar properties, as determined by a survey of brokers and agents in such area.
Section 9.8Operating Partnership Interests. The Sponsor or an Affiliate of the Sponsor has made a capital contribution of $200,000 to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units. The Sponsor or any such Affiliate may not sell this initial investment while the Sponsor remains a Sponsor but may transfer the initial investment to other Affiliates. Dividend Capital Total Advisors LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or one or more of its Affiliates has been issued OP Units constituting a separate series of partnership interests (the “Special OP Units”). The holder of the Special OP Units will be entitled to distributions from the Operating Partnership in an amount equal to 15% of the Net Sales Proceeds after the holders of regular partnership interests have received cumulative distributions from the Operating Partnership from operating income, sales proceeds or other sources equal to their capital contributions to the Operating Partnership plus a 6.5% cumulative, non-compounded annualized pre-tax return thereon. Upon the earliest to occur of the termination or nonrenewal of the Advisory Agreement for “cause” (as defined in the Advisory Agreement), a Termination Event or a Listing, all of the Special OP Units shall be redeemed by the Operating Partnership. In the case of a redemption upon a Termination Event or a Listing, the Special OP Units shall be redeemed for an aggregate amount equal to the Net Sales Proceeds that would have been distributed to the holders of the Special OP Units in accordance with the second preceding sentence if all Assets of the Operating Partnership had been sold for their fair market value and all liabilities of the Operating Partnership had been satisfied in full according to their terms. In determining the fair market value of the assets of the Operating Partnership, (i) in connection
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with a Termination Event, the Corporation shall obtain an appraisal of the Assets of the Operating Partnership (excluding any assets which may be readily marked to market), and (ii) in connection with a Listing, the Corporation shall make such determination taking into account the market value of the Corporation’s listed Shares based upon the average closing price, or average of bid and asked prices, as the case may be, during a period of 30 days during which such shares are traded beginning 150 days after Listing. The payment to the holder of the Special Units upon a Termination Event or a Listing shall consist of a non-interest bearing promissory note that will be repaid using the entire net proceeds of each sale of an Asset or Assets of the Operating Partnership in connection with or following the occurrence of the Termination Event or Listing. However, payments may not be made under a promissory note issued in connection with a Termination Event until either (a) the closing of asset sales that result in aggregate, cumulative distributions to the holders of regular partnership interests from the Operating Partnership from operating income, sales proceeds and other sources in an amount equal to their capital contributions to the Operating Partnership plus a 6.5% cumulative non-compounded annual pre-tax return thereon or (b) a Listing (each a “Subsequent Liquidity Event”). In addition, the amount of the promissory note issued in connection with a Termination Event will be subject to reduction as of the date of the Subsequent Liquidity Event by an amount that will ensure that, in connection with the Subsequent Liquidity Event, the holder of the promissory note does not receive in excess of 15% of the distributions that are made or are deemed to be made by the Operating Partnership after the holders of regular partnership interests have received or are deemed to have received aggregate, cumulative distributions equal to their capital contributions to the Operating Partnership plus a 6.5% cumulative non-compounded annual pre-tax return thereon. If the Advisory Agreement is terminated or not renewed by the Corporation for “cause” (as defined in the Advisory Agreement), the Special OP Units will be redeemed by the Operating Partnership for $1. There shall be a corresponding allocation of profits of the Operating Partnership made to the holder of the Special OP Units in connection with the amounts payable hereunder.
Section 9.9Organization and Offering Expenses Limitation. Unless otherwise provided in any resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, the Corporation shall reimburse the Advisor and its Affiliates for Organization and Offering Expenses incurred by the Advisor or its Affiliates; provided, however, that the total amount of all Organization and Offering Expenses shall be reasonable and shall in no event exceed 15% of the Gross Proceeds of each Offering.
Section 9.10Acquisition Fees. Unless otherwise provided in any resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, the Corporation may pay the Advisor and its Affiliates fees for the review and evaluation of potential investments in Assets; provided, however, that the total of all Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses shall be reasonable, and shall not exceed an amount equal to six percent of the Contract Purchase Price, or, in the case of a Mortgage, six percent of the funds advanced, provided, however, that a majority of the Directors (including a majority of the Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction may approve fees and expenses in excess of this limit if they determine the transaction to be commercially competitive, fair and reasonable to the Corporation.
