EXHIBIT 1.1

 
                               8,000,000 SHARES


                                 CAPITAL TRUST

                 CLASS A COMMON SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST,
                                $1.00 PAR VALUE




                            UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT


December __, 1997

 
                                                  December __, 1997



Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
    Incorporated
Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Inc.
c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
    1585 Broadway
    New York, New York 10036

Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited
Merrill Lynch International
Morgan Grenfell & Co. Limited
c/o  Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited
     25 Cabot Square
     Canary Wharf
     London E14 4QA
     England

Dear Sirs and Mesdames:

     Capital Trust (such trust and the trustees thereof acting in their
capacities as such being referred to herein as the "COMPANY"), a California
business trust, proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters (as
defined below) 8,000,000 of the Class A Common Shares of Beneficial Interest,
$1.00 par value, in the Company (the "FIRM SHARES").

     It is understood that, subject to the conditions hereinafter stated,
6,400,000 Firm Shares (the "U.S. FIRM SHARES") will be sold to the several U.S.
Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the "U.S. UNDERWRITERS") in connection
with the offering and sale of such U.S. Firm Shares in the United States and
Canada to United States and Canadian Persons (as such terms are defined in the
Agreement Between U.S. and International Underwriters of even date herewith),
and 1,600,000 Firm Shares (the "INTERNATIONAL SHARES") will be sold to the
several International Underwriters named in Schedule II hereto (the
"INTERNATIONAL UNDERWRITERS") in connection with the offering and sale of such
International Shares outside the United States and Canada to persons other than
United States and Canadian Persons.  Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Inc.

 
shall act as representatives (the "U.S. REPRESENTATIVES") of the several U.S.
Underwriters, and Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited, Merrill Lynch
International and Morgan Grenfell & Co. Limited shall act as representatives
(the "INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES") of the several International Underwriters.
The U.S. Underwriters and the International Underwriters are hereinafter
collectively referred to as the Underwriters.

     The Company also proposes to issue and sell to the several U.S.
Underwriters not more than an additional 1,200,000 of the Class A Common Shares
of Beneficial Interest, $1.00 par value, in the Company (the "ADDITIONAL
SHARES"), if and to the extent that the U.S. Representatives shall have
determined to exercise, on behalf of the U.S. Underwriters, the right to
purchase such common shares of beneficial interest granted to the U.S.
Underwriters in Section 2 hereof.  The Firm Shares and the Additional Shares are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "SHARES." The Class A Common Shares
of Beneficial Interest, $1.00 par value, in the Company to be outstanding after
giving effect to the sales contemplated hereby are hereinafter referred to as
the "CLASS A COMMON SHARES."  The Class A Common Shares and the Class B Common
Shares of Beneficial Interest, $1.00 par value, in the Company (none of which
are currently outstanding) are hereinafter referred to as the "COMMON SHARES."

     The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"COMMISSION") a registration statement (File No. 333-37271) relating to the
Shares.  The registration statement contains two prospectuses to be used in
connection with the offering and sale of the Shares:  the U.S. prospectus, to be
used in connection with the offering and sale of Shares in the United States and
Canada to United States and Canadian Persons, and the international prospectus,
to be used in connection with the offering and sale of Shares outside the United
States and Canada to persons other than United States and Canadian Persons.  The
international prospectus is identical to the U.S. prospectus except for the
outside front cover page.  The registration statement as amended at the time it
becomes effective, including the information (if any) deemed to be part of the
registration statement at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"), is hereinafter
referred to as the "REGISTRATION STATEMENT"; the U.S. prospectus and the
international prospectus in the respective forms first used to confirm sales of
Shares are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "PROSPECTUS." If the
Company has filed an abbreviated registration statement to register additional
Class A Common Shares pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the
"RULE 462 REGISTRATION STATEMENT"), then any reference herein to the term
"Registration Statement" shall be deemed to include such Rule 462 Registration
Statement.

                                       2

 
     As part of the offering contemplated by this Agreement, Morgan Stanley &
Co. Incorporated ("MORGAN STANLEY") has agreed to reserve out of the U.S. Firm
Shares set forth opposite its name on Schedule I to this Agreement, up to
400,000 Class A Common Shares, for sale to the Company's employees, officers and
trustees and other parties associated with the Company (collectively,
"PARTICIPANTS"), as set forth in the Prospectus under the heading "Underwriters"
(the "DIRECTED SHARE PROGRAM").  The Shares to be sold by Morgan Stanley
pursuant to the Directed Share Program (the "DIRECTED SHARES") will be sold by
Morgan Stanley pursuant to this Agreement at the public offering price.  Any
Directed Shares not orally confirmed for purchase by any Participants by the end
of the first business day after the date on which this Agreement is executed
will be offered to the public by Morgan Stanley as set forth in the Prospectus.

       1.   Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants
to and agrees with each of the Underwriters that:

            (a)  The Registration Statement has become effective; no stop order
     suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect,
     and no proceedings for such purpose are pending before or threatened by the
     Commission.

