- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 17, 1997 HIGHWOODS/FORSYTH LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) NORTH CAROLINA (State of Organization) 333-3890-01 56-1869557 (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 3100 SMOKETREE COURT, SUITE 600 27604 RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA (Zip Code) (Address of principal executive offices) (919) 872-4924 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Item 5. The purpose of this filing is to set forth audited financial statements of certain businesses recently acquired by Highwoods/Forsyth Limited Partnership. Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits (a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired WINNERS CIRCLE -------------- Report of Independent Auditors Statements of Revenue and Certain Expenses Notes to Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses SHELTON PROPERTIES ------------------ Report of Independent Auditors Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses Notes to Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses RIPARIUS PROPERTIES ------------------- Report of Independent Auditors Combined Statements of Revenue and Certain Expenses Notes to Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses (b) Pro Forma Information NONE (c) Exhibits 23 Consent of Independent Auditors Audited Financial Statement Winners Circle Year ended December 31, 1996 with Report of Independent Auditors Winners Circle Audited Financial Statement Year ended December 31, 1996 Contents Report of Independent Auditors................................................1 Audited Financial Statement Statements of Revenue and Certain Expenses....................................2 Notes to Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses............................3 Report of Independent Auditors To the Board of Directors and Stockholders Highwoods Properties, Inc. We have audited the accompanying Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses of Winners Circle as described in Note 1 for the year ended December 31, 1996. This financial statement is the responsibility of Winners Circle's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. An audit also includes assessing the basis of accounting used and the significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. The accompanying Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses was prepared using the basis of accounting described in Note 1 for the purpose of complying with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for inclusion in the Form 8-K of Highwoods Properties, Inc. and is not intended to be a complete presentation of Winners Circle's revenue and expenses. In our opinion, the financial statement referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the revenue and certain expenses described in Note 1 of Winners Circle for the year ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP - ----------------------- Raleigh, North Carolina January 16, 1998 Winners Circle Statements of Revenue and Certain Expenses Nine months ended Year ended September 30, 1997 December 31, 1996 ---------------------------------------- (Unaudited) Rental income $ 956,650 $ 1,246,984 Expenses: Utilities 99,842 144,760 Real estate taxes 68,708 91,611 Repairs and maintenance 109,365 135,967 Insurance 2,715 3,318 Other 2,596 5,278 ---------------------------------------- Total expenses 283,226 380,934 ======================================== Revenue in excess of certain expenses $ 673,424 $ 866,050 ======================================== See accompanying notes. 2 Winners Circle Notes To Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses December 31, 1996 1. Basis of Presentation Presented herein is the Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses related to the operations of one commercial real estate property identified as the Winners Circle. Winners Circle is wholly-owned by Financial Enterprise III, an entity not affiliated with Highwoods Properties, Inc.. The accompanying financial statement is prepared in accordance with Rule 3-14 of Regulation S-X and thus is not necessarily representative of the actual operations for the year presented as certain expenses that may not be comparable to the expenses expected to be incurred by Highwoods Properties, Inc. in the proposed future operations of the aforementioned property have been excluded. Expenses excluded consist of interest, depreciation and general and administrative expenses not directly related to future operations. 2. Significant Accounting Policies Revenue Recognition Rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Certain lease agreements contain provisions which provide reimbursement of real estate taxes, insurance, advertising and certain common area maintenance (CAM) costs. These additional rents are recorded on the accrual basis. All rent and other receivables from tenants are due from commercial building tenants located in the properties. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those amounts. Interim Financial Data The unaudited financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the revenues and certain operating expenses for such interim period. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year ending December 31, 1997. 3 Winners Circle Notes To Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses (continued) 3. Leases Winners Circle is being leased to tenants under operating leases that will expire over the next 7 years. The minimum rental amounts under the leases are either subject to scheduled fixed increases or adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. Generally, the leases also require that the tenants reimburse Winners Circle for increases in certain costs above their base year costs. Expected future minimum rents to be received over the next five years and thereafter from tenants for leases in effect at December 31, 1996 are as follows: Total -------------------- 1997 $ 1,259,855 1998 1,178,852 1999 979,860 2000 502,175 2001 604,048 Thereafter 835,922 ==================== $ 5,360,712 ==================== Two major tenants represented approximately 61% of the total rental income for the year ended December 31, 1996. 