Welltower 424B5 Prospectus supplement for primary offering

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-225004

The information in this prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities, in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion

Preliminary Prospectus Supplement dated February 13, 2019

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To prospectus dated May 17, 2018)

LOGO

$ % Notes due 2024

$ % Notes due 2029

Welltower Inc. is offering and selling $ aggregate principal amount of its % notes due 2024 (the “2024 notes”) and $ aggregate principal amount of its % notes due 2029 (the “2029 notes,” and, together with the 2024 notes, the “notes”).

We will pay interest on the 2024 notes on and of each year, commencing , 2019. The 2024 notes will mature on , 2024. We may redeem the 2024 notes at our option, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, at the redemption price described in “Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption.”

We will pay interest on the 2029 notes on and of each year, commencing , 2019. The 2029 notes will mature on , 2029. We may redeem the 2029 notes at our option, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, at the redemption price described in “Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption.”

The notes will be our unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured senior indebtedness from time to time outstanding. The notes will be effectively subordinated to all liabilities of our subsidiaries and to our secured indebtedness to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness.

The notes will not be listed on any national securities exchange or quoted on any automated dealer quotation system.

Investing in the notes involves risk. Before making a decision to invest in any notes, you should carefully consider each of the factors described under “Risk Factors” beginning on pageS-8 of this prospectus supplement.

Public
offering
price

Underwriting
discount

Proceeds,
before
expenses, to
us

Per 2024 note(1)

2024 note total

Per 2029 note(1)

2029 note total

Total

(1)	The public offering prices set forth above do not include accrued interest, if any. Interest on the 2024 notes and the 2029 notes will accrue from , 2019.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state or other securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The underwriters expect to deliver the notes in book-entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company for the accounts of its participants, including Clearstream Banking, S.A., and Euroclear Bank SA/NV, as operator of the Euroclear System, on or about , 2019, against payment therefor in immediately available funds.

Joint Book-Running Managers


Wells Fargo Securities		BofA Merrill Lynch		MUFG

The date of this prospectus supplement is February , 2019.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement


PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY			S-1
RISK FACTORS			S-8
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			S-9
USE OF PROCEEDS			S-10
CAPITALIZATION			S-11
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES			S-13
ADDITIONAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS			S-23
UNDERWRITING			S-25
NOTICE TO INVESTORS			S-27
LEGAL MATTERS			S-30
EXPERTS			S-30
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			S-30

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any “free writing prospectus” we authorize to be delivered to you. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with additional information or information different from that contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any such “free writing prospectus.” We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale of these securities is not permitted. You should not assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any such “free writing prospectus” or any document incorporated therein by reference is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, which adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part, the prospectus, provides more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. Generally, when we refer to this prospectus, we are referring to both parts of this document combined. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement, on the one hand, and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

These securities are being offered only for sale in jurisdictions where it is lawful to make such offers. The distribution of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any “free writing prospectus” and the offering of these securities in other jurisdictions may also be restricted by law. Persons who receive this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any “free writing prospectus” should inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any “free writing prospectus” do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

None of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any related “free writing prospectus” is a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Directive (as defined below). This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related “free writing prospectus” have each

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been prepared on the basis that any offer of the notes in any Member State of the European Economic Area (the “EEA”) which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”) will only be made to a legal entity which is a qualified investor under the Prospectus Directive (“Qualified Investors”). Accordingly any person making or intending to make an offer in that Relevant Member State of notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related “free writing prospectus” may only do so with respect to Qualified Investors. Neither Welltower Inc. nor any of the underwriters have authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of notes other than to Qualified Investors. The expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended or superseded), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State.

PROHIBITION OF SALES TO EEA RETAIL INVESTORS—The notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the EEA. For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU, as amended (“MiFID II”); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (“Insurance Distribution Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, as amended (the “PRIIPs Regulation”), for offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

The communication of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any related “free writing prospectus” and any other document or materials relating to the issue of the notes offered hereby is not being made, and such documents and/or materials have not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the United Kingdom’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (the “FSMA”). Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials as a financial promotion is only being made to those persons in the United Kingdom who have professional experience in matters relating to investments and who fall within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Financial Promotion Order”)), or who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Financial Promotion Order, or who are any other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be made under the Financial Promotion Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). In the United Kingdom, the notes offered hereby are only available to, and any investment or investment activity to which this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any related “free writing prospectus” relates will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any related “free writing prospectus” or any of their respective contents.

Before making a decision to invest in any notes, you should carefully read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any “free writing prospectus” we authorize to be delivered to you, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus supplement.

Unless we have specifically indicated otherwise, references in this prospectus supplement to “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” or similar terms are to Welltower Inc. together with its subsidiaries.

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information about us and this offering. This information is not complete and does not contain all of the information you should consider before making a decision to invest in our notes. You should read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus carefully, including “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements” contained in this prospectus supplement and “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” contained in the accompanying prospectus and the financial statements and the other information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before making an investment decision.

About Our Company

We are an S&P 500 company headquartered in Toledo, Ohio and are driving the transformation of health care infrastructure. We invest with leading seniors housing operators, post-acute providers and health systems to fund real estate and infrastructure needed to scale innovative care delivery models and improve people’s wellness and overall health care experience. We are a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) and own interests in properties concentrated in major, high-growth markets in the United States (“U.S.”), Canada and the United Kingdom (“U.K.”), consisting of seniors housing and post-acute communities and outpatient medical properties. More information is available on the Internet atwww.welltower.com. However, the information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and our web address is included as an inactive textual reference only.

Other Information

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) maintains a website atwww.sec.gov that contains our annual reports on Form10-K, quarterly reports on Form10-Q, current reports on Form8-K and proxy statements, and all amendments thereto. All reports that we file with the SEC may be read and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information about the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at1-800-SEC-0330.

The Offering

Securities Offered

$ aggregate principal amount of % notes due 2024.

$ aggregate principal amount of % notes due 2029.

Maturity

The 2024 notes will mature on , 2024, subject to “Optional Redemption” below.

The 2029 notes will mature on , 2029, subject to “Optional Redemption” below.

Interest Rates and Interest Payment Dates

The 2024 notes will pay interest semiannually in arrears on and , commencing , 2019, at a rate of % per year.

The 2029 notes will pay interest semiannually in arrears on and , commencing , 2019, at a rate of % per year.

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Ranking

The notes will be our senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured senior indebtedness from time to time outstanding. The notes will be effectively subordinated to all liabilities of our subsidiaries and to our secured indebtedness to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness. See “Description of the Notes.”

Optional Redemption

Prior to the 2024 Par Call Date (as defined in “Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption”), the 2024 notes are redeemable at our option, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the 2024 notes (or portion of such 2024 notes) being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to but excluding the redemption date and (2) the 2024 Notes Make-Whole Amount (as defined in “Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption”), if any; provided, however, that on or after the 2024 Par Call Date, the redemption price will equal 100% of the principal amount of the 2024 notes (or portion of such 2024 notes) being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to but excluding the redemption date.

Prior to the 2029 Par Call Date (as defined in “Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption”), the 2029 notes are redeemable at our option, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the 2029 notes (or portion of such 2029 notes) being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to but excluding the redemption date and (2) the 2029 Notes Make-Whole Amount (as defined in “Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption”), if any; provided, however, that on or after the 2029 Par Call Date, the redemption price will equal 100% of the principal amount of the 2029 notes (or portion of such 2029 notes) being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to but excluding the redemption date.

Use of Proceeds

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay existing indebtedness, including the principal, accrued interest and any applicable redemption proceeds for our senior notes due 2019 and our senior notes due 2020. To the extent not used to replay existing indebtedness, we intend to use the proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Certain Covenants

The notes and the Supplemental Indenture (which is defined in “Description of the Notes—General”) under which they will be issued, respectively, contain various covenants, including the following as described in “Description of the Notes—Certain Covenants”:

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A covenant not to pledge or otherwise subject to any Lien (as defined in “Description of the Notes—Certain Covenants”) any of our property or assets or those of our subsidiaries unless the notes are secured equally and ratably with all other obligations so secured. This covenant does not apply to Liens securing obligations that do not in the aggregate at any one time outstanding exceed 40% of the sum of (1) the Total Assets (as defined in “Description of the Notes—Certain Covenants”) of us and our consolidated subsidiaries prior to the incurrence of such additional Liens, and (2) the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent that such proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Indebtedness (as defined in “Description of the Notes—Certain Covenants”)), by us or any subsidiary since the end of such calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of such additional Liens. In addition, this covenant does not apply to certain of our other obligations as more fully explained in “Description of the Notes—Certain Covenants.”

A covenant that we will not create, assume, incur, or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness if the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness of us and our consolidated subsidiaries is, at the time of such creation, assumption or incurrence and after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent transactions, greater than 60% of the sum of (1) the Total Assets of us and our consolidated subsidiaries prior to the incurrence of such additional Indebtedness and (2) the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent that such proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Indebtedness), by us or any subsidiary since the end of such calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of such additional Indebtedness.

A covenant that we will have or maintain, on a consolidated basis, as of the last day of each of our fiscal quarters, Interest Coverage (as defined in “Description of the Notes—Certain Covenants”) of not less than 150%.

A covenant that we will maintain, at all times, Total Unencumbered Assets (as defined in “Description of the Notes Certain Covenants”) of not less than 150% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Unsecured Debt (as defined in “Description of the Notes—Certain Covenants”) of us and our subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

Sinking Fund

The notes are not entitled to any sinking fund payments.

Governing Law

New York

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Denominations

The notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Book-Entry

Each series of the notes will be issued as fully registered notes, represented by one or more global notes deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), and registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co. Investors may elect to hold interests in the global notes through any of DTC, Clearstream Banking, S.A. (“Clearstream”) or the Euroclear System.

Trustee

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

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Recent Development

On February 12, 2019, we issued a press release that disclosed our financial condition and operating results as of and for the three and twelve months periods ended December 31, 2018. This press release was furnished to the SEC in a Current Report on Form8-K filed on February 12, 2019, which Form8-K is not incorporated by reference herein. The below tables set forth our balance sheet information for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and income statement information for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)

(in thousands)


	December 31,
	2018			2017
Assets
Real estate investments:
Land and land improvements	$	3,205,091		$	2,734,467
Buildings and improvements		28,019,502			25,373,117
Acquired lease intangibles		1,581,159			1,502,471
Real property held for sale, net of accumulated depreciation		590,271			734,147
Construction in progress		194,365			237,746

Gross real property owned		33,590,388			30,581,948
Less accumulated depreciation and intangible amortization		(5,499,958	)		(4,838,370	)

Net real property owned		28,090,430			25,743,578
Real estate loans receivable		398,711			495,871
Less allowance for losses on loans receivable		(68,372	)		(68,372	)

Net real estate loans receivable		330,339			427,499

Net real estate investments		28,420,769			26,171,077
Other assets:
Investments in unconsolidated entities		482,914			445,585
Goodwill		68,321			68,321
Cash and cash equivalents		215,376			243,777
Restricted cash		100,753			65,526
Straight-line rent receivable		367,093			389,168
Receivables and other assets		686,846			560,991

Total other assets		1,921,303			1,773,368

Total assets	$	30,342,072		$	27,944,445

Liabilities and equity
Liabilities:
Borrowings under primary unsecured credit facility	$	1,147,000		$	719,000
Senior unsecured notes		9,603,299			8,331,722
Secured debt		2,476,177			2,608,976
Capital lease obligations		70,668			72,238
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		1,034,283			911,863

Total liabilities		14,331,427			12,643,799
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		424,046			375,194

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	December 31,
	2018			2017
Equity:
Preferred stock		718,498			718,503
Common stock		384,465			372,449
Capital in excess of par value		18,424,368			17,662,681
Treasury stock		(68,499	)		(64,559	)
Cumulative net income		6,121,534			5,316,580
Cumulative dividends		(10,818,557	)		(9,471,712	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		(129,769	)		(111,465	)
Other equity		294			670

Total Welltower Inc. stockholders’ equity		14,632,334			14,423,147
Noncontrolling interests		954,265			502,305

Total equity		15,586,599			14,925,452

Total liabilities and equity	$	30,342,072		$	27,944,445

Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)


	Three Months Ended December 31,						Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Revenues:
Resident fees and service	$	860,402		$	729,666		$	3,234,852		$	2,779,423
Rental income		360,565			360,249			1,380,422			1,445,871
Interest income		13,082			11,975			55,814			73,811
Other income		7,194			2,367			29,411			17,536

Total revenues		1,241,243			1,104,257			4,700,499			4,316,641
Expenses:
Property operating expenses		650,644			547,904			2,433,017			2,083,925
Depreciation and amortization		242,834			238,458			950,459			921,720
Interest expense		144,369			127,217			526,592			484,622
General and administrative expenses		31,101			28,365			126,383			122,008
Loss (gain) on derivatives and financial instruments, net		1,626			—			(4,016	)��		2,284
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt, net		53			371			16,097			37,241
Provision for loan losses		—			62,966			—			62,966
Impairment of assets		76,022			99,821			115,579			124,483
Other expenses		10,502			60,167			112,898			177,776

Total expenses		1,157,151			1,165,269			4,277,009			4,017,025

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and other items		84,092			(61,012	)		423,490			299,616
Income tax (expense) benefit		(1,504	)		(25,663	)		(8,674	)		(20,128	)
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities		195			(59,449	)		(641	)		(83,125	)
Gain (loss) on real estate dispositions, net		41,913			56,381			415,575			344,250

Income (loss) from continuing operations		124,696			(89,743	)		829,750			540,613

Net income (loss)		124,696			(89,743	)		829,750			540,613

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	Three Months Ended December 31,					Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2018		2017			2018		2017
Less: Preferred dividends		11,676		11,676			46,704		49,410
Preferred stock redemption charge		—		—			—		9,769
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		11,257		10,104			24,796		17,839

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	101,763	$	(111,523	)	$	758,250	$	463,595

Average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic		378,240		370,485			373,620		367,237
Diluted		380,002		370,485			375,250		369,001
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders per share:
Basic	$	0.27	$	(0.30	)	$	2.03	$	1.26
Diluted	$	0.27	$	(0.30	)	$	2.02	$	1.26
Common dividends per share	$	0.87	$	0.87		$	3.48	$	3.48

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our notes involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors described below, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the discussion under the “Risk Factors” section in our Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, before making an investment in our notes.

Risks Related to Our Notes

The notes will be effectively subordinated to our secured indebtedness and subordinated to all liabilities of our subsidiaries from time to time outstanding

The notes are obligations only of Welltower Inc. and will be effectively subordinated to all liabilities of our subsidiaries and to our secured indebtedness to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness. See “Description of the Notes.”

Our business operations may not generate the cash needed to service our indebtedness

We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will enable us to pay our indebtedness, including the notes we are offering in this prospectus supplement. Our total consolidated debt as of December 31, 2018 was approximately $13.3 billion, which represented approximately 45.4% of our total capitalization as of that date.

