The following constitutes the Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned (the “Schedule 13D”).
Item 1. | Security and Issuer. |
This statement relates to the Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Shares”), of American Residential Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Issuer”). The address of the principal executive offices of the Issuer is 7047 East Greenway Parkway, Suite 350, Scottsdale, Arizona 85254.
Item 2. | Identity and Background. |
| (a) | This statement is filed by: |
| (i) | Land & Buildings Capital Growth Fund, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“L&B Growth”), with respect to the Shares directly and beneficially owned by it; |
| (ii) | L & B Real Estate Opportunity Fund, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“L&B Opportunity”), with respect to the Shares directly and beneficially owned by it, and as the sole member of Land & Buildings Absolute Value LLC; |
| (iii) | Land & Buildings Absolute Value LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“L&B Value”), with respect to the Shares directly and beneficially owned by it; |
| (iv) | Land & Buildings GP LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“L&B GP”), as the general partner of each of L&B Growth, L&B Opportunity, and L&B Value; |
| (v) | Land & Buildings Investment Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“L&B Management”), as the investment manager of each of L&B Growth, L&B Opportunity and L&B Value, and the investment advisor of a certain managed account (the “L&B Account”); and |
| (vi) | Jonathan Litt, as the managing principal of L&B Management. |
Each of the foregoing is referred to as a “Reporting Person” and collectively as the “Reporting Persons.” Each of the Reporting Persons is party to that certain Joint Filing Agreement, as further described in Item 6. Accordingly, the Reporting Persons are hereby filing a joint Schedule 13D.
(b) The address of the principal office of each of L&B Growth, L&B Opportunity, L&B Value, L&B GP, L&B Management, and Mr. Litt is 1 Landmark Square, 7th Floor, Stamford, Connecticut 06901.
(c) The principal business of each of L&B Growth, L&B Opportunity, and L&B Value is serving as a private investment fund. The principal business of L&B GP is serving as the general partner of each of L&B Growth and L&B Opportunity. The principal business of L&B Management is serving as the investment manager of each of L&B Growth, L&B Opportunity, and L&B Value, and as the investment advisor of L&B Account. Mr. Litt serves as the managing principal of L&B Management.
(d) No Reporting Person has, during the last five (5) years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).
(e) No Reporting Person has, during the last five (5) years, been party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
(f) Mr. Litt is a citizen of the United States of America.
Item 3. | Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration. |
The Shares purchased by each of L&B Growth, L&B Opportunity, L&B Value and L&B Account were purchased with working capital (which may, at any given time, include margin loans made by brokerage firms in the ordinary course of business) in open market purchases, except as otherwise noted, as set forth in Schedule A, which is incorporated by reference herein. The aggregate purchase price of the 1,470,875 Shares beneficially owned by L&B Growth is approximately $24,152,161, excluding brokerage commissions.1 The aggregate purchase price of the 585,200 Shares beneficially owned by L&B Opportunity is approximately $9,480,669, including brokerage commissions. The aggregate purchase price of the 422,100 Shares beneficially owned by L&B Value is approximately $6,776,212, excluding brokerage commissions. The aggregate purchase price of the 322,074 Shares held in the L&B Account is approximately $5,203,651, including brokerage commissions.
Item 4. | Purpose of Transaction. |
The Reporting Persons purchased the Shares based on the Reporting Persons’ belief that the Shares, when purchased, were undervalued and represented an attractive investment opportunity. Depending upon overall market conditions, other investment opportunities available to the Reporting Persons, and the availability of Shares at prices that would make the purchase or sale of Shares desirable, the Reporting Persons may endeavor to increase or decrease their position in the Issuer through, among other things, the purchase or sale of Shares on the open market or in private transactions or otherwise, on such terms and at such times as the Reporting Persons may deem advisable.
The Reporting Persons believe that the Issuer is trading at a significant discount to its net asset value largely as a result of poor operational performance, an insufficient scale and the lack of a clear strategic plan. Further, the Reporting Persons believe management missteps and a lack of effective oversight by the Issuer’s board of directors (the “Board”) are at the root of the inferior operating performance, inadequate strategic plan and poor total shareholder returns. Accordingly, if the Issuer fails to provide a clear path to improving operational and financial performance, then the Reporting Persons anticipate nominating director candidates to the Board.