Section 9.11Reimbursement for Total Operating Expenses. Unless otherwise provided in any resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, for any year in which the Corporation qualifies as a REIT, the Corporation shall not reimburse the Advisor at the end of
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any fiscal quarter for Total Operating Expenses that, in the four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended (the “Expense Year”) exceed (the “Excess Amount”) the greater of 2% of Average Invested Assets or 25% of Net Income (the “2%/25% Guidelines”) for such year. Any Excess Amount paid to the Advisor during a fiscal quarter shall be repaid to the Corporation or, at the option of the Corporation, subtracted from the Total Operating Expenses reimbursed during the subsequent fiscal quarter. If there is an Excess Amount in any Expense Year and the Independent Directors determine that such excess was justified based on unusual and nonrecurring factors which they deem sufficient, then (i) the Excess Amount may be carried over and included in Total Operating Expenses in subsequent Expense Years and reimbursed to the Advisor in one or more of such years, provided that Total Operating Expenses in any Expense Year, including any Excess Amount to be paid to the Advisor, shall not exceed the 2%/25% Guidelines or (ii) the Excess Amount may be paid in the Expense Year and within 60 days after the end of such Expense Year there shall be sent to the Stockholders a written disclosure of such fact, together with an explanation of the factors the Independent Directors considered in determining that such excess expenses were justified. Such determination shall be reflected in the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors. The Corporation will not reimburse the Advisor or its Affiliates for services for which the Advisor or its Affiliates are entitled to compensation in the form of a separate fee. All figures used in the foregoing computation shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis.
Section 9.12Reimbursement Limitation. The Corporation shall not reimburse the Advisor or its Affiliates for services for which the Advisor or its Affiliates are entitled to compensation in the form of a separate fee.
Section 9.13Dealer Manager Fee and Commissions. Unless otherwise provided in any resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, the Corporation shall pay the Dealer Manager a fee for acting as dealer manager and selling commissions to the Dealer Manager or other broker-dealers who sell Securities.
Section 9.14Asset Management Fee. Unless otherwise provided in any resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, the Corporation shall pay the Advisor as compensation for the advisory services rendered to the Corporation hereunder an asset management fee (the “Asset Management Fee”), which may include a disposition fee upon the Sale of one or more Properties. The Asset Management Fee shall be payable in cash or stock, subject to certain restrictions, at the option of the Advisor, and may be deferred, in whole or in part, from time to time, by the Advisor (without interest). The Asset Management Fee shall be calculated monthly, and the Asset Management Fee calculated with respect to each month shall be payable in arrears on the first business day following the last day of such month.
ARTICLE X
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND LIMITATIONS
Section 10.1Investment Objectives. The Corporation’s primary investment objectives are: (i) to provide portfolio diversification; (ii) to provide consistent quarterly cash distributions to the Stockholders; (iii) to preserve and protect the Invested Capital; and (iv) to
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realize capital appreciation upon the potential sale of the Assets. The sheltering from tax of income from other sources is not an objective of the Corporation. Subject to the restrictions set forth herein, the Board will use its best efforts to conduct the affairs of the Corporation in such a manner as to continue to qualify the Corporation for the tax treatment provided in the REIT Provisions of the Code unless and until the Board determines, in its sole discretion, that REIT qualification is not in the best interests of the Corporation; provided, however, that no Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation shall be liable for any act or omission resulting in the loss of tax benefits under the Code, except to the extent provided in Section 13.2 hereof.
Section 10.2Review of Objectives. The Independent Directors shall review the investment policies of the Corporation with sufficient frequency (not less often than annually) to determine that the policies being followed by the Corporation are in the best interests of its Stockholders. Each such determination and the basis therefor shall be set forth in the minutes of the meetings of the Board.
Section 10.3Certain Permitted Investments. Until such time as the Common Shares are Listed, the following investment limitations shall apply:
(a)The Corporation may invest in Assets, as defined in Article V hereof.