You may not be able to resell the notes because there may not be an active trading market for the notes

Each series of the notes is a new issue of securities for which no established trading market exists. We do not intend to apply for listing of any of the notes on any securities exchange or for quotation of the notes on any automated dealer quotation system. A market for either series of the notes may not develop or, if one does, it may not necessarily be maintained. If an active trading market does not develop for either series of the notes or is not maintained, holders may not be able to resell notes of such series at all or at prices acceptable to them. The liquidity of any trading market for, and future trading prices of, either series of the notes will depend on many factors, including, among other things, the number of holders of the notes, our operating results, financial performance and prospects, prevailing interest rates, changes in our credit rating or outlook, the market for similar securities and the overall securities market, and may be adversely affected by unfavorable changes in these factors. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of any trading market for either series of the notes.

We may be able to issue substantially more debt, a portion of which could be additional secured debt

The Indenture (as defined in “Description of the Notes—General”) does not limit the amount of indebtedness we may issue and we routinely incur additional indebtedness (both secured and unsecured) for various purposes, including in order to finance existing and new properties. However, the additional covenant provisions of the Supplemental Indenture, including the limitation on liens provision and the limitation on indebtedness provision, limit the amount of secured and total debt that we may incur, as more fully explained in “Description of the Notes––Certain Covenants.” Notwithstanding the foregoing covenants, we will be able to incur a substantial amount of total debt and secured debt in the future.

An adverse rating action in respect of the notes may cause their trading price to fall

A rating agency rating the notes may assign a rating that is lower than the ratings assigned to our other debt. Rating agencies also may lower ratings or take other adverse actions on the notes in the future. If rating agencies assign a lower-than-expected rating or reduce, or indicate that they may reduce, their ratings in the future, the trading price of the notes could significantly decline.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference contain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the federal securities laws. When we use words such as “may,” “will,” “intend,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate” or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, we are making forward-looking statements. In particular, these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those relating to our opportunities to acquire, develop or sell properties; our ability to close our anticipated acquisitions, investments or dispositions on currently anticipated terms, or within currently anticipated timeframes; the expected performance of our operators/tenants and properties; our expected occupancy rates; our ability to declare and to make distributions to stockholders; our investment and financing opportunities and plans; our continued qualification as a REIT; and our ability to access capital markets or other sources of funds.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. This may be a result of various factors, including, but not limited to:

•

the status of the economy;

•

the status of capital markets, including availability and cost of capital;

•

issues facing the health care industry, including compliance with, and changes to, regulations and payment policies, responding to government investigations and punitive settlements and operators’/tenants’ difficulty in cost-effectively obtaining and maintaining adequate liability and other insurance;

•

changes in financing terms;

•

competition within the health care and seniors housing industries;

•

negative developments in the operating results or financial condition of operators/tenants, including, but not limited to, their ability to pay rent and repay loans;

•

our ability to transition or sell properties with profitable results;

•

the failure to make new investments or acquisitions as and when anticipated;

•

natural disasters and other acts of God affecting our properties;

•

our ability tore-lease space at similar rates as vacancies occur;

•

our ability to timely reinvest sale proceeds at similar rates to assets sold;

•

operator/tenant or joint venture partner bankruptcies or insolvencies;

•

the cooperation of joint venture partners;

•

government regulations affecting Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates and operational requirements;

•

liability or contract claims by or against operators/tenants;

•

unanticipated difficulties and/or expenditures relating to future investments or acquisitions;

•

environmental laws affecting our properties;

•

changes in rules or practices governing our financial reporting;

•

the movement of U.S. and foreign currency exchange rates;

•

our ability to maintain our qualification as a REIT; and

•

key management personnel recruitment and retention.

We assume no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds from the sale of the notes will be approximately $ after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay existing indebtedness, including the principal, accrued interest and any applicable redemption proceeds for our senior notes due 2019 and our senior notes due 2020. Our senior notes due 2019 bear an interest rate of 4.125% and will mature on April 1, 2019. The aggregate principal balance of our senior notes due 2019 is $600 million. Our senior notes due 2020 bear an interest rate of 6.125% and mature on April 15, 2020. The aggregate principal balance of our senior notes due 2020 is $450 million. To the extent not used to repay existing indebtedness, we intend to use the proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes.

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CAPITALIZATION

The table below sets forth our capitalization as of December 31, 2018 on an actual basis and on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the notes offered by this prospectus supplement and the application of the net proceeds from the sale of the notes.


	December 31, 2018
	Actual			As Adjusted
	(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	215,376		$

Debt:
Borrowings under unsecured revolving credit facility due 2022(1)(2)		1,147,000			1,147,000
Borrowings under unsecured term credit facility due 2023(1)		500,000			500,000
Borrowings under Canadian-denominated unsecured term credit facility due 2023(1)(3)		183,325			183,325
Borrowings under unsecured term credit facility due 2020(4)		7,500			7,500
Senior notes due 2019		600,000
Senior notes due 2020		450,000
Senior notes due 2020(3)		219,989			219,989
Senior notes due 2021		450,000			450,000
Senior notes due 2022		600,000			600,000
Senior notes due 2023		500,000			500,000
Senior notes due 2023		600,000			600,000
Senior notes due 2024		400,000			400,000
Senior notes due 2024 offered hereby		—
Senior notes due 2025		1,250,000			1,250,000
Senior notes due 2026		700,000			700,000
Senior notes due 2028		750,000			750,000
Senior notes due 2028(5)		701,470			701,470
Senior notes due 2029 offered hereby		—
Senior notes due 2034(5)		637,700			637,700
Senior notes due 2041		400,000			400,000
Senior notes due 2043		250,000			250,000
Senior notes due 2048		500,000			500,000
Secured debt		2,485,711			2,485,711
Capital lease obligation		70,668			70,668
Unamortized premiums/discounts, deferred loan fees, and fair value adjustments		(106,219	)		(106,219	)

Total debt		13,297,144
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		424,046			424,046

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	December 31, 2018
	Actual			As Adjusted
	(in thousands)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value; authorized—50,000,000 shares; 14,375,000 shares issued and 14,369,965 shares outstanding(6)		718,498			718,498
Common Stock, $1.00 par value; authorized—700,000,000 shares; 384,849,236 shares issued and 383,674,603 shares outstanding(7)		384,465			384,465
Capital in excess of par value		18,424,368			18,424,368
Treasury stock		(68,499	)		(68,499	)
Cumulative net income		6,121,534			6,121,534
Cumulative dividends		(10,818,557	)		(10,818,557	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(129,769	)		(129,769	)
Other equity		294			294

Total Welltower Inc. stockholders’ equity		14,632,334			14,632,334
Noncontrolling interests		954,265			954,265

Total equity		15,586,599			15,586,599

Total capitalization	$	29,307,789		$

(1)

On July 19, 2018, we entered into a new credit agreement with a consortium of 31 banks that consists of a $3.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility due 2022 (our “primary unsecured credit facility”), a $500 million unsecured term credit facility due 2023 and a $250 million Canadian-denominated unsecured term credit facility due 2023.

(2)

On February 11, 2019, $875 million was outstanding under our primary unsecured credit facility at a weighted average interest rate of 3.33%.

(3)

Amounts reflect the outstanding amounts due in U.S. dollars based on the Canadian dollar/U.S. dollar exchange rate in effect on December 31, 2018.

(4)

On September 22, 2017, we entered into a $7.5 million unsecured term credit facility due 2020 with Signature Bank, N.A.

(5)

Amounts reflect the outstanding amounts due in U.S. dollars based on the Pounds Sterling/U.S. dollar exchange rate in effect on December 31, 2018.

(6)

All issued and outstanding shares of preferred stock are Series I Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock.

(7)

Excludes: (i) 11,837 shares of common stock reserved for issuance that relate to outstanding options under the 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan; (ii) 8,604,882 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan; (iii) 12,701,612 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon conversion of the Series I Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock; (iv) 8,438,743 shares of common stock that may be issued from time to time under our equity distribution program; and (v) 977,955 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our employee stock purchase plan.

You should read this table in conjunction with the sections entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Quarterly Report on Form10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, our Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and our consolidated financial statements, related notes and other financial information that are included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

The following description of the particular terms of the notes supplements and, to the extent inconsistent therewith, replaces the description of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities set forth in “Description of Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus, to which reference is hereby made. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Indenture (as defined below and as described in the accompanying prospectus) and the Supplemental Indenture (which is defined below). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given them in the accompanying prospectus. In this section, unless specifically noted otherwise, the terms “we,” “us,” and “our” refer only to Welltower Inc., and not its subsidiaries.

General

Each series of the notes will be issued as a separate series of debt securities under the Indenture, dated as of March 15, 2010 (the “Indenture”), between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (the “Trustee”), supplemented by a supplemental indenture thereto, to be dated as of , 2019 (the “Supplemental Indenture”). The 2024 notes initially will be limited in aggregate principal amount to $ and the 2029 notes initially will be limited in aggregate principal amount to $ .

The 2024 notes will mature on , 2024 (unless earlier redeemed as described below under “—Optional Redemption”). The 2024 notes will bear interest from , 2019 at the rate per year shown on the front cover of this prospectus supplement payable semiannually in arrears on and of each year, commencing , 2019, to the persons in whose names the 2024 notes are registered at the close of business on the or , as the case may be, next preceding such interest payment date.

The 2029 notes will mature on , 2029 (unless earlier redeemed as described below under “—Optional Redemption”). The 2029 notes will bear interest from , 2019 at the rate per year shown on the front cover of this prospectus supplement payable semiannually in arrears on and of each year, commencing , 2019, to the persons in whose names the 2029 notes are registered at the close of business on the or , as the case may be, next preceding such interest payment date.

If an interest payment date or the maturity date or any earlier redemption date falls on a day that is not a business day, the related payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest will be made on the next business day as if made on the date the payment was due and no interest will accrue on the amount payable for the period from and after that interest payment date or the maturity date, or such redemption date, as the case may be.

Each series of the notes may bere-opened and we may from time to time issue additional notes of the same series. The notes will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons, in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. Each series of the notes will be evidenced by a global note in book-entry form, except under the limited circumstances described under “—Book-Entry System” below. Neither series of the notes will be listed on any national securities exchange or for quotation on any automated dealer quotation system.

The notes will be senior unsecured obligations of ours and will rank equally with each other and with all of our other unsecured senior indebtedness outstanding from time to time. The notes will not be guaranteed by our subsidiaries. The notes will be effectively subordinated to our secured indebtedness to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness and to all liabilities of our subsidiaries. Accordingly, such prior indebtedness and liabilities will have to be satisfied in full before you will be able to realize any value from our encumbered or indirectly held properties. Our subsidiaries, which own approximately 94% of our real estate investments as of

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December 31, 2018, are separate legal entities and have no obligation to pay any amounts due pursuant to the notes. As of December 31, 2018, we and/or certain of our subsidiaries had indebtedness and other obligations in the principal amount of approximately $13.3 billion. We and our subsidiaries may also incur additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, subject to the provisions described below under “—Certain Covenants.”

Certain Covenants

The notes will not be secured by a mortgage, pledge or other lien. We will covenant in the Supplemental Indenture not to pledge or otherwise subject to any Lien, any of our property or assets or those of our subsidiaries unless the notes are secured by such pledge or Lien equally and ratably with all other obligations secured thereby so long as such other obligations shall be so secured; provided, however, that such covenant does not apply to Liens securing obligations which do not in the aggregate at any one time outstanding exceed 40% of the sum of (i) the Total Assets (as defined below) of us and our consolidated subsidiaries as of the end of the calendar year or quarter covered in our most recently filed Form10-K or Form10-Q, as the case may be, prior to the incurrence of such additional Liens, and (ii) the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent that such proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Indebtedness), by us or any subsidiary since the end of such calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of such additional Liens. In addition, this covenant does not apply to:

(a)

Pledges or deposits by us or our subsidiaries under workers’ compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws, social security laws, or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness of us or our subsidiaries), or leases to which we or any of our subsidiaries is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of ours or our subsidiaries or deposits of cash or United States Government Bonds to secure surety, appeal, performance or other similar bonds to which we or any of our subsidiaries is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent;

(b)

Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, materialmen’s and mechanics’ liens, or Liens arising out of judgments or awards against us or any of our subsidiaries which we or such subsidiary at the time shall be currently prosecuting an appeal or proceeding for review;

(c)

Liens for taxes not yet subject to penalties fornon-payment and Liens for taxes the payment of which is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;

(d)

Minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of, others for rights of way, highways and railroad crossings, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties;

(e)

Liens incidental to the conduct of our business or that of any of our subsidiaries or to the ownership of our or their respective properties that were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness of ours or such subsidiary’s, all of which Liens referred to in this clause (e) do not in the aggregate materially impair the value of the properties to which they relate or materially impair their use in the operation of the business taken as a whole of us and our subsidiaries, and as to all of the foregoing referenced in clauses (a) through (e), only to the extent arising and continuing in the ordinary course of business;

(f)

Purchase money Liens on property acquired or held by us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, securing Indebtedness incurred or assumed for the purpose of financing all or any part of the cost of such property; provided, that (i) any such Lien attaches concurrently with or within 20 days after the acquisition thereof, (ii) such Lien attaches solely to the property so acquired in such transaction, (iii) the principal amount of the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed 100% of the cost of such property, and (iv) the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness on a consolidated basis for us and our subsidiaries shall not at any time exceed $1,000,000;

(g)

Liens existing on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2001; and

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(h)

Any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements), as a whole or in part, of any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (a) through (g) inclusive; provided, however, that the amount of any and all obligations and Indebtedness secured thereby shall not exceed the amount thereof so secured immediately prior to the time of such extension, renewal or replacement and that such extension, renewal or replacement shall be limited to all or a part of the property which secured the Lien so extended, renewed or replaced (plus improvements on such property).

We will also covenant in the Supplemental Indenture that we will not create, assume, incur, or otherwise become liable in respect of, any Indebtedness if the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness of us and our consolidated subsidiaries is, at the time of such creation, assumption or incurrence and after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent transactions, greater than 60% of the sum of (i) the Total Assets of us and our consolidated subsidiaries as of the end of the calendar year or quarter covered in our most recently filed Form10-K orForm 10-Q, as the case may be, prior to the incurrence of such additional Indebtedness and (ii) the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent that such proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Indebtedness), by us or any subsidiary since the end of such calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of such additional Indebtedness.

We will also covenant in the Supplemental Indenture that we will have or maintain, on a consolidated basis, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, Interest Coverage (as defined below) of not less than 150%.

Finally, we will covenant in the Supplemental Indenture that we will maintain, at all times, Total Unencumbered Assets (as defined below) of not less than 150% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Unsecured Debt (as defined below) of us and our subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

For purposes of the foregoing covenants, the defined terms have the following meanings:

“Capital Lease”—means at any time any lease of property, real or personal, which, in accordance with GAAP (as defined below), would at such time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet of the lessee.