No Reporting Person has any present plan or proposal which would relate to or result in any of the matters set forth in subparagraphs (a) - (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D except as set forth herein or such as would occur upon or in connection with completion of, or following, any of the actions discussed herein. The Reporting Persons intend to review their investment in the Issuer on a continuing basis. Depending on various factors including, without limitation, the Issuer’s financial position and investment strategy, the price levels of the Shares, conditions in the securities markets and general economic and industry conditions, the Reporting Persons may in the future take such actions with respect to their investment in the Issuer as they deem appropriate including, without limitation, engaging in communications with management and the Board, engaging in discussions with stockholders of the Issuer and others about the Issuer and the Reporting Persons’ investment, making proposals to the Issuer concerning changes to the capitalization, ownership structure, including a sale of the Issuer as a whole or in parts, board structure (including board composition) or operations of the Issuer, purchasing additional Shares, selling some or all of their Shares, engaging in short selling of or any hedging or similar transaction with respect to the Shares, or changing their intention with respect to any and all matters referred to in Item 4.
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1 The aggregate purchase price of the 1,470,875 Shares beneficially owned by L&B Growth includes the aggregate purchase price of the Shares beneficially owned by L&B Growth, as the sole member of L&B Value.
Item 5. | Interest in Securities of the Issuer. |
The aggregate percentage of Shares reported owned by each person named herein is based upon 32,211,326 Shares outstanding, as of November 3, 2015, which is the total number of Shares outstanding as reported in the Issuer’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2015.
| As of the close of business on November 27, 2015, L&B Growth beneficially owned 1,470,875 Shares, which includes the 422,100 Shares beneficially owned by L&B Growth, as the sole member of L&B Value. |
Percentage: Approximately 4.6%
| (b) | 1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 0 |
| 2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 1,470,875 |
| 3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0 |
| 4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 1,470,875 |
| (c) | The transactions in the Shares by L&B Growth during the past sixty (60) days are set forth in Schedule A and are incorporated herein by reference. |
| (a) | As of the close of business on November 27, 2015, L&B Opportunity beneficially owned 585,200 Shares. |
Percentage: Approximately 1.8%
| (b) | 1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 0 |
| 2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 585,200 |
| 3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0 |
| 4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 585,200 |
| (c) | The transactions in the Shares by L&B Opportunity during the past sixty (60) days are set forth in Schedule A and are incorporated herein by reference. |
| (a) | As of the close of business on November 27, 2015, L&B Value beneficially owned 422,100 Shares. |
Percentage: Approximately 1.3%
| (b) | 1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 0 |
| 2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 422,100 |
| 3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0 |
| 4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 422,100 |
| (c) | The transactions in the Shares by L&B Value during the past sixty (60) days are set forth in Schedule A and are incorporated herein by reference. |
| (a) | As of the close of business on November 27, 2015, L&B Value beneficially owned 422,100 Shares. |
Percentage: Approximately 1.3%
| (b) | 1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 0 |
| 2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 422,100 |
| 3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0 |
| 4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 422,100 |
| (c) | The transactions in the Shares by L&B Value during the past sixty (60) days are set forth in Schedule A and are incorporated herein by reference. |
| (a) | L&B Management, as the investment manager for each of L&B Growth, L&B Opportunity, L&B Value, and as the investment advisor of L&B Account, may be deemed the beneficial owner of the (i) 1,470,875 Shares owned by L&B Growth, (ii) 585,200 Shares of L&B Opportunity, (iii) 422,100 Shares owned by L&B Value, and (iv) 322,074 Shares held in the L&B Account.2 |
Percentage: Approximately 7.4%
| (b) | 1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 2,378,149 |
| 2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 0 |
| 3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 2,378,149 |
| 4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0 |
| (c) | L&B Management has not entered into any transaction in the Shares during the past sixty (60) days. The transactions in the Shares on behalf of each of L&B Growth, L&B Opportunity, L&B Value, and L&B Account during the past sixty (60) days are set forth in Schedule A and are incorporated herein by reference. |
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2 The 1,470,875 L&B Growth Shares include the Shares beneficially owned by L&B Value, as the sole member of L&B Value.
| (a) | Mr. Litt, as the managing principal of L&B Management, the investment manager for each of the L&B Growth, L&B Opportunity, L&B Value, and as the investment advisor of L&B Account, may be deemed the beneficial owner of the (i) 1,470,875 Shares owned by L&B Growth, (ii) 585,200 Shares of L&B Opportunity, (iii) 422,100 Shares owned by L&B Value, and (iv) 322,074 Shares held in the L&B Account. |
Percentage: Approximately 7.4%
| (b) | 1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 0 |
| 2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 2,378,149 |
| 3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0 |
| 4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 2,378,149 |
| (c) | Mr. Litt has not entered into any transaction in the Shares during the past sixty (60) days. The transactions in the Shares on behalf of each of L&B Growth, L&B Opportunity, L&B Value, and L&B Account during the past sixty (60) days are set forth in Schedule A and are incorporated herein by reference. |
| (d) | No person other than the Reporting Persons is known to have the right to receive, or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or proceeds from the sale of, the Shares. |
Item 6. | Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer. |
On November 27, 2015 the Reporting Persons entered into a Joint Filing Agreement in which the Reporting Persons agreed to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of statements on Schedule 13D with respect to the securities of the Issuer to the extent required by applicable law. The Joint Filing Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Other than as described herein, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships among the Reporting Persons, or between the Reporting Persons and any other person, with respect to the securities of the Issuer.
