Preliminary Offering Circular dated May 7, 2021
An offering statement pursuant to Regulation A relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Information contained in this Preliminary Offering Circular is subject to completion or amendment. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted before the offering statement filed with the Commission is qualified. This Preliminary Offering Circular shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor may there be any sales of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful before registration or qualification under the laws of any such state. We may elect to satisfy our obligation to deliver a Final Offering Circular by sending you a notice within two business days after the completion of our sale to you that contains the URL where the Final Offering Circular or the offering statement in which such Final Offering Circular was filed may be obtained.
OFFERING CIRCULAR
Commodore Hospitality, Inc.
Up to $75,000,000 in Shares of Common Stock
Commodore Hospitality, Inc. (“Commodore”, the “Company”, “we” or ”us”) is a newly organized Delaware corporation, formed to acquire and invest in hotels in the United States. Substantially all of our assets will be held by, and substantially all of our operations will be conducted through, our operating partnership, Commodore Hospitality Operations, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), either directly or through its subsidiaries, and we will be the sole general partner of our Operating Partnership. Additionally, we will contribute the net proceeds from this offering (including the proceeds from the private placements, as described below) to our Operating Partnership in exchange for units of limited partnership in our Operating Partnership (“OP Units”). We intend to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning with our taxable year ending December 31, 2021.
We are externally managed by Commodore Collection, LLC, (the “Manager”) , which is also our sponsor. Our principal office is: Commodore Hospitality, Inc., 6116 N Central Expressway, Suite 705, Dallas, TX 75206; telephone number (781) 361-9881.
We are offering up to $75,000,000 of our shares of common stock (the “Shares”) to the public at $10.00 per Share, an amount that was arbitrarily determined by our Manager, until 12 months after commencement of this offering. Thereafter, the per Share purchase price will be adjusted every fiscal quarter as of March 31st, June 30th, September 30th and December 31st of each year and will equal the sum of our net asset value, or NAV, divided by the number of Shares outstanding as of the end of the prior fiscal quarter (NAV per Share). The $10.00 per Share or the NAV per Share, as applicable, is referred to in this Offering Circular as the “Transaction Price.” The minimum investment in shares of our common stock for initial purchases is 25 Shares, or $250 based on the current Transaction Price.
We have engaged Dalmore Group LLC (“Dalmore”), a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and a member of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), as underwriter and placement agent. We refer to Dalmore as the underwriter and placement agent. Dalmore is selling our shares in this Offering on a best-efforts basis and are not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of shares offered by this offering circular, but will use its best efforts to sell such shares. For its services, Dalmore shall be entitled to (i) 1.0% of the purchase price of the total sale of Shares sold in this offering (the “Total Sales”) and (ii) receive one time set up fe of $5,000, a consulting fee of $20,000 payable upon the issuance of the No Objection Letter by FINRA and a pass through FINRA filing fee of $8,00. We have also entered into an agreement with Wefunder, Inc. (“Wefunder”) to sell our shares through the Wefunder platform located at www.wefunder.com (“Wefunder Platform”) and have engaged Wefunder to act as our transfer agent. Wefunder will receive a flat fee of $80,000 for hosting and transfer agent services.
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The Company intends to conduct its operations so that it is not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. As a result, investors in this offering will not be afforded any additional protections that might result from the Company complying with the registration and disclosure requirements of the Investment Company Act.
Investing in our Shares is speculative and involves substantial risks. You should purchase these securities only if you can afford a complete loss of your investment. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12 to read about the more significant risks you should consider before buying our Shares.
Investors in the Shares are not entitled to elect the Company’s directors or participate in the Management of the Company.
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) does not pass upon the merits of or give its approval to any securities offered or the terms of this offering, nor does it pass upon the accuracy or completeness of any offering circular or other solicitation materials. These securities are offered pursuant to an exemption from registration with the Commission; however, the Commission has not made an independent determination that the securities offered are exempt from registration.
Generally, no sale may be made to you in this offering if the aggregate purchase price you pay is more than 10% of the greater of your annual income or net worth. Different rules apply to accredited investors and non-natural persons. Before making any representation that your investment does not exceed applicable thresholds, we encourage you to review Rule 251(d)(2)(i)(C) of Regulation A. For general information on investing, we encourage you to refer to www.investor.gov.
The use of projections or forecasts in this offering is prohibited. No one is permitted to make any oral or written predictions about the cash benefits or tax consequences you will receive from your investment in our Shares.
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Public Offering Price |
| $ | 10.00 |
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| $ | 150,000.00 | (2) |
| $ | 75,000,000.00 |
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Selling Commissions(3) |
| $ | 0.10 |
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| $ | 1,500 | (3) |
| $ | 750,000.00 | (3) |
Proceeds to Us from this Offering to the Public (Before Expenses) |
| $ | 9.90 |
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| $ | 148,500 | (2) |
| $ | 74,250,000.00 |
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| (1) | The price per Share shown was arbitrarily determined by our Manager. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to an Investment in Commodore Hospitality, Inc.—The price of the Shares may not reflect the value of your investment.” |
| (2) | This is a “best efforts” offering. We will not start operations or draw down on investors’ funds until we have raised at least $150,000 in this offering. Until the minimum threshold is met, investors’ funds will be held in a non-interest-bearing escrow account. If we do not raise $150,000 within 12 months, we will cancel the offering, promptly return all amounts in the escrow fund to the investors and release all investors from their commitments. See “How to Subscribe.” |
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| (3) | We will offer our Shares on a best-efforts basis primarily by Dalmore CRD #136352 our broker-dealer and placement agent, who is a member FINRA. Dalmore will receive (i) a selling commission equal to 1.0% of Total Sales and (ii) receive a fee of $33,000 for reasonable accountable out of pocket expenses actually incurred by Dalmore. We have also engaged Wefunder, Inc. to host the offering on their platform and XX Investments, LLC to act as transfer agent for the offering. We will pay Wefunder a flat fee of $80,000 for hosting services. We also will reimburse our Manager for organization and offering costs, which are expected to be approximately $250,000, including up to $150,000 that may be used as a non-accountable marketing and due diligence allowance. The Company is responsible to pay or reimburse the Manager for the foregoing fees and expenses. See “Management Compensation” for a description of additional fees and expenses that we will pay our Manager. |
This Offering Circular follows the Offering Circular disclosure format.
The date of this Amended Offering Circular is May 7, 2021
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR
Please carefully read the information in this Offering Circular and any accompanying Offering Circular supplements, which we refer to collectively as the Offering Circular. You should rely only on the information contained in this Offering Circular. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. This Offering Circular may only be used where it is legal to sell these securities. You should not assume that the information contained in this Offering Circular is accurate as of any date later than the date hereof or such other dates as are stated herein or as of the respective dates of any documents or other information incorporated herein by reference.
This Offering Circular is part of an offering statement that we filed with the SEC, using a continuous offering process. Periodically, as we make material developments, we will provide an Offering Circular supplement that may add, update or change information contained in this Offering Circular. Any statement that we make in this Offering Circular will be modified or superseded by any inconsistent statement made by us in a subsequent Offering Circular supplement. The offering statement we filed with the SEC includes exhibits that provide more detailed descriptions of the matters discussed in this Offering Circular. You should read this Offering Circular and the related exhibits filed with the SEC and any Offering Circular supplement, together with additional information contained in our annual reports, semi-annual reports and other reports and information statements that we will file periodically with the SEC. See the section entitled “Additional Information” below for more details.
The offering statement and all supplements and reports that we have filed or will file in the future can be read at the SEC website, www.sec.gov.
Our Manager and those selling Shares on our behalf in this offering will be permitted to make a determination that the purchasers of Shares in this offering are “qualified purchasers” in reliance on the information and representations provided by the investor regarding the investor’s financial situation. Before making any representation that your investment does not exceed applicable thresholds, we encourage you to review Rule 251(d)(2)(i)(C) of Regulation A. For general information on investing, we encourage you to refer to www.stockholder.gov.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS | 75 |
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK AND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF DELAWARE LAW, OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS | 79 |
DESCRIPTION OF THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT OF OPERATING PARTNERSHIP | 87 |
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The Shares are being offered and sold only to “qualified purchasers” (as defined in Regulation A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)). As a Tier 2 offering pursuant to Regulation A under the Securities Act, this offering will be exempt from state law “Blue Sky” review, subject to meeting certain state filing requirements and complying with certain anti-fraud provisions, to the extent that the Shares offered hereby are offered and sold only to “qualified purchasers”. In order to be a “qualified purchaser,” a purchaser of Shares must satisfy one of the following:
(1)Non-Accredited Investors: If you are not an accredited investor (as defined below), your investment in Shares may not be more than 10% of the greater of:
(a)If you are a natural person:
i. your individual net worth, or joint net worth with your spouse, excluding the value of your primary residence (as described below); or
ii.your individual income, or joint income with your spouse, received in each of the two most recent years and you have a reasonable expectation that an investment in the Shares will not exceed 10% of your individual or joint income in the current year.
(b)If you are not a natural person,
i.your revenue, as of your most recently completed fiscal year end; or
ii. your net assets, as of your most recently completed fiscal year end.
For purposes of this definition, “net worth” means the excess of total assets at fair market value over total liabilities, except that the value of the principal residence owned by a natural person will be excluded for purposes of determining such natural person’s net worth. In addition, for purposes of this definition, the related amount of indebtedness secured by the primary residence up to the primary residence’s fair market value may also be excluded, except in the event such indebtedness increased in the 60 days preceding the purchase of our common stock and was unrelated to the acquisition of the primary residence, then the amount of the increase must be included as a liability in the net worth calculation. Moreover, indebtedness secured by the primary residence in excess of the fair market value of such residence should be considered a liability and deducted from the natural person’s net worth. In the case of fiduciary accounts, the net worth and/or income suitability requirements may be satisfied by the beneficiary of the account or by the fiduciary, if the donor or grantor is the fiduciary and fiduciary directly or indirectly provides funds for the purchase of the Shares; or
(2)Accredited Investors: You are an accredited investor. An “accredited investor” is:
(a)If a natural person, a person that has:
i.an individual net worth, or joint net worth with his or her spouse, that exceeds $1,000,000, excluding the value of the primary residence of such natural person (as described below); or
ii.individual income in excess of $200,000, or joint income with his or her spouse in excess of $300,000, in each of the two most recent years and has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year.
(b)If not a natural person, one of the following:
i.a corporation, an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), a Massachusetts or similar business trust, or a partnership, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring Shares, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000;
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ii.a trust, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered and whose purchase is directed by a person who has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that he or she is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in a Share;
iii.a broker-dealer registered pursuant to Section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”);
iv.an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”);
v.a business development company (as defined in Section 2(a)(48) of the Investment Company Act);
vi.a Small Business Investment Company licensed by the United States Small Business Administration under Section 301(c) or (d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958;
vii.an employee benefit plan within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), if the investment decision is made by a plan fiduciary (as defined in Section 3(21) of ERISA), which is either a bank, savings and loan association, insurance company, or registered investment adviser, or if the employee benefit plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000, or, if a self-directed plan, with investment decisions made solely by persons who are accredited stockholders;
viii.a private business development company (as defined in Section 202(a)(22) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Advisers Act”));
ix.a bank as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, or any savings and loan association or other institution as defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity; or
x.an entity in which all of the equity owners are accredited stockholders.
(c)In addition, the SEC has issued certain no-action letters and interpretations in which it deemed certain trusts to be accredited investors, such as trusts where the trustee is a bank as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act and revocable grantor trusts established by individuals who meet the requirements of clause (1)(a)(i) or (1)(a)(ii) of this section. However, these no-action letters and interpretations are very fact specific and should not be relied upon without close consideration of your unique facts.
We reserve the right to reject any investor’s subscription in whole or in part for any reason, including if we determine in our sole and absolute discretion that such stockholder is not a “qualified purchaser” for purposes of Regulation A.