            (b)  (i)  The Registration Statement, when it became effective, did
     not contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not
     contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
     fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
     therein not misleading, (ii) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
     comply and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will comply in all
     material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and
     regulations of the Commission thereunder and (iii) the Prospectus does not
     contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain
     any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
     necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
     under which they were made, not misleading, except that the representations
     and warranties set forth in this paragraph do not apply to statements or
     omissions in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus based upon
     information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing
     by such Underwriter through you expressly for use therein.

            (c)  The Company has been duly created, is validly existing as a
     business trust under the laws of the jurisdiction of its creation, has the
     trust power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business
     as described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business
     in

                                       3

 
     each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership
     or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent
     that the failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse
     effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

            (d)  Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly organized, is
     validly existing as a partnership, limited liability company or corporation
     in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization,
     has the power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business
     as described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business
     and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its
     business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such
     qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or
     be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the Company
     and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; all of the issued partnership
     units, limited liability company interests or shares of capital stock of
     each subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and
     issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned directly or
     indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances,
     equities or claims.

            (e)  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
     by the Company.

            (f)  The authorized shares of beneficial interest in the Company
     conform as to legal matters to the description thereof contained in the
     Prospectus.

            (g)  The Common Shares outstanding prior to the issuance of the
     Shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and
     non-assessable.

            (h)  The Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and
     delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be validly
     issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance of such Shares will
     not be subject to any preemptive or similar rights.  Holders of Common
     Shares shall not be personally liable as such for any liabilities, debts or
     obligations of, or claims against, the Company, whether arising before or
     after such holder became the owner or holder of the Common Shares.

            (i)  The execution and delivery by the Company of, and the
     performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement will
     not contravene any provision of applicable law or the Amended and Restated
     Declaration of Trust dated as of July 15, 1997 (the "AMENDED

                                       4

 
     AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST") or By-laws of the Company or any
     agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as
     a whole, or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency
     or court having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary, and no
     consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any
     governmental body or agency is required for the performance by the Company
     of its obligations under this Agreement, except such as have been obtained
     and made under the Securities Act and such as may be required by the
     securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states in connection with the
     offer and sale of the Shares.

            (j)  There has not occurred any material adverse change, or any
     development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the
     condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or
     operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from that
     set forth in the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendments or supplements
     thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement).

            (k)  There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or
     threatened to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to
     which any of the properties of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
     subject that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or
     the Prospectus and are not so described or any statutes, regulations,
     contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the
     Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the
     Registration Statement that are not described or filed as required.

            (l)  Each preliminary prospectus filed as part of the registration
     statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or filed
     pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, complied when so filed in
     all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and
     regulations of the Commission thereunder.

            (m)  The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and
     sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof as described
     in the Prospectus, will not be an "investment company" as such term is
     defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

            (n)  There are no costs or liabilities associated with any and all
     applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating
     to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous
     or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants

                                       5

 
     ("ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS") (including, without limitation, any capital or
     operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or
     compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any
     related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities
     to third parties) which would, singly or in the aggregate, have a material
     adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

            (o)  Except as described in the Prospectus, there are no contracts,
     agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting
     such person the right to require the Company to file a registration
     statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the
     Company or to require the Company to include such securities with the
     Shares registered pursuant to the Registration Statement.

            (p)  Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is
     given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, (i) the Company and
     its subsidiaries have not incurred any material liability or obligation,
     direct or contingent, nor entered into any material transaction not in the
     ordinary course of business; (ii) the Company has not purchased any of its
     outstanding shares of beneficial interest, nor declared, paid or otherwise
     made any dividend or distribution of any kind on its shares of beneficial
     interest other than ordinary and customary dividends; and (iii) there has
     not been any material change in the shares of beneficial interest, capital
     stock, short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company and its
     consolidated subsidiaries, except in each case as described in or
     contemplated by the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendments or supplements
     thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement).

            (q)  The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title
     in fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title to all
     personal property owned by them which is material to the business of the
     Company and its subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens,
     encumbrances and defects except such as are described in the Prospectus or
     such as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not
     interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the
     Company and its subsidiaries; and any real property and buildings held
     under lease by the Company and its subsidiaries are held by them under
     valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not
     material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of
     such property and buildings by the Company and its subsidiaries, in each
     case except as described in or contemplated by the Prospectus.

                                       6

 
            (r)  The Company and each of its subsidiaries are insured by
     insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and
     risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in
     which they are engaged; neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has
     been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and neither the
     Company nor any such subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not
     be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage
     expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be
     necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have a material
     adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
     except as described in or contemplated by the Prospectus.

            (s)  The Company and its subsidiaries possess all certificates,
     authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state or
     foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective
     businesses, and neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has received
     any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any
     such certificate, authorization or permit which, singly or in the
     aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding,
     would have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries,
     taken as a whole, except as described in or contemplated by the Prospectus.