Item 7. | Material to be Filed as Exhibits. |
| 99.1 | Joint Filing Agreement by and among Land & Buildings Capital Growth Fund, LP, L&B Real Estate Opportunity Fund, LP, Land & Buildings Absolute Value LLC, Land & Buildings GP LP, Land & Buildings Investment Management, LLC, and Jonathan Litt, dated November 27, 2015. |
SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and belief, the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated: November 27, 2015
| Land & Buildings Capital Growth Fund, LP |
| | |
| By: | Land & Buildings Investment Management, LLC Investment Manager |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Jonathan Litt |
| | Name: | Jonathan Litt |
| | Title: | Managing Principal |
| L&B Real Estate Opportunity Fund, LP |
| |
| By: | Land & Buildings Investment Management, LLC Investment Manager |
| |
| By: | /s/ Jonathan Litt |
| | Name: | Jonathan Litt |
| | Title: | Managing Principal |
| Land & Buildings Absolute Value LLC |
| | |
| By: | Land & Buildings Investment Management, LLC Investment Manager |
| |
| By: | /s/ Jonathan Litt |
| | Name: | Jonathan Litt |
| | Title: | Managing Principal |
| Land & Buildings GP LP |
| | |
| By: | L&B GP LLC |
| | General Partner |
| | |
| By: | Land & Buildings Investment Management, LLC Manager |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Jonathan Litt |
| | Name: | Jonathan Litt |
| | Title: | Manager |
| Land & Buildings Investment Management, LLC |
| |
| By: | /s/ Jonathan Litt |
| | Name: | Jonathan Litt |
| | Title: | Managing Principal |
SCHEDULE A
Transactions in the Shares During the Past Sixty (60) Days
Shares of Common Stock Purchased/(Sold) | | |
LAND & BUILDINGS CAPITAL GROWTH FUND, LP
24,000 | 16.6624 | 09/16/2015 |
16,000 | 16.9843 | 09/17/2015 |
120,600 | 15.6267 | 11/05/2015 |
110,500 | 15.4341 | 11/06/2015 |
60,400 | 14.9347 | 11/09/2015 |
60,400 | 14.8727 | 11/10/2015 |
60,400 | 14.8299 | 11/11/2015 |
15,600 | 15.2121 | 11/16/2015 |
9,800 | 15.6814 | 11/17/2015 |
4,554 | 15.8317 | 11/18/2015 |
6,746 | 15.9761 | 11/19/2015 |
175 | 16.2883 | 11/20/2015 |
L&B REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY FUND, LP
102,882 | 17.2600 | 09/30/2015 |
55,118 | 17.1540 | 09/29/2015 |
33,849 | 15.6267 | 11/05/2015 |
30,951 | 15.4341 | 11/06/2015 |
16,900 | 14.9347 | 11/09/2015 |
16,900 | 14.8727 | 11/10/2015 |
16,900 | 14.8299 | 11/11/2015 |
55,600 | 15.2121 | 11/16/2015 |
39,900 | 15.6814 | 11/17/2015 |
31,600 | 15.8317 | 11/18/2015 |
46,400 | 15.9761 | 11/19/2015 |
34,300 | 16.2883 | 11/20/2015 |
26,600 | 16.4964 | 11/23/2015 |
31,900 | 16.5559 | 11/24/2015 |
45,400 | 16.7342 | 11/25/2015 |
LAND & BUILDINGS ABSOLUTE VALUE LLC
66,900 | 15.2121 | 11/16/2015 |
50,600 | 15.6814 | 11/17/2015 |
40,800 | 15.8317 | 11/18/2015 |
60,000 | 15.9761 | 11/19/2015 |
54,700 | 16.2883 | 11/20/2015 |
61,400 | 16.4964 | 11/23/2015 |
61,100 | 16.5559 | 11/24/2015 |
26,600 | 16.7342 | 11/25/2015 |
LAND & BUILDINGS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC 3
1,583 | 16.6624 | 09/16/2015 |
10,937 | 16.9843 | 09/17/2015 |
87,900 | 17.0707 | 10/05/2015 |
54,300 | 15.6267 | 11/05/2015 |
49,800 | 15.4341 | 11/06/2015 |
22,700 | 14.9347 | 11/09/2015 |
22,700 | 14.8727 | 11/10/2015 |
22,700 | 14.8299 | 11/11/2015 |
1,900 | 15.2121 | 11/16/2015 |
600 | 15.6814 | 11/17/2015 |
3 These Shares are directly held in a managed account for which Land & Buildings Investment Management, LLC is the investment advisor.