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The following summary highlights information continued elsewhere in this Offering Circular and should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Offering Circular. To understand this offering fully, you should read the entire Offering Circular carefully, including the “Risk Factors” section, before making a decision to invest in our Shares. References to “we,” “us” “our” or “the Company” refer to Commodore Hospitality, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
Securities Offered: | We are offering up to $75,000,000 in shares of our common stock (the “Shares”). The Shares will be sold at the then-current Transaction Price. The minimum purchase is twenty five (25) Shares ($250, based on the $10.00 initial Transaction Price). See “Description of Capital Stock” and “Our Manager and the Management Agreement.” |
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Issuer: | We are a recently organized entity formed for the purpose of purchasing, either directly or through special purpose entities and joint ventures, hotels in the United States (collectively, the “Properties”). |
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Properties – Description: | The Company intends to use the offering proceeds of this offering (the “Offering Proceeds”) to acquire the Properties. There are no limitations on the number or size of Properties to be acquired by the Company or the percentage of Offering Proceeds that may be invested in a single Property. We are a development stage company and currently have no operations. As of the commencement of this offering, the Company has not identified any Properties for acquisition. The total number of Properties acquired by the Company will be determined in the sole discretion of the Manager and will depend, in part, on the number of Shares that are sold by the Company in this offering, the real estate market and financing conditions and other circumstances outside the control of the Company and the Manager.
The Company’s primary strategy will be to identify and acquire Properties which provide immediate cash flow as well as the opportunity for a value add. The Company currently intends to seek Properties that have one or more of the following characteristics: (i) boutique or soft-brand hotels with a national and/or international reservations system, (ii) current or projected cash flow in an amount equal to at least a 4% annual dividend, (iii) provide a “value-add” opportunity through a combination of expense management and revenue improvement, (iv) located in an established area in the South Central United States, (v) favorable location, such as in a high growth area or an area with relatively few competing properties, (vi) branded hotels that have a favorable opportunity to remove the existing brand and replace with the brand of the Company’s choosing, and (vi) purchase price that is below the replacement cost of the Property, as determined in the Manager’s sole discretion. The Company may acquire Properties that do not meet one or more of these criteria. See “Description of the Business.” |
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Properties – Acquisition:
| The Company intends to purchase the Properties from unaffiliated sellers. The terms of the purchase and sale agreements are not currently known. It is anticipated that the Company will wholly own the Properties either directly or indirectly; however, the Company may purchase some of the Properties together with joint venture partners and the Company may acquire long-term ground lease interests. See “Our REIT Structure.” |
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Properties – Financing: | The Company anticipates that it will enter into financing arrangements with various third-party lenders to acquire the Properties. The loan-to-value ratio for the Properties as a whole will not exceed 80%. The Manager has not obtained any financing commitments for any Properties. The terms of the loans to acquire the Properties will vary. It is anticipated that the loans will have short term interest payment terms and some may require balloon payments at the end of the loan term. The Company does not anticipate any recourse indebtedness. |
Property Terms: | The Company intends to hold and operate each Property for approximately five to ten years. Properties may be held shorter or longer at the Manager’s discretion. |
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Asset Management: | It is anticipated that the Properties will be managed by Commodore Asset Management, LLC, a Texas limited liability company [STILL TO BE FORMED] (the “Asset Manager”), which is an affiliate of the Manager; however, the Manager has the discretion to retain one or more entities to manage the operations at the Properties. The Asset Manager is entitled to receive a fee in an amount up to 3% of revenues gross of hotel credits issued to investors in this offering from each Property that the Asset Manager manages (the “Hotel Asset Management Fee”). The Asset Manager may also be paid an acquisition fee in the amount of 3% of the purchase price of each Property acquired by the Company. All fees payable to the Asset Manager shall be paid by our Operating Partnership See “Experience of Asset Manager.” |
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Properties Operations | Our Properties will be operated by one or more third party Operators, which may include large national hotel operators and other reputable firms. Our Operators will receive market rates for such services. |
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Properties – Sale: | After the Properties are held for investment for a period of approximately 5 to 10 years, the Company intends to sell the Properties for the best price obtainable. In the event that any Property is owned by joint venture partners, the decision to sell such Property may depend on decisions made by, and actions taken by, such persons or entities. In the event that a Property is sold, refinanced or otherwise disposed of within one year of the termination date of this offering, the Company may reinvest the proceeds. |
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Company Objectives: | The principal objectives of the Company will be to (i) preserve the stockholders’ capital investment, (ii) realize income through the acquisition, operation and sale of the Properties, (iii) make distributions to our stockholders from cash generated by operations, (v) provide investor incentives in the form of hotel credits to be used at the Properties, and (v) within approximately 5 to 10 years after the termination date of this offering, enable our stockholders to realize a return on their investment through (a) liquidating our assets and distributing cash to our stockholders, (b) merging with a public entity to provide our stockholders with either cash or liquid securities or (c) combining with other entities managed by the Manager to create a publicly traded REIT. THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT ANY OF THESE OBJECTIVES WILL BE ACHIEVED |
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Investor Incentives: | Investors that purchase Shares in our Company will be entitled to certain perks based upon investment level. The perks will be in the form of hotel credits which may be used at any of the Company’s Properties. Additional perks will be in the form of discounts, beverages at check in, and other benefits. Perks will only be available to the extent the Company raises funds sufficient to acquire hotel properties. See “Perks” |
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Our REIT Structure: | We believe that our currently contemplated business operations will enable us to qualify as a REIT beginning with our taxable year ending December 31, 2021. Our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), relating to, among other things, compliance with the REIT income and asset tests. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT.” There is no assurance that we will qualify as a REIT or, if qualified, will maintain such qualification in the future. See “Risk Factors—Federal Income Tax Risks.”
In order for the income from our hotel operations to be REIT qualifying income, we cannot directly operate any of our hotel properties. As a result, we intend to lease our hotel properties to one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”) that are wholly owned by our Operating Partnership. The rent paid to us by each of these TRSs will be REIT qualifying income provided that the hotels are managed by an “eligible independent contractor” and the lease rates payable are not “excessive.” It is currently anticipated that the Operator will manage our hotels. We believe that the Operator will qualify as an independent contractor. A TRS is a corporate entity that pays federal income tax at regular corporate rates on its taxable income. |
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Manager:
| Commodore Collection, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is the Manager of the Company and will manage and control the Company’s affairs. The mailing address of the Manager is 6116 N Central Expressway, Suite 705 Dallas, TX 75206 and their telephone number is (781) 361-9881. See “The Manager.” |
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Manager Commitment: | The Manager is not required to purchase shares in the offering, but will contribute amounts towards the development of the franchise system. The Manager will also advance expenses associated with the offering, for which the Manager will be reimbursed. |
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Experience of the Manager: | The Manager was formed in November 2020. The officers of the Manager are Christopher Biesanz and Eric Bergin. The management team has an aggregate of over 22 years of experience in the acquisition, ownership and management of hotels and commercial properties. See “The Manager.” |
Compensation to the Manager and its Affiliates: | The Manager and its affiliates are entitled to receive substantial fees, compensation and distributions as set forth below. The percentage of such fees that will be attributable to the Company will be equal to the Company’s percentage interest in the SPE making the applicable payment.
(1) The Manager or an affiliate will be entitled to receive an Acquisition Fee in an amount up to 3% of the gross purchase price of each Property from the SPE acquiring the Property,. The Manager will also be reimbursed for customary acquisition expenses (including expense relating to potential acquisitions that are not closed), such as legal fees and expenses, costs of due diligence (including, as necessary, updated appraisals, surveys and environmental site assessments), travel and communications expenses, accounting fees and expenses and other closing costs and miscellaneous expenses related to the acquisition of real estate properties. |
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| (2) The Asset Manager, which is an affiliate of the Manager will be entitled to receive a Hotel Asset Management Fee equal to an annualized rate of up to 3% of revenues received by the Company from the Properties, gross of hotel credits issued as investor incentives.
(3) An affiliate of Manager will be entitled to receive a $75,000 underwriting fee2 for each Property which is acquired.
(4) An affiliate of Manager will be entitled to receive a waterfall certification3 fee equal to 3% of the equity capital allocated to each Property acquired. |
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2 An affiliate of the manager will perform underwriting services on all potential acquisition properties but will only be paid in connection with the actual acquisition of a property. Underwriting fees include creation of pro-forma financial modeling and other related services.
3 Refers to a fee that is used to cover the calculation and allocation of distributions between the investors and the Manager. Services include calculation of gross and net returns, management fee calculations, liquidation scenarios for audit/tax reasons, and investor specific calculations for each individual investor. Charged on the equity portion and not on any debt portion of the purchase price.
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| (5) At the level of the Operating Partnership, the Manager, as the General Partner of the Operating Partnership, is entitled to receive a 60% share of the distributable cash of the Operating Partnership and the Company, as the limited partner, is entitled to receive 40% of the distributable cash. Upon liquidation, after the Company has received 100% of its capital contribution, the Manager shall be entitled to receive 80% of the net proceeds and the Company, as the limited partner will be entitled to receive 20% of the net proceeds. |
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| (6) The Manager will be entitled to be reimbursed for organization and offering expenses associated with this offering. Organization and offering expenses include the legal, accounting, printing, mailing and filing fees, charges of our escrow holder and transfer agent, charges of the Manager for administrative services related to the issuance of the Shares in this offering, the reimbursement of bona fide due diligence expenses of broker-dealers, reimbursement of the Manager for costs in connection with preparing supplemental sales materials, the cost of bona fide training and education and education meetings held by the Company (primarily the travel, meal and lodging costs if registered representatives of broker-dealers), attendance and sponsorship fees payable to participating broker-dealers hosting retail seminars and travel, meal and lodging costs for officers and employees of the Manager and its affiliates to attend retail seminars conducted by broker-dealers, legal fees, fees payable to Wefunder and promotional items. |
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| See “Compensation to the Manager and its Affiliates.” |
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Use of Proceeds: | The proceeds of this offering, coupled with proceeds from anticipated financings, will be primarily used to acquire the Properties. See “Estimated Use of Proceeds.” |
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Minimum Purchase: | A minimum purchase of 25 Shares ($250, based on the $10.00 initial Transaction Price) will be required. See “Plan of Distribution – Capitalization.” |
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Dividends: | We do not expect to declare any dividends until the proceeds are invested and generating operating cash flow. Once we begin to pay dividends, we expect to declare and pay them on a quarterly basis, or less frequently as determined by us following consultation with our Manager, in arrears. Any dividends we pay will be based on, among other factors, our present and projected future cash flow. We expect that we will set the rate of dividends at a level that will be reasonably consistent and sustainable over time.
The REIT distribution requirements generally require that we make aggregate annual dividend payments to our stockholders of at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding net capital gain. Moreover, even if we make the required minimum dividends under the REIT rules, we will be subject to U.S. federal income and excise taxes on our undistributed taxable income and gains. As a result, we may make such additional distributions, beyond the minimum REIT distribution, to reduce such taxes. See “Description Capital Stock and Certain Provisions of Delaware, our Charter and Bylaws — Dividends” and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
Any dividends that we pay will directly impact our NAV, by reducing the amount of our assets. Over the course of your investment, your dividends plus the change in NAV (either positive or negative) will produce your total return. |
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The purchase of Shares is speculative and involves substantial risk. It is impossible to predict accurately the results to a stockholder of an investment in the Company because of the recent formation of the Company and general uncertainties in the real estate and financing markets and the hotel industry.
This Offering Circular contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are only predictions and are not guarantees. Actual events and results of operations could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “could,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “estimate,” “believe,” “potential,” or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. The forward-looking statements included herein are based upon the Manager’s current expectations, plans, estimates, assumptions and beliefs that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Although the Manager believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, the Company’s actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the risk factors discussed below. Any assumptions underlying forward-looking statements could be inaccurate. Purchasers of Shares are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained herein.
You should consider carefully the following risks, and should consult with your own legal, tax, and financial advisors with respect thereto. You are urged to read this entire Offering Circular and any Offering Circular supplements before investing in the Company.