            (t)  The Company and each of its subsidiaries maintains a system of
     internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance
     that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management's general
     or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to
     permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
     accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability; (iii)
     access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management's general
     or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets
     is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and
     appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

            (u)  Except as described in the Prospectus (exclusive of any
     amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this
     Agreement), the Company has not sold, issued or distributed any Common
     Shares during the six-month period preceding the date hereof, including any
     sales pursuant to Rule 144A under, or Regulation D or S of, the Securities
     Act, other than shares issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified
     share option plans or other employee compensation plans or pursuant to
     outstanding options, rights or warrants.

                                       7

 
            (v)  There is no default under any indenture, mortgage, deed of
     trust, voting trust agreement, loan agreement, bond, debenture, note
     agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, lease, contract or other
     agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
     a party, affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries or relating to
     any of the properties of the Company or of its subsidiaries, the violation
     of which would individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse
     effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

            (w)  The Shares will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange when
     issued.

            (x)  Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, the Company
     has not directly or indirectly, (i) taken any action designed to cause or
     to result in, or that has constituted or which might reasonably be expected
     to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any
     security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares or
     (ii) since the filing of the Registration Statement (A) sold, bid for,
     purchased, or paid anyone any compensation for soliciting purchases of, the
     Shares or (B) paid or agreed to pay to any person any compensation for
     soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company.

            (y)  The Company has not offered, or caused the Underwriters to
     offer, Shares to any person pursuant to the Directed Share Program with the
     specific intent to unlawfully influence (i) a customer or supplier of the
     Company to alter the customer's or supplier's level or type of business
     with the Company, or (ii) a trade journalist or publication to write or
     publish favorable information about the Company or its products.

     Furthermore, the Company represents and warrants to Morgan Stanley that (i)
the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and any preliminary prospectus
comply, and any further amendments or supplements thereto will comply, with any
applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the Prospectus
or any preliminary prospectus, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, are
distributed in connection with the Directed Share Program, and that (ii) no
authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration or qualification
of or with any government, governmental instrumentality or court, other than
such as have been obtained, is necessary under the securities laws and
regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the Directed Shares are offered
outside the United States.

       2.   Agreements to Sell and Purchase.  The Company hereby agrees to sell
to the several Underwriters, and each Underwriter, upon the basis of the

                                       8

 
representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the conditions
hereinafter stated, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the
Company the respective numbers of Firm Shares set forth in Schedules I and II
hereto opposite its names at U.S.$_____ a share ("PURCHASE PRICE").

     On the basis of the representations and warranties contained in this
Agreement, and subject to its terms and conditions, the Company agrees to sell
to the U.S. Underwriters the Additional Shares, and the U.S. Underwriters shall
have a one-time right to purchase, severally and not jointly, up to 1,200,000
Additional Shares at the Purchase Price.  If the U.S. Representatives, on behalf
of the U.S. Underwriters, elect to exercise such option, the U.S.
Representatives shall so notify the Company in writing not later than 30 days
after the date of this Agreement, which notice shall specify the number of
Additional Shares to be purchased by the U.S. Underwriters and the date on which
such shares are to be purchased.  Such date may be the same as the Closing Date
(as defined below) but not earlier than the Closing Date nor later than ten
business days after the date of such notice. Additional Shares may be purchased
as provided in Section 4 hereof solely for the purpose of covering over-
allotments made in connection with the offering of the Firm Shares.  If any
Additional Shares are to be purchased, each U.S. Underwriter agrees, severally
and not jointly, to purchase the number of Additional Shares (subject to such
adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as the U.S. Representatives may
determine) that bears the same proportion to the total number of Additional
Shares to be purchased as the number of U.S. Firm Shares set forth in Schedule I
hereto opposite the name of such U.S. Underwriter bears to the total number of
U.S. Firm Shares.

     The Company hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of Morgan
Stanley on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period ending 180
days after the date of the Prospectus, (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to
sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract
to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise
transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Class A Common Shares or any
securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Common
Shares or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to
another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of
the Class A Common Shares, whether any such transaction described in clause (i)
or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Class A Common Shares or such
other securities, in cash or otherwise.  The restrictions described in this
paragraph do not apply to (A) the Shares to be sold hereunder, (B) the issuance
by the Company of shares pursuant to the Company's 1997 Long-Term Incentive
Share Plan or its 1997 Non-Employee Trustee Share Plan, (C) the issuance by the
Company of Class A Common Shares upon conversion of outstanding class A 9.5%
preferred shares or (D) the issuance by the Company of Class A Common Shares or
any securities

                                       9

 
convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Common Shares in
connection with an acquisition, by merger or consolidation with, or by purchase
of a substantial portion of the assets of, or by any other manner, of any
business or any corporation, partnership, association or other business
organization or division thereof which is not affiliated with Veqtor Finance
Company, LLC, Equity Group Investments, Inc., V2 Holdings LLC or Messrs. Samuel
Zell, John R. Klopp or Craig M. Hatkoff.