“Capitalized Lease Obligations”—means as to any Person, the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease of (or other agreement conveying the right to use) real and/or personal property which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as a Capital Lease on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP.

“Cash”—means as to any Person, such Person’s cash and cash equivalents, as defined in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.

“EBITDA”—means for any period, with respect to us and our subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP, the sum of net income (or net loss) for such period plus, the sum of all amounts treated as expenses for: (a) interest, (b) depreciation, (c) amortization, and (d) all accrued taxes on or measured by income to the extent included in the determination of such net income (or net loss); provided, however, that net income (or net loss) shall be computed without giving effect to extraordinary losses or gains.

“Funded Indebtedness”—means as of any date of determination thereof, (a) all Indebtedness of any Person, determined in accordance with GAAP, which by its terms matures more than one year after the date of calculation, and any such Indebtedness maturing within one year from such date which is renewable or extendable at the option of the obligor to a date more than one year from such date, and (b) the current portion of all such Indebtedness.

“GAAP”—means generally accepted accounting principles of the United States.

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“Indebtedness”—means with respect to any Person, all: (a) liabilities or obligations, direct and contingent, which in accordance with GAAP would be included in determining total liabilities as shown on the liability side of a balance sheet of such Person at the date as of which Indebtedness is to be determined, including, without limitation, contingent liabilities that in accordance with such principles, would be set forth in a specific dollar amount on the liability side of such balance sheet, and Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (b) liabilities or obligations of others for which such Person is directly or indirectly liable, by way of guaranty (whether by direct guaranty, suretyship, discount, endorsement,take-or-pay agreement, agreement to purchase or advance or keep in funds or other agreement having the effect of a guaranty) or otherwise; (c) liabilities or obligations secured by Liens on any assets of such Person, whether or not such liabilities or obligations shall have been assumed by it; and (d) liabilities or obligations of such Person, direct or contingent, with respect to letters of credit issued for the account of such Person and bankers acceptances created for such Person.

“Interest Coverage”—means as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, the quotient, expressed as a percentage (which may be in excess of 100%), determined by dividing EBITDA by Interest Expense; all of the foregoing calculated by reference to the immediately preceding four fiscal quarters ending on such date of determination.

“Interest Expense”—means for any period, on a combined basis, the sum of all interest paid or payable (excluding unamortized debt issuance costs) on all items of Indebtedness outstanding at any time during such period.

“Lien”—means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien, claim or charge of any kind (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing), any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature of any of the foregoing, and the filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction.

“Person”—means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Total Assets”—means on any date, our consolidated total assets and those of our subsidiaries, as such amount would appear on our consolidated balance sheet prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP.

“Total Unencumbered Assets”—means on any date, our net real estate investments (valued on a book basis) and those of our subsidiaries that are not subject to any Lien which secures indebtedness for borrowed money by us and our subsidiaries plus, without duplication, loan loss reserves relating thereto, accumulated depreciation thereon plus Cash, as all such amounts would appear on our consolidated balance sheet prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that “Total Unencumbered Assets” does not include net real estate investments under unconsolidated joint ventures of ours and of our subsidiaries.

“Unsecured Debt”—means Funded Indebtedness less Indebtedness secured by Liens on our property or assets and those of our subsidiaries.

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

Each series of the notes is subject to defeasance and covenant defeasance, as described in the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture, respectively. Specifically, we, at our option (a) will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the relevant series of the notes (except for certain obligations to issue definitive notes in exchange for temporary notes, to register the transfer or exchange of the notes, to replace destroyed, stolen, lost or mutilated notes, and to maintain an office or agency in respect of the notes and hold moneys for payment in trust) or (b) will be released from our obligations to comply with certain of the covenants provided for in the Indenture, including but not limited to those that are specified under “Certain Covenants” above with respect to the relevant series of the notes, and the occurrence of an event of default with respect to any such covenants and

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including those events of default described below under “Events of Default” shall no longer be an event of default with respect to the relevant series of notes if, in either case, we irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, money or U.S. Government obligations that through payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient (in the opinion of a certified public accounting firm of national reputation, a copy of which will be provided to the Trustee) to pay all of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any interest on the relevant series of the notes on the dates such payments are due (which may include one or more redemption dates designated by us) in accordance with the terms of such notes.

Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, (a) no event of default or event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default with respect to the relevant series of notes under the Indenture shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit, and (b) we shall have delivered an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the notes of such series will not recognize gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit or defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax in the same manner as if such defeasance had not occurred. In the event we omit to comply with our remaining obligations under the Indenture after a defeasance of the Indenture with respect to the relevant series of the notes and such notes are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any undefeased event of default, the amount of money and U.S. Government obligations on deposit with the Trustee may be insufficient to pay amounts due on such notes at the time of the acceleration resulting from such event of default. However, we will remain liable in respect of such payments.

Sinking Fund

The notes are not entitled to any sinking fund payments.

Optional Redemption

Prior to , 20 (one month prior to the maturity date of the 2024 notes) (the “2024 Par Call Date”), the 2024 notes may be redeemed at our option, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, at a redemption price, as determined by us, equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the 2024 notes (or portion of such 2024 notes) being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to but excluding the redemption date and (ii) the 2024 Notes Make-Whole Amount, if any;provided, however, that on or after the 2024 Par Call Date, the redemption price will equal 100% of the principal amount of the 2024 notes (or portion of such 2024 notes) being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to but excluding the redemption date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will pay any interest installment due on an interest payment date which occurs on or prior to a redemption date to the holders of the 2024 notes as of the close of business on the regular record date immediately preceding such interest payment date.

Prior to , 20 (three months prior to the maturity date of the 2029 notes) (the “2029 Par Call Date”), the 2029 notes may be redeemed at our option, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, at a redemption price, as determined by us, equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the 2029 notes (or portion of such 2029 notes) being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to but excluding the redemption date and (ii) the 2029 Notes Make-Whole Amount, if any;provided, however, that on or after the 2029 Par Call Date, the redemption price will equal 100% of the principal amount of the 2029 notes (or portion of such 2029 notes) being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to but excluding the redemption date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will pay any interest installment due on an interest payment date which occurs on or prior to a redemption date to the holders of the 2029 notes as of the close of business on the regular record date immediately preceding such interest payment date.

If notice has been given as provided in the Indenture and funds for the redemption of any notes (or any portion of the notes) called for redemption shall have been made available on the redemption date referred to in such notice, such notes (or any portion of the notes) will cease to bear interest on the redemption date specified in such notice and the only right of the holders of the notes will be to receive payment of the redemption price.

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Notice of any optional redemption of any notes (or any portion of the notes) will be transmitted to holders, as shown in the security register for such notes, not more than 30 nor less than 15 days prior to the redemption date. The notice of redemption will specify, among other items, the redemption price and the principal amount of the notes held by such holder to be redeemed.

We will notify the Trustee at least five business days prior to giving notice of redemption (or such shorter period as is satisfactory to the Trustee) of the aggregate principal amount of such notes to be redeemed and their redemption date. If less than all of the notes are to be redeemed at our option, the Trustee shall select, in such manner as it shall deem fair and appropriate, the notes to be redeemed in whole or in part. As long as the notes are held through DTC, such selection shall be made by DTC in accordance with its applicable procedures.

As used herein:

“2024Notes Make-Whole Amount”—means, in connection with any optional redemption of any 2024 note, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of the present values, as of the date of such redemption, of the remaining scheduled payments of principal of, and interest (exclusive of interest accrued to but excluding the date of redemption) on, such 2024 note, assuming such 2024 note matured on, and that accrued and unpaid interest on such 2024 note was payable through, the 2024 Par Call Date, determined by discounting, on a semiannual basis (assuming a360-day year consisting of twelve30-day months), such principal and interest at the 2024 Notes Reinvestment Rate (as defined below) (determined on the third business day preceding the date of redemption) over (ii) the aggregate principal amount of the 2024 notes being redeemed.

“2024NotesReinvestment Rate”—means %, or basis points, plus the arithmetic mean (rounded to the nearestone-hundredth of one percent) of the yields displayed for each day in the preceding calendar week published in the most recent Statistical Release (as defined below) under the caption “Treasury constant maturities” for the maturity (rounded to the nearest month) corresponding to the remaining life to maturity of the 2024 notes (assuming that the 2024 notes matured on the 2024 Par Call Date) as of the date of redemption. If no maturity exactly corresponds to such remaining life to maturity, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to such remaining life to maturity shall be calculated pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence and the 2024 Notes Reinvestment Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding in each of such relevant periods to the nearest month. For the purpose of calculating the 2024 Notes Reinvestment Rate, the most recent Statistical Release published prior to the date of determination of the 2024 Notes Reinvestment Rate shall be used.

“2029Notes Make-Whole Amount”—means, in connection with any optional redemption of any 2029 note, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of the present values, as of the date of such redemption, of the remaining scheduled payments of principal of, and interest (exclusive of interest accrued to but excluding the date of redemption) on, such 2029 note, assuming such 2029 note matured on, and that accrued and unpaid interest on such 2029 note was payable through, the 2029 Par Call Date, determined by discounting, on a semiannual basis (assuming a360-day year consisting of twelve30-day months), such principal and interest at the 2029 Notes Reinvestment Rate (as defined below) (determined on the third business day preceding the date of redemption) over (ii) the aggregate principal amount of the 2029 notes being redeemed.

“2029NotesReinvestment Rate”—means %, or basis points, plus the arithmetic mean (rounded to the nearestone-hundredth of one percent) of the yields displayed for each day in the preceding calendar week published in the most recent Statistical Release under the caption “Treasury constant maturities” for the maturity (rounded to the nearest month) corresponding to the remaining life to maturity of the 2029 notes (assuming that the 2029 notes matured on the 2029 Par Call Date) as of the date of redemption. If no maturity exactly corresponds to such remaining life to maturity, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to such remaining life to maturity shall be calculated pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence and the 2029 Notes Reinvestment Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding in each of such relevant periods to the nearest month. For the purpose of calculating

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the 2029 Notes Reinvestment Rate, the most recent Statistical Release published prior to the date of determination of the 2029 Notes Reinvestment Rate shall be used.

“Statistical Release”—means that statistical release designated “H.15” or any successor publication that is published daily by the Federal Reserve System and that establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturities, or, if such statistical release (or a successor publication) is not published at the time of any determination under the Indenture, then such other reasonably comparable index that shall be designated by us.

Book-Entry System

Each series of the notes will be issued in the form of fully registered global securities (“Global Securities”) that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC, and registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co. Except under the circumstance described below, the notes will not be issuable in definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual notes it represents, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by DTC to a nominee of DTC or by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC or by DTC or any nominee of DTC to a successor depository or any nominee of such successor.

DTC has provided the following information to us: DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 3.5 million issues of U.S. andnon-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments that DTC’s participants (“Direct Participants”) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among Direct Participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between Direct Participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include both U.S. andnon-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. andnon-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”). The DTC rules applicable to its participants are on file with the SEC.

Purchases of Global Securities under the DTC system must be made by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the Global Securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each Global Security (“Beneficial Owner”) is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and Indirect Participants’ records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase. Beneficial Owners are, however, expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participant through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the Global Securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Direct and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in Global Securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the Global Securities is discontinued.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all Global Securities deposited by Direct Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of Global Securities with DTC and their registration in the name

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of Cede & Co. or such other DTC nominee do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the Global Securities; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts such Global Securities are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The Direct and Indirect Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the Global Securities unless authorized by a Direct Participant in accordance with DTC’s procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an Omnibus Proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose accounts the Global Securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy). Principal and interest payments on the Global Securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit Direct Participants’ accounts, upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us or the Trustee, on payable date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of DTC, the Trustee or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) is our responsibility or that of the Trustee, disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners will be the responsibility of Direct and Indirect Participants.

If less than all of the notes of a series are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant in such issue to be redeemed.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as depository with respect to the Global Securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us or the Trustee. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor securities depository is not obtained, Global Security certificates are required to be printed and delivered.

We may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry-only transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depository). In that event, Global Security certificates will be printed and delivered to DTC.

Clearstream.Clearstream is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its participating organizations (“Clearstream Participants”) and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides Clearstream Participants with, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and establishment of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a professional depositary, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier). Clearstream Participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream Participant either directly or indirectly.

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Distributions with respect to notes held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream Participants in accordance with its rules and procedures to the extent received by DTC for Clearstream.

Euroclear.Euroclear Bank SA/NV (“Euroclear”) was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear (“Euroclear Participants”) and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear includes various other services, including securities lending and borrowing, and interfaces with domestic markets in several markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by Euroclear Bank SA/NV (the “Euroclear Operator”), under contract with Euroclear plc, a U.K. corporation. All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not Euroclear plc. Euroclear plc establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear Participants. Euroclear Participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the underwriters or other affiliates. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly or indirectly.

The Euroclear Operator is regulated and examined by the Belgian Banking and Finance Commission.

Links have been established among DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear to facilitate the initial issuance of the notes sold outside of the United States and cross-market transfers of the notes associated with secondary market trading.

Although DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the procedures provided below in order to facilitate transfers, they are under no obligation to perform these procedures, and these procedures may be modified or discontinued at any time.

The information in this section concerning DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but neither we nor the underwriters take any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of this information.

Settlement and Payment

Settlement for the notes will be made by the underwriters in immediately available funds. All payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of the notes will be made by us in immediately available funds.

Secondary trading in long-term notes and debentures of corporate issuers is generally settled in clearing-house ornext-day funds. In contrast, the notes will trade in DTC’sSame-Day Funds Settlement System until maturity or earlier redemption or until the notes are issued in certificated form, and secondary market trading activity in the notes will therefore be required by DTC to settle in immediately available funds. No assurance can be given as to the effect, if any, of settlement in immediately available funds on trading activity in the notes.

Clearstream and Euroclear will record the ownership interests of their participants in much the same way as DTC, and DTC will record the total ownership of each of the U.S. agents of Clearstream and Euroclear, as participants in DTC. When notes are to be transferred from the account of a Direct Participant to the account of a Clearstream Participant or a Euroclear Participant, the purchaser must send instructions to Clearstream or Euroclear through a participant at least one day prior to settlement. Clearstream or Euroclear, as the case may be, will instruct its U.S. agent to receive notes against payment. After settlement, Clearstream or Euroclear will credit its participant’s account. Credit for the notes will appear on the next day (European time).

Because settlement is taking place during New York business hours, Direct Participants will be able to employ their usual procedures for sending notes to the relevant U.S. agent acting for the benefit of Clearstream or

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Euroclear Participants. The sale proceeds will be available to the DTC seller on the settlement date. As a result, to the Direct Participant, a cross-market transaction will settle no differently than a trade between two Direct Participants.