4 Audited Combined Financial Statement Shelton Properties Year ended December 31, 1996 with Report of Independent Auditors Shelton Properties Audited Combined Financial Statement Year ended December 31, 1996 Contents Report of Independent Auditors................................................1 Audited Combined Financial Statement Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses............................2 Notes to Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses...................3 Report of Independent Auditors To the Board of Directors and Stockholders Highwoods Properties, Inc. We have audited the accompanying Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses of the Shelton Properties as described in Note 1 for the year ended December 31, 1996. This financial statement is the responsibility of Shelton Properties' management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. An audit also includes assessing the basis of accounting used and the significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. The accompanying Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses was prepared using the basis of accounting described in Note 1 for the purpose of complying with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for inclusion in the Form 8-K of Highwoods Properties, Inc. and is not intended to be a complete presentation of the Shelton Properties' revenue and expenses. In our opinion, the financial statement referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the revenue and certain expenses described in Note 1 of the Shelton Properties for the year ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Raleigh, North Carolina January 16, 1998 Shelton Properties Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses Nine months ended Year ended September 30, 1997 December 31, 1996 ---------------------------------------- (Unaudited) Rental income $ 4,131,589 $ 6,123,215 Expenses: Utilities 171,611 209,627 Real estate taxes 313,522 454,447 Repairs and maintenance 240,826 353,554 Insurance 27,330 34,376 Other 15,010 19,986 ---------------------------------------- Total expenses 768,299 1,071,990 ======================================== Revenue in excess of certain expenses $ 3,363,290 $ 5,051,225 ======================================== See accompanying notes. 2 Shelton Properties Notes To Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses December 31, 1996 1. Basis of Presentation Presented herein is the Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses related to the operations of eight commercial real estate properties under common management and ownership by the Shelton Companies identified as the Shelton Properties. Shelton Properties is not a legal entity but rather a combination of the operations of certain real estate properties acquired by Highwoods Properties, Inc. The accompanying Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses includes the accounts of the following commercial real estate properties, each of which is under common management and ownership by the Shelton Companies. These properties are not affiliated with Highwoods Properties, Inc.: Number of Property Properties Owner Location ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consolidated Center I-II 2 Shelton Company Winston-Salem, NC Consolidated Center III-IV 2 Chedren Company Winston-Salem, NC Champion 1 Chedren Company Winston-Salem, NC First Stratford 1 First Stratford Limited Partnership Winston-Salem, NC First Associates 2 First Associates Limited Partnership Winston-Salem, NC The owners listed in the table above all have a common partner or shareholder. The accompanying financial statement is prepared in accordance with Rule 3-14 of Regulation S-X and thus is not necessarily representative of the actual operations for the year presented as certain expenses that may not be comparable to the expenses expected to be incurred by Highwoods Properties, Inc. in the proposed future operations of the aforementioned properties have been excluded. Expenses excluded consist of interest, depreciation and general and administrative expenses not directly related to future operations. 3 Shelton Properties Notes To Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses (continued) 2. Significant Accounting Policies Revenue Recognition Rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Certain lease agreements contain provisions which provide reimbursement of real estate taxes, insurance, advertising and certain common area maintenance (CAM) costs. These additional rents are recorded on the accrual basis. All rent and other receivables from tenants are due from commercial building tenants located in the properties. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those amounts. Interim Financial Data The unaudited financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the revenues and certain operating expenses for such interim period. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year ending December 31, 1997. 3. Leases The Shelton Properties are being leased to tenants under operating leases that will expire over the next 12 years. The minimum rental amounts under the leases are either subject to scheduled fixed increases or adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. Generally, the leases also require that the tenants reimburse the Shelton Properties for increases in certain costs above their base year costs. 4 Shelton Properties Notes To Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses (continued) 3. Leases (continued) Expected future minimum rents to be received over the next five years and thereafter from tenants for leases in effect at December 31, 1996 are as follows: Total -------------------- 1997 $ 5,619,366 1998 5,057,993 1999 5,001,076 2000 4,927,647 2001 4,460,975 Thereafter 19,433,467 ==================== $ 44,500,524 ==================== Two major tenants represented approximately 50% of the total rental income for the year ended December 31, 1996. 4. Related Parties Two affiliates of the Shelton Properties provide repairs and maintenance services for the properties. During 1996, approximately 40% of repairs and maintenance expense was incurred as a result of services provided by these two affiliates. 