       3.   Terms of Public Offering.  The Company is advised by you that the
Underwriters propose to make a public offering of their respective portions of
the Shares as soon after the Registration Statement and this Agreement have
become effective as in your judgment is advisable.  The Company is further
advised by you that the Shares are to be offered to the public initially at
U.S.$_____ a share (the "PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE") and to certain dealers selected
by you at a price that represents a concession not in excess of U.S.$____ a
share under the Public Offering Price, and that any Underwriter may allow, and
such dealers may reallow, a concession, not in excess of U.S.$____ a share, to
any Underwriter or to certain other dealers.

       4.   Payment and Delivery.  Payment for the Firm Shares shall be made to
the Company in Federal or other funds immediately available in New York City
against delivery of such Firm Shares for the respective accounts of the several
Underwriters at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on December __, 1997, or at such
other time on the same or such other date, not later than December __, 1997, as
shall be designated in writing by you.  The time and date of such payment are
hereinafter referred to as the "CLOSING DATE."

     Payment for any Additional Shares shall be made to the Company in Federal
or other funds immediately available in New York City against delivery of such
Additional Shares for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters at
10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date specified in the notice described in
Section 2 or at such other time on the same or on such other date, in any event
not later than January __, 1998, as shall be designated in writing by the U.S.
Representatives.  The time and date of such payment are hereinafter referred to
as the "OPTION CLOSING DATE."

     Certificates for the Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be in
definitive form and registered in such names and in such denominations as you
shall request in writing not later than one full business day prior to the
Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be.  The certificates
evidencing the Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be delivered to you on
the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for the
respective accounts of the several Underwriters, with any transfer taxes payable
in connection with the

                                       10

 
transfer of the Shares to the Underwriters duly paid, against payment of the
Purchase Price therefor.

       5.   Conditions to the Underwriters' Obligations.  The obligations of the
Company to sell the Shares to the Underwriters and the several obligations of
the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Shares on the Closing Date are
subject to the condition that the Registration Statement shall have become
effective not later than 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date hereof.

     The several obligations of the Underwriters are subject to the following
further conditions:

            (a)  Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
     prior to the Closing Date, there shall not have occurred any change, or any
     development involving a prospective change, in the condition, financial or
     otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company and
     its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from that set forth in the Prospectus
     (exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date
     of this Agreement) that, in your judgment, is material and adverse and that
     makes it, in your judgment, impracticable to market the Shares on the terms
     and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.

            (b)  The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date a
     certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of
     the Company, to the effect that the representations and warranties of the
     Company contained in this Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing
     Date and that the Company has complied with all of the agreements and
     satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied
     hereunder on or before the Closing Date.

          The officer signing and delivering such certificate may rely upon the
     best of his or her knowledge as to proceedings threatened.

            (c)  The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an
     opinion of Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger LLP, special
     counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date, indicating that Davis Polk
     & Wardwell may rely on its opinion with regard to the matters referred to
     in Sections 5(c)(iv) and 5(c)(v) for the purpose of rendering the opinion
     required of Davis Polk & Wardwell pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement
     and to the effect that:

                                       11

 
                  (i)  the Company has been duly created, is validly existing as
          a business trust under the laws of the jurisdiction of its creation,
          has the trust power and authority to own its property and to conduct
          its business as described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to
          transact business in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its
          business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such
          qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so
          qualified would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and
          its subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

                  (ii)  the authorized shares of beneficial interest in the
          Company conform as to legal matters to the description thereof
          contained in the Prospectus;

                  (iii) the Common Shares outstanding prior to the issuance of
          the Shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully
          paid and non-assessable;

                  (iv)  the Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued
          and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be
          validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance of
          such Shares will not be subject to any preemptive or similar rights.
          Holders of Common Shares shall not be personally liable as such for
          any liabilities, debts or obligations of, or claims against, the
          Company, whether arising before or after such holder became the owner
          or holder of the Common Shares; and

                  (v)  this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
          delivered by the Company.

            (d)  The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an
     opinion of Battle Fowler LLP, special counsel for the Company, dated the
     Closing Date, to the effect that:

                  (i)  each subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated
          or organized, is validly existing as a corporation, partnership or
          limited liability company, as the case may be, in good standing under
          the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has the corporate
          power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as
          described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business
          and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of
          its business or its

                                       12

 
          ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except
          to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good
          standing would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and
          its subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

                  (ii) all of the issued partnership units, limited liability
          company interests or shares of capital stock of each subsidiary of the
          Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully
          paid and non-assessable and are owned directly or indirectly by the
          Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or
          claims;

                  (iii) the execution and delivery by the Company of, and the
          performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement
          will not contravene any provision of applicable law or the Amended and
          Restated Declaration of Trust or By-laws of the Company or, to the
          best of such counsel's knowledge, any agreement or other instrument
          binding upon the Company or any of its subsidiaries that is material
          to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or, to the best
          of such counsel's knowledge, any judgment, order or decree of any
          governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the
          Company or any subsidiary, and no consent, approval, authorization or
          order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency is
          required for the performance by the Company of its obligations under
          this Agreement, except such as have been obtained and made under the
          Securities Act and such as may be required by the securities or Blue
          Sky laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale
          of the Shares by the U.S. Underwriters;