When a Clearstream or Euroclear Participant wishes to transfer notes to a Direct Participant, the seller will be required to send instructions to Clearstream or Euroclear through a participant at least one business day prior to settlement. In these cases, Clearstream or Euroclear will instruct its U.S. agent to transfer these notes against payment for them. The payment will then be reflected in the account of the Clearstream or Euroclear Participant the following day, with the proceeds back-valued to the value date, which would be the preceding day, when settlement occurs in New York. If settlement is not completed on the intended value date, that is, the trade fails, proceeds credited to the Clearstream or Euroclear Participant’s account will instead be valued as of the actual settlement date.

You should be aware that you will only be able to make and receive deliveries, payments and other communications involving the notes through Clearstream and Euroclear on the days when those clearing systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers and other institutions are open for business in the United States. In addition, because of time zone differences there may be problems with completing transactions involving Clearstream and Euroclear on the same business day as in the United States.

Events of Default

In addition to the events of default in the Indenture described in the prospectus, the following constitute events of default under the Supplemental Indenture with respect to the notes:

•

We do not pay the principal or any premium on the notes at their maturity date.

•

We default under any of our other indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $10,000,000 after the expiration of any applicable grace period, which default results in the acceleration of the maturity of such indebtedness. Such default is not an event of default if the other indebtedness is discharged, or the acceleration is rescinded or annulled, within a period of 10 days after we receive notice specifying the default and requiring that we discharge the other indebtedness or cause the acceleration to be rescinded or annulled. Either the Trustee or the holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the outstanding notes may send the notice.

•

The entry by a court of competent jurisdiction of one or more judgments, orders or decrees against us or any of our subsidiaries in an aggregate amount (excluding amounts fully covered by insurance) in excess of $10,000,000 and such judgments, orders or decrees remain undischarged, unstayed and unsatisfied in an aggregate amount (excluding amounts fully covered by insurance) in excess of $10,000,000 for a period of 30 consecutive days.

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ADDITIONAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

General

This discussion is a summary of certain additional U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. holders of the notes that are not discussed in Exhibit 99.1 to our Current Report on Form8-K filed on March 5, 2018. This discussion is for general information only and is not tax advice. This summary is only a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, the discussion in our Exhibit 99.1 to our Current Report on Form8-K filed on March 5, 2018 under the heading “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.” The tax treatment of the notes will depend on the holder’s particular situation, and this summary only applies to U.S. holders that hold notes as capital assets. This summary applies to you only if you are the initial holder of the notes and you acquire the notes for a price equal to the issue price of the notes. The issue price of the notes is the first price at which a substantial amount of the notes is sold other than to bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers. This summary does not address all aspects of taxation that may be relevant to certain types of holders of the notes (including, but not limited to, insurance companies,tax-exempt entities, financial institutions or broker-dealers, persons holding the notes as part of a hedging, integrated conversion, or constructive sale transaction or a straddle, traders in securities that use amark-to-market method of accounting for their securities, investors in pass-through entities and foreign corporations and persons who are not citizens or residents of the United States).

This summary does not discuss all of the aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to you in light of your particular investment or other circumstances. In addition, this summary does not discuss any state or local income taxation or foreign income taxation or other tax consequences. This summary is based on current U.S. federal income tax law. Subsequent developments in U.S. federal income tax law, including changes in law or differing interpretations, which may be applied retroactively, could have a material effect on the U.S. federal income tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of the notes. Before you purchase the notes, you should consult your own tax advisor regarding the particular U.S. federal, state, local, foreign and other tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of the notes.

For a more detailed discussion of the U.S. federal income taxation of holders of our notes and the U.S. federal income taxation of the Company as a REIT, which includes a variety of complex requirements relating to share ownership, income, assets and distributions, please see Exhibit 99.1 to our Current Report on Form8-K filed on March 5, 2018 under the heading “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

Amortizable Bond Premium

In general, a U.S. holder that purchases a note for an amount in excess of its principal amount (excluding any amount properly allocable topre-issuance accrued interest) will be considered to have purchased the note with amortizable bond premium in an amount equal to such excess. A U.S. holder may generally elect to amortize this bond premium, using a constant yield method, over the remaining term of the note. A U.S. holder may generally use the amortizable bond premium allocable to an accrual period to offset stated interest required to be included in its gross income with respect to the note in that accrual period. A U.S. holder must reduce its tax basis in the note by the amount of premium amortized in any year. An election to amortize bond premium applies to all taxable debt obligations owned by the U.S. holder at the beginning of the first taxable year to which the election applies and to all taxable debt obligations thereafter acquired by the U.S. holder and may be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. If the U.S. holder does not elect to amortize bond premium, that premium will decrease the gain or increase the loss it would otherwise recognize on the disposition of the note.

Original Issue Discount

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a note that has an “issue price” that is less than its principal amount will be considered to have been issued with original issue discount (“OID”), unless the note satisfies ade minimis

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threshold (as determined under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and applicable Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder). It is anticipated that the notes will be issued without OID or with no more than ade minimisamount of OID for U.S. federal income tax purposes.In such case, interest on a note will generally be treated as ordinary income at the time it is paid or accrued in accordance with your usual method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If, however, the notes are issued for an amount less than the principal amount and the difference is more than ade minimisamount, you will be required to include the difference in income as OID as it accrues in accordance with a constant-yield method based on a compounding of interest, before the receipt of cash payments attributable to this income.

Certain Accrual Method Taxpayers

An accrual method taxpayer that reports revenues on an applicable financial statement generally must recognize income for U.S. federal income tax purposes no later than the taxable year in which such income is taken into account as revenue in an applicable financial statement of the taxpayer. For this purpose, an “applicable financial statement” generally means a financial statement certified as having been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or that is made on the basis of international financial reporting standards and which is used by the taxpayer for various specified purposes. This rule could potentially require such a taxpayer to recognize income for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to the notes prior to the time such income would be recognized pursuant to the rules described above. Potential investors in the notes should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential applicability of these rules to their investment in the notes.

THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN ADDITIONAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. EACH HOLDER OF NOTES SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR AS TO PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO IT OF ACQUIRING, HOLDING AND DISPOSING OF THE NOTES, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS, AND OF ANY PROPOSED CHANGES IN APPLICABLE LAWS.

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UNDERWRITING

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and MUFG Securities Americas Inc. are acting as joint book-running managers of this offering. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, the underwriters named below, through their representatives, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and MUFG Securities Americas Inc., have severally agreed to purchase from us the following respective principal amounts of notes set forth opposite the underwriter’s name below.


Underwriter	Principal Amount of 2024 Notes	Principal Amount of 2029 Notes
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC	$	$
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
MUFG Securities Americas Inc.

Total	$	$

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to purchase the notes offered by this prospectus supplement are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the underwriters will purchase all of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement if any of these notes are purchased.

We have been advised by the representatives of the underwriters that the underwriters propose to offer the notes to the public at the public offering prices set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement. Any notes sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount from the applicable public offering price of up to % of the principal amount of the 2024 notes and up to % of the principal amount of the 2029 notes. Any such securities dealers may resell any notes purchased from the underwriters to certain other brokers or dealers at a discount from the applicable public offering price of up to % of the principal amount of the 2024 notes and up to % of the principal amount of the 2029 notes. After the initial offering of the notes, the representatives of the underwriters may change the public offering price and other selling terms. Sales of notes made outside the United States may be made by affiliates of the underwriters. The underwriting discount to be paid by us to the underwriters is % of the principal amount of the 2024 notes and % of the principal amount of the 2029 notes.

We estimate that our share of the total expenses of this offering, including registration, filing fees, printing expenses and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding the underwriting discount, will be approximately $1,000,000.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against some specified types of liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of any of these liabilities.

The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We do not intend to apply for listing of any of the notes on a national securities exchange or for quotation on any automated dealer quotation system.

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We have been advised by the representatives of the underwriters that the underwriters intend to make a market in the notes, but the underwriters are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market-making at any time without notice. We can provide no assurances as to the development, maintenance or liquidity of any trading market for the notes. If an active public trading market for the notes does not develop or is not maintained, the market price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected.

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may engage in activities that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the notes. These transactions may include short sales, purchases to cover positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater principal amount of notes than they are required to purchase in this offering. The underwriters may close out any short position by purchasing notes in the open market. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of the notes made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of this offering.

The underwriters may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the other underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives of the underwriters have repurchased notes sold by or for the account of that underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

Purchases to cover a short position and stabilizing transactions may have the effect of preventing or slowing a decline in the market price of the notes. Additionally, these purchases, along with the imposition of a penalty bid, may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the notes. As a result, the price of the notes may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be effected on theover-the-counter market or otherwise and may be discontinued at any time without notice.

Other Relationships

The underwriters and/or their affiliates currently provide, have provided and in the future may provide investment banking, commercial banking, corporate trust and/or advisory services to us from time to time for which they currently receive, have received and in the future may receive customary fees and expenses and may have entered into and in the future may enter into other transactions with us.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates that have a lending relationship with us routinely hedge their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, such underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes offered hereby. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

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NOTICE TO INVESTORS

Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada

The notes may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument45-106Prospectus Exemptionsor subsection 73.3(1) of theSecurities Act(Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument31-103Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the notes must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument33-105Underwriting Conflicts(NI33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

Prohibition of Sales to EEA Retail Investors

The notes may not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the EEA. For the purposes of this provision:

(a)

the expression “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of the following:

(i)

a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or

(ii)

a customer within the meaning of the Insurance Distribution Directive, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or

(iii)

not a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive and

(b)

the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the notes.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

The notes may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong (“SFO”) and any rules made thereunder, or (ii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance(Cap. 32) of Hong Kong (the “C(WUMP)O”) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the C(WUMP)O; and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the notes may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” in Hong Kong as defined in the SFO and any rules made thereunder.

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Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been registered as a prospectus under the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”) by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and the offer of the notes in Singapore is made primarily pursuant to the exemptions under Sections 274 and 275 of the SFA. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the notes be offered or sold, or made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor as defined in Section 4A of the SFA (an “Institutional Investor”) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to an accredited investor as defined in Section 4A of the SFA (an “Accredited Investor”) or other relevant person as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA (a “Relevant Person”) and pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or to any person pursuant to an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with, the conditions of any other applicable exemption or provision of the SFA.

It is a condition of the offer that where the notes are subscribed for or acquired pursuant to an offer made in reliance on Section 275 of the SFA by a Relevant Person which is:

(a)

a corporation (which is not an Accredited Investor), the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an Accredited Investor; or

(b)

a trust (where the trustee is not an Accredited Investor), the sole purpose of which is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an Accredited Investor,

the securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation and the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust, shall not be transferred within 6 months after that corporation or that trust has subscribed for or acquired the notes except:

(1)

to an Institutional Investor, an Accredited Investor, a Relevant Person, or which arises from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) of the SFA (in the case of that corporation) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA (in the case of that trust);

(2)

where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

(3)

where the transfer is by operation of law;

(4)

as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

(5)

as specified in Regulation 37A of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Securities and Securities-based Derivatives Contracts) Regulations 2018.

Singapore Securities and Futures Act Product Classification –Solely for the purposes of its obligations pursuant to Sections 309(B)(1)(a) and 309(B)(1)(c) of the SFA, Welltower Inc. has determined, and hereby notifies all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A of the SFA) that the Notes are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018) and “Excluded Investment Products” (as defined in MAS Notice SFA04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS NoticeFAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

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Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland

We have not been licensed for distribution to non-qualified investors by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA (the “FINMA”) as a foreign collective investment scheme pursuant to Article 120(1) of the Swiss Collective Investment Schemes Act of June 23, 2006, as amended (the “CISA”) and no representative or paying agent in Switzerland has been appointed pursuant to Article 120(4) of the CISA. Accordingly, the notes may only be offered, advertised or otherwise distributed, directly or indirectly, in or from Switzerland, and this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any other marketing or offering documents relating to us may only be distributed in or from Switzerland, (A) to financial intermediaries that are subject to prudential supervision as defined in Article 10(3)(a) of the CISA or insurance institutions that are subject to prudential supervision as defined in Article 10(3)(b) of the CISA and/or (B) in any other manner that does not constitute a distribution (Vertrieb/distribution/distribuzione) within the meaning of Article 3 of the CISA, its implementing ordinance and guidelines. The notes will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (the “SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance of prospectuses under the CISA, Article 652a or 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the listing rules of the SIX or any other exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. None of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other offering or marketing material relating to us or the notes has been or will be filed with, or approved by, any Swiss regulatory authority. Investors in the notes do not benefit from the specific investor protection provided by the CISA and the supervision by the FINMA in connection with the licensing for distribution or the appointment of a representative and a paying agent in Switzerland.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Taiwan

The notes have not been and will not be registered or filed with, or approved by, the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan and/or any other regulatory authority of Taiwan pursuant to relevant securities laws and regulations and may not be sold, issued or offered within Taiwan through a public offering or in circumstances which could constitute an offer within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of Taiwan or relevant laws and regulations that require a registration, filing or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan and/or any other regulatory authority of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been authorized to offer or sell the notes in Taiwan through a public offering or in any offering that requires registration, filing or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan except pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of Taiwan and the competent authority’s rulings thereunder.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

Any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of the notes may only be communicated or caused to be communicated in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us.

All applicable provisions of the FSMA must be complied with in respect to anything done by any person in relation to the notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters regarding the notes offered hereby and certain tax matters will be passed upon for us by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, New York, New York. Sidley Austin LLP, New York, New York, will act as counsel to the underwriters and from time to time represents us on a variety of matters unrelated to this offering.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements and schedules included in our Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements and schedules are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited consolidated financial statements and schedules of Quality Care Properties, Inc. (“QCP”) included in our Current Report on Form8-K/A filed on September 28, 2018 with the SEC, and the effectiveness of QCP’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and elsewhere in the registration statement. QCP’s financial statements and schedules are incorporated by reference in reliance on Deloitte & Touche LLP’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

The prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC covering the securities that may be offered under this prospectus supplement. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits and schedules, contains additional relevant information about the securities.

Additionally, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC, all of which are made available, free of charge, on our website at www.welltower.com as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and our web address is included in this prospectus supplement as an inactive textual reference only. You can review these SEC filings and the registration statement by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You also may read and copy the registration statement and any reports, statements or other information on file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of those documents upon payment of a duplicating fee to the SEC. Please call the SEC at1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room. These filings with the SEC are also available through the New York Stock Exchange, 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005.

Incorporation of Information Filed with the SEC

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC, which means:

•

we consider incorporated documents to be part of this prospectus supplement;

•

we may disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents; and

•

information we subsequently file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus supplement.