5 Audited Combined Financial Statement Riparius Properties Year ended December 31, 1996 with Report of Independent Auditors Riparius Properties Audited Combined Financial Statement Year ended December 31, 1996 Contents Report of Independent Auditors................................................1 Audited Combined Financial Statement Combined Statements of Revenue and Certain Expenses...........................2 Notes to Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses...................3 Report of Independent Auditors To the Board of Directors and Stockholders Highwoods Properties, Inc. We have audited the accompanying Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses of the Riparius Properties as described in Note 1 for the year ended December 31, 1996. This financial statement is the responsibility of Riparius Properties' management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. An audit also includes assessing the basis of accounting used and the significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. The accompanying Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses was prepared using the basis of accounting described in Note 1 for the purpose of complying with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for inclusion in the Form 8-K of Highwoods Properties, Inc. and is not intended to be a complete presentation of the Riparius Properties' revenue and expenses. In our opinion, the financial statement referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the revenue and certain expenses described in Note 1 of the Riparius Properties for the year ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Raleigh, North Carolina January 16, 1998 Riparius Properties Combined Statements of Revenue and Certain Expenses Nine months ended Year ended September 30, 1997 December 31, 1996 --------------------------------------- (Unaudited) Rental income $ 4,410,755 $ 5,555,257 Expenses: Utilities 292,613 413,486 Real estate taxes 262,151 356,676 Repairs and maintenance 233,745 477,000 Insurance 34,304 29,034 Other 19,897 26,246 -------------------------------------- Total expenses 842,710 1,302,442 ====================================== Revenue in excess of certain expenses $ 3,568,045 $ 4,252,815 ====================================== See accompanying notes. 2 Riparius Properties Notes To Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses December 31, 1996 1. Basis of Presentation Presented herein is the Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses related to the operations of five commercial real estate properties under common management and ownership by Riparius Development Corporation identified as the Riparius Properties. Riparius Properties is not a legal entity but rather a combination of the operations of certain real estate properties acquired by Highwoods Properties, Inc. The accompanying Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses includes the accounts of the following commercial real estate properties, each of which is wholly-owned by a party not affiliated with Highwoods Properties, Inc.: Number of Property Properties Owner Location - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Atrium Building 1 Riparius Development Corp. Baltimore, MD 9690 Deereco Road LP 1 Riparius Development Corp. Baltimore, MD Seven Crondall Associates LP 1 Riparius Development Corp. Baltimore, MD Eight Crondall Associated LP 1 Riparius Development Corp. Baltimore, MD Nine Crondall Associates LP 1 Riparius Development Corp. Baltimore, MD The accompanying financial statement is prepared in accordance with Rule 3-14 of Regulation S-X and thus is not necessarily representative of the actual operations for the year presented as certain expenses that may not be comparable to the expenses expected to be incurred by Highwoods Properties, Inc. in the proposed future operations of the aforementioned properties have been excluded. Expenses excluded consist of interest, depreciation and general and administrative expenses not directly related to future operations. 3 Riparius Properties Notes To Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses (continued) 2. Significant Accounting Policies Revenue Recognition Rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Certain lease agreements contain provisions which provide reimbursement of real estate taxes, insurance, advertising and certain common area maintenance (CAM) costs. These additional rents are recorded on the accrual basis. All rent and other receivables from tenants are due from commercial building tenants located in the properties. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those amounts. Interim Financial Data The unaudited financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the revenues and certain operating expenses for such interim period. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year ending December 31, 1997. 3. Leases The Riparius Properties are being leased to tenants under operating leases that will expire over the next 12 years. The minimum rental amounts under the leases are either subject to scheduled fixed increases or adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. Generally, the leases also require that the tenants reimburse the Riparius Properties for increases in certain costs above their base year costs. 4 Riparius Properties Notes To Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses (continued) 3. Leases (continued) Expected future minimum rents to be received over the next five years and thereafter from tenants for leases in effect at December 31, 1996 are as follows: Total -------------------- 1997 $ 5,900,586 1998 5,184,637 1999 4,365,487 2000 2,524,810 2001 1,847,349 Thereafter 3,679,053 ==================== $ 23,501,922 ==================== Two major tenants represented approximately 37% of the total rental income for the year ended December 31, 1996. 4. Related Parties Two affiliates lease space in the buildings of the Riparius Properties. During 1996, approximately 13% of rental income was earned as a result of rents paid by these two affiliates. 5