                  (iv) the statements (A) in the Prospectus under the captions
          "Shares Eligible for Future Sale," "Certain Transactions,"
          "Management," "Description of Capital Shares" and "Underwriters" and
          (B) in the Registration Statement in Items 14 and 15, in each case
          insofar as such statements constitute summaries of the legal matters,
          documents or proceedings referred to therein, fairly present the
          information called for with respect to such legal matters, documents
          and proceedings and fairly summarize the matters referred to therein;

                  (v) after due inquiry, such counsel does not know of any
          legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened to which the
          Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of

                                       13

 
          the properties of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject
          that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the
          Prospectus and are not so described or of any statutes, regulations,
          contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the
          Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to
          the Registration Statement that are not described or filed as
          required;

                  (vi) the Company is not and, after giving effect to the
          offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds
          thereof as described in the Prospectus, will not be an "investment
          company" as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of
          1940, as amended;

                  (vii) (A) such counsel is of the opinion that the
          Registration Statement and Prospectus (except for financial statements
          and schedules and other financial and statistical data included
          therein as to which such counsel need not express any opinion) comply
          as to form in all material respects with the Securities Act and the
          applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, (B) no
          facts have come to the attention of such counsel that have caused such
          counsel to believe that (except for financial statements and schedules
          and other financial and statistical data as to which such counsel need
          not express any belief) the Registration Statement and the prospectus
          included therein at the time the Registration Statement became
          effective contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted
          to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
          make the statements therein not misleading (other than information
          omitted therefrom in reliance on Rule 430A under the Securities Act)
          and (C) such counsel has no reason to believe that (except for
          financial statements and schedules and other financial, accounting and
          statistical data as to which such counsel need not express any belief)
          the Prospectus contains any untrue statement of a material fact or
          omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
          statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
          were made, not misleading.

            (e) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an
     opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell, counsel for the Underwriters, dated the
     Closing Date, covering the matters referred to in Sections 5(c)(iv),
     5(c)(v), 5(d)(iv) (but only as to the statements in the Prospectus under
     "Description of Capital Shares" and "Underwriters") and 5(d)(vii) above.

                                       14

 
     Davis Polk & Wardwell may rely on the opinion of Greenberg Glusker Fields
     Claman & Machtinger LLP with regard to the matters referred to in Sections
     5(c)(iv) and 5(c)(v) for the purpose of rendering the opinion required of
     Davis Polk & Wardwell pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement.

          With respect to Section 5(d)(vii) above, Battle Fowler LLP and Davis
     Polk & Wardwell may state that their opinion and belief are based upon
     their participation in the preparation of the Registration Statement and
     Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto and review and
     discussion of the contents thereof, but are without independent check or
     verification, except as specified.

          The opinions of Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger LLP and
     Battle Fowler LLP described in Section 5(c) and Section 5(d), respectively,
     above shall be rendered to the Underwriters at the request of the Company
     and shall so state therein.

            (f)  The Underwriters shall have received, on each of the date
     hereof and the Closing Date, letters dated the date hereof or the Closing
     Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to the
     Underwriters, from Ernst & Young LLP, Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.,  David
     Berdon & Co. LLP, BDO Binder, Arthur Andersen LLP, Tackman, Pilla, Arnone
     and Company, P.C. and Margolin, Winer & Evens LLP,  independent public
     accountants, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily
     included in accountants' "comfort letters" to underwriters with respect to
     the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the
     Registration Statement and the Prospectus; provided that the letter
     delivered on the Closing Date shall use a "cut-off date" not earlier than
     the date hereof.

            (g)  The "lock-up" agreements, each substantially in the form of
     Exhibit A hereto, between you and certain trustees, executive officers and
     affiliates of the Company and Veqtor Finance Company, LLC relating to sales
     and certain other dispositions of Common Shares or certain other
     securities, delivered to you on or before the date hereof, shall be in full
     force and effect on the Closing Date.

            (h)  The several obligations of the U.S. Underwriters to purchase
     Additional Shares hereunder are subject to the delivery to the U.S.
     Representatives on the Option Closing Date of such documents as they may
     reasonably request with respect to the qualification of the Company,

                                       15

 
     the due authorization and issuance of the Additional Shares and other
     matters related to the issuance of the Additional Shares.

       6.   Covenants of the Company. In further consideration of the agreements
of the Underwriters herein contained, the Company covenants with each
Underwriter as follows:

            (a)  To furnish to you, without charge, seven signed copies of the
     Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and for delivery to
     each other Underwriter a conformed copy of the Registration Statement
     (without exhibits thereto) and to furnish to you in New York City, without
     charge, prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the business day next
     succeeding the date of this Agreement and during the period mentioned in
     Section 6(c) below, as many copies of the Prospectus and any supplements
     and amendments thereto or to the Registration Statement as you may
     reasonably request.

            (b)  Before amending or supplementing the Registration Statement or
     the Prospectus, to furnish to you a copy of each such proposed amendment or
     supplement and not to file any such proposed amendment or supplement to
     which you reasonably object, and to file with the Commission within the
     applicable period specified in Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act any
     prospectus required to be filed pursuant to such Rule.