(b)The Corporation may invest in Joint Ventures with the Sponsor, Advisor, one or more Directors or any Affiliate, only if a majority of Directors (including a majority of Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction, approve such investment as being fair and reasonable to the Corporation and on substantially the same terms and conditions as those received by the other joint venturers.
(c)Subject to any limitations in Section 10.4, the Corporation may invest in securities only if a majority of Directors (including a majority of Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction approve such investment as being fair, competitive and commercially reasonable.
Section 10.4Investment Limitations. Until such time as the Common Shares are Listed, the following investment limitations shall apply. In addition to other investment restrictions imposed by the Board from time to time, consistent with the Corporation’s objective of qualifying as a REIT, the following shall apply to the Corporation’s investments:
(a)Not more than ten percent of the Corporation’s total assets shall be invested in Unimproved Real Property or mortgage loans on Unimproved Real Property.
(b)The Corporation shall not invest in commodities or commodity future contracts. This limitation is not intended to apply to futures contracts, when used solely for hedging purposes in connection with the Corporation’s ordinary business of investing in real estate assets and mortgages.
(c)The Corporation shall not invest in or make any Mortgage (excluding any investment in mortgage programs, commercial mortgage-backed securities or residential mortgage-backed securities) unless an appraisal is obtained concerning the underlying
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property except for those loans insured or guaranteed by a government or government agency. In cases in which a majority of Independent Directors so determine, and in all cases in which the transaction is with the Advisor, Sponsor, Directors, or any Affiliates thereof, such appraisal of the underlying property must be obtained from an Independent Appraiser. Such appraisal shall be maintained in the Corporation’s records for at least five years and shall be available for inspection and duplication by any Stockholder. In addition to the appraisal, a mortgagee’s or owner’s title insurance policy or commitment as to the priority of the mortgage or condition of the title must be obtained.
(d)The Corporation shall not make or invest in any Mortgage (excluding any investment in mortgage programs, commercial mortgage-backed securities or residential mortgage-backed securities), including a construction loan, on any one property if the aggregate amount of all mortgage loans outstanding on the property, including the loans of the Corporation, would exceed an amount equal to 85% of the appraised value of the property as determined by appraisal unless substantial justification exists because of the presence of other underwriting criteria. For purposes of this subsection, the “aggregate amount of all mortgage loans outstanding on the property, including the loans of the Corporation” shall include all interest (excluding contingent participation in income and/or appreciation in value of the mortgaged property), the current payment of which may be deferred pursuant to the terms of such loans, to the extent that deferred interest on each loan exceeds five percent per annum of the principal balance of the loan.
(e)The Corporation shall not invest in indebtedness secured by a mortgage on real property which is subordinate to the lien or other indebtedness of the Advisor, any Director, the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Corporation.
(f)The Corporation shall not issue (A) equity Securities redeemable solely at the option of the holder (except that Stockholders may offer their Common Shares to the Corporation pursuant to any repurchase plan adopted by the Board on terms outlined in the Prospectus relating to any Offering, as such plan is thereafter amended in accordance with its terms); (B) debt Securities unless the historical debt service coverage (in the most recently completed fiscal year) as adjusted for known changes is sufficient to properly service that higher level of debt; (C) equity Securities on a deferred payment basis or under similar arrangements; or (D) options or warrants to the Advisor, Directors, Sponsor or any Affiliate thereof except on the same terms as such options or warrants are sold to the general public. Options or warrants may be issued to persons other than the Advisor, Directors, Sponsor or any Affiliate thereof, but not at exercise prices less than the fair market value of the underlying Securities on the date of grant and not for consideration (which may include services) that in the judgment of the Independent Directors has a market value less than the value of such option or warrant on the date of grant. Options or warrants issuable to the Advisor, Directors, Sponsor or any Affiliate thereof shall not exceed ten percent of the outstanding Shares on the date of grant. The voting rights per Share (other than any publicly held Share) sold in a private offering shall not exceed the voting rights which bear the same relationship to the voting rights of a publicly held Share as the consideration paid to the Corporation for each privately offered Share bears to the book value of each outstanding publicly held Share.
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(g)A majority of the Directors or of the members of a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors shall authorize the consideration to be paid for Real Property, ordinarily based on the fair market value of the Real Property. If a majority of the Independent Directors on the Board of Directors or such duly authorized committee determine, or if the Real Property is acquired from the Advisor, a Director, the Sponsor or their Affiliates, such fair market value shall be determined by a qualified Independent Appraiser selected by such Independent Directors.