S-30

Documents Incorporated By Reference

This prospectus incorporates by reference the following documents we filed with the SEC; provided, however, that we are not incorporating any documents or information deemed to have been furnished (but not filed) under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form8-K and exhibits relating to such disclosure, unless otherwise specifically noted below:

•

Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, including information specifically incorporated by reference into the Form10-K from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 23, 2018;

•

Quarterly Reports on Form10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2018;

•

Current Reports on Form8-K filed on March 5, 2018, March 20, 2018, April 10, 2018, April 26, 2018 (Item 1.01 only), May 4, 2018, May 18, 2018, July 24, 2018, July 27, 2018 (Item 2.01 only), August 3, 2018, August 16, 2018, December 4, 2018 (Items 5.02 and 5.03 only) and January 31, 2019;

•

Current Report on Form8-K/A filed on September 28, 2018; and

•

All subsequent documents filed by us under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus supplement and before the date this offering is terminated;

other than the portions of such documents that by statute or rule, by designation in such document or otherwise, are not deemed to be filed with the SEC or are not required to be incorporated herein by reference.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus summarize material provisions of contracts and other documents to which we refer. Since this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may not contain all the information that you may find important, you should review the full text of those documents. Upon oral or written request, we will provide each person receiving this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus a free copy, without exhibits, of any or all documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. You may direct such requests to:

Matthew McQueen

Senior Vice President-General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

Welltower Inc.

4500 Dorr Street

Toledo, Ohio 43615

(419)247-2800

S-31

Prospectus

Welltower Inc.

DEBT SECURITIES

COMMON STOCK

PREFERRED STOCK

DEPOSITARY SHARES

WARRANTS

UNITS

We, or any selling security holder, may offer and sell from time to time, in one or more offerings:

•

debt securities;

•

shares of common stock;

•

shares of preferred stock;

•

depositary shares;

•

warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock; and

•

units consisting of one or more debt securities or other securities.

We, or any selling security holder, may offer one or more of these securities from time to time on terms to be determined at the time of offering. We will provide the specific terms of the securities being offered in supplements to this prospectus prepared in connection with each offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with an offering. You should read this prospectus, the prospectus supplement for the specific security being offered and any related free writing prospectus carefully before making a decision to invest.

Our shares of common stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WELL.” Our principal executive offices are located at 4500 Dorr Street, Toledo, Ohio 43615, and our telephone number is (419)247-2800. Our internet address iswww.welltower.com.

Investing in our securities involves risk. See “Risk Factors”section of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the applicable prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state or other securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is May 17, 2018.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


	Page(s)
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS		1
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION		2
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE		3
THE COMPANY		4
USE OF PROCEEDS		5
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS		6
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFERED SECURITIES		6
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES		7
DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK		14
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES		18
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS		22
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS		23
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF SECURITIES		23
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION ANDBY-LAWS		24
SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS		25
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION		26
VALIDITY OF SECURITIES		30
EXPERTS		30

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information with respect to this offering. This document may only be used where it is legal to sell these securities. You should only assume that the information in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement is accurate as of the date on the front of those documents. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we or any selling security holder may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus at any time and from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you only with a general description of the securities we or any selling security holder may offer. Each time we sell or any selling security holder sells securities, a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of that offering will be provided. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with an offering. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Documents Incorporated by Reference.”

This prospectus contains and incorporates by reference market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe that these sources are reliable, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information and we have not independently investigated or verified this information. Although we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the market and industry data presented in this prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference, these estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.

Unless specifically noted otherwise in this prospectus, all references to “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company” refer to Welltower Inc. and its subsidiaries.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference contain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When we use words such as “may,” “will,” “intend,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate” or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, we are making forward-looking statements. In particular, these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those relating to our opportunities to acquire, develop or sell properties; our ability to close our anticipated acquisitions, investments or dispositions on currently anticipated terms, or within currently anticipated timeframes; the expected performance of our operators/tenants and properties; our expected occupancy rates; our ability to declare and to make distributions to stockholders; our investment and financing opportunities and plans; our continued qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”); and our ability to access capital markets or other sources of funds.

•

the status of the economy;

•

the status of capital markets, including availability and cost of capital;

•

changes in financing terms;

•

competition within the health care and seniors housing industries;

•

negative developments in the operating results or financial condition of operators/tenants, including, but not limited to, their ability to pay rent and repay loans;

•

our ability to transition or sell properties with profitable results;

•

the failure to make new investments or acquisitions as and when anticipated;

•

natural disasters and other acts of God affecting our properties;

•

our ability tore-lease space at similar rates as vacancies occur;

•

our ability to timely reinvest sale proceeds at similar rates to assets sold;

•

operator/tenant or joint venture partner bankruptcies or insolvencies;

•

the cooperation of joint venture partners;

•

government regulations affecting Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates and operational requirements;

•

liability or contract claims by or against operators/tenants;

•

unanticipated difficulties and/or expenditures relating to future investments or acquisitions;

•

environmental laws affecting our properties;

•

changes in rules or practices governing our financial reporting;

•

the movement of U.S. and foreign currency exchange rates;

•

our ability to maintain our qualification as a REIT;

•

key management personnel recruitment and retention; and

•

other risk factors included in the reports we file from time to time with the SEC, including, but not limited to, the risks identified in the section entitled “Risk Factors” included in our most recent Annual Report onForm 10-K.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC covering the securities that may be offered under this prospectus. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits and schedules, contains additional relevant information about the securities.

Additionally, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC, all of which are made available, free of charge, on our website at www.welltower.com as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Except for the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus as described below under “Documents Incorporated by Reference,” the information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and our web address is included in this prospectus as an inactive textual reference only. You can review these SEC filings and the registration statement by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You also may read and copy the registration statement and any reports, statements or other information on file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of those documents upon payment of a duplicating fee to the SEC. Please call the SEC at1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room.

This prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement. We have omitted certain parts consistent with SEC rules. For further information, please see the registration statement.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC, which means:

•

we consider incorporated documents to be part of this prospectus;

•

we may disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents; and

•

information we subsequently file with the SEC prior to the termination of an applicable offering of securities hereunder will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus.

•

Quarterly Report on Form10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018;

•

Current Reports on Form8-K filed on March 5, 2018, March 20, 2018, April 10, 2018, April 26, 2018 (Item 1.01 only) and May 4, 2018;

•

The description of our common stock as set forth in our registration statement filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), on Form8-A on June 17, 1985, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description;

•

The description of our 6.50% Series I Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock as set forth in the registration statement filed under the Exchange Act onForm 8-A on March 3, 2011, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; and

•

All subsequent documents filed by us under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and before the termination of an applicable offering of securities hereunder;

This prospectus summarizes material provisions of contracts and other documents to which we refer. Since this prospectus may not contain all the information that you may find important, you should review the full text of those documents. Upon oral or written request, we will provide each person receiving this prospectus a free copy of any or all documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You may direct such requests to:

Matthew McQueen

Senior Vice President – General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

Welltower Inc.

4500 Dorr Street

Toledo, Ohio 43615

(419)247-2800

THE COMPANY

Welltower Inc., an S&P 500 company headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, is driving the transformation of health care infrastructure. We invest with leading seniors housing operators, post-acute providers and health systems to fund real estate and infrastructure needed to scale innovative care delivery models and improve people’s wellness and overall health care experience. WelltowerTM, a REIT, owns interests in properties concentrated in major, high-growth markets in the United States (“U.S.”), Canada and the United Kingdom, consisting of seniors housing and post-acute communities and outpatient medical properties. Our capital programs, when combined with comprehensive planning, development and property management services, make us a single-source solution for acquiring, planning, developing, managing, repositioning and monetizing real estate assets.

Our principal executive offices are located at 4500 Dorr Street, Toledo, Ohio, 43615, and our telephone number is(419) 247-2800. Our internet address is www.welltower.com.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise described in a prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include repaying debt and investing in health care and seniors housing properties. Until the proceeds from a sale of securities by us are applied to their intended uses, they may be invested in short-term, investment grade, interest-bearing securities, certificates of deposit or indirect or guaranteed obligations of the United States. We will not receive any of the proceeds from sales of securities by any selling security holder pursuant to this prospectus.

RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND

EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES

AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

The table below sets forth our ratios of earnings to fixed charges and earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for the periods indicated. The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was computed by dividing earnings by our fixed charges. The ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends was computed by dividing earnings by our combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends. For purposes of calculating these ratios, “earnings” includes income from continuing operations before extraordinary items, excluding the equity earnings in a less than 50% owned subsidiary, plus fixed charges and reduced by capitalized interest. “Fixed charges” consists of interest on all indebtedness and the amortization of loan expenses or interest expensed and capitalized and the amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness.


	Year Ended December 31,										Quarter Ended March 31,
	2013		2014		2015		2016		2017		2018
Consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges (unaudited)		1.23		1.78		2.25		2.29		1.57		1.97
Consolidated ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends (unaudited)		1.08		1.57		1.99		2.04		1.43		1.79

In computing the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends, preferred stock dividends consist of dividends on the following:

•

14,375,000 shares of 6.50% Series I Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock issued in March 2011, of which 4,940 and 95 shares were converted into common stock during the year ended December 31, 2017 and the quarter ended March 31, 2018, respectively.

•

11,500,000 shares of 6.50% Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock issued in March 2012, all of which were redeemed during the three months ended March 2017.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFERED SECURITIES

We may offer under this prospectus one or more of the following categories of our securities:

•

debt securities, in one or more series;

•

shares of our common stock, par value $1.00 per share;

•

shares of our preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, in one or more series;

•

depositary shares, representing interests in our preferred stock, in one or more series;

•

warrants to purchase any of the foregoing securities; and

•

units consisting of any combination of the foregoing securities.

The terms of any specific offering of securities, including the terms of any units offered, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus relating to such offering.

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue 700,000,000 shares of common stock and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Of our preferred stock:

•

14,375,000 shares have been designated as 6.50% Series I Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock.

As of March 31, 2018, we had outstanding 371,970,655 shares of common stock and 14,369,965 shares of Series I Preferred Stock.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WELL.” Our Series I Preferred Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HCN PrI.”

For a discussion of the taxation of the Company and the material federal income tax consequences to you as a holder of our common stock and debt securities offered under this prospectus, see our Current Report on Form8-K filed with the SEC on March 5, 2018. The applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus delivered with this prospectus may provide additional information about federal income tax considerations, if any, related to the particular securities being offered.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The debt securities sold under this prospectus will be our direct obligations, which may be secured or unsecured, and which may be senior or subordinated indebtedness. The debt securities may be guaranteed on a secured or unsecured, senior or subordinated basis, by one or more of our subsidiaries. The debt securities will be issued under one or more indentures between us and a specified trustee. Any indenture will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The statements made in this prospectus relating to any indentures and the debt securities to be issued under the indentures are summaries of certain provisions or anticipated provisions of the indentures.

The following is a summary of the material terms of our debt securities. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. If you want more information, you should read the forms of indentures to be entered into between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, for senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities and junior subordinated debt securities which we have filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.” The summary set forth below does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the descriptions of the particular terms of the securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus.

General

We may issue debt securities that rank “senior,” “senior subordinated” or “junior subordinated.” The debt securities that we refer to as “senior” will be our direct obligations and will rank equally and ratably in right of payment with our other indebtedness not subordinated. We may issue debt securities that will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of senior debt, as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, and may rank equally and ratably with the other senior subordinated indebtedness. We refer to these as “senior subordinated” securities. We may also issue debt securities that may be subordinated in right of payment to the senior subordinated securities. These would be “junior subordinated” securities. We have filed with the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, separate forms of indentures for senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities and junior subordinated debt securities. We refer to each of these three indentures as an “indenture.” We refer to senior subordinated and junior subordinated securities as “subordinated.”

We may issue the debt securities without limit as to aggregate principal amount, in one or more series, in each case as we establish in one or more supplemental indentures. We need not issue all debt securities of one series at the same time. Unless we otherwise provide, we may reopen a series, without the consent of the holders of the series, for issuances of additional securities of that series.

Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities, the debt securities will not constitute obligations of our subsidiaries. Creditors and preferred equity holders of our subsidiaries are

entitled to a preferred claim on the assets of those subsidiaries. Consequently, in the event of a liquidation or reorganization of any subsidiary, creditors and preferred equity holders of the subsidiary are likely to be paid in full before any distribution is made to the Company and holders of debt securities, except to the extent that the Company is itself recognized as a creditor of such subsidiary, in which case the Company’s claims would still be subordinate to any security interests in the assets of such subsidiary and any debt of such subsidiary senior to that held by the Company.

The senior debt indenture provides and we anticipate that any other indenture will provide that we may, but need not, designate more than one trustee under an indenture, each with respect to one or more series of debt securities. Any trustee under any indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of debt securities, and we may appoint a successor trustee to act with respect to that series. The applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus will describe the specific terms relating to the series of debt securities we will offer, including, where applicable, the following:

•

the title and series designation and whether they are senior securities, senior subordinated securities or junior subordinated securities;

•

the aggregate principal amount of the securities;

•

the percentage of the principal amount at which we will issue the debt securities and, if other than the principal amount of the debt securities, the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities payable upon maturity of the debt securities;

•

if convertible, the securities into which they are convertible, the initial conversion price, the conversion period and any other terms governing such conversion;

•

the stated maturity date;

•

any fixed or variable interest rate or rates per annum;

•

if other than at the corporate trust office of the trustee, the place where principal, premium, if any, and interest will be payable and where the debt securities can be surrendered for transfer, exchange or conversion;

•

the date from which interest may accrue and any interest payment dates;

•

any sinking fund requirements;

•

any provisions for redemption, including the redemption price and any remarketing arrangements;

•

any provisions for denomination or payment of the securities in a foreign currency or units of two or more foreign currencies;

•

the events of default and covenants of such securities, to the extent different from or in addition to those described in this prospectus;

•

whether we will issue the debt securities in certificated or book-entry form;

•

whether the debt securities will be in registered or bearer form and, if in registered form, the denominations if other than in even multiples of $1,000 and, if in bearer form, the denominations and terms and conditions relating thereto;

•

whether we will issue any of the debt securities in permanent global form and, if so, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which interests in the global security may be exchanged, in whole or in part, for the individual debt securities represented by the global security;

•

the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions described in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement;

•

any provisions for payment of additional amounts on the securities in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and rights for us to redeem the debt securities instead of making this payment;

•

the subordination provisions, if any, relating to the debt securities;

•

if the debt securities are to be issued upon the exercise of debt warrants, the time, manner and place for them to be authenticated and delivered;

•

whether any of our subsidiaries will be bound by the terms of the indenture, in particular any restrictive covenants;

•

the provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities; and

•

the provisions relating to any guarantee of the debt securities.

We may issue debt securities at less than the principal amount payable at maturity. We refer to these securities as “original issue discount” securities. If material or applicable, we will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement special U.S. federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to original issue discount securities.

Except as may be described in any prospectus supplement, an indenture will not contain any provisions that would limit our ability to incur indebtedness or that would afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving us or in the event of a change of control. You should review carefully the applicable prospectus supplement for information with respect to events of default and covenants applicable to the securities being offered.