            (c)  If, during such period after the first date of the public
     offering of the Shares as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters
     the Prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with sales
     by an Underwriter or dealer, any event shall occur or condition exist as a
     result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in
     order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
     when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if, in
     the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, it is necessary to amend or
     supplement the Prospectus to comply with applicable law, forthwith to
     prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the
     Underwriters and to the dealers (whose names and addresses you will furnish
     to the Company) to which Shares may have been sold by you on behalf of the
     Underwriters and to any other dealers upon request, either amendments or
     supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as
     so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when
     the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the
     Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with law.

                                       16

 
            (d)  To endeavor to qualify the Shares for offer and sale under the
     securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as you shall reasonably
     request.

            (e)  To make generally available to the Company's security holders
     and to you as soon as practicable an earning statement covering the twelve-
     month period ending December 31, 1998 that satisfies the provisions of
     Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the
     Commission thereunder.

            (f)  Whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement
     are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, to pay or cause to be paid
     all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this
     Agreement, including: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the
     Company's counsel and the Company's accountants in connection with the
     registration and delivery of the Shares under the Securities Act and all
     other fees or expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the
     Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus and
     amendments and supplements to any of the foregoing, including all printing
     costs associated therewith, and the mailing and delivering of copies
     thereof to the Underwriters and dealers, in the quantities hereinabove
     specified, (ii) all costs and expenses related to the transfer and delivery
     of the Shares to the Underwriters, including any transfer or other taxes
     payable thereon, (iii) the cost of printing or producing any Blue Sky or
     Legal Investment memorandum in connection with the offer and sale of the
     Shares under state securities laws and all expenses in connection with the
     qualification of the Shares for offer and sale under state securities laws
     as provided in Section 6(d) hereof, including filing fees and the
     reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in
     connection with such qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky or
     Legal Investment memorandum, (iv) all filing fees and the reasonable fees
     and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters incurred in connection
     with the review and qualification of the offering of the Shares by the
     National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., (v) all costs and
     expenses incident to listing the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange,
     (vi) the cost of printing certificates representing the Shares, (vii) the
     costs and charges of any transfer agent, registrar or depositary, (viii)
     the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on
     any "road show" undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering
     of the Shares, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the
     production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any
     consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations with the
     prior

                                       17

 
     approval of the Company, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives
     and officers of the Company and any such consultants, and the cost of any
     aircraft chartered in connection with the road show, (ix) all expenses in
     connection with any offer and sale of the Shares outside of the United
     States, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of
     counsel for the Underwriters in connection with offers and sales outside of
     the United States and (x) all other costs and expenses incident to the
     performance of the obligations of the Company hereunder for which provision
     is not otherwise made in this Section. It is understood, however, that
     except as provided in this Section, Section 7 entitled "Indemnity and
     Contribution," and the last paragraph of Section 9 below, the Underwriters
     will pay all of their costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements
     of their counsel, stock transfer taxes payable on resale of any of the
     Shares by them and any advertising expenses connected with any offers they
     may make.

            (g)  That in connection with the Directed Share Program, the Company
     will ensure that the Directed Shares will be restricted to the extent
     required by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the
     "NASD") or the NASD rules from sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or
     hypothecation for a period of three months following the date of the
     effectiveness of the Registration Statement.  Morgan Stanley will notify
     the Company as to which Participants will need to be so restricted.  The
     Company will direct the transfer agent to place stop transfer restrictions
     upon such securities for such period of time.

            (h)  To pay all fees and disbursements of counsel incurred by the
     Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program and stamp
     duties, similar taxes or duties or other taxes, if any, incurred by the
     Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program.

     Furthermore, the Company covenants with Morgan Stanley that the Company
will comply with all applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules and
regulations in each foreign jurisdiction in which the Directed Shares are
offered in connection with the Directed Share Program.

       7.   Indemnity and Contribution. (a)  The Company agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless each Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any
Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or
Section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "EXCHANGE
ACT"), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities
(including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred
in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) caused
by

                                       18

 
any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained
in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary
prospectus or the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall
have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto), or caused by any omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except
insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any such
untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon
information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by
such Underwriter through you expressly for use therein.

            (b)  The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Morgan
     Stanley and each person, if any, who controls Morgan Stanley within the
     meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the
     Exchange Act ("MORGAN STANLEY ENTITIES"), from and against any and all
     losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any
     legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or
     investigating any such action or claim) (i) caused by any untrue statement
     or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the prospectus
     wrapper material prepared by or with the consent of the Company for
     distribution in foreign jurisdictions in connection with the Directed Share
     Program attached to the Prospectus or any preliminary prospectus, or caused
     by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
     required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement therein,
     when considered in conjunction with the Prospectus or any applicable
     preliminary prospectus, not misleading; (ii) caused by the failure of any
     Participant to pay for and accept delivery of the shares which, immediately
     following the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, were subject to
     a properly confirmed agreement to purchase; or (iii) related to, arising
     out of, or in connection with the Directed Program, provided that, the
     Company shall not be responsible under this subparagraph (iii) for any
     losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or expenses relating thereto) that
     are finally judicially determined to have resulted from the bad faith or
     gross negligence of Morgan Stanley Entities.