Potential Risks to the Shares Associated with COVID-19
There has been a widespread outbreak of a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the United States (the “COVID-19 Outbreak”). The COVID-19 Outbreak has been declared to be a pandemic by the World Health Organization, and on March 16, 2020, President Trump declared a national emergency in the United States. The COVID-19 Outbreak (and any future outbreaks of coronavirus or similar disease) has led (and may continue to lead) to a significant disruption in the economy of the United States and the economies of other nations suffering the COVID-19 Outbreak. In certain cities and states, the COVID-19 Outbreak has caused a near total cessation of all non-essential economic activities. Many businesses have moved to a remote working environment, temporarily suspended operations, laid-off a significant percentage of their workforce or shut down completely. It is generally expected that the COVID-19 Outbreak will worsen substantially before it improves, and that the entirety of the United States will ultimately be impacted. The COVID-19 Outbreak has caused substantial disruption and volatility in the credit markets, unprecedented unemployment in the United States in the modern era and a significant economic recession globally, all of which may continue for an extended period or indefinitely.
The U.S. federal government, as well as several state and local governments, has adopted a number of emergency measures and recommendations in response to the COVID-19 Outbreak, including imposing “shelter in place” restrictions, curfews, banning large gatherings and closing non-essential businesses, including, but not limited to bars, restaurants, movie theatres and gyms. Additional actions taken in response to the COVID-19 Outbreak on a national, state and local level by governmental authorities may affect general and local economic conditions (including further closures of businesses). There can be no assurance that such actions will not be further extended or broadened or that any federal governmental body or other state or local jurisdiction will not adopt similar or potentially more restrictive measures after the date of this Offering Circular. Although a vaccine has been approved, there is no assurance the vaccine will be widely accepted and promptly distributed. It is likely than any widespread vaccination could take 12-18 months.
The long-term impacts of the social, economic and financial disruptions caused by the COVID-19 Outbreak are unknown. While the U.S. Federal Reserve, the U.S. government and other governments have implemented unprecedented financial support or relief measures in response to concerns surrounding the economic effects of the COVID-19 Outbreak, the likelihood of such measures calming the volatility in the financial markets or addressing a long-term national or global economic downturn cannot be predicted. Certain economists have recently declared a global recession that likely began in February 2020 with the expectation that an economic contraction will continue
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through the the second quarter of 2021. It is unclear how many lessors have been and will continue to be adversely affected by the COVID-19 Outbreak and if related efforts by federal, state and local governments to slow the spread of COVID-19 will continue to be successful.
The COVID-19 Outbreak has had a particularly significant effect on the travel and hospitality industry. The tourism industry has experienced sharply falling revenues and is an economic sector among those most severely affected by the pandemic. The shock affects both the demand side (restrictions on freedom of movement, border closings, guests' fear of infection) and the supply-side (closure of accommodation and catering establishments as well as leisure facilities used for tourism). According to the U.S. Travel Association, in the week ending December 5, 2020 travel spending tallied just $10.9 billion—its lowest level since the week ending June 20—and reflected a 48% drop below last year's levels (a $10 billion loss).4 The 48% year-over-year (y/y) drop was significantly worse than the 39% y/y drop in the previous week, and marked the worst y/y decline since the end of July.5 The steep declines in the week ending December 5th were widely felt, as Vermont, Maine and New Mexico were the only states to experience an improvement from the prior week. November concluded with $40.2 billion of travel spending losses—a 44% y/y decline.6 New records in confirmed COVID-19 cases and the re-enactment of policies restricting travel could lead to further declines through the winter travel season. Since the beginning of March, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in $491 billion in cumulative losses for the U.S. travel economy.7
Regardless of the success of those efforts, it is expected that many lessors will be adversely affected to some degree by the COVID-19 Outbreak, lockdowns, travel restrictions and related social distancing measures.
In light of the circumstances described above, the risks we describe elsewhere under “Risk Factors” in this Offering Circular are heightened substantially, and you should review and carefully consider such risk factors in light of such circumstances.
Risks Related to an Investment in Commodore Hospitality, Inc.
We have no prior operating history, and the prior performance of our sponsor or other real estate investment opportunities sponsored by our sponsor may not predict our future results.
We are a recently formed company and have no operating history. As of the date of this Offering Circular, we have not made any investments, and prior to our initial closing, our total assets will consist of approximately a nominal amount of cash. The Company’s auditors have expressed substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Our lack of an operating history significantly increases the risk and uncertainty you face in making an investment in our Shares.
Because no public trading market for your Shares currently exists, it will be difficult for you to sell your Shares and, if you are able to sell your Shares, you will likely sell them at a substantial discount to the public offering price.
Our charter does not require the Company to seek stockholder approval to liquidate our assets by a specified date, nor does our charter require the Company to list our Shares for trading on a national securities exchange by a specified date. There is no public market for our Shares and we currently have no plans to list our Shares on a stock exchange or other trading market. Until our Shares are listed, if ever, you may not sell your Shares unless the buyer meets the applicable suitability and minimum purchase standards. Therefore, it will be difficult for you to sell your Shares promptly or at all. If you are able to sell your Shares, you would likely have to sell them at a substantial discount to their public offering price. It is also likely that your Shares would not be accepted as the primary collateral for a loan. Because of the illiquid nature of our Shares, you should purchase our Shares only as a long-term investment and be prepared to hold them for an indefinite period of time.
4 https://www.ustravel.org/toolkit/covid-19-travel-industry-research
5 Id.
6 Id.
7 Id.
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The offering price of our Shares was not established in reliance on a valuation of our assets and liabilities; the actual value of your investment may be substantially less than what you pay.
We established the offering price of our Shares on an arbitrary basis. The selling price of our Shares bears no relationship to our book or asset values or to any other established criteria for valuing shares. We plan to determine the net asset value of our common stock beginning 12 months following the commencement of this offering. Thereafter, the per share purchase price will be adjusted every fiscal quarter as of March 31st, June 30th, September 30th and December 31st of each year and will equal our net asset value, or NAV, divided by the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of the end of the prior fiscal quarter on a fully diluted basis (NAV per Share).
Our NAV per Share will be calculated by our Manager, and approved by our Board of Directors at the end of each fiscal quarter on a fully diluted basis, beginning twelve months after commencement of the offering using a process that reflects several components, including (1) estimated values of each of our commercial real estate assets and investments, including related liabilities, based upon (a) market capitalization rates, comparable sales information, interest rates, net operating income, and (b) in certain instances individual appraisal reports of the underlying real estate provided by an independent valuation expert, (2) the price of liquid assets for which third party market quotes are available, (3) accruals of our periodic dividends and (4) estimated accruals of our operating revenues and expenses. In instances where we determine that an independent appraisal of the real estate asset is necessary, including, but not limited to, instances where our Manager is unsure of its ability on its own to accurately determine the estimated values of our commercial real estate assets and investments, or instances where third party market values for comparable properties are either nonexistent or extremely inconsistent, we may engage an appraiser that has expertise in appraising commercial real estate assets, to act as our independent valuation expert. The independent valuation expert will not be responsible for, or prepare, our NAV per Share. However, we may hire a third party to calculate, or assist with calculating, the NAV calculation. The use of different judgments or assumptions would likely result in different estimates of the value of our real estate assets. Moreover, although we evaluate and provide our NAV per Share on a quarterly basis, our NAV per Share may fluctuate daily, so that the NAV per Share in effect for any fiscal quarter may not reflect the precise amount that might be paid for your Shares if you were to transfer your Shares to a third-party in a privately negotiated transaction. Further, our published NAV per Share may not fully reflect certain material events to the extent that they are not known or their financial impact on our portfolio is not immediately quantifiable. Any resulting potential disparity in our NAV per Share may be in favor of either stockholders who redeem their shares, or stockholders who buy new shares, or existing stockholders. In cases where we believe there has been a material change (positive or negative) to our NAV per Share since the beginning of the applicable quarter, we may update a previously disclosed Transaction Price. If we update the Transaction Price during any quarter, we will notify potential investors through the filing of a supplement to this Offering Circular. Note, in addition, that the determination of our NAV per Share is not based on, nor intended to comply with, fair value standards under generally accepted accounting principles (”GAAP”) and our NAV per Share may not be indicative of the price that we would receive for our assets at current market conditions. See “Plan of Distribution—Valuation Policies.”
If we are unable to find suitable investments, we may not be able to achieve our investment objectives or pay distributions.
Our ability to achieve our investment objectives and to pay distributions depends upon the performance of our Manager in the acquisition of the Properties and the ability of our Manager to source investment opportunities for us. The more money we raise in this offering, the greater our challenge will be to invest all of the net offering proceeds on attractive terms. We cannot assure you that our Manager will be successful in obtaining suitable investments on financially attractive terms or that, if our Manager makes investments on our behalf, our objectives will be achieved. If we, through our Manager, are unable to find suitable investments promptly, we will hold the proceeds from this offering in an interest-bearing account or invest the proceeds in short-term assets. If we would continue to be unsuccessful in locating suitable investments, we may ultimately decide to liquidate. In the event we are unable to timely locate suitable investments, we may be unable or limited in our ability to pay distributions and we may not be able to meet our investment objectives.
If we pay distributions from sources other than our cash flow from operations, we will have less funds available for investments and your overall return will be reduced.
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Although our distribution policy is to use our cash flow from operations to make distributions, our organization documents do not prohibit us from paying distributions from any source, including borrowings or sales of assets. Until the proceeds from this offering are fully invested and from time to time during the operational stage, we may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to fund distributions. If we pay distributions from financings, the net proceeds from this or future offerings or other sources other than our cash flow from operations, we will have less funds available for investments in Properties and the number of Properties that we invest in and the overall return to our stockholders may be reduced. If we fund distributions from borrowings, our interest expense and other financing costs, as well as the repayment of such borrowings, will reduce our earnings and cash flow from operations available for distribution in future periods, and accordingly your overall return may be reduced. If we fund distributions from the sale of assets, this will affect our ability to generate cash flows from operations in future periods. There can be no assurance that cash distributions will, in fact, be made or, if made, that those distributions will be made when anticipated.
Disruptions in the financial markets or deteriorating economic conditions could adversely impact the hotel real estate market, which could hinder our ability to implement our business strategy and generate returns to you.
The success of our business is significantly related to general economic conditions and, accordingly, our business could be harmed by any economic slowdown and downturn in real estate asset values and property sales. Periods of economic slowdown or recession, significantly rising interest rates, declining employment levels, decreasing demand for real estate, declining real estate values, or the public perception that any of these events may occur can reduce the volume of potential investments. These economic conditions have resulted in and could continue to result in a general decline in acquisition and disposition activities. In addition, these conditions have led and could continue to lead to a decline in property sales prices as well as a decline in funds invested in existing real estate assets and properties planned for development.
During an economic downturn, it may also take longer for us to dispose of the Properties or the selling prices may be lower than originally anticipated. As a result, the carrying value of the Properties may become impaired and we could record losses as a result of such impairment or we could experience reduced profitability related to declines in real estate values. Further, as a result of our target leverage, our exposure to adverse general economic conditions is heightened. These negative general economic conditions could continue to reduce the overall amount of sale activity in the hotel real estate industry, and hence the demand for our services.
All of the conditions described above could adversely impact our business performance and profitability, which could result in our failure to make distributions to our stockholders and could decrease the value of an investment in us. In addition, in an extreme deterioration of our business, we could have insufficient liquidity to meet our debt service obligations when they come due in future years. If we fail to meet our payment or other obligations under our credit facilities, the lenders under those agreements will be entitled to proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure the debt owed.
We may suffer from delays in locating suitable investments, which could limit our ability to make distributions and lower the overall return on your investment.
Additionally, the current market for properties that meet our investment objectives is highly competitive. The more Shares we sell in this offering, the greater our challenge will be to invest all of the net offering proceeds on attractive terms. Except for investments that may be described in supplements to this Offering Circular prior to the date you subscribe for our Shares, you will have no opportunity to evaluate the terms of transactions or other economic or financial data concerning our investments. You must rely entirely on the oversight and management ability of our Manager and the performance of the Operator. We cannot be sure that our Manager will be successful in obtaining suitable investments on financially attractive terms.