Denominations, Interest, Registration and Transfer

Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue the debt securities of any series that are registered securities in denominations that are even multiples of $1,000, other than global securities, which may be of any denomination.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will pay the interest, principal and any premium at the corporate trust office of the trustee, such other address as the trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the holders and the Company or the principal corporate trust office of any successor trustee. At our option, however, we may make payment of interest by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to the payment as it appears in the applicable register or by wire transfer of funds to that person at an account maintained within the United States.

If we do not punctually pay or otherwise provide for interest on any interest payment date, the defaulted interest will be paid either:

•

to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on a special record date the trustee will fix; or

•

in any other lawful manner, all as the applicable indenture describes.

You may have your debt securities divided into more debt securities of smaller denominations or combined into fewer debt securities of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed. We call this an “exchange.” You may exchange or transfer debt securities at the office of the applicable trustee. The trustee acts as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders and transferring debt securities. We may change this appointment to another entity or perform it ourselves.

The entity performing the role of maintaining the list of registered holders is called the “registrar.” It will also perform transfers. You will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange debt securities, but you may be required to pay for any tax or other governmental charge associated with the exchange or transfer. The registrar will make the transfer or exchange only if it is satisfied with your proof of ownership.

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

Under an indenture, we are or generally will be permitted to consolidate or merge with another company. In addition, we are or will be permitted to sell substantially all of our assets to another company, or to buy substantially all of the assets of another company. However, we may not take any of these actions unless the following conditions are met:

•

if we merge out of existence or sell our assets, the other company must be an entity organized under the laws of one of the states of the United States or the District of Columbia or under United States federal law and must agree to be legally responsible for our debt securities; and

•

immediately after the merger, sale of assets or other transaction, we may not be in default on the debt securities. A default for this purpose would include any event that would be an event of default if the requirements regarding notice of default or continuing default for a specific period of time were disregarded.

Certain Covenants

Existence. Except as permitted and described above under “— Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets,” we will agree to do all things necessary to preserve and keep our existence, rights and franchises, provided that it is in our best interests for the conduct of business.

Provisions of Financial Information. To the extent permitted by law, we will agree to file all annual, quarterly and other reports and financial statements with the SEC and the trustee on or before the applicable SEC filing dates whether or not we remain required to do so under the Exchange Act.

Additional Covenants. Any additional or different covenants or modifications to the foregoing covenants with respect to any series of debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Events of Default and Related Matters

Events of Default. The term “event of default” for any series of debt securities means any of the following:

•

We do not pay the principal or any premium on a debt security of that series at its maturity date.

•

We do not pay interest on a debt security of that series within 30 days after its due date.

•

We do not deposit any sinking fund payment for that series within 30 days after its due date.

•

We remain in breach of any other term of the applicable indenture (other than a term added to the indenture solely for the benefit of another series) for 60 days after we receive a written notice of default from the trustee or holders of at least a majority in principal amount of debt securities of the affected series specifying the breach and requiring it to be remedied.

•

We default under any of our other indebtedness in specified amounts after the expiration of any applicable grace period, which default results in the acceleration of the maturity of such indebtedness. Such default is not an event of default if the other indebtedness is discharged, or the acceleration is rescinded or annulled, within a period of 10 days after we receive a written notice from the trustee or holders of at least a majority in principal amount of debt securities of the affected series specifying the default and requiring that we discharge the other indebtedness or cause the acceleration to be rescinded or annulled.

•

We or one of our “significant subsidiaries,” if any, files for bankruptcy or certain other events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur. The term “significant subsidiary” means each of our

significant subsidiaries, if any, as defined in RegulationS-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

•

Any other event of default described in the applicable prospectus supplement occurs.

Remedies If an Event of Default Occurs. If an event of default has occurred and has not been cured, the trustee or the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable. If an event of default occurs because of certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal amount of all the debt securities of that series will be automatically accelerated, without any action by the trustee or any holder. At any time after the trustee or the holders have accelerated any series of debt securities, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration.

The trustee will be required to give notice to the holders of debt securities within 90 days after a default under the applicable indenture unless the default has been cured or waived. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any series of debt securities of any default with respect to that series, except a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any debt security of that series, if specified responsible officers of the trustee in good faith determine that withholding the notice is in the interest of the holders.

Except in cases of default, where the trustee has some special duties, the trustee is not required to take any action under the applicable indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability. We refer to this as an “indemnity.” If reasonable indemnity satisfactory to it is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee. These majority holders may also direct the trustee in performing any other action under the applicable indenture, subject to certain limitations.

Before you bypass the trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to the debt securities, the following must occur:

•

you must give the trustee written notice that an event of default has occurred and remains uncured;

•

the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding securities of the relevant series must make a written request that the trustee take action because of the default, and must offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action; and

•

the trustee must have not taken action for 60 days after receipt of the notice and offer of indemnity.

However, you are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your security after its due date.

Every year we will furnish to the trustee a written statement by certain of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the applicable indenture, or else specifying any default.

Modification of an Indenture

There are three types of changes we can make to the indentures and the debt securities:

Changes Requiring Your Approval. First, there are changes we cannot make to your debt securities without your specific approval. The following is a list of those types of changes:

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change the stated maturity of the principal or interest on a debt security;

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reduce any amounts due on a debt security;

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reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the maturity of a debt security following a default;

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change the currency of payment on a debt security;

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impair your right to sue for payment;

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modify the subordination provisions, if any, in a manner that is adverse to you;

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reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to modify or amend an indenture or to waive compliance with certain provisions of an indenture;

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reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to waive past defaults or change certain provisions of the indenture relating to waivers of default; or

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waive a default or event of default in the payment of principal, interest, or premium, if any, on the debt securities.

Changes Requiring a Majority Vote. The second type of change is the kind that requires the vote of holders of debt securities owning a majority of the principal amount of the particular series affected. Most changes fall into this category, except for clarifying changes and certain other changes that would not materially adversely affect holders of the debt securities. We require the same vote to obtain a waiver of a past default; however, we cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or any other aspect of an indenture or the debt securities listed in the first category described above under “— Changes Requiring Your Approval” unless we obtain your individual consent to the waiver.

Changes Not Requiring Approval. The third type of change does not require any vote by holders of debt securities. This type is limited to clarifications and certain other changes that would not materially adversely affect holders of the debt securities.

Further Details Concerning Voting. Debt securities are not considered outstanding, and therefore the holders of debt securities are not eligible to vote on matters relating thereto, if we have deposited or set aside in trust for such holders money for payment or redemption of debt securities or if we own or one of our affiliates owns the debt securities. The holders of debt securities are also not eligible to vote if the debt securities have been fully defeased as described below under “— Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance – Full Defeasance.”

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

Discharge. We may discharge some obligations to holders of any series of debt securities that either have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year, or scheduled for redemption within one year, by irrevocably depositing with the trustee, in trust, funds in the applicable currency in an amount sufficient to pay the debt securities, including any premium and interest.

Full Defeasance. We can, under particular circumstances, effect a full defeasance of your series of debt securities. By this we mean we can legally release ourselves from any payment or other obligations on the debt securities if, among other things, we put in place the arrangements described below to repay you and deliver certain certificates and opinions to the trustee:

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we must deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other direct holders of the debt securities a combination of money or U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds or, in some circumstances, depositary receipts representing these notes or bonds, that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates;

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under current federal income tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities would be treated as though we redeemed your debt securities in exchange for your share of the cash and notes or bonds deposited in trust. This treatment would result in sale or exchange treatment of your notes, which would cause you to recognize gain or loss equal to the amount described in Exhibit 99.1 to our Current Report on Form8-K filed on March 5, 2018.

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we must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming the tax law change described above.

If we did accomplish full defeasance, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment on the debt securities. You could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent. You would also be released from any subordination provisions.

Covenant Defeasance. We can make the same type of deposit described above and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the debt securities. This is called “covenant defeasance.” In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and securities set aside in trust to repay the securities and you would be released from any subordination provisions.

If we did accomplish covenant defeasance, the following provisions of an indenture and the debt securities would no longer apply:

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any covenants applicable to the series of debt securities and described in the applicable prospectus supplement;

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any subordination provisions; and

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certain events of default relating to breach of covenants and acceleration of the maturity of other debt set forth in any prospectus supplement.

If we did accomplish covenant defeasance, you could still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if a shortfall in the trust deposit occurred. If one of the remaining events of default occurred, for example, our bankruptcy, and the debt securities became immediately due and payable, there may be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.

Subordination

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms and conditions, if any, upon which any series of senior subordinated securities or junior subordinated securities is subordinated to debt securities of another series or to our other indebtedness. The terms will include a description of:

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the indebtedness ranking senior to the debt securities being offered;

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the restrictions, if any, on payments to the holders of the debt securities being offered while a default with respect to the senior indebtedness is continuing;

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the restrictions, if any, on payments to the holders of the debt securities being offered following an event of default; and

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provisions requiring holders of the debt securities being offered to remit some payments to holders of senior indebtedness.

Global Securities

If so set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue the debt securities of a series in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement or its nominee. If so represented, interests in such global note will be shown on, and

transfers thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by the designated depositary and its participants. We may issue global securities in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any series of debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK

The following is a summary of certain terms of our common stock and preferred stock that we may issue. Because this summary is not complete, you should refer to our certificate of incorporation andby-laws, which documents provide additional information regarding our common stock and preferred stock, and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). See also “Description of Certain Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation andBy-Laws” below. Copies of our certificate of incorporation andby-laws, as amended, are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The summary set forth below is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the description of the particular terms of the securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus.

Common Stock

Common stockholders are entitled to receive dividends when declared by the board of directors and after payment of, or provision for, full cumulative dividends on and any required redemptions of shares of preferred stock then outstanding. Common stockholders have one vote per share, and there are no cumulative voting rights. If we are voluntarily or involuntarily liquidated or dissolved, common stockholders are to share ratably in our distributable assets remaining after the satisfaction of all of our debts and liabilities and the preferred stockholders’ prior preferential rights. Common stockholders do not have preemptive rights. The common stock will be, when issued, fully paid and nonassessable. The common stock is subject to restrictions on transfer under certain circumstances described under “Restrictions on Transfer of Securities” below. The transfer agent for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of our preferred stock which are outstanding or which we may designate and issue in the future. See “Preferred Stock” below.

Preferred Stock

Our board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof will determine the designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights of our authorized and unissued preferred stock. These may include:

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the distinctive designation of each series and the number of shares that will constitute the series;

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the voting rights, if any, of shares of the series;

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the distribution rate on the shares of the series, any restriction, limitation or condition upon the payment of the distribution, whether distributions will be cumulative, and the dates on which distributions are payable;

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if the shares are redeemable, the prices at which, and the terms and conditions on which, the shares of the series may be redeemed;

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the purchase or sinking fund provisions, if any, for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series;

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any preferential amount payable upon shares of the series upon our liquidation or the distribution of our assets;

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if the shares are convertible, the price or rates of conversion at which, and the terms and conditions on which, the shares of the series may be converted into other securities; and

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whether the series can be exchanged, at our option, into debt securities, and the terms and conditions of any permitted exchange.

The issuance of shares of preferred stock, or the issuance of rights to purchase shares of preferred stock, could discourage an unsolicited acquisition proposal. In addition, the rights of holders of shares of our common stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of any shares of preferred stock that we may issue in the future.

The following describes some general terms and provisions of the preferred stock to which a prospectus supplement or a related free writing prospectus may relate. The statements below describing the preferred stock do not purport to be complete and are in all respects subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the applicable provisions of our certificate of incorporation, including any applicable certificate of designation, and ourby-laws.

The prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus will describe the specific terms as to each issuance of shares of preferred stock, including:

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the description of the preferred stock;

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the number of shares of preferred stock offered;

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the offering price of the shares of preferred stock;

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the distribution rate, when distributions will be paid, or the method of determining the distribution rate if it is based on a formula or not otherwise fixed;

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the date from which distributions on the shares of preferred stock shall accumulate;

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the voting rights, if any, of the holders of the shares of preferred stock;

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the provisions for any auctioning or remarketing, if any, of the shares of preferred stock;

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the provision, if any, for redemption or a sinking fund;

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the liquidation preference per share;

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any listing of the shares of preferred stock on a securities exchange;

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whether the shares of preferred stock will be convertible and, if so, the security into which they are convertible and the terms and conditions of conversion, including the conversion price or the manner of determining it;

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whether interests in the shares of preferred stock will be represented by depositary shares as more fully described below under “Description of Depositary Shares;”

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a discussion of any material federal income tax considerations;

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the relative ranking and preferences of the shares of preferred stock as to distribution and liquidation rights;

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any limitations on issuance of any shares of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock being offered as to distribution and liquidation rights;

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any limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions on transfer, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve our status as a REIT; and

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any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of the shares of preferred stock.

As described under “Description of Depositary Shares,” we may, at our option, elect to offer depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts. If we elect to do this, each depositary receipt will represent a fractional interest in a share of the particular series of preferred stock issued and deposited with a depositary. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the depositary receipts.

The shares of preferred stock are subject to restrictions on transfer under certain circumstances described under “Restrictions on Transfer of Securities” below.

Rank

Unless our board of directors otherwise determines and we so specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect that the shares of preferred stock will, with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation or dissolution, rank senior to all of our shares of common stock.

Distributions

Holders of shares of preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive cash and/or share distributions at the rates and on the dates shown in the applicable prospectus supplement. Even though the shares of preferred stock may specify a fixed rate of distribution, our board of directors must authorize and declare those distributions and they may be paid only out of assets legally available for payment. We will pay each distribution to holders of record as they appear on our share transfer books on the record dates fixed by our board of directors. In the case of shares of preferred stock represented by depositary receipts, the records of the depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement, or any successor depositary, will determine the persons to whom dividends are payable.

Distributions on any series of preferred stock may be cumulative or noncumulative, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. We refer to each particular series, for ease of reference, as the applicable series. Cumulative distributions will be cumulative from and after the date shown in the applicable prospectus supplement. If our board of directors fails to authorize a distribution on any applicable series that is noncumulative, the holders will have no right to receive, and we will have no obligation to pay, a distribution in respect of the applicable distribution period, whether or not distributions on that series are declared payable in the future. If the applicable series is entitled to a cumulative distribution, we may not declare, or pay or set aside for payment, any full distributions on any other series of preferred stock ranking, as to distributions, on a parity with or junior to the applicable series, unless we declare, and either pay or set aside for payment, full cumulative distributions on the applicable series for all past distribution periods and the then current distribution period. If the applicable series does not have a cumulative distribution, we must declare, and pay or set aside for payment, full distributions for the then current distribution period only. When distributions are not paid, or set aside for payment, in full upon any applicable series and the shares of any other series ranking on a parity as to distributions with the applicable series, we must declare, and pay or set aside for payment, all distributions upon the applicable series and any other parity series proportionately, in accordance with accrued and unpaid distributions of the several series. For these purposes, accrued and unpaid distributions do not include unpaid distribution periods on noncumulative preferred stock. No interest will be payable in respect of any distribution payment that may be in arrears.

Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless we declare, and pay or set aside for payment, full cumulative distributions, including for the then current period, on any cumulative applicable series, we may not declare, or pay or set aside for payment, any distributions upon shares of common stock or any other equity securities ranking junior to or on a parity with the applicable series as to distributions or upon liquidation. The foregoing restriction does not apply to distributions paid in shares of common stock or other equity securities ranking junior to the applicable series as to distributions and upon liquidation. If the applicable series is noncumulative, we need only declare, and pay or set aside for payment, the distribution for the then current period, before declaring distributions on shares of common stock or junior or parity securities. In addition, under

the circumstances that we could not declare a distribution, we may not redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for any consideration any shares of common stock or other parity or junior equity securities, except upon conversion into or exchange for shares of common stock or other junior equity securities. We may, however, make purchases and redemptions otherwise prohibited pursuant to certain redemptions or pro rata offers to purchase the outstanding shares of the applicable series and any other parity series of preferred stock.

We will credit any distribution payment made on an applicable series first against the earliest accrued but unpaid distribution due with respect to the series.

Redemption

We may have the right or may be required to redeem one or more series of preferred stock, as a whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, if any, and at the times and at the redemption prices shown in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If a series of preferred stock is subject to mandatory redemption, we will specify in the applicable prospectus supplement the number of shares we are required to redeem, when those redemptions start, the redemption price, and any other terms and conditions affecting the redemption. The redemption price will include all accrued and unpaid distributions, except in the case of noncumulative preferred stock. The redemption price may be payable in cash or other property, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the redemption price for shares of preferred stock of any series is payable only from the net proceeds of our issuance of shares of capital stock, the terms of the preferred stock may provide that, if no shares of such capital stock shall have been issued or to the extent the net proceeds from any issuance are insufficient to pay in full the aggregate redemption price then due, the shares of preferred stock will automatically and mandatorily be converted into shares of the applicable capital stock pursuant to conversion provisions specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Liquidation Preference

The applicable prospectus supplement will show the liquidation preference of the applicable series. Upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, before any distribution may be made to the holders of our shares of common stock or any other shares of capital stock ranking junior in the distribution of assets upon any liquidation to the applicable series, the holders of that series will be entitled to receive, out of our assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation preference, plus an amount equal to all distributions accrued and unpaid. In the case of a noncumulative applicable series, accrued and unpaid distributions include only the then current distribution period. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, after payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of shares of preferred stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets. If liquidating distributions shall have been made in full to all holders of shares of preferred stock, our remaining assets will be distributed among the holders of any other shares of capital stock ranking junior to the shares of preferred stock upon liquidation, according to their rights and preferences and in each case according to their number of shares.

If, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, our available assets are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding shares of that series and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of capital stock ranking on a parity in the distribution of assets with that series, then the holders of that series and all other equally ranking shares of capital stock shall share ratably in the distribution in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be entitled. For these purposes, our consolidation or merger with or into any other corporation or other entity, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of our property or business, shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation.

Voting Rights

Holders of the shares of preferred stock will not have any voting rights, except as described below or as otherwise from time to time required by law or as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. As more fully described under “Description of Depositary Shares” below, if we elect to issue depositary shares, each representing a fraction of a share of a series of preferred stock, each holder thereof will in effect be entitled to a fraction of a vote per depositary share.

Unless otherwise provided for in an applicable series, so long as any shares of preferred stock are outstanding, we may not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of a majority of the shares (or such greater vote or consent as is required by the then current rules of any stock exchange or trading market on which we shall have listed the applicable series of preferred stock for trading or as otherwise provided in our organizational documents) of each series of preferred stock outstanding at that time:

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authorize, create or increase the authorized or issued amount of any class or series of shares of capital stock ranking senior to that series of preferred stock with respect to distribution and liquidation rights;

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reclassify any authorized shares of capital stock into a series of shares of capital stock ranking senior to that series of preferred stock with respect to distribution and liquidation rights;

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create, authorize or issue any security or obligation convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any shares of capital stock ranking senior to that series of preferred stock with respect to distribution and liquidation rights; and

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amend, alter or repeal the provisions of our certificate of incorporation relating to that series of preferred stock that materially and adversely affect the series of preferred stock.

The authorization, creation or increase of the authorized or issued amount of any class or series of shares of capital stock ranking on parity with or junior to a series of preferred stock with respect to distribution and liquidation rights will not be deemed to materially and adversely affect that series.

Conversion Rights

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms and conditions, if any, upon which you may, or we may require you to, convert shares of any series of preferred stock into shares of common stock or any other class or series of shares of capital stock. The terms will include the number of shares of common stock or other capital stock into which the shares of preferred stock are convertible, the conversion price or manner of determining it, the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of the series or at our option, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price, and provisions affecting conversion upon the redemption of shares of the series.

Our Exchange Rights

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we can require you to exchange shares of any series of preferred stock for debt securities. If an exchange is required, you will receive debt securities with a principal amount equal to the liquidation preference of the applicable series of preferred stock. The other terms and provisions of the debt securities will not be materially less favorable to you than those of the series of preferred stock being exchanged.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

This section describes the general terms and provisions of shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares. The applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus will describe the specific terms of the depositary shares offered through that prospectus supplement and any general terms outlined in this section that will not apply to those depositary shares.

We have summarized in this section certain terms and provisions of the deposit agreement, the depositary shares and the receipts representing depositary shares. The summary is not complete. You should read the forms of deposit agreement and depositary receipt that we will file with the SEC at or before the time of the offering of the depositary shares for additional information before you buy any depositary shares.

General

We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, rather than shares of preferred stock. If we exercise this option, we will appoint a depositary to issue depositary receipts representing those fractional interests. Shares of preferred stock of each series represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement between us and the depositary. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of depositary shares will provide the name and address of the depositary. Subject to the terms of the applicable deposit agreement, each owner of depositary shares will be entitled to all of the dividend, voting, conversion, redemption, liquidation and other rights and preferences of the shares of preferred stock represented by those depositary shares.

Depositary receipts issued pursuant to the applicable deposit agreement will evidence ownership of depositary shares. Upon surrender of depositary receipts at the office of the depositary, and upon payment of the charges provided in and subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, a holder of depositary shares will be entitled to receive the shares of preferred stock underlying the surrendered depositary receipts.

Distributions

A depositary will be required to distribute all dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the applicable shares of preferred stock to the record holders of depositary receipts evidencing the related depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary receipts owned by the holders. Fractions will be rounded down to the nearest whole cent.

If the distribution is other than in cash, a depositary will be required to distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts entitled thereto, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. In that case, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders of depositary shares.

Depositary shares that represent shares of preferred stock converted or exchanged will not be entitled to distributions. The deposit agreement also will contain provisions relating to the manner in which any subscription or similar rights we offer to holders of shares of preferred stock will be made available to holders of depositary shares. All distributions will be subject to obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the depositary.

Withdrawal of Shares of Preferred Stock

You may receive the number of whole shares of your series of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by your depositary receipts after surrendering your depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the depositary shares that you surrender exceed the number of depositary shares that represent the number of whole shares of preferred stock you wish to withdraw, then the depositary will deliver to you at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. Once you have withdrawn your shares of preferred stock, you will not be entitled tore-deposit those shares of preferred stock under the deposit agreement in order to receive depositary shares. We do not expect that there will be any public trading market for withdrawn shares of preferred stock.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

If we redeem a series of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares, the depositary will redeem those shares from the proceeds it receives. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable with respect to the series of the preferred stock. The redemption date for depositary shares will be the same as that of the preferred stock. If we are redeeming less than all of the depositary shares, the depositary will select the depositary shares we are redeeming by lot or pro rata as the depositary may determine.

After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed outstanding. All rights of the holders of the depositary shares and the related depositary receipts will cease at that time, except the right to receive the money or other property to which the holders of depositary shares were entitled upon redemption. Receipt of the money or other property is subject to surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the redeemed depositary shares.

Voting of the Underlying Shares of Preferred Stock

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, a depositary will be required to mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary shares representing such preferred stock. Each record holder of depositary receipts on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to how the holder’s depositary shares will be voted. The record date for the depositary shares will be the same as the record date for the preferred stock. The depositary will vote the shares as you instruct. We will agree to take all reasonable action that the depositary deems necessary in order to enable it to vote the preferred stock in that manner. If you do not instruct the depositary how to vote your shares, the depositary will abstain from voting those shares. The depositary will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any voting instruction, or for the manner or effect of any vote, as long as its action or inaction is in good faith and does not result from its negligence or willful misconduct.

Liquidation Preference

Upon our liquidation, whether voluntary or involuntary, each holder of depositary shares will be entitled to the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Conversion or Exchange of Shares of Preferred Stock

The depositary shares will not themselves be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock or preferred stock or any of our other securities or property. Nevertheless, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the depositary receipts may be surrendered by holders to the applicable depositary with written instructions to it to instruct us to cause the conversion of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares. Similarly, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may require you to surrender all of your depositary receipts to the applicable depositary upon our requiring the conversion or exchange of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares into our debt securities. We will agree that, upon receipt of the instruction and any amounts payable in connection with the conversion or exchange, we will cause the conversion or exchange using the same procedures as those provided for delivery of shares of preferred stock to effect the conversion or exchange. If you are converting only a part of the depositary shares, the depositary will issue you a new depositary receipt for any unconverted depositary shares.

Amendment and Termination of a Deposit Agreement

We and the applicable depositary are permitted to amend the provisions of the depositary receipts and the deposit agreement. However, the holders of at least a majority of the applicable depositary shares then

outstanding (or such greater approval as is required by the then current rules of any stock exchange or trading market on which we shall have listed the applicable underlying series of preferred stock for trading or as otherwise provided in our organizational documents) must approve any amendment that adds or increases fees or charges or prejudices an important right of holders. Every holder of an outstanding depositary receipt at the time any amendment becomes effective, by continuing to hold the receipt, will be bound by the applicable deposit agreement, as amended.

Any deposit agreement may be terminated by us upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice to the applicable depositary if (1) the termination is necessary to preserve our status as a REIT or (2) a majority of each series of preferred stock affected by the termination consents to the termination. When either event occurs, the depositary will be required to deliver or make available to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by the holder, the number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock as are represented by the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipts, together with any other property held by the depositary with respect to the depositary receipts. In addition, a deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:

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all depositary shares have been redeemed;

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there shall have been a final distribution in respect of the related preferred stock in connection with our liquidation and the distribution has been made to the holders of depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares underlying the preferred stock; or

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each related share of preferred stock shall have been converted or exchanged into securities not represented by depositary shares.

Charges of a Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of a deposit agreement. In addition, we will pay the fees and expenses of a depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of preferred stock. However, holders of depositary receipts will pay any transfer or other governmental charges and the fees and expenses of a depositary for any duties the holders request to be performed that are outside of those expressly provided for in the applicable deposit agreement.

Resignation and Removal of a Depositary

A depositary may resign at any time by providing us notice of its election to resign. In addition, we may at any time remove a depositary. Any resignation or removal will take effect when we appoint a successor depositary and it accepts the appointment. We must appoint a successor depositary within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal. A depositary must be a bank or trust company that has its principal office in the United States and a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million.

Miscellaneous

A depositary will be required to forward to holders of depositary receipts any reports and communications from us that it receives with respect to the related shares of preferred stock, including, without limitation, proxy solicitation materials. Holders of depository receipts will be able to inspect the transfer books of the depository and the list of holders of receipts upon reasonable notice. Neither we nor any depositary will be liable if either party is prevented from or delayed in performing its obligations under a deposit agreement by law or any circumstances beyond its control. Our obligations and those of the depositary under a deposit agreement will be limited to performing duties in good faith and without gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Neither we nor any depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary receipts, depositary shares or related shares of preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is

furnished. We and each depositary will be permitted to rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, on information provided by persons presenting shares of preferred stock for deposit, by holders of depositary receipts, or by other persons believed in good faith to be competent to give the information, and on documents believed in good faith to be genuine and signed by a proper party.

If a depositary receives conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holder of depositary receipts, on the one hand, and us, on the other hand, the depositary shall be entitled to act on the claims, requests or instructions received from us.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

This section describes the general terms and provisions of the warrants. The applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus will describe the specific terms of the warrants offered through that prospectus supplement and any general terms outlined in this section that will not apply to those warrants.

We have summarized in this section certain terms and provisions of the warrant agreement and the warrants. The summary is not complete. You should read the forms of warrant and warrant agreement that we will file with the SEC at or before the time of the offering of the applicable series of warrants for additional information before you buy any warrants.

We may issue, together with any other securities being offered or separately, warrants entitling the holder to purchase from or sell to us, or to receive from us the cash value of the right to purchase or sell, debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock. We and a warrant agent will enter into a warrant agreement pursuant to which the warrants will be issued. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

In the case of each series of warrants, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus will describe the terms of the warrants being offered thereby. These include the following, if applicable:

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the offering price;

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the number of warrants offered;

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the securities underlying the warrants;

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the exercise price, the procedures for exercise of the warrants and the circumstances, if any, that will cause the warrants to be automatically exercised;

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the date on which the warrants will expire;

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the material federal income tax consequences;

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the rights, if any, we have to redeem the warrants;

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the name of the warrant agent; and

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the other terms of the warrants.

Warrants may be exercised at the appropriate office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of warrants, holders will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities underlying the warrants and will not be entitled to payments made to holders of those securities.

The warrant agreements may be amended or supplemented without the consent of the holders of the warrants to which the amendment or supplement applies to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of warrants will not be effective unless the holders of at least a majority of the applicable warrants then outstanding (or such greater approval as is required by the then current rules of any stock exchange or trading market on which we shall have listed the applicable underlying shares of capital stock for trading or as otherwise provided in our organizational documents) approve the amendment. Every holder of an outstanding warrant at the time any amendment becomes effective, by continuing to hold the warrant, will be bound by the applicable warrant agreement, as amended. The prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of warrants may provide that certain provisions of the warrants, including the securities for which they may be exercisable, the exercise price, and the expiration date, may not be altered without the consent of the holder of each warrant.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may, from time to time, issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities that may be offered under this prospectus, in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time, or at any time before a specified date.

Any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus will describe:

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the material terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

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any material provisions relating to the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units;

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any material federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and

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any material provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described above.

RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF SECURITIES

For us to qualify as a REIT, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding capital stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals at any time during the last half of our taxable year. In order to ensure that this requirement is satisfied, ourby-laws (with respect to our common stock and preferred stock) and our certificates of designation (for our preferred stock) provide that no person may acquire securities that would result in the direct or indirect beneficial ownership of more than 9.8% of our common stock or more than 9.8% in value of our outstanding capital stock by such person. For purposes of application of such limitations to any person, all options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights to acquire our capital stock held directly or indirectly by such person will be treated as if all such rights had been exercised. If any securities in excess of this limit are issued or transferred to any person, such issuance or transfer shall be valid only with respect to such amount of securities as does not exceed this limit, and such issuance or transfer will be void with respect to the excess. The board of directors may grant limited exemptions from the ownership restrictions set forth in theby-laws to specified persons if the board determines that each such limited exemption is in the best interests of us and our stockholders.

Ourby-laws and certificates of designation further provide that, if the foregoing stock ownership limitations are determined to be invalid by virtue of any legal decision, statute, rule or regulation, then the transferee of the shares or other securities will be deemed to have acted as our agent in acquiring the shares or other securities that

are in excess of the limit, and will be deemed to hold such excess shares or securities on our behalf. As the equivalent of treasury securities for such purposes, the excess securities will not be entitled to any voting rights, will not be considered to be outstanding for quorum or voting purposes, and will not be entitled to receive dividends, interest or any other distribution with respect to such securities. Any person who receives dividends, interest or any other distribution in respect of the excess securities will hold the same as our agent and for the transferee of the excess securities following a permitted transfer.

In addition, under ourby-laws and certificates of designation, we may refuse to transfer any shares, passing either by voluntary transfer, by operation of law, or under the last will and testament of any stockholder, if such transfer would or might, in the opinion of our board of directors or counsel, disqualify us as a REIT.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF OUR CERTIFICATE OF

INCORPORATION ANDBY-LAWS

Anti-Takeover Provisions

Our certificate of incorporation andby-laws contain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging persons from acquiring large blocks of our stock or delaying or preventing a change in our control. The material provisions that may have such an effect are:

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A provision permitting our board of directors to make, amend or repeal ourby-laws.

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Authorization for our board of directors to issue preferred stock in series and to fix the rights and preferences of the series, including, among other things, whether and to what extent the shares of any series will have voting rights and the extent of the preferences of the shares of any series with respect to dividends and other matters (see “Description of Our Capital Stock—Preferred Stock” above).

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A prohibition on stockholders taking action by written consent in lieu of a meeting.

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Advance notice procedures with respect to nominations of directors by stockholders and proposals by stockholders of business at an annual meeting.

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The grant only to our board of directors of the right to call special meetings of stockholders.

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Limitations on the number of shares of our capital stock that may be beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any one stockholder (see “Restrictions on Transfer of Securities” above).

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Limitations on transactions that involve us and any stockholder who beneficially owns 5% or more of our voting stock (see “— Limitations on Transactions Involving Us and Our Stockholders” below).

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A provision permitting amendment by the stockholders of certain of the provisions listed above only by an affirmative vote of the holders of at least three-quarters of all of the outstanding shares of our voting stock, voting together as a single class.

Limitations on Transactions Involving Us and Our Stockholders

Under ourby-laws, in addition to any vote otherwise required by law, our certificate of incorporation or ourby-laws, the following transactions will require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power of our then outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class:

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Our merger or consolidation with or into

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any stockholder that owns 5% or more of our voting stock; or

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any other corporation or entity which is, or after such merger or consolidation would be, an affiliate of a stockholder that owns 5% or more of our voting stock.

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Any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition of substantially all of our assets, in one transaction or a series of transactions, to or with any stockholder that owns 5% or more of our voting stock or an affiliate of any such stockholder.

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Any reclassification of our securities, including any reverse stock split, or recapitalization or any other transaction that has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of our equity securities that is directly or indirectly owned by any stockholder that owns 5% or more of our voting stock or any affiliate of such a stockholder, whether or not the transaction involves such a stockholder.

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The adoption of any plan or proposal for our liquidation or dissolution proposed by or on behalf of a stockholder that owns 5% or more of our voting stock or any affiliate of such a stockholder.

These provisions will not apply to any of the transactions described above if:

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We are at the time of the consummation of the transaction, and at all times throughout the preceding twelve months have been, directly or indirectly, the owner of a majority of each class of the outstanding equity securities of the 5% stockholder that is a party to the transaction; or

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The transaction has been approved by a majority of the members of our board of directors who, at the time such approval is given, were not affiliates or nominees of the 5% stockholder; or

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Both of the following conditions have been met:

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the aggregate amount of the cash and the fair market value, as determined in good faith by our board of directors, of the consideration other than cash to be received per share by holders of our voting stock in such transaction shall be at least equal to the highest per share price paid by the 5% stockholder for any shares of voting stock acquired by it:

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within thetwo-year period immediately prior to the first public announcement of the proposal of the transaction, or

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in the transaction in which it became a 5% stockholder, whichever is higher; and

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the consideration to be received by holders of a particular class of outstanding voting stock shall be in cash or in the same form as the 5% stockholder previously paid for shares of such voting stock. If the 5% stockholder paid for shares of any class of voting stock with varying forms of consideration, the form of consideration to be paid by the 5% stockholder for such class of voting stock shall be either cash or the form used to acquire the largest number of shares of such class of voting stock previously acquired by the stockholder.

The foregoing summary of certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation andby-laws does not purport to be complete or to give effect to provisions of statutory or common law. The foregoing summary is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of applicable law and our certificate of incorporation andby-laws, copies of which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS

Information about selling security holders and the terms of the securities offered for resale, where applicable, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, in a post-effective amendment, or in filings we make with the SEC that are incorporated into this prospectus by reference. Selling security holders may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities they resell and any profits on the resale may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. The selling security holders will receive all the proceeds from the resale of our securities. We will not receive any proceeds from resales by selling security holders.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Sales by Us

We may sell the securities:

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through underwriters or dealers;

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through agents;

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directly to purchasers; or

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through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

The applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus will (1) describe the plan of distribution of the securities, (2) describe the terms of the offering and (3) name any managing underwriter or underwriters, underwriter, dealer or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities.

We also may, from time to time, authorize underwriters and our agents to offer and sell the securities upon the terms and conditions as are set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. In connection with the sale of securities, underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts, commissions or fees and may also receive commissions from purchasers of securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell securities to or through dealers, and these dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent, or both. The applicable prospectus supplement will disclose:

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any underwriting compensation we pay to underwriters or agents in connection with the offering of securities; and

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any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers.

Under the Securities Act, underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters and any discounts, commissions and fees received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting compensation, discounts and commissions. We may agree to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to make contribution to them in connection with those liabilities.

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may also offer and sell securities through one or more firms that will remarket the securities. These firms may act as principals for their own account or as our agents. These firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities being remarketed. We may agree to indemnify these firms against liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

Upon the terms and conditions of the applicable prospectus supplement, the underwriters may purchase and sell securities in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases to cover positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of securities than they are required to purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of the securities made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the other underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives of the underwriters have repurchased securities sold by or for the account of that underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may discontinue any of these activities at any time.

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may authorize underwriters, agents or dealers to solicit offers by institutions to purchase securities at the offering price set forth in that prospectus supplement

under delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the dates stated in the prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate principal amount of securities sold under contracts will be not less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions, and other institutions, but will in all cases be subject to our approval. Contracts will not be subject to any conditions except:

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the purchase by an institution of the securities covered by its contracts will not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which the institution is subject; and

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if the securities are also being sold to underwriters, we will have sold to them the total principal amount of the securities less the principal amount of the securities covered by contracts.

In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), the aggregate maximum discount, commission or agency fees or other items constituting underwriting compensation to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed 8% of the proceeds from any offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of any trading market for any of the securities.

Underwriters and agents will have no responsibility in respect of the delivery or performance of contracts.

Some of the underwriters and their affiliates may engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

Direct sales to investors or our stockholders may be accomplished through subscription offerings or through stockholder purchase rights distributed to stockholders. In connection with subscription offerings or the distribution of stockholder purchase rights to stockholders, if all of the underlying securities are not subscribed for, we may sell any unsubscribed securities to third parties directly or through underwriters or agents. In addition, whether or not all of the underlying securities are subscribed for, we may concurrently offer additional securities to third parties directly or through underwriters or agents. If securities are to be sold through stockholder purchase rights, the stockholder purchase rights will be distributed as a dividend to the stockholders for which they will pay no separate consideration. The prospectus supplement with respect to the offer of securities under stockholder purchase rights will set forth the relevant terms of the stockholder purchase rights, including:

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whether common stock, preferred stock or some other type of capital stock, or warrants for those securities, will be offered under the stockholder purchase rights;

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the number of those securities or warrants that will be offered under the stockholder purchase rights;

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the period during which and the price at which the stockholder purchase rights will be exercisable;

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the number of stockholder purchase rights then outstanding;

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any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price of the stockholder purchase rights; and

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any other material terms of the stockholder purchase rights.

Underwriters and our agents may offer and sell the securities at:

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fixed prices, which may be changed;

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market prices prevailing at the time of sale

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prices related to the prevailing market prices at the time of sale; or

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negotiated prices.

Sales by Selling Security Holders

The selling security holders may resell or redistribute the securities from time to time on any stock exchange or automated interdealer quotation system on which the securities are listed, in theover-the-counter market, in privately negotiated transactions, or in any other legal manner, at fixed prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Persons who are pledgees, donees, transferees, or other successors in interest of any of the named selling security holders (including, but not limited, to persons who receive securities from a named selling security holder as a gift, partnership distribution or othernon-sale-related transfer after the date of this prospectus) may also use this prospectus and are included when we refer to “selling security holders” in this prospectus. The selling security holders may sell the securities by one or more of the following methods, without limitation:

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block trades (which may include cross trades) in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

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purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by the broker or dealer for its own account;

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an exchange distribution or secondary distribution in accordance with the rules of any stock exchange on which the securities may be listed;

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ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits purchases;

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an offering at other than a fixed price on or through the facilities of any stock exchange on which the securities are listed or to or through a market maker other than on that stock exchange;

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privately negotiated transactions, directly or through agents;

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short sales;

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through the writing of options on the securities, whether or the options are listed on an options exchange;

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through the distribution of the securities by any security holder to its partners, members or stockholders;

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one or more underwritten offerings;

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agreements between a broker or dealer and any security holder to sell a specified number of the securities at a stipulated price per share; and

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any combination of any of these methods of sale or distribution, or any other method permitted by applicable law.

The security holders may also transfer the securities by gift.

The selling security holders may engage brokers and dealers, and any brokers or dealers may arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate in effecting sales of the securities. These brokers, dealers or underwriters may act as principals, or as an agent of a selling security holder. Broker-dealers may agree with a selling security holder to sell a specified number of the securities at a stipulated price per share. If the broker-dealer is unable to sell securities acting as agent for a selling security holder, it may purchase as principal any unsold securities at the stipulated price. Broker-dealers who acquire securities as principals may thereafter resell the securities from time to time in transactions in any stock exchange or automated interdealer quotation system on which the

securities are then listed, at prices and on terms then prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the then-current market price or in negotiated transactions. Broker-dealers may use block transactions and sales to and through broker-dealers, including transactions of the nature described above.

From time to time, one or more of the selling security holders may pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in some or all of the securities owned by them. The pledgees, secured parties or persons to whom the securities have been hypothecated will, upon foreclosure in the event of default, be deemed to be selling security holders. The number of a selling security holder’s securities offered under this prospectus will decrease as and when it takes such actions. The plan of distribution for that selling security holder’s securities will otherwise remain unchanged. In addition, a selling security holder may, from time to time, sell the securities short, and, in those instances, this prospectus may be delivered in connection with the short sales and the securities offered under this prospectus may be used to cover short sales.

The selling security holders and any underwriters, brokers, dealers or agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any discounts, concessions, commissions or fees received by them and any profit on the resale of the securities sold by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions.

A selling security holder may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers and the broker-dealers may engage in short sales of the securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume with that selling security holder, including, without limitation, in connection with distributions of the securities by those broker-dealers. A selling security holder may enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers that involve the delivery of the securities offered hereby to the broker-dealers, who may then resell or otherwise transfer those securities. A selling security holder may also loan or pledge the securities offered hereby to a broker-dealer and the broker-dealer may sell the securities offered hereby so loaned or upon a default may sell or otherwise transfer the pledged securities offered hereby.

The selling security holders and other persons participating in the sale or distribution of the securities will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the related rules and regulations adopted by the SEC, including Regulation M. This regulation may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the securities by the selling security holders and any other person. The anti-manipulation rules under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of securities in the market and to the activities of the selling security holders and their affiliates. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the securities to engage in market-making activities with respect to the particular securities being distributed for a period of up to five business days before the distribution. These restrictions may affect the marketability of the securities and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the securities.

We may agree to indemnify the selling security holders and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents, and any underwriter or other person who participates in the offering of the securities, against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the federal securities laws or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities. The selling security holders may agree to indemnify us, the other selling security holders and any underwriter or other person who participates in the offering of the securities, against specified liabilities arising from information provided by the selling security holders for use in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, including liabilities under the federal securities laws. In each case, indemnification may include each person who is an affiliate of or controls one of these specified indemnified persons within the meaning of the federal securities laws or is required to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities. The selling security holders may agree to indemnify any brokers, dealers or agents who participate in transactions involving sales of the securities against specified liabilities arising under the federal securities laws in connection with the offering and sale of the securities.

We will not receive any proceeds from sales of any securities by the selling security holders.

We cannot assure you that the selling security holders will sell all or any portion of the securities offered hereby.

We will supply the selling security holders and any stock exchange upon which the securities are listed with reasonable quantities of copies of this prospectus. To the extent required by Rule 424 under the Securities Act in connection with any resale or redistribution by a selling security holder, we will file a prospectus supplement setting forth:

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the aggregate number of securities to be sold;

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the purchase price;

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the public offering price;

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if applicable, the names of any underwriter, dealer or agent; and

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any applicable commissions, discounts, concessions, fees or other items constituting compensation to underwriters, dealers or agents with respect to the particular transaction (which may exceed customary commissions or compensation).

If a selling security holder notifies us that a material arrangement has been entered into with a broker-dealer for the sale of securities through a block trade, special offering, exchange, distribution or secondary distribution or a purchase by a broker or dealer, the prospectus supplement will include any other facts that are material to the transaction. If applicable, this may include a statement to the effect that the participating broker-dealers did not conduct any investigation to verify the information set out or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

VALIDITY OF SECURITIES

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, New York, New York, will pass upon the validity of any securities issued under this prospectus. Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP will pass upon certain federal income tax matters relating to us. Any underwriters or agents will be represented by their own legal counsel. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, Sidley Austin LLP, New York, New York, will act as counsel to the underwriters, agents or dealers participating in an offering of securities hereunder.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements and schedules included in our Annual Report onForm 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements and schedules are incorporated herein by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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$ % Notes due 2024

$ % Notes due 2029

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

Wells Fargo Securities

BofA Merrill Lynch

MUFG

February , 2019

Welltower (WELL) 424B5Prospectus supplement for primary offering