            (c)  Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to
     indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its trustees, its officers who
     sign the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the
     Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or
     Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the foregoing
     indemnity from the Company to such Underwriter, but only with reference to
     information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company in
     writing by such Underwriter through you expressly for use in the

                                       19

 
     Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any
     amendments or supplements thereto.

            (d)  In case any proceeding (including any governmental
     investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect of which
     indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 7(a), 7(b) or 7(c), such person
     (the "INDEMNIFIED PARTY") shall promptly notify the person against whom
     such indemnity may be sought (the "INDEMNIFYING PARTY") in writing and the
     indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain
     counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the
     indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in
     such proceeding and shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel
     related to such proceeding.  In any such proceeding, any indemnified party
     shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses
     of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless
     (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually
     agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any
     such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the
     indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both
     parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or
     potential differing interests between them.  It is understood that the
     indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of any
     indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings
     in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than
     one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all such
     indemnified parties and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed
     as they are incurred.  Such firm shall be designated in writing by Morgan
     Stanley, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 7(a) and
     7(b), and by the Company, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to
     Section 7(c).  The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any
     settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if
     settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the
     plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party
     from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or
     judgment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an
     indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse
     the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by
     the second and third sentences of this paragraph, the indemnifying party
     agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding
     effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into
     more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid
     request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the
     indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such
 

                                       20

 
     settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent
     of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or
     threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could
     have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such
     indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release
     of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject
     matter of such proceeding.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to
     the contrary, if indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 7(b) hereof in
     respect of such action or proceeding, then in addition to such separate
     firm for the indemnified parties, the indemnifying party shall be liable
     for the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one separate firm (in
     addition to any local counsel) for Morgan Stanley for the defense of any
     losses, claims, damages and liabilities arising out of the Directed Share
     Program, and all persons, if any, who control Morgan Stanley within the
     meaning of either Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act.

            (e)  To the extent the indemnification provided for in Section 7(a),
     7(b) or 7(c) is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient in
     respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein,
     then each indemnifying party under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying
     such indemnified party thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or
     payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims,
     damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
     the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the
     Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Shares or (ii) if
     the allocation provided by clause 7(e)(i) above is not permitted by
     applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only
     the relative benefits referred to in clause 7(e)(i) above but also the
     relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Underwriters on
     the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted
     in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other
     relevant equitable considerations.  The relative benefits received by the
     Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in
     connection with the offering of the Shares shall be deemed to be in the
     same respective proportions as the net proceeds from the offering of the
     Shares (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total
     underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in
     each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to
     the aggregate Public Offering Price of the Shares.  The relative fault of
     the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be
     determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
     alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged
     omission to state a

                                       21

 
     material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the
     Underwriters and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
     information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or
     omission. The Underwriters' respective obligations to contribute pursuant
     to this Section 7 are several in proportion to the respective number of
     Shares they have purchased hereunder, and not joint.

            (f)  The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be
     just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were
     determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as
     one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does
     not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section
     7(e).  The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of
     the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in the immediately
     preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations
     set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
     indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such
     action or claim.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no
     Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the
     amount by which the total price at which the Shares underwritten by it and
     distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of
     any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by
     reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
     omission.  No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the
     meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
     contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
     misrepresentation.  The remedies provided for in this Section 7 are not
     exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be
     available to any indemnified party at law or in equity.

            (g)  The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this
     Section 7 and the representations, warranties and other statements of the
     Company contained in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full
     force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii)
     any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any person
     controlling any Underwriter or by or on behalf of the Company, its officers
     or trustees or any person controlling the Company and (iii) acceptance of
     and payment for any of the Shares.

       8.   Termination.  This Agreement shall be subject to termination by
notice given by you to the Company, if (a) after the execution and delivery of
this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have
been suspended or materially limited on or by, as the case may be, any of the
New

                                       22

 
York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc., the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, the Chicago
Mercantile Exchange or the Chicago Board of Trade, (ii) trading of any
securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any
over-the-counter market, (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking
activities in New York shall have been declared by either Federal or New York
State authorities or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation
of hostilities or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis
that, in your judgment, is material and adverse and (b) in the case of any of
the events specified in clauses 8(a)(i) through 8(a)(iv), such event, singly or
together with any other such event, makes it, in your judgment, impracticable to
market the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.

       9.   Effectiveness; Defaulting Underwriters.  This Agreement shall become
effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto.

     If, on the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, any
one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Shares that it
has or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the aggregate
number of Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but
failed or refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the aggregate number
of the Shares to be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters shall be
obligated severally in the proportions that the number of Firm Shares set forth
opposite their respective names in Schedule I or Schedule II bears to the
aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of all such non-
defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as you may specify, to
purchase the Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but
failed or refused to purchase on such date; provided that in no event shall the
number of Shares that any Underwriter has agreed to purchase pursuant to this
Agreement be increased pursuant to this Section 9 by an amount in excess of one-
ninth of such number of Shares without the written consent of such Underwriter.
If, on the Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to
purchase Firm Shares and the aggregate number of Firm Shares with respect to
which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Firm
Shares to be purchased, and arrangements satisfactory to you and the Company for
the purchase of such Firm Shares are not made within 36 hours after such
default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any
non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company.  In any such case either you or the
Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for
longer than seven days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the
Registration Statement and in the Prospectus or in any other documents or
arrangements may be effected.  If, on the Option Closing Date, any Underwriter
or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Additional Shares and the
aggregate number of Additional Shares

                                       23

 
with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the
aggregate number of Additional Shares to be purchased, the non-defaulting
Underwriters shall have the option to (i) terminate their obligation hereunder
to purchase Additional Shares or (ii) purchase not less than the number of
Additional Shares that such non-defaulting Underwriters would have been
obligated to purchase in the absence of such default. Any action taken under
this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in
respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.

     If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters, or any of them,
because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Company to comply with the
terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement, or if for any
reason the Company shall be unable to perform its obligations under this
Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters or such Underwriters as
have so terminated this Agreement with respect to themselves, severally, for all
out-of-pocket expenses (including the fees and disbursements of their counsel)
reasonably incurred by such Underwriters in connection with this Agreement or
the offering contemplated hereunder.

       10. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the
signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

       11. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

       12. Headings. The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been
inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed a part of
this Agreement.

                         Very truly yours,

                         CAPITAL TRUST


                         By: __________________________________
                            Name:  John R. Klopp
                            Title: Vice Chairman and
                                   Chief Executive Officer

                                       24

 
Accepted as of the date hereof

MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
   INCORPORATED
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER &
   SMITH INCORPORATED
DEUTSCHE MORGAN GRENFELL INC.

Acting severally on behalf of themselves and
  the several U.S. Underwriters named in
  Schedule I hereto.

By: Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated


By: __________________________________________
    Name:
    Title:


MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL
MORGAN GRENFELL & CO. LIMITED


Acting severally on behalf of  themselves and
   the several International Underwriters
   named in Schedule II hereto.

By: Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited


By: __________________________________________
    Name:
    Title:

                                       25

 
                                                        SCHEDULE I


                            U.S. UNDERWRITERS



 
                                                     NUMBER OF U.S. FIRM SHARES
                UNDERWRITER                                TO BE PURCHASED
- ----------------------------------------------      ----------------------------
                                                 
 
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.............
 
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
     Incorporated.............................
 
Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Inc..................
                                                    ----------------------------
 
        Total U.S. Firm Shares................                        6,400,000
                                                    ============================


 
                                                        SCHEDULE II


                            INTERNATIONAL UNDERWRITERS



 
                                                      NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL
            UNDERWRITER                               SHARES TO BE PURCHASED
- -----------------------------------------------     ----------------------------
                                                 
 
Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited......
 
Merrill Lynch International.....................
 
Morgan Grenfell & Co. Limited................... 
                                                    ---------------------------
     Total International Shares..................                     1,600,000
                                                    =========================== 


 
                                                                EXHIBIT A


                            [FORM OF LOCK-UP LETTER]


                                                 ____________, 1997


Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
  Incorporated
Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Inc.
c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
    1585 Broadway
    New York, NY 10036

Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited
Merrill Lynch International
Morgan Grenfell & Co. Limited
c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited
    25 Cabot Square
    Canary Wharf
    London E14 4QA
    England

Dear Sirs and Mesdames:

     The undersigned understands that Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated ("MORGAN
STANLEY") and Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited ("MSIL") propose to
enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the "UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT") with Capital
Trust (such trust and the trustees thereof acting in their capacities as such
being referred to herein as the "COMPANY"), a California business trust,
providing for the public offering (the "PUBLIC OFFERING") by the several
Underwriters, including Morgan Stanley and MSIL (the "UNDERWRITERS") of
8,000,000 shares (the "SHARES") of the Class A Common Shares of Beneficial
Interest, $1.00 par value, in the Company (the "CLASS A COMMON SHARES").

     To induce the Underwriters that may participate in the Public Offering to
continue their efforts in connection with the Public Offering, the undersigned
hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley on
behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period commencing on the
date hereof and ending one year after the date of the final prospectus relating
to the Public

 
Offering (the "PROSPECTUS"), (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any
option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant
any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose
of, directly or indirectly, any Class A Common Shares or any securities
convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Common Shares, or
(2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole
or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Class A Common
Shares, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to
be settled by delivery of Class A Common Shares or such other securities, in
cash or otherwise. In addition, the undersigned agrees that, without the prior
written consent of Morgan Stanley on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not,
during the period commencing on the date hereof and ending one year after the
date of the Prospectus, make any demand for or exercise any right with respect
to, the registration of any Class A Common Shares or any security convertible
into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Common Shares.

     Whether or not the Public Offering actually occurs depends on a number of
factors, including market conditions.  Any Public Offering will only be made
pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, the terms of which are subject to
negotiation between the Company and the Underwriters.


                         Very truly yours,



                         __________________________________________ 
                         Name

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                         Address


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