(h)The aggregate Leverage shall be reasonable in relation to the Net Assets and shall be reviewed by the Board at least quarterly. The maximum amount of such Leverage in relation to Net Assets shall not exceed 300%. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Leverage may exceed such limit if any excess in borrowing over such level is approved by a majority of the Independent Directors. Any such excess borrowing shall be disclosed to Stockholders in the next quarterly report of the Corporation following such borrowing, along with justification for such excess.
(i)The Corporation will continually review its investment activity to attempt to ensure that it is not classified as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(j)The Corporation will not make any investment that the Corporation believes will be inconsistent with its objectives of qualifying and remaining qualified as a REIT unless and until the Board determines, in its sole discretion, that REIT qualification is not in the best interests of the Corporation.
(k)The Corporation shall not invest in real estate contracts of sale unless such contracts of sale are in recordable form and appropriately recorded in the chain of title.
ARTICLE XI
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Section 11.1Sales and Leases to Trust. The Corporation may purchase or lease an Asset or Assets from the Sponsor, the Advisor, a Director, or any Affiliate thereof upon a finding by a majority of Directors (including a majority of Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction that such transaction is fair and reasonable to the Corporation and at a price to the Corporation no greater than the cost of the Asset to such Sponsor, Advisor, Director or Affiliate, or, if the price to the Corporation is in excess of such cost, that substantial justification for such excess exists and such excess is reasonable. In no event shall the purchase price of any Property to the Corporation exceed its current appraised value.
Section 11.2 Sales and Leases to the Sponsor, Advisor, Directors or Affiliates. An Advisor, Sponsor, Director or Affiliate thereof may purchase or lease Assets from the Corporation if a majority of Directors (including a majority of Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction determine that the transaction is fair and reasonable to the Corporation.
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Section 11.3Other Transactions.
(a)No goods or services will be provided by the Advisor or its Affiliates to the Corporation, except for transactions in which the Advisor or its Affiliates provide goods or services to the Corporation in accordance with the Charter, unless a majority of the Directors (including a majority of the Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in such transaction approve such transaction as fair and reasonable to the Corporation and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Corporation than those available from unaffiliated third parties.
(b)The Corporation shall not make loans to the Sponsor, Advisor, Directors or any Affiliates thereof except Mortgages pursuant to Section 10.4(c) hereof or loans to wholly owned subsidiaries of the Corporation. The Sponsor, Advisor, Directors and any Affiliates thereof shall not make loans to the Corporation, or to joint ventures in which the Corporation is a co-venturer, unless approved by a majority of the Directors (including a majority of the Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in such transaction as fair, competitive, and commercially reasonable, and no less favorable to the Corporation than comparable loans between unaffiliated parties.
Section 12.1Meetings. There shall be an annual meeting of the Stockholders, to be held at such time and place as shall be determined by or in the manner prescribed in the Bylaws, at which the Directors shall be elected and any other proper business may be conducted. The annual meeting will be held on such date as shall be determined by or in the manner prescribed in the Bylaws. The holders of a majority of Shares present in person or by proxy at an annual meeting at which a quorum is present, may, without the necessity for concurrence by the Board, vote to elect the Directors. A quorum shall be 50% of the then outstanding Shares. Special meetings of Stockholders may be called in the manner provided in the Bylaws, including by the president or by a majority of the Directors or a majority of the Independent Directors, and shall be called by an officer of the Corporation upon written request of Stockholders holding in the aggregate not less than ten percent of the outstanding Shares entitled to be voted on any issue proposed to be considered at any such special meeting. Notice of any special meeting of Stockholders shall be given as provided in the Bylaws, and the special meeting shall be held not less than 15 days nor more than 60 days after the delivery of such notice. If the meeting is called by written request of Stockholders as described in this Section 12.1, the special meeting shall be held at the time and place specified in the Stockholder request; provided, however, that if none is so specified, at such time and place convenient to the Stockholders. If there are no Directors, the officers of the Corporation shall promptly call a special meeting of the Stockholders entitled to vote for the election of successor Directors. Any meeting may be adjourned and reconvened as the Board may determine or as otherwise provided in the Bylaws.