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We could also suffer from delays in locating suitable investments as a result of our reliance on our Manager at times when its officers, employees, or agents are simultaneously engaged in other business activities. Furthermore, where we acquire properties prior to the start or during the early stages of redevelopment, it will typically take several months to complete construction and commence operations. Therefore, you could suffer delays in both your ability to use investor credits at the properties and the receipt of distributions attributable to those particular properties.
Further, because we are raising a “blind pool” without any pre-selected assets, it may be difficult for us to invest the net offering proceeds promptly and on attractive terms. Delays we encounter in the selection and acquisition of Properties would likely limit our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders and lower their overall returns.
Because this is a blind pool offering, you will not have the opportunity to evaluate our investments before we make them, which makes your investment more speculative.
Because we have not yet acquired or identified any Properties that we may acquire, we are not able to provide you with any information to assist you in evaluating the merits of any specific investments that we may make, except for investments that may be described in supplements to this Offering Circular. We will seek to invest substantially all of the offering proceeds available for investment, after the payment of fees and expenses, in hotels. However, because you will be unable to evaluate the economic merit of assets before we invest in them, you will have to rely entirely on the ability of our Manager to select suitable and successful investment opportunities. These factors increase the risk that your investment may not generate returns comparable to our competitors.
You may be more likely to sustain a loss on your investment because our Manager does not have as strong an economic incentive to avoid losses as do sponsors or managers who have made significant equity investments in their companies.
Our Manager has not committed to invest in the offering, but will contribute amounts related to the marketing of the offering and the build out of the franchise system. Our Manager will also advance certain other expenses related to the organization of the Company and this offering, which amounts are reimbursable out of the proceeds of the offering. Therefore, if we are successful in raising enough proceeds to be able to reimburse our Manager for our organization and offering expenses, our Manager will have little exposure to loss in the value of our Shares. Without this exposure, our stockholders may be at a greater risk of loss because our Manager does not have as much to lose from a decrease in the value of our Shares as do those sponsors who make more significant equity investments in their companies.
Because we are limited in the amount of funds we can raise, we will be limited in the number and type of investments we make and the value of your investment in us will fluctuate with the performance of the specific assets we acquire.
This offering is being made on a “best efforts” basis and we may begin to invest net proceeds from this offering immediately after the commencement of this offering. Further, under Regulation A, we are only allowed to raise up to $75,000,000 in any 12-month period (although we may raise capital in other ways). We expect the size of the Properties that we will acquire will average about $5 million to $15 million of equity per asset. As a result, the amount of proceeds we raise in this offering may be substantially less than the amount we would need to achieve a diversified portfolio of Properties, even if we are successful in raising the maximum offering amount. If we are unable to raise substantial funds, we will make fewer investments resulting in less diversification in terms of the type, number and size of Properties that we make. In that case, the likelihood that any single Property’s performance would adversely affect our profitability will increase. Your investment in our Shares will be subject to greater risk to the extent that we lack a diversified portfolio of Properties. Further, we will have certain fixed operating expenses, including certain expenses as a public reporting company, regardless of whether we are able to raise substantial funds in this offering. Our inability to raise substantial funds would increase our fixed operating expenses as a percentage of gross income, reducing our net income and limiting our ability to make distributions.
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Any adverse changes in our Manager’s or Operator’s financial health could hinder our operating performance and the return on your investment.
We have engaged our Manager to manage our operations. Our ability to achieve our investment objectives and to pay distributions is dependent upon the performance of our Manager and its affiliates, including the Operator, as well as our Manager’s real estate professionals in the identification and acquisition of investments, the management of our assets and operation of our day-to-day activities. Any adverse changes in our Manager’s or Operator’s financial condition could hinder our Manager’s or Operator’s ability to successfully manage our operations and our Properties.
If we do not successfully implement a liquidity transaction, you may have to hold your investment for an indefinite period.
Although we presently intend to complete a transaction or series of transactions, providing liquidity to our stockholders within approximately five to ten years from the completion of this offering, our charter does not require our board of directors to pursue such a liquidity transaction. Market conditions and other factors could cause us to delay the commencement of a liquidation or other type of liquidity transaction, such as a merger or sale of assets, beyond five to ten years from the termination of this offering. If our Manager does determine to pursue a liquidity transaction, we would be under no obligation to conclude the process within a set time. If we adopt a plan of liquidation, the timing of the sale of assets will depend on real estate and financial markets and the economic conditions in areas in which the Properties are located. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to liquidate all assets. After we adopt a plan of liquidation, we would likely remain in existence until all our investments are liquidated. If we do not pursue a liquidity transaction, or delay such a transaction due to market conditions, your Shares may continue to be illiquid and you may, for an indefinite period of time, be unable to convert your investment to cash easily and could suffer losses on your investment.
We have minimal operating capital, no significant assets and no revenue from operations.
We have minimal operating capital and for the foreseeable future will be dependent upon our ability to finance our operations from the sale of equity or other financing alternatives. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully raise operating capital. The failure to successfully raise operating capital, and the failure to attract qualified real estate companies and sufficient stockholder purchase commitments, could result in our bankruptcy or other event which would have a material adverse effect on us and our stockholders. We have no significant assets or financial resources, so such adverse event could put your investment dollars at significant risk.
Third party financing may be required to fund working capital requirements.
To the extent funds for working capital are not available from operations, the Company may be required to seek additional loans for capital improvements and other working capital needs. The Company has not received a commitment from any third party to make such future loans, if needed, and there can be no assurance that such loans can be arranged or what the terms of any such borrowings would be. In addition, it is anticipated that the loans obtained to acquire the Properties will restrict the ability of the borrowers to obtain secondary financing.
The market in which we participate is competitive and, if we do not compete effectively, our operating results could be harmed.
We compete with many other entities engaged in real estate investment activities, including corporations, bank and insurance company investment accounts, private real estate funds, and other entities engaged in real estate investment activities. This market is competitive and rapidly changing. We expect competition to persist and intensify in the future, which could harm our ability to acquire Properties.
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Most of our current or potential competitors have significantly more financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do and may be able to devote greater resources to the acquisition of real estate assets. Larger real estate programs may enjoy significant competitive advantages that result from, among other things, a lower cost of capital and enhanced operating efficiencies. In addition, the number of entities and the amount of funds competing for suitable properties may increase. Any such increase would result in increased demand for these assets and therefore increased prices paid for them. If we pay higher prices for our Properties, our profitability will be reduced and you may experience a lower return on your investment.
If our Manager fails to retain its key personnel, we may not be able to achieve our anticipated level of growth and our business could suffer.
Our future depends, in part, on our Manager’s ability to attract and retain key personnel. Our future also depends on the continued contributions of the executive officers and other key personnel of our Manager, each of whom would be difficult to replace. In particular, the founders and executive officers of our Manager, Mr. Biesanz and Mr. Bergin , are critical to the management of our business and operations and the development of our strategic direction. The loss of the services of any of Mr. Biesanz, Mr. Bergin or other executive officers or key personnel of our Manager and the process to replace any of our Manager’s key personnel would involve significant time and expense and may significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our business objectives.
Our stockholders do not elect or vote on our Manager and have limited ability to influence decisions regarding our business.
The assets, affairs and business of the Company will be managed under the direction of our Manager. Our stockholders do not elect or vote on our Manager, and have only limited voting rights on matters affecting our business and, therefore, limited ability to influence decisions regarding our business.
Our stockholders will have limited voting rights and may be bound by either a majority or supermajority vote.
Our stockholders will have limited voting rights only with respect to certain matters, exclusively relating to amendments to our charter which affect the rights of the stockholders and the liquidation of the Company. The holders of our common stock do not have the right to elect members of the Board of Directors. Each outstanding Share entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Generally, matters to be voted on by our stockholders must be approved by a majority of the votes cast by all Shares present in person or represented by proxy. If any vote occurs, you will be bound by the majority or supermajority vote, as applicable, even if you did not vote with the majority or supermajority.
As a non-listed company conducting an exempt offering pursuant to Regulation A, we are not subject to a number of corporate governance requirements, including the requirements for a board of directors or independent board committees.
As a non-listed company conducting an exempt offering pursuant to Regulation A, we are not subject to a number of corporate governance requirements that an issuer conducting an offering on Form S-11 or listing on a national stock exchange would be. Additionally, we are not required to have (i) a board of directors of which a majority consists of "independent" directors under the listing standards of a national stock exchange, (ii) an audit committee composed entirely of independent directors and a written audit committee charter meeting a national stock exchange's requirements, (iii) a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors and a written nominating/corporate governance committee charter meeting a national stock exchange's requirements, (iv) a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors and a written compensation committee charter meeting the requirements of a national stock exchange, and (v) independent audits of our internal controls. Accordingly, you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of a national stock exchange.
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If our techniques for managing risk are ineffective, we may be exposed to unanticipated losses.
In order to manage the significant risks inherent in our business, we must maintain effective policies, procedures and systems that enable us to identify, monitor and control our exposure to market, operational, legal and reputational risks. Our risk management methods may prove to be ineffective due to their design or implementation or as a result of the lack of adequate, accurate or timely information. If our risk management efforts are ineffective, we could suffer losses or face litigation.
Our techniques for managing risks may not fully mitigate the risk exposure in all economic or market environments, or against all types of risk, including risks that we might fail to identify or anticipate. Any failures in our risk management techniques and strategies to accurately quantify such risk exposure could limit our ability to manage risks or to seek positive, risk-adjusted returns. In addition, any risk management failures could cause fund losses to be significantly greater than historical measures predict. Our more qualitative approach to managing those risks could prove insufficient, exposing us to unanticipated losses in our net asset value and therefore a reduction in our revenues.
This offering is focused on attracting a large number of stockholders that plan on making relatively small investments. An inability to attract such stockholders may have an adverse effect on the success of our offering, and we may not raise adequate capital to implement our business strategy.
Our Shares are being offered and sold only to “qualified purchasers” (as defined in Regulation A). “Qualified purchasers” include: (i) “accredited investors” under Rule 501(a) of Regulation D (which, in the case of natural persons, (A) have an individual net worth, or joint net worth with the person’s spouse, that exceeds $1,000,000 at the time of the purchase, excluding the value of the primary residence of such person, or (B) earned income exceeding $200,000 in each of the two most recent years or joint income with a spouse exceeding $300,000 for those years and a reasonable expectation of the same income level in the current year) and (ii) all other investors so long as their investment in the particular issuer does not represent more than 10% of the greater of their annual income or net worth (for natural persons), or 10% of the greater of annual revenue or net assets at fiscal year-end (for non-natural persons).
Our reliance on attracting investors that may not meet the net worth or income requirements of “accredited investors” carries certain risks that may not be present in traditional initial public offerings. For example, certain economic, geopolitical and social conditions may influence the investing habits and risk tolerance of these smaller investors to a greater extent than “accredited investors,” which may have an adverse effect on our ability to raise adequate capital to implement our business strategy. Additionally, our focus on investors that plan on making, or are able to make, relatively small investments requires a larger investor base in order to meet our annual goal of raising $75,000,000 in our offering. We may have difficulties in attracting a large investor base, which may have an adverse effect on the success of this offering, and a larger investor base involves increased transaction costs, which will increase our expenses.
If the Company were to be required to register under the Investment Company Act or the Manager were to be required to register under the Investment Advisers Act, it could have a material and adverse impact on the results of operations and expenses of the Company and the Manager.
The Company is not registered and will not be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), and the Manager will not be registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Advisers Act”) and the Shares do not have the benefit of the protections of the Investment Company Act or the Investment Advisers Act. The Company and the Manager have taken the position that the properties are not “securities” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act or the Investment Advisers Act and the Manager is not and will not be advising with respect to securities under the Investment Advisers Act.
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We do not believe that the Company will be an investment company under Section 3(a)(1)(A) because we are not engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities. The only assets which the Company will hold is real property, which will be held through wholly owned subsidiaries which comply with the 40% test in accordance with Section 3(a)(1)(C). These subsidiaries will be outside the definition of investment company under Section 3(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act because they likewise will not be engaged in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities and furthermore will qualify for an exemption set forth in Section 3(c)(5)(C) because at least 55% of the portfolio will be in or qualifying real estate assets. Section 3(c)(5)(C), as interpreted by the staff of the SEC, requires entities relying on this exception to invest at least 55% of its portfolio in qualifying assets; at least 80% of its assets in qualifying assets plus other real estate-related assets and no more than 20% of the portfolio in miscellaneous assets which are not qualifying assets or real estate related assets
In that the Company’s investment model will be to invest in and own commercial real estate properties and therefore qualifying real estate assets, we believe that the investment by our wholly owned subsidiaries will qualify for exemption under Section 3(c)(5)(C). How we classify our assets for purposes of the Investment Company Act will be based in large measure upon no-action letters issued by the SEC staff in the past and other SEC interpretive guidance. These no-action positions were issued in accordance with factual situations that may be substantially different from the factual situations we may face, and a number of these no-action positions were issued more than ten years ago. Pursuant to this guidance, and depending on the characteristics of the specific investments, certain joint venture investments may not constitute qualifying real estate assets and therefore investments in these types of assets may be limited. No assurance can be given that the SEC will concur with our classification of our assets. Future revisions to the Investment Company Act or further guidance from the SEC may cause us to lose our exclusion from registration or force us to re-evaluate our portfolio and our investment strategy. Such changes may prevent us from operating our business successfully.
In the event that the Company were to acquire assets that could make such entities fall within the definition of investment company under Section 3(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act, we believe that we would still qualify for an exclusion from registration pursuant to Section 3(c)(6). Section 3(c)(6) excludes from the definition of investment company any company primarily engaged, directly or through majority owned subsidiaries, in one or more of certain specified businesses. These specified businesses include the real estate business described in Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the Investment Company Act. It also excludes from the definition of investment company any company primarily engaged, directly or through majority owned subsidiaries, in one or more of such specified businesses from which at least 25% of such company’s gross income during its last fiscal year is derived, together with any additional business or businesses other than investing, reinvesting, owning, holding, or trading in securities. Although the SEC staff has issued little interpretive guidance with respect to Section 3(c)(6), we believe that we and our operating partnership may rely on Section 3(c)(6) if 55% of our assets consist of, and at least 55% of our income is derived from, qualifying real estate assets owned by our wholly owned or majority owned subsidiaries.
If the Company were to be required to register under the Investment Company Act or the Manager were to be required to register under the Investment Advisers Act, it could have a material and adverse impact on the results of operations and expenses of the Company and the Manager.
Risks Related to Compliance and Regulation
We are offering our Shares pursuant to recent amendments to Regulation A promulgated pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to Tier 2 issuers will make our Shares less attractive to investors as compared to a traditional initial public offering.
As a Tier 2 issuer, we will be subject to scaled disclosure and reporting requirements, which may make our Shares less attractive to investors as compared to a traditional initial public offering, which may make an investment in our Shares less attractive to investors who are accustomed to enhanced disclosure and more frequent financial reporting. In addition, given the relative lack of regulatory precedence regarding the recent amendments to Regulation A, there is a significant amount of regulatory uncertainty with regard to how the SEC or the individual state securities regulators will regulate both the offer and sale of our securities, as well as any ongoing compliance to which we may be subject. If our scaled disclosure and reporting requirements, or regulatory uncertainty regarding Regulation A, reduces the
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attractiveness of our Shares, we may be unable to raise the necessary funds necessary to commence operations, or to develop a diversified portfolio of Properties, which could severely affect the value of our Shares.
Our use of Form 1-A and our reliance on Regulation A for this offering may make it more difficult to raise capital as and when we need it, as compared to if we were conducting a traditional initial public offering.
Because of the exemptions from various reporting requirements provided to us under Regulation A and because we are only permitted to raise up to $75,000,000 in any 12-month period under Regulation A (although we may raise capital in other ways), we may be less attractive to investors and it may be difficult for us to raise additional capital as and when we need it. Investors may be unable to compare our business with other companies in our industry if they believe that our financial accounting is not as transparent as other companies in our industry. If we are unable to raise additional capital as and when we need it, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
There may be deficiencies with our internal controls that require improvements, and if we are unable to adequately evaluate internal controls, we may be subject to sanctions.
As a Tier 2 issuer, we will not need to provide a report on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, and we will be exempt from the auditor attestation requirements concerning any such report so long as we are a Tier 2 issuer. We are in the process of evaluating whether our internal control procedures are effective and, therefore, there is a greater likelihood of undiscovered errors in our internal controls or reported financial statements as compared to issuers that have conducted such evaluations.
Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the “ADA”), public accommodations must meet certain federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. Facilities initially occupied after January 26, 1992 must comply with the ADA. When a building is being renovated, the area renovated, and the path of travel accessing the renovated area, must comply with the ADA. Further, owners of buildings occupied prior to January 26, 1992 must expend reasonable sums, and must make reasonable efforts, to make practicable or readily achievable modifications to remove barriers, unless the modification would create an undue burden. This means that so long as owners are financially able, they have an ongoing duty to make their property accessible. The definitions of “reasonable,” “reasonable efforts,” “practicable” or “readily achievable” are site-dependent and vary based on the owner’s financial status. The ADA requirements could require removal of access barriers at significant cost, and could result in the imposition of fines by the federal government or an award of damages to private litigants. Attorneys’ fees may be awarded to a plaintiff claiming ADA violations. State and federal laws in this area are constantly evolving, and could evolve to place a greater cost or burden on the Company. While the Manager will attempt to obtain information with respect to compliance with the ADA prior to investing in a Property, there can be no assurance that ADA violations do not or will not exist at a specific Property. If other violations do exist, there can be no assurance there will be funds available to pay for any necessary repairs.
Costs imposed pursuant to governmental laws and regulations may reduce our net income and the cash available for distributions to our stockholders.
Real property and the operations conducted on real property are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to protection of the environment and human health. We could be subject to liability in the form of fines, penalties or damages for noncompliance with these laws and regulations. These laws and regulations generally govern wastewater discharges, air emissions, the operation and removal of underground and above-ground storage tanks, the use, storage, treatment, transportation and disposal of solid and hazardous materials, the remediation of contamination associated with the release or disposal of solid and hazardous materials, the presence of toxic building materials and other health and safety-related concerns.
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Some of these laws and regulations may impose joint and several liabilities on the tenants, owners or operators of real property for the costs to investigate or remediate contaminated properties, regardless of fault, whether the contamination occurred prior to purchase, or whether the acts causing the contamination were legal. Activities of our tenants, the condition of properties at the time we buy them, operations in the vicinity of our properties, such as the presence of underground storage tanks, or activities of unrelated third parties may affect our properties.
The presence of hazardous substances, or the failure to properly manage or remediate these substances, may hinder our ability to sell, rent or pledge such property as collateral for future borrowings. Any material expenditures, fines, penalties or damages we must pay will reduce our ability to make distributions and may reduce the value of your investment.
You may not have any protection under the Investment Advisers Act.
The Manager is not registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”) because the Manager does not provide investment advisory services.. The Advisers Act contains many provisions designed to protect clients of investment advisers, including, among other things, restrictions on the charging by registered investment advisers of performance-based compensation. Such protections, and others afforded by the Advisers Act, are not expected to be applicable to the Manager and to the Company. Should the Advisers Act become applicable to the Manager and to the Company, these protections may be implemented in a manner that alters other rights and obligations of the Company and/or you with respect to other matters.
Risks Related to Conflicts of Interest
There are conflicts of interest between us, our Manager and its affiliates.
Our Manager provides asset management and other services to other funds. Prevailing market rates are determined by the Manager based on industry standards and expectations of what the Manager would be able to negotiate with a third party on an arm’s length basis. All of the agreements and arrangements between such parties, including those relating to compensation, are not the result of arm’s length negotiations. Some of the conflicts inherent in the Company’s transactions with the Manager and its affiliates, and the limitations on such parties adopted to address these conflicts, are described below. The Company, the Manager and their affiliates will try to balance our interests with their own. However, to the extent that such parties take actions that are more favorable to other entities than us, these actions could have negative impact on our financial performance and, consequently, on distributions to our stockholders and the value of our Shares. We have adopted a conflicts of interest policy and certain conflicts will be reviewed by the Independent Representative (defined below). See “Conflicts of Interest—Certain Conflict Resolution Measures—Independent Representative” and “—Our Policies Relating to Conflicts of Interest”.
The interests of the Manager, the principals and its other affiliates may conflict with your interests.
The management agreement provides our Manager with broad powers and authority which may result in one or more conflicts of interest between your interests and those of the Manager and its affiliates. This risk is increased by the Manager being controlled by Mssrs. Biesanz and Bergin, who participates, or expects to participate, directly or indirectly in other offerings by our Manager and its affiliates. Potential conflicts of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
| • | the Manager and/or its affiliates are offering, and may continue to offer, other real estate investment opportunities, including additional blind pool equity offerings similar to this offering and may make investments in real estate assets for their own respective accounts, whether or not competitive with our business; |
| • | the Manager and/or its affiliates will not be required to disgorge any profits or fees or other compensation they may receive from any other business they own separately from us, and you will not be entitled to receive or Share in any of the profits return fees or compensation from any other business owned and operated by the Manager and/or its other affiliates for their own benefit; |
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| • | we may engage the Manager or affiliates of the Manager to perform services at prevailing market rates. Prevailing market rates are determined by the Manager based on industry standards and expectations of what the Manager would be able to negotiate with third party on an arm’s length basis; and |
| • | the Manager and/or its other affiliates are not required to devote all of their time and efforts to our affairs. |
We have agreed to limit remedies available to us and our stockholders for actions by our Manager that might otherwise constitute a breach of duty.
Our Manager maintains a contractual, as opposed to a fiduciary relationship, with us and our stockholders. Accordingly, we and our stockholders will only have recourse and be able to seek remedies against our Manager to the extent it breaches its obligations pursuant to the management agreement. Furthermore, we have agreed to limit the liability of our Manager and to indemnify our Manager against certain liabilities. These provisions are detrimental to our stockholders because they restrict the remedies available to them for actions that without those limitations might constitute breaches of duty, including fiduciary duties. In addition, we may choose not to enforce, or to enforce less vigorously, our rights under the management agreement because of our desire to maintain our ongoing relationship with our Manager.
Our Manager and the Operator may be entitled to receive compensation regardless of the profitability of the Company.
Our Manager and the Operator are entitled to receive certain significant fees and other significant compensation, payments and reimbursements regardless of whether the Company operates at a profit or a loss. In addition, the amount of compensation paid to the Manager and its affiliates will vary for each Property. See “Compensation to the Manager and its Affiliates.”
The hotel management agreements may limit the liability of the Operator to the Company.
The Operator and its agents and employees may not be liable to the Company for errors of judgment or other acts or omissions as set forth in any hotel management agreement(s) the terms of which are unknown. A successful claim for such indemnification would deplete the Company’s assets by the amount paid.
Risks Related to Our Properties
Our Properties will be subject to the risks typically associated with real estate.
Our Properties will be subject to the risks typically associated with real estate. The value of real estate may be adversely affected by a number of risks, including:
| • | natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes and floods; |
| • | acts of war or terrorism, including the consequences of terrorist attacks; |
| • | adverse changes in national and local economic and real estate conditions; |
| • | an oversupply of (or a reduction in demand for) hotel rooms in the areas where particular properties are located and the attractiveness of particular properties to prospective guests; |
| • | changes in governmental laws and regulations, fiscal policies and zoning ordinances and the related costs of compliance therewith and the potential for liability under applicable laws; |
| • | costs of remediation and liabilities associated with environmental conditions affecting properties; and |
| • | the potential for uninsured or underinsured property losses. |
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The value of each Property is affected significantly by its ability to generate cash flow and net income, which in turn depends on the amount of income that can be generated net of expenses required to be incurred with respect to the Property. Many expenditures associated with the Properties (such as operating expenses and capital expenditures) cannot be reduced when there is a reduction in income from the Properties.
Our concentration on hotel assets may leave our profitability vulnerable to a downturn or slowdown in this sector.
If less than all of the Shares are sold by the termination date of this offering, the number of Properties may be limited and, as a result, the Properties may not be diversified. A limited number of Properties would place a substantial portion of the funds invested in a limited number of geographical locations, some or all of which may have the same property-related risks. In addition, the Company has no plans to acquire any properties or investments other than the Properties. Thus, even if the maximum offering amount is sold, the Company will only have limited diversification as to the types of assets it owns. If any events negatively affect the areas in which the Properties are located, the performance of the Properties may be adversely affected and, as a result, the Company’s returns could be lower than as set forth in the projections prepared by the Manager. A more diversified investment portfolio would not be impacted to the same extent upon such an occurrence.
Actions of any joint venture partners that we may have in the future could reduce the returns on joint venture investments and decrease our stockholders’ overall return.
We may purchase and develop properties in joint ventures or in partnerships, co-tenancies or other co-ownership arrangements. Such investments may involve risks not otherwise present with other methods of investment, including, for example, the following risks:
| • | that our co-venturer, co-tenant or partner in an investment could become insolvent or bankrupt; |
| • | that such co-venturer, co-tenant or partner may at any time have economic or business interests or goals that are or that become inconsistent with our business interests or goals; |
| • | that such co-venturer, co-tenant or partner may be in a position to take action contrary to our instructions or requests or contrary to our policies or objectives; or |
| • | that disputes between us and our co-venturer, co-tenant or partner may result in litigation or arbitration that would increase our expenses and prevent our officers and directors from focusing their time and effort on our operations. |
Any of the above might subject a property to liabilities in excess of those contemplated and thus reduce our returns on that investment and the value of your investment.
The lack of audited results of operation from the seller of a Property could result in inaccurate financial projections.
Although the Company intends to obtain audited results of operation for the Properties prior to acquisition, the Company may not be able to obtain such information. In such event, the Company will rely on unaudited financial information provided by the sellers of the Properties. Thus, it is possible that information relied upon by the Company with respect to the acquisition of a Property may not be accurate.
The lack of current reports from the seller of a Property could result in undisclosed liabilities.
Although the Company intends to obtain current property condition reports, title reports, appraisals and environmental reports for the Properties prior to acquisition, the Company may not be able to obtain such reports. In such cases, there will be less certainty regarding the condition of the Properties and the risk of acquiring the Properties will be increased. In the event that the Properties require repairs or improvements, the Company may not have sufficient funds to complete such repairs or improvements. The Company will only establish limited reserves. If the Company is required to expend amounts for undisclosed repairs or improvements to the Properties, the return to our stockholders will be negatively impacted.
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The costs of defending against claims of environmental liability, of complying with environmental regulatory requirements, of remediating any contaminated property or of paying personal injury or other damage claims could reduce the amounts available for distribution to our stockholders.
Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, a current or previous real property owner or operator may be liable for the cost of removing or remediating hazardous or toxic substances on, under or in such property. These costs could be substantial. Such laws often impose liability whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances. Environmental laws also may impose liens on property or restrictions on the manner in which property may be used or businesses may be operated, and these restrictions may require substantial expenditures or prevent us from operating the Property that may be impacted by such laws. Environmental laws provide for sanctions for noncompliance and may be enforced by governmental agencies or, in certain circumstances, by private parties. Certain environmental laws and common law principles could be used to impose liability for the release of and exposure to hazardous substances, including asbestos-containing materials and lead-based paint. Third parties may seek recovery from real property owners or operators for personal injury or property damage associated with exposure to released hazardous substances and governments may seek recovery for natural resource damage. The costs of defending against claims of environmental liability, of complying with environmental regulatory requirements, of remediating any contaminated property, or of paying personal injury, property damage or natural resource damage claims could reduce the amounts available for distribution to you.
We expect that all of our Properties will be subject to Phase I environmental assessments at the time they are acquired; however, such assessments may not provide complete environmental histories due, for example, to limited available information about prior operations at the properties or other gaps in information at the time we acquire the property. A Phase I environmental assessment is an initial environmental investigation to identify potential environmental liabilities associated with the current and past uses of a given property. If any of our Properties were found to contain hazardous or toxic substances after our acquisition, the value of our investment could decrease below the amount paid for such investment.
The Properties could be subject to construction defects which could reduce the returns on the investment.
Some of the Properties may be subject to construction defect claims that only reveal themselves over time. The Company may have remedies under state law as well as under any warranties from the contractors for the construction work. If the warranties do not cover all the expenses associated with any construction defects that may arise, the Company could be liable for the expenses associated with correcting the construction defects. If work is required to cure any construction defects, it is likely that the reserves established by the Company will be insufficient to pay for such work. Accordingly, the presence of construction defects could adversely affect the financial performance of the Company.
Potential development and construction delays and resultant increased costs and risks may hinder our operating results and decrease our net income.
From time to time we may acquire Properties that are under development or construction. Properties in such condition will be subject to the uncertainties associated with the development and construction of real property, including those related to re-zoning land for development, environmental concerns of governmental entities and/or community groups and our builders’ ability to build in conformity with plans, specifications, budgeted costs and timetables. If a builder fails to perform, we may resort to legal action to rescind the purchase or the construction contract or to compel performance. A builder’s performance may also be affected or delayed by conditions beyond the builder’s control. We may incur additional risks when we make periodic progress payments or other advances to builders before they complete construction. These and other factors can result in increased costs of a Property or loss of our investment. We also must rely on income and expense projections and estimates of the fair market value of a Property upon completion of construction when agreeing upon a purchase price at the time we acquire the Property. If our projections are inaccurate, we may pay too much for a Property, and the return on our investment could suffer.
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We may not be able to rebuild our Properties to their then existing specifications if we experience a substantial or comprehensive loss of such properties.
In the event that we experience a substantial or comprehensive loss of one of our Properties, we may not be able to rebuild such property to its existing specifications. Further, reconstruction or improvement of such a property would likely require significant upgrades to meet zoning and building code requirements. Environmental and legal restrictions could also restrict the rebuilding of our Properties.
The Company could incur expenses associated with existence of toxic mold.
Litigation and concern about indoor exposure to certain types of toxic molds has been increasing as the public becomes aware that exposure to mold can cause a variety of health effects and symptoms, including allergic reactions. Toxic molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods, and insulation. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. In warm or humid climates, the likelihood of toxic mold can be exacerbated by the necessity of indoor air-conditioning year-round. The difficulty in discovering indoor toxic-mold growth could lead to an increased risk of lawsuits by affected persons, and the risk that the cost to remediate toxic mold will exceed the value of the property. Because of attempts to exclude damage caused by toxic mold growth from certain liability provisions in insurance policies, there is no guarantee that insurance coverage for toxic mold will be available now or in the future.
Uninsured losses relating to real property or excessively expensive premiums for insurance coverage could reduce our cash flows and the return on our stockholders’ investment.
There are types of losses, generally catastrophic in nature, such as losses due to wars, acts of terrorism, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, pollution or environmental matters that are uninsurable or not economically insurable or may be insured subject to limitations, such as large deductibles or co-payments. Insurance risks associated with potential acts of terrorism could sharply increase the premiums we pay for coverage against property and casualty claims. Additionally, mortgage lenders in some cases insist that commercial property owners purchase coverage against terrorism as a condition for providing mortgage loans. Such insurance policies may not be available at reasonable costs, if at all, which could inhibit our ability to finance or refinance our Properties. In such instances, we may be required to provide other financial support, either through financial assurances or self-insurance, to cover potential losses. We may not have adequate coverage for such losses. If any of our Properties incurs a casualty loss that is not fully insured, the value of our assets will be reduced by any such uninsured loss, which may reduce the value of your investment. In addition, other than any working capital reserve or other reserves we may establish, we have no source of funding to repair or reconstruct any uninsured property. Also, to the extent we must pay unexpectedly large amounts for insurance, we could suffer reduced earnings that would result in lower distributions to our stockholders.
Inflation, changes in building codes and ordinances, environmental considerations, and other factors also might make it infeasible to use insurance proceeds to replace a Property if it is damaged or destroyed. Under such circumstances, the insurance proceeds, if any, might not be adequate to restore the economic value of the Property, which might decrease the value of the Property.
Many of our investments are illiquid and we may not be able to vary our portfolio in response to changes in economic and other conditions.
Many factors that are beyond our control affect the real estate market and could affect our ability to sell properties and other investments for the price, on the terms or within the time frame that we desire. These factors include general economic conditions, the availability of financing, interest rates and other factors, including supply and demand. Because real estate investments are relatively illiquid, we have a limited ability to vary our portfolio in response to changes in economic or other conditions. Further, before we can sell a property on the terms we want, it may be necessary to expend funds to correct defects or to make improvements. However, we can give no assurance that we will have the funds available to correct such defects or to make such improvements. As a result, we expect many of our investments will be illiquid, and if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may
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realize significantly less than the value at which we have previously recorded our investments and our ability to vary our portfolio in response to changes in economic and other conditions may be relatively limited, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Declines in the market values of our investments may adversely affect periodic reported results of operations and credit availability, which may reduce earnings and, in turn, cash available for distribution to our stockholders.
Some of our assets will be classified for accounting purposes as “available-for-sale.” These investments are carried at estimated fair value and temporary changes in the market values of those assets will be directly charged or credited to stockholders’ equity without impacting net income on the income statement. Moreover, if we determine that a decline in the estimated fair value of an available-for-sale security falls below its amortized value and is not temporary, we will recognize a loss on that security on the income statement, which will reduce our earnings in the period recognized.
A decline in the market value of our assets may adversely affect us particularly in instances where we have borrowed money based on the market value of those assets. If the market value of those assets declines, the lender may require us to post additional collateral to support the loan. If we were unable to post the additional collateral, we may have to sell assets at a time when we might not otherwise choose to do so. A reduction in credit available may reduce our earnings and, in turn, cash available for distribution to stockholders.
Further, credit facility providers may require us to maintain a certain amount of cash reserves or to set aside unlevered assets sufficient to maintain a specified liquidity position, which would allow us to satisfy our collateral obligations. As a result, we may not be able to leverage our assets as fully as we would choose, which could reduce our return on equity. In the event that we are unable to meet these contractual obligations, our financial condition could deteriorate rapidly.
Market values of our investments may decline for a number of reasons, such as changes in prevailing market capitalization rates, decreases in market occupancy, or decreases in average daily rate.
If we sell a property by providing financing to the purchaser, we will bear the risk of default by the purchaser, which could delay or reduce the dividends available to our stockholders.
If we decide to sell any of our properties, we intend to use our best efforts to sell them for cash; however, in some instances, we may sell our properties by providing financing to purchasers. When we provide financing to a purchaser, we will bear the risk that the purchaser may default, which could reduce our cash dividends to stockholders. Even in the absence of a purchaser default, the distribution of the proceeds of the sale to our stockholders, or the reinvestment of the proceeds in other assets, will be delayed until the promissory note or other property we may accept upon a sale are actually paid, sold, refinanced or otherwise disposed.
Delays in the sale or refinancing of the Properties could adversely affect the proceeds received.
The Company anticipates that the Properties will be sold in approximately five to ten years from the time they are acquired. It may not be possible to sell the Properties at such time. Further, it is anticipated that the Company’s financing documents may not allow for prepayment except shortly before the maturity date and may require the payment of a yield maintenance penalty or defeasance and the lender’s approval of the buyer in order to have a loan assumed. If a Property is not sold as anticipated, the Company may have to attempt to refinance the indebtedness incurred to acquire the Property. Current interest rates are low and, as a result, it is likely that the interest rate that may be obtained upon refinancing will be higher than that of the loans. Fluctuations in the supply of money for such loans affect the availability and cost of loans, and the Company is unable to predict the effects of such fluctuations on the Company. Prevailing market conditions at the time the Company seeks to refinance a loan may make such loans difficult or costly to obtain. Such conditions may also adversely affect cash flow and/or profitability of the Company.
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Ground leases expose the Company to the potential loss of the Properties.
The Company may acquire long-term ground lease interests in the Properties. In any such event, the Company may lose its interests in such Properties if it is unable to make the required lease payments.
The failure to obtain representations and warranties in the purchase agreements may result in unexpected losses.
The Company may acquire Properties from sellers who make only limited or no representations and warranties regarding the condition of the Properties and the underlying real estate, including the occupancy levels, the presence of hazardous materials or hazardous substances, the status of governmental approvals and entitlements or other matters adversely affecting such real property. In addition, the right to sue the sellers with respect to a breach of a representation or warranty may expire within a relatively short period of time after acquisition of the Property. In certain cases, the Manager may also agree to release the sellers from certain claims, costs and liabilities in the purchase agreements between the Company and the sellers. As a result, if defects in a Property or other matters adversely affecting a Property are discovered, the Company may not be able to pursue a claim for damages against the seller of the Property. The extent of damages that the Company may incur as a result of such matters cannot be predicted, but potentially could result in a significant adverse effect on the value of such Properties.
The Company’s ability to operate a Property may be limited by its obligations under CC&Rs.
The Properties may be subject to various covenants, conditions and restrictions (“CC&Rs”) that were recorded against the land. The CC&Rs may place certain obligations on the Company with respect to the maintenance of the common areas of a Property and other matters. The CC&Rs may place restrictions on how a Property may be rehabilitated or repaired. The CC&Rs may also set forth reciprocal rights with respect to issues such as encroachments, parking, utility lines and ingress and egress and may place limitations on the way the Company operates a Property. Restrictions in the CC&Rs could negatively impact the results of the Properties.
The value of a Property would be materially adversely affected if the land on which it is located were condemned.
The Properties, or a portion thereof, could become subject to an eminent domain or inverse condemnation action. Any such action could have a material adverse effect on the marketability of a Property or the amount of return on the investment for our stockholders.
Risks Relating to the Hotel Industry
Our Properties will be subject to operating risks associated with hotels.
The Properties will be subject to operating risks that are common to the hotel industry. These risks include, among other things:
| • | competition for guests from other hotels, a number of which may have greater marketing and financial resources and experience than the Company; |
| • | increases in operating costs due to inflation and other factors, which increases may not have been offset in past years, and may not be offset in future years, by increased room rates; |
| • | dependence on business and commercial travelers and tourism, which business may fluctuate and be seasonal; |
| • | increases in energy costs and other expenses of travel, which may deter travelers; |
| • | adverse effects of general and local economic conditions; and |
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| • | the construction of more hotel rooms in a particular area than needed to meet demand. These factors could adversely affect the ability of the Company to generate revenues from the Properties. In addition, it may not be possible to transfer certain operating licenses, such as food and beverage licenses or to obtain new licenses in a timely manner in the event such licenses cannot be transferred. Although hotels can generally provide alcoholic beverages under interim licenses or licenses obtained prior to the acquisition of such hotels, there can be no assurance that these licenses will remain in effect or that new licenses will be obtained. The failure to have alcoholic beverage licenses or other operating licenses could adversely affect the ability of the Company to generate revenues. |
The hotel industry is highly volatile which could decrease our stockholders’ overall return.
The hotel industry is a volatile industry, is dependent on the disposable income of consumers and the travel industry, and is subject to greater risk than that typically associated with an investment in real estate. The Properties will be subject to these heightened risks.
The franchise agreements under which our Properties will be operated may restrict the hotels’ operations.
It is anticipated that the Properties will be operated under existing franchises or license agreements or will be subject to new franchise or license agreements. Such agreements will require that the applicable hotel be maintained and operated in accordance with specific standards and restrictions in order to maintain uniformity with the franchisor’s brand of hotels. Compliance with these standards, and changes in these standards, could cause the Company to incur significant expenses or capital expenditures, which would adversely affect the results of operation of the hotels and returns to our stockholders. In the event a Property loses any licenses, franchises or permits required to operate the hotel under the applicable brand, hotel operations may not meet anticipated levels and it may be difficult to sell the hotel. In addition, the Company may be required to pay various acquisition fees when it acquires Properties from franchisees, including transfer fees and affiliation fees, which will increase the acquisition cost of the Properties.
The franchise agreements may require property improvement plans which would increase the costs associated with operating the Properties.
Franchisors of the Properties may require the Company to adhere to property improvement plans with respect to the hotels it acquires. The costs of the property improvement plans are unknown. Costs associated with property improvement plans may be required to be paid at the time of acquisition of the Properties and/or during the course of ownership of the Properties. Failure to comply with the property improvement plans may result in franchisors disallowing the use of the franchised brands associated with the Properties. Also, in connection with the disposition of the Properties by the Company, the purchaser may be required to pay costs associated with property improvement plans, which may result in a lower sales price for the Properties or otherwise make the sale of the Properties more difficult.
The hotel industry is highly competitive and if we do not compete effectively, the return on our investments could be adversely affected.
The hotel industry is highly competitive and the Properties will compete with other hotels in their geographic areas. The building of additional hotel rooms in the geographic areas in which the Properties are located could result in an oversupply of hotel rooms which could adversely affect both occupancy and room rates for the Properties. A significant increase in the supply of hotel rooms and suites, if demand fails to increase at least proportionately, could have an adverse effect on the operational results of the Properties and returns to our stockholders could be adversely affected.
The seasonality of the hotel industry could affect the timing and amount of distributions paid to our stockholders.
The hotel industry is seasonal in nature. Some seasons may be more profitable for certain hotels than for others. Seasonal variations can be expected to cause fluctuations in the revenue generated by the hotels, and, thus, the revenues of the Company.
Our operating results will depend in substantial part on the success of the Asset Manager and Operator.
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The Company has no experience in owning or managing hotels and will rely on the Asset Manager and Operator or another operator to manage the operations at the Properties. It is anticipated that the Properties will be managed by the Asset Manager, which is an affiliate of the Manager and operated by the Operator. If the Operator is contractually prohibited or is otherwise unable or elects not to operate a Property, another operator will be chosen for that Property in the discretion of the Manager and Asset Manager. Most decisions regarding the operation of the Properties will be made exclusively by the Operator. The Operator may from time to time receive information or notices regarding the Properties. It is anticipated that the hotel management agreements for the Properties will require the Operator to furnish to the Company, promptly after receipt, any notice of violation of any governmental requirement or order issued by any governmental entity, any notice of default from the holder of any mortgage or deed of trust encumbering the Properties or any notice of termination or cancellation of any insurance policy. If the Operator fails to furnish such notices or other notices or information it receives with respect to the Properties to the Company, the ability of the Company to protect its interest in the Properties may be adversely affected. Potential stockholders must carefully evaluate the personal experience and business performance of the principals of the Operator. It is anticipated that the Operator will enter into subcontract agreements relating to the operation of any Property. Neither the Operator not the Asset Manager has no fiduciary duty to our stockholders and may not perform as expected.
Complying with federal, state and local regulations could result in unexpected loss.
The hotel industry is subject to federal, state and local regulations, including building and zoning requirements, all of which can increase the cost of operating hotel facilities. In addition, the hotel industry and hotel operators are subject to laws governing their relationship with employees, including minimum wage and overtime payment requirements and rules pertaining to working conditions. Increases in benefit costs or other costs associated with employees will increase operating costs and, in turn, could adversely affect the results of the Properties and the return to our stockholders.
The Company expects to use leverage to acquire the Properties, which will subject the Company to risks associated with financing.
The acquisition of the Properties will require the Company to obtain third-party financing. Thus, the Properties will be leveraged. The loan-to-value ratio for each Property acquired will not exceed 80%. The Manager has not obtained any financing commitments for any Property. Therefore, the amount and terms of any future loans are uncertain and will be negotiated by the Manager. No assurance can be given that future cash flow will be sufficient to make the debt service payments on any loans and to cover all operating expenses. If the Properties’ revenues are insufficient to pay debt service and operating costs, the Company may be required to seek additional working capital. There can be no assurance that such additional funds will be available. In the event additional funds are not available, the lenders may foreclose on the Properties and our stockholders could lose their investment. In addition, the degree to which the Company is leveraged could have an adverse impact on the Company, including
| • | increased vulnerability to adverse general economic and market conditions, |
| • | impaired ability to expand and to respond to increased competition, |
| • | impaired ability to obtain additional financing for future working capital, capital expenditures, general corporate or other purposes and |
| • | requiring that a significant portion of cash provided by operating activities be used for the payment of debt obligations, thereby reducing funds available for operations and future business opportunities. |
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The Company does not have any financing currently in place and, as a result, the terms of such loans are unknown.
The Company will need to obtain loans to acquire the Properties and may need to obtain additional loans to finance its internal operations as well as the operations of the Properties. The terms of the loans to be obtained or assumed by the Company to acquire the Properties will vary and the exact terms are unknown. It may be difficult to obtain financing when needed and the terms and conditions under which any financing can be obtained are uncertain and could be unfavorable. If the Company is not able to obtain financing, the Company may not be able to acquire Properties. It is anticipated that the loans will not allow for any type of prepayment except shortly before the maturity date and any prepayment may require the payment of a yield maintenance penalty or defeasance. Consequently, the Company may not be able to take advantage of favorable changes in interest rates.
Variable interest rates of financing used to acquire Properties could affect future revenues.
The Company may pay interest at a variable or fixed rate of interest on monies borrowed to acquire the Properties. When interest rates change it is possible that the interest paid on funds used to acquire Properties will be higher than the rate of return from the Properties and may result in the loss of the Properties. For example, the debt service payments on a variable interest rate loan obtained to acquire a Property may increase and the Property secured by such loan may not generate sufficient cash flow to pay the increasing debt service payments.
Hedging against interest rate exposure may adversely affect our earnings, limit our gains or result in losses, which could adversely affect cash available for distribution to our stockholders.
We may enter into interest rate swap agreements or pursue other interest rate hedging strategies. Our hedging activity will vary in scope based on the level of interest rates, the type and expected duration of portfolio investments held, and other changing market conditions. Interest rate hedging may fail to protect or could adversely affect us because, among other things:
| • | interest rate hedging can be expensive, particularly during periods of rising and volatile interest rates; |
| • | available interest rate hedging may not correspond directly with the interest rate risk for which protection is sought; |
| • | the duration of the hedge may not match the duration of the related liability or asset; |
| • | our hedging opportunities may be limited by the treatment of income from hedging transactions under the rules determining REIT qualification; |
| • | the credit quality of the party owing money on the hedge may be downgraded to such an extent that it impairs our ability to sell or assign our side of the hedging transaction; |
| • | the party owing money in the hedging transaction may default on its obligation to pay; and |
| • | we may purchase a hedge that turns out not to be necessary, i.e., a hedge that is out of the money. |
Any hedging activity we engage in may adversely affect our earnings, which could adversely affect cash available for distribution to our stockholders. Therefore, while we may enter into such transactions to seek to reduce interest rate risks, unanticipated changes in interest rates may result in poorer overall investment performance than if we had not engaged in any such hedging transactions. In addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in a hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio positions being hedged or liabilities being hedged may vary materially. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, we may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the intended hedge and expose us to risk of loss.
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Financing to acquire the Properties may not be available or only available on terms that reduce the projected returns from the Properties.
Market fluctuations in real estate loans may affect the availability and cost of loans needed for the Properties. Credit availability has been restricted in the past and may become so in the future. Restrictions upon the availability of real estate financing, or high interest rates on real estate loans, may adversely affect the Company. It is anticipated that the lenders will restrict the ability to obtain subordinate financing for the Properties. The Company does not have any commitments for loans to acquire any Property and there is no assurance that such loans will be available. Restrictions upon the availability of real estate financing or high interest rates on real estate loans may also adversely affect the ability of the Company to sell the Properties.
The repayment terms of the Company’s loans could result in the loss of the affected Property.
It is anticipated that the loans obtained to acquire the Properties may have short terms and will require the Company to make large balloon payments on the maturity dates of the loans. If the Company is unable to make a balloon payment or to refinance any of the loans for any reason or at reasonable cost, the ownership of a Property could be jeopardized.
Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure
The ownership limits that apply to REITs, as prescribed by the Code and by our charter, limits the number of shares a person may own, which may inhibit market activity in shares of our common stock and restrict our business combination opportunities.
In order for us to qualify as a REIT, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding shares of stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) at any time during the last half of each taxable year after the first year for which we elect to qualify as a REIT. Additionally, at least 100 persons must beneficially own our stock during at least 335 days of a taxable year (other than the first taxable year for which we elect to be taxed as a REIT). Our charter, with certain exceptions, authorizes our directors to take such actions as are necessary and desirable to preserve our qualification as a REIT. To help us comply with the REIT ownership requirements of the Code, our charter prohibits a person from directly, beneficially or constructively owning more than 9.8% by value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding shares of common stock, or 9.8% by value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding capital stock, unless exempted by our Board of Directors. These 9.8% ownership limitations will apply as of the first date of the second taxable year for which we elect to be treated as a REIT, which will be January 1, 2022 assuming we elect to be treated as a REIT for the taxable year ending December 31, 2021. However, our charter will also prohibit any actual, beneficial or constructive ownership of our shares that causes us to fail to qualify as a REIT (including any ownership that would result in any of our income that would otherwise qualify as “rents from real property” for purposes of the REIT rules to fail to qualify as such) and such ownership limitation shall not be waived. In addition, our charter will prohibit a person from owning actually or constructively shares of our outstanding capital stock if such ownership would result in any of our income that would otherwise qualify as “rents from real property” for purposes of the REIT rules to fail to qualify as such. Our Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, subject to such conditions as it may determine and the receipt of certain representations and undertakings, prospectively or retroactively, waive the 9.8% ownership limits or establish a different limit on ownership, or excepted holder limit, for a particular stockholder if the stockholder’s ownership in excess of the ownership limit would not result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT. These restrictions may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in control of us, including an extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, tender offer or sale of all or substantially all of our assets) that might provide a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.
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Rapid changes in the values of our assets may make it more difficult for us to maintain our qualification as a REIT or our exception from the definition of an investment company under the Investment Company Act.
If the market value or income potential of our qualifying real estate assets changes as compared to the market value or income potential of our non-qualifying assets, or if the market value or income potential of our assets that are considered “real estate-related assets” under the Investment Company Act or REIT qualification tests changes as compared to the market value or income potential of our assets that are not considered “real estate-related assets” under the Investment Company Act or REIT qualification tests, whether as a result of increased interest rates, prepayment rates or other factors, we may need to modify our investment portfolio in order to maintain our REIT qualification or exception from the definition of an investment company. If the decline in asset values or income occurs quickly, this may be especially difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish. This difficulty may be exacerbated by the illiquid nature of many of the assets that we may own. We may have to make investment decisions that we otherwise would not make absent REIT and Investment Company Act considerations.
Our stockholders will have limited voting rights and will not have control over changes in our policies and operations, which increases the uncertainty and risks our stockholders face.
Our Manager and/or our Board of Directors determines our major policies, including our policies regarding financing, growth, debt capitalization, REIT qualification and dividends. Our Manager and/or our Board of Directors may amend or revise these and other policies without a vote of the stockholders. Under Delaware General Corporation Law and our charter, our stockholders have a right to vote only on limited matters. Our Manager’s and/or our Board of Directors’ broad discretion in setting policies and our stockholders’ inability to exert control over those policies increases the uncertainty and risks our stockholders face.
Federal Income Tax Risks
Failure to qualify as a REIT would reduce our net earnings available for investment or distribution and would adversely affect the timing, amount, and character of dividends to stockholders.
Our qualification as a REIT will depend upon our ability to meet requirements regarding our organization and ownership, dividends of our income, the nature and diversification of our income and assets, and other tests imposed by the Code. If we fail to qualify as a REIT for any taxable year after electing REIT status, we will be subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at corporate rates. In addition, we would generally be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year of losing our REIT status. Losing our REIT status would reduce our net earnings available for investment or distribution to stockholders because of the additional tax liability. In addition, dividends to stockholders would no longer qualify for the dividends-paid deduction and we would no longer be required to pay dividends. If this occurs, we might be required to borrow funds or liquidate some investments in order to pay the applicable taxes. For a discussion of the REIT qualification tests and other considerations relating to our election to be taxed as a REIT, see “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
Even if we qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we may be subject to other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.
Even if we qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we may be subject to some federal, state and local taxes on our income or property. For example:
| • | In order to qualify as a REIT, we must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income to our stockholders (which is determined without regard to the dividends-paid deduction or net capital gain). To the extent that we satisfy the distribution requirement but distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, we will generally be subject to federal corporate income tax on the undistributed income. |
| • | We will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which dividends we pay in any calendar year are less than the sum of 85% of our ordinary income, 95% of our capital gain net income, and 100% of our undistributed income from prior years. |
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| • | If we have net income from the sale of foreclosure property that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business or other non-qualifying income from foreclosure property, we must pay a tax on that income at the highest corporate income tax rate. |
| • | If we sell an asset, other than foreclosure property, that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, our gain would be subject to the 100% “prohibited transaction” tax unless such sale were made by one of our TRSs or we qualified for a “safe harbor” under the Code. |
We intend to pay dividends to our stockholders to comply with the REIT requirements of the Code.
REIT distribution requirements could adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan or our liquidity and may force us to borrow funds during unfavorable market conditions.
In order to maintain our REIT status and to meet the REIT distribution requirements, we may need to borrow funds on a short-term basis or sell assets, even if the then-prevailing market conditions are not favorable for these borrowings or sales. In addition, we may need to reserve cash (including proceeds from this offering) to satisfy our REIT distribution requirements, even though there are attractive investment opportunities that may be available. To qualify as a REIT, we generally must distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our net taxable income each year, excluding capital gains. In addition, we will be subject to corporate income tax to the extent we distribute less than 100% of our taxable income including any net capital gain. We intend to make distributions to our stockholders to comply with the requirements of the Code for REITs and to minimize or eliminate our corporate income tax obligation to the extent consistent with our business objectives. Our cash flows from operations may be insufficient to fund required distributions, for example as a result of differences in timing between the actual receipt of income and the recognition of income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the effect of non-deductible capital expenditures, the creation of reserves or required debt service or amortization payments (including, for example, where a borrower defers the payment of interest in cash pursuant to a contractual right or otherwise). The insufficiency of our cash flows to cover our distribution requirements could have an adverse impact on our ability to raise short- and long-term debt or sell equity securities in order to fund distributions required to maintain our REIT status. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which distributions paid by us in any calendar year are less than the sum of 85% of our ordinary income, 95% of our capital gain net income and 100% of our undistributed income from prior years. To address and/or mitigate some of these issues, we may make taxable distributions that are in part paid in cash and in part paid in our common stock. In such cases our stockholders may have tax liabilities from such distributions in excess of the cash they receive. The treatment of such taxable share distributions is not clear, and it is possible the taxable share distribution will not count towards our distribution requirement, in which case adverse consequences could apply.
Dividends payable by REITs generally do not qualify for the reduced tax rates on dividend income from regular corporations, which could adversely affect the value of our common stock.
The maximum regular U.S. federal income tax rate for certain qualified dividends payable to U.S. holders of U.S. corporate stock that are individuals, is currently 20%. Dividends payable by REITs, however, are generally not eligible for the reduced rates and therefore are subject to regular U.S. federal income tax rates on ordinary income of a noncorporate U.S. holder (currently at a maximum rate of 37.0%). Such dividends are also not eligible for the dividends received deduction generally available to corporations with respect to dividends from U.S. corporations. Although the reduced U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to dividend income from regular corporate dividends does not adversely affect the taxation of REITs or dividends paid by REITs, the more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate dividends could cause investors who are individuals, trusts and estates to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the shares of REITs, including our common stock.
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To maintain our REIT status, we may be forced to forego otherwise attractive opportunities, which may delay or hinder our ability to meet our investment objectives and reduce our stockholders’ overall return.
To qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy certain tests on an ongoing basis concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, nature of our assets, and the amounts we distribute to our stockholders. We may be required to pay dividends to stockholders at times when it would be more advantageous to reinvest cash in our business or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution. Compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits and the value of our stockholders’ investment.
If we fail to invest a sufficient amount of the net proceeds from selling our common stock in real estate assets within one year from the receipt of the proceeds, we could fail to qualify as a REIT.
Temporary investment of the net proceeds from sales of our common stock in short-term securities and income from such investment generally will allow us to satisfy various REIT income and asset requirements, but only during the one-year period beginning on the date we receive the net proceeds. If we are unable to invest a sufficient amount of the net proceeds from sales of our common stock in qualifying real estate assets within such one-year period, we could fail to satisfy one or more of the gross income or asset tests and/or we could be limited to investing all or a portion of any remaining funds in cash or cash equivalents. If we fail to satisfy any such income or asset test, unless we are entitled to relief under certain provisions of the Code, we could fail to qualify as a REIT. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
Our ability to provide certain services to our tenants may be limited by the REIT rules, or may have to be provided through a taxable REIT subsidiary.
As a REIT, we generally cannot hold interests in rental property where tenants receive services other than services that are customarily provided by landlords, nor can we derive income from a third party that provides such services. If services to tenants at properties in which we hold an interest are limited to customary services, those properties may be disadvantaged as compared to other properties that can be operated without the same restrictions. However, we can provide such non-customary services to tenants or share in the revenue from such services if we do so through a taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”), though income earned through the TRS will be subject to corporate income taxes.
Even if we remain qualified for taxation as a REIT under the Code, we may face other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow.
Even if we remain qualified for taxation as a REIT under the Code, we may be subject to federal, state and local taxes on our income and assets, including taxes on any undistributed income, excise taxes, state or local income, property and transfer taxes, and other taxes. Also, some jurisdictions may in the future limit or eliminate favorable income tax deductions, including the dividends paid deduction, which could increase our income tax expense. In addition, in order to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, prevent the recognition of particular types of non-cash income, or avert the imposition of a 100% tax that applies to specified gains derived by a REIT from dealer property or inventory, we may hold or dispose of some of our assets and conduct some of our operations through our TRSs or other subsidiary corporations that will be subject to corporate level income tax at regular rates. In addition, while we intend that our transactions with our TRSs will be conducted on arm’s length bases, we may be subject to a 100% excise tax on a transaction that the IRS or a court determines was not conducted at arm’s length. Any of these taxes would decrease cash available for distribution to our shareholders.
If arrangements involving our TRSs fail to comply as intended with the REIT qualification and taxation rules, we may fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code or be subject to significant penalty taxes.
We lease most of our hotel properties to our TRSs pursuant to arrangements that, under the Code, are intended to qualify the rents we receive from our TRSs as income that satisfies the REIT gross income tests. We also intend that our transactions with our TRSs be conducted on arm’s length bases so that we and our TRSs will not be subject to penalty taxes under the Code applicable to mispriced transactions. While relief provisions can sometimes excuse REIT gross income test failures, significant penalty taxes may still be imposed.
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For our TRS arrangements to comply as intended with the REIT qualification and taxation rules under the Code, a number of requirements must be satisfied, including:
| • | our TRSs may not directly or indirectly operate or manage a lodging facility, as defined by the Code; |
| • | the leases to our TRSs must be respected as true leases for federal income tax purposes and not as service contracts, partnerships, joint ventures, financings or other types of arrangements; |
| • | the leased properties must constitute qualified lodging facilities (including customary amenities and facilities) under the Code; |
| • | our leased properties must be managed and operated on behalf of the TRSs by independent contractors who are less than 35% affiliated with us and who are actively engaged (or have affiliates so engaged) in the trade or business of managing and operating qualified lodging facilities for persons unrelated to us; and |
| • | the rental and other terms of the leases must be arm’s length. |
We cannot be sure that the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or a court will agree with our assessment that our TRS arrangements comply as intended, we may fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code or be subject to significant penalties.
We may become subject to a 100% excise tax if our TRSs pay us excessive rent.
The IRS could challenge the rents paid to us by our TRSs as excessive, and a court could reach a similar conclusion. In either event, we could be taxed at 100% of the amount of rents determined to be excessive. There can be no assurance that we will not be subjected to that excise tax. If we are, and if the amount is material, our liquidity and ability to serve our debt and pay dividends could be materially and adversely affected.
If any hotel management companies that we engage do not qualify as "eligible independent contractors," or if our hotels are not “qualified lodging facilities," we would likely fail to qualify as a REIT.
Rent paