THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL
INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE
BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY
BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, (II) THIS
GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION
2.06(a) OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED
TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL
INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY
WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.





================================================================================

                                                                CUSIP #46521PAA5

                          8 3/4% Senior Notes due 2008

No. 01                                                              $350,000,000

                              iSTAR FINANCIAL INC.

promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of THREE
HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION Dollars ($350,000,000) on August 16, 2008.

Interest Payment Dates:  February 15 and August 15

Record Dates:  February 1 and August 1

Dated:  August 16, 2001



   SEAL:                              iSTAR FINANCIAL INC.


                                      By:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:



                                      By:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Supplemental
Indenture:

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
  as Trustee

By:
   ---------------------------------------
           Authorized Signatory


================================================================================


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                                 [Back of Note]
                           83/4% Senior Notes due 2008

         Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them
in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

         1. INTEREST. iStar Financial Inc., a Maryland corporation (the
"Company"), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 8
3/4% per annum from August 16, 2001 until maturity. The Company will pay
interest semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, or
if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each
an "Interest Payment Date"). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most
recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid,
from August 16, 2001; PROVIDED that if there is no existing Default in the
payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date
referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date,
interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; PROVIDED,
FURTHER, that the first Interest Payment Date shall be February 15, 2002. The
Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding
under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to
time on demand at the rate then in effect; it shall pay interest (including
post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue
installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from
time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

         2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes
(except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes
at the close of business on the February 1 or August 1 next preceding the
Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date
and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12
of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable
as to principal, premium, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the
Company maintained for such purpose within or without the City and State of New
York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check
mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders,
and PROVIDED that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will
be required with respect to principal of and interest, and premium, if any, on,
all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided
wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment
shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time
of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. The Company
reserves the right to pay interest to Holders of Notes by check mailed to such
Holders at their registered addresses or by wire transfer to Holders of at least
$5 million aggregate principal amount of Notes.

         3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, State Street Bank and Trust
Company, N.A., the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and
Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice
to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such
capacity.

         4. INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as
of February 5, 2001, as supplemented by a Supplemental Indenture dated as of
August 16, 2001 (collectively, the "Indenture") between the Company and the
Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those
made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as


                                      A-3




amended (15 U.S. Code ss.ss. 77aaa-77bbbb). The Notes are subject to all such
terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of
such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express
provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the indenture shall govern and be
controlling. The Notes are obligations of the Company limited to $500 million in
aggregate principal amount, of which the Company is issuing $350 million in
aggregate principal amount on the Issue Date.

         5.  OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

         OPTIONAL REDEMPTION. (a) At any time on or prior to August 15, 2008,
the Notes may be redeemed or purchased in whole but not in part at the Company's
option at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the
Applicable Premium as of, and accrued but unpaid interest, if any, to, the date
of redemption or purchase (the "Redemption Date") (subject to the right of
Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the
relevant interest payment date). Such redemption or purchase may be made upon
notice mailed by first-class mail to each Holder's registered address, not less
than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date.

         "APPLICABLE PREMIUM" means, with respect to a Note at any Redemption
Date, the greater of: (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note; and (2) the
excess of (a) the present value at such Redemption Date of (i) the redemption
price of such Note on August 15, 2008 plus (ii) all required remaining scheduled
interest payments due on such Note through August 15, 2008, computed using a
discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points; over (b) the
principal amount of such Note on such Redemption Date. Calculation of the
Applicable Premium will be made by the Company or on behalf of the Company by
such Person as the Company shall designate; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such
calculation shall not be a duty or obligation of the Trustee.

         "TREASURY RATE" means, with respect to a Redemption Date, the yield to
maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a
constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve
Statistical Release H.15(519) that has become publicly available at least two
Business Days prior to such Redemption Date (or, if such Statistical Release is
no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most
nearly equal to the period from such Redemption Date to August 15, 2008;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the period from such Redemption Date to August 15,
2008 is not equal to the constant maturity of the United States Treasury
security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be
obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a
year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for
which such yields are given, except that if the period from such Redemption Date
to August 15, 2008 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually
traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one
year shall be used.