Section 12.2Voting Rights of Stockholders. Subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares then outstanding and the mandatory provisions of any applicable laws or
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regulations, the Stockholders shall be entitled to vote only on the following matters: (a) election or removal of Directors, without the necessity for concurrence by the Board, as provided in Sections 12.1, 8.4 and 8.11 hereof; (b) amendment of the Charter, without the necessity for concurrence by the Board, as provided in Article XIV hereof; (c) dissolution of the Corporation, without the necessity for concurrence by the Board; (d) merger or consolidation of the Corporation, or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets; and (e) such other matters with respect to which the Board of Directors has adopted a resolution declaring that a proposed action is advisable and directing that the matter be submitted to the Stockholders for approval or ratification. Except with respect to the foregoing matters, no action taken by the Stockholders at any meeting shall in any way bind the Board. Without the approval of a majority of the Shares entitled to vote on the matter, the Board may not (i) amend the Charter to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Stockholders; (ii) amend provisions of the Charter relating to director qualifications, fiduciary duties, liability and indemnification, conflicts of interest, investment policies or investment restrictions; (iii) liquidate or dissolve the Corporation other than before the initial investment in property; (iv) sell all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets other than in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise permitted by law; or (v) cause the merger or reorganization of the Corporation.
Section 12.3Voting Limitations on Shares Held by the Advisor, Directors and Affiliates. With respect to Shares owned by the Advisor, any Director, or any of their Affiliates, neither the Advisor, nor such Director(s), nor any of their Affiliates may vote or consent on matters submitted to the Stockholders regarding the removal of the Advisor, such Director(s) or any of their Affiliates or any transaction between the Corporation and any of them. In determining the requisite percentage in interest of Shares necessary to approve a matter on which the Advisor, such Director(s) and any of their Affiliates may not vote or consent, any Shares owned by any of them shall not be included.
Section 12.4Right of Inspection. Any Stockholder and any designated representative thereof shall be permitted access to the records of the Corporation to which it is entitled under applicable law at all reasonable times, and may inspect and copy any of them. Inspection of the Corporation’s books and records by the office or agency administering the securities laws of a jurisdiction shall be provided upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours.
Section 12.5Access to Stockholder List. An alphabetical list of the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the Stockholders, along with the number of Shares held by each of them (the “Stockholder List”), shall be maintained as part of the books and records of the Corporation and shall be available for inspection by any Stockholder or the Stockholder’s designated agent at the home office of the Corporation upon the request of the Stockholder. The Stockholder List shall be updated at least quarterly to reflect changes in the information contained therein. A copy of such list shall be mailed to any Stockholder so requesting within ten days of receipt by the Corporation of the request. The copy of the Stockholder List shall be printed in alphabetical order, on white paper, and in a readily readable type size (in no event smaller than ten-point type). The Corporation may impose a reasonable charge for expenses incurred in reproduction pursuant to the Stockholder request. A Stockholder may request a copy
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of the Stockholder List in connection with matters relating to Stockholders’ voting rights, and the exercise of Stockholder rights under federal proxy laws.
If the Advisor or the Board neglects or refuses to exhibit, produce or mail a copy of the Stockholder List as requested, the Advisor and/or the Board, as the case may be, shall be liable to any Stockholder requesting the list for the costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by that Stockholder for compelling the production of the Stockholder List, and for actual damages suffered by any Stockholder by reason of such refusal or neglect. It shall be a defense that the actual purpose and reason for the requests for inspection or for a copy of the Stockholder List is to secure such list of Stockholders or other information for the purpose of selling such list or copies thereof, or of using the same for a commercial purpose other than in the interest of the applicant as a Stockholder relative to the affairs of the Corporation. The Corporation may require the Stockholder requesting the Stockholder List to represent that the list is not requested for a commercial purpose unrelated to the Stockholder’s interest in the Corporation. The remedies provided hereunder to Stockholders requesting copies of the Stockholder List are in addition, to and shall not in any way limit, other remedies available to Stockholders under federal law, or the laws of any state.
Section 12.6Reports. The Directors, including the Independent Directors, shall take reasonable steps to insure that the Corporation shall cause to be prepared and mailed or delivered to each Stockholder as of a record date after the end of the fiscal year and each holder of other publicly held Securities within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which it relates an annual report for each fiscal year ending after the Commencement of the Initial Public Offering that shall include: (i) financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles which are audited and reported on by independent certified public accountants; (ii) the ratio of the costs of raising capital during the period to the capital raised; (iii) the aggregate amount of advisory fees and the aggregate amount of other fees paid to the Advisor and any Affiliate of the Advisor by the Corporation and including fees or charges paid to the Advisor and any Affiliate of the Advisor by third parties doing business with the Corporation; (iv) the Total Operating Expenses of the Corporation, stated as a percentage of Average Invested Assets and as a percentage of its Net Income; (v) a report from the Independent Directors that the policies being followed by the Corporation are in the best interests of its Stockholders and the basis for such determination; and (vi) separately stated, full disclosure of all material terms, factors and circumstances surrounding any and all transactions involving the Corporation, Directors, Advisors, Sponsors and any Affiliate thereof occurring in the year for which the annual report is made, and the Independent Directors shall be specifically charged with a duty to examine and comment in the report on the fairness of such transactions.
Section 12.7. Tender Offers. If any Person makes a Tender Offer, such Person must comply with all of the provisions set forth in Regulation 14D of the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, disclosure and notice requirements, that would be applicable if the Tender Offer was for more than five percent of the outstanding Shares; provided, however, that such documents are not required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, any such Person must provide notice to the Corporation at least ten business days prior to initiating any such Tender Offer. If any Person initiates a Tender Offer without complying with the provisions set forth above (a “Non-Compliant Tender Offer”), the Corporation, in its sole discretion, shall have the right, but not the obligation, to redeem such non-compliant
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Person’s Shares and any Shares acquired in such Tender Offer (collectively, the “Tendered Shares”) at a per Share price equal to the lowest of (i) the price then being paid per Common Share purchased in the Corporation’s latest Offering at full purchase price (not discounted for commission reductions or for reductions in sale price permitted pursuant to the Reinvestment Plan), (ii) the estimated value of a Share as determined in the Corporation’s most recent valuation pursuant to Regulatory Notice 09-09 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., (iii) the fair market value of a Share as determined by an independent valuation obtained by the Corporation or (iv) the lowest tender offer price offered in such Non-Compliant Tender Offer. The Corporation may purchase such Tendered Shares upon delivery of the purchase price to the Person initiating such Non-Compliant Tender Offer and, upon such delivery, the Corporation may instruct any transfer agent to transfer such purchased Shares to the Corporation. In addition, any Person who makes a Non-Compliant Tender Offer shall be responsible for all expenses incurred by the Corporation in connection with the enforcement of the provisions of this Section 12.7, including, without limitation, expenses incurred in connection with the review of all documents related to such Tender Offer and expenses incurred in connection with any purchase of Tendered Shares by the Corporation. The Corporation maintains the right to offset any such expenses against the dollar amount to be paid by the Corporation for the purchase of Tendered Shares pursuant to this Section 12.7. In addition to the remedies provided herein, the Corporation may seek injunctive relief, including, without limitation, a temporary or permanent restraining order, in connection with any Non-Compliant Tender Offer. This Section 12.7 shall be of no force or effect with respect to any Shares that are then Listed.
LIABILITY LIMITATION, INDEMNIFICATION
AND TRANSACTIONS WITH THE CORPORATION
Section 13.1Limitation of Stockholder Liability. No Stockholder shall be liable for any debt, claim, demand, judgment or obligation of any kind of, against or with respect to the Corporation by reason of his being a Stockholder, nor shall any Stockholder be subject to any personal liability whatsoever, in tort, contract or otherwise, to any Person in connection with the Corporation’s assets or the affairs of the Corporation by reason of his being a Stockholder.
Section 13.2Limitation of Director and Officer Liability; Indemnification.
(a)Subject to the conditions set forth under Maryland law or in paragraph (c) or (d) below, no Director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its Stockholders for money or other damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Section 13.2(a), nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or Bylaws inconsistent with this Section 13.2(a), shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.
(b)Subject to the conditions set forth under Maryland law or in paragraph (c) or (d) below, the Corporation shall indemnify and pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (i) any individual who is a present or former Director or officer of the Corporation and who is made or threatened to be made a party
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to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity, (ii) any individual who, while a Director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner or trustee of such corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (iii) the Advisor of any of its Affiliates acting as an agent of the Corporation. The Corporation may, with the approval of the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee thereof, provide such indemnification and advance for expenses to a person who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (i) or (ii) above and to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation. The Board may take such action as is necessary to carry out this Section 13.2(b). No amendment of the Charter or repeal of any of its provisions shall limit or eliminate the right of indemnification provided hereunder with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.
(c)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in paragraph (a) or (b) above, the Corporation shall not provide for indemnification of a Director, the Advisor or any Affiliate of the Advisor (the “Indemnitee”) for any liability or loss suffered by any of them and the Corporation shall not provide that an Indemnitee be held harmless for any loss or liability suffered by the Corporation, unless all of the following conditions are met:
(i)The Indemnitee has determined, in good faith, that the course of conduct that caused the loss or liability was in the best interests of the Corporation.
(ii)The Indemnitee was acting on behalf of or performing services for the Corporation.
(iii) Such liability or loss was not the result of (A) negligence or misconduct, in the case that the Indemnitee is a Director (other than an Independent Director), the Advisor or an Affiliate of the Advisor or (B) gross negligence or willful misconduct, in the case that the Indemnitee is an Independent Director.
(iv)Such indemnification or agreement to hold harmless is recoverable only out of Net Assets and not from the Stockholders.
(d)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in paragraph (a) or (b) above, the Corporation shall not provide indemnification for any loss, liability or expense arising from or out of an alleged violation of federal or state securities laws by such party unless one or more of the following conditions are met: (i) there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged material securities law violations as to the Indemnitee; (ii) such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction as to the Indemnitee; or (iii) a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the claims against the Indemnitee and finds that indemnification of the settlement and the related costs should be made, and the court considering the request for indemnification has been advised of the position of the Securities and Exchange Commission and of the published position of any state securities regulatory authority in which Securities were offered or sold as to indemnification for violations of securities laws.
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Section 13.3Payment of Expenses. The Corporation shall pay or reimburse reasonable legal expenses and other costs incurred by an Indemnitee in advance of final disposition of a proceeding if all of the following are satisfied: (i) the proceeding relates to acts or omissions with respect to the performance of duties or services on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) the Indemnitee provides the Corporation with written affirmation of the Indemnitee’s good faith belief that the Indemnitee has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Corporation as authorized by Section 13.2 hereof, (iii) the legal proceeding was initiated by a third party who is not a Stockholder or, if by a Stockholder of the Corporation acting in his or her capacity as such, a court of competent jurisdiction approves such advancement, and (iv) the Indemnitee provides the Corporation with a written agreement to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the Corporation, together with the applicable legal rate of interest thereon, if it is ultimately determined that the Indemnitee did not comply with the requisite standard of conduct and is not entitled to indemnification. Any indemnification payment or reimbursement of expenses will be furnished in accordance with the procedures in Section 2-418(e) of the MGCL or any successor statute.
Section 13.4Express Exculpatory Clauses in Instruments. Neither the Stockholders nor the Directors, officers, employees or agents of the Corporation shall be liable under any written instrument creating an obligation of the Corporation by reason of their being Stockholders, Directors, officers, employees or agents of the Corporation, and all Persons shall look solely to the Corporation’s assets for the payment of any claim under or for the performance of that instrument. The omission of the foregoing exculpatory language from any instrument shall not affect the validity or enforceability of such instrument and shall not render any Stockholder, Director, officer, employee or agent liable thereunder to any third party, nor shall the Directors or any officer, employee or agent of the Corporation be liable to anyone as a result of such omission.
Section 13.5Transactions with Affiliates. The Corporation shall not engage in transactions with the Advisor, the Sponsor, a Director or any of the Corporation’s Affiliates, except to the extent that each such transaction has, after disclosure of such affiliation, been approved or ratified by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors (including a majority of the Independent Directors) not Affiliated with the Person who is party to the transaction and:
(a)The transaction is fair and reasonable to the Corporation.
(b)The terms and conditions of such transaction are not less favorable to the Corporation than those available from unaffiliated third parties.
(c)If an acquisition is involved, the total consideration is not in excess of the appraised value of the Property being acquired, as determined by an Independent Appraiser.
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AMENDMENTS
The Corporation reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment to the Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of any outstanding Shares. All rights and powers conferred by the Charter on Stockholders, Directors and officers are granted subject to this reservation. Except for those amendments permitted to be made without Stockholder approval under Maryland law or by specific provision in the Charter, any amendment to the Charter shall be valid only if approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter, including without limitation, (1) any amendment which would adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Stockholders and (2) any amendment to Sections 8.2, 8.5 and 8.11 of Article VIII, Article X, Article XI, Article XIII and Article XV hereof and this Article XIV (or any other amendment of the Charter that would have the effect of amending such sections).
ROLL-UP TRANSACTIONS
In connection with any proposed Roll-Up Transaction, an appraisal of all of the Corporation’s assets shall be obtained from a competent Independent Appraiser. The Corporation’s assets shall be appraised on a consistent basis, and the appraisal shall be based on the evaluation of all relevant information and shall indicate the value of the assets as of a date immediately prior to the announcement of the proposed Roll-Up Transaction. The appraisal shall assume an orderly liquidation of the assets over a twelve-month period. The terms of the engagement of the Independent Appraiser shall clearly state that the engagement is for the benefit of the Corporation and the Stockholders. A summary of the appraisal, indicating all material assumptions underlying the appraisal, shall be included in a report to Stockholders in connection with a proposed Roll-Up Transaction. In connection with a proposed Roll-Up Transaction, the person sponsoring the Roll-Up Transaction shall offer to Stockholders who vote against the proposed Roll-Up Transaction the choice of:
(a)accepting the securities of a Roll-Up Entity offered in the proposed Roll-Up Transaction; or
(b)one of the following:
(i) remaining as Stockholders and preserving their interests therein on the same terms and conditions as existed previously; or
(ii) receiving cash in an amount equal to the Stockholder’s pro rata share of the appraised value of the net assets of the Corporation.
The Corporation is prohibited from participating in any proposed Roll-Up Transaction:
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(a)that would result in the Stockholders having voting rights in a Roll-Up Entity that are less than the rights provided for in Sections 12.1 and 12.2 hereof;
(b)that includes provisions that would operate as a material impediment to, or frustration of, the accumulation of Shares by any purchaser of the securities of the Roll-Up Entity (except to the minimum extent necessary to preserve the tax status of the Roll-Up Entity), or which would limit the ability of an investor to exercise the voting rights of its securities of the Roll-Up Entity on the basis of the number of Shares held by that investor;
(c)in which investor’s rights to access of records of the Roll-Up Entity will be less than those described in Sections 12.4 and 12.5 hereof; or
(d)in which any of the costs of the Roll-Up Transaction would be borne by the Corporation if the Roll-Up Transaction is not approved by the Stockholders.
THIRD: The restatement of the charter of the Corporation as hereinabove set forth has been approved by a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
FOURTH: The charter is not amended by these Second Articles of Restatement.
FIFTH: The current address of the principal office of the Corporation is as set forth in Article IV of the foregoing restatement of the charter.
SIXTH: The name and address of the Corporation’s current resident agent is as set forth in Article IV of the foregoing restatement of the charter.
SEVENTH: The number of directors of the Corporation and the names of those currently in office are as set forth in Article VIII of the foregoing restatement of the charter.
EIGHTH: The undersigned Co-President acknowledges these Second Articles of Restatement to be the corporate act of the Corporation and as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned Co-President acknowledges that to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Second Articles of Restatement to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Co-President and attested to by its Secretary on this 30th day of July, 2024.
ATTEST:ARES REAL ESTATE INCOME TRUST INC.
/s/ Joshua J. Widoff /s/ Jeffrey W. Taylor (SEAL)
Name: Joshua J. WidoffName: Jeffrey W. Taylor
Title: SecretaryTitle: Co-President
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