         OPTIONAL REDEMPTION UPON EQUITY OFFERINGS. At any time, or from time to
time, on or prior to August 15, 2004, the Company may, at its option, use the
net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings to redeem up to 35% of the
principal amount of the Notes issued under the Indenture at a redemption price
of 108.75% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest
thereon, if any, to the date of redemption; PROVIDED that:

                  (1) at least 65% of the principal amount of Notes issued under
         the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after any such
         redemption; and

                                      A-4


                  (2) the Company makes such redemption not more than 60 days
         after the consummation of any such Equity Offering.

         6.  MANDATORY REDEMPTION.

         Except as set forth in paragraph 7 below, the Company shall not be
required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.

         7.  REPURCHASE AT OPTION OF HOLDER.

         Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will be
required to offer to purchase all of the outstanding Notes at a purchase price
equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest,
if any, thereon to the date of repurchase.

         8. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be mailed at least
30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder
whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. Notes in denominations
larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of
$1,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and
after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof
called for redemption.

         9. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form
without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The
transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in
the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other
things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the
Company and the Trustee may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required
by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register
the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except
for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company
need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days
before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record
date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

         10. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be
treated as its owner for all purposes.

         11. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions,
the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the written
consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then
outstanding Notes voting as a single class, and any existing default or
compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with
the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then
outstanding Notes voting as a single class. Without the consent of any Holder of
a Note, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented to cure any
ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Notes in
addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to provide for the assumption of
the Company's obligations to Holders of the Notes in case of a merger or
consolidation, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or
benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect in any
material respects the rights under the Indenture of any such Holder, to comply
with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the
qualification of the Indenture under the


                                      A-5


Trust Indenture Act or to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
under the Indenture of a successor Trustee.

         12. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Events of Default are set forth in the
Indenture. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the
Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may
declare all the Notes to be due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in
the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or
insolvency, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further
action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as
provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority
in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in
writing in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from
Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default
(except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or
interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all
of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences
under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the
payment of interest on, or the principal of, the Notes. The Company is required
to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the
Indenture, and the Company is required upon becoming aware of any Default or
Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default
or Event of Default.

         13. TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or
any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform
services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the
Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

         14. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. A director, officer, employee,
incorporator or stockholder, of the Company, as such, shall not have any
liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture or
for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or
their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such
liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance
of the Notes.

         15. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by
the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

         16. ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a
Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (=
tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts
to Minors Act).

         17. CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the
Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused
CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers
in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made
as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as
contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the
other identification numbers placed thereon.

                                      A-6


         The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without
charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

iStar Financial Inc.
1114 Avenue of the Americas, 27th Floor
New York, NY  10036
Attention:  Investor Relations




                                      A-7



                                ASSIGNMENT FORM

         To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to: __________________________________
                                             (Insert assignee's legal name)
________________________________________________________________________________
                  (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
              (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)
and irrevocably appoint ________________________________________________________
to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute
another to act for him.

Date:  _______________
                               Your Signature:__________________________________
                                  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face
                               of this Note)


Signature Guarantee*:  _________________________

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other
signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).




                                      A-8




                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

         If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company
pursuant to Section 4.13 of the Indenture, check the following box: / /

         If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the
Company pursuant to Section 4.13 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to
have purchased:

                                      $________________

Date:    _______________

                                          Your Signature: ______________________
                                             (Sign exactly as your name appears
                                          on the face of this Note)

                                          Tax Identification No.:_______________

Signature Guarantee*:  _________________________

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other
signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).




                                      A-9





             SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE

         The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest
in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of
another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have
been made:



                                 Amount of               Amount of         Principal Amount of
                                decrease in             increase in         this Global Note            Signature of
                              Principal Amount       Principal Amount        following such        authorized officer of
                              of this Global          of this Global            decrease              Trustee or Note
    Date of Exchange               Note                    Note               (or increase)              Custodian
 ---------------------        -------------          ----------------      --------------------    --------------------
                                                                                        






                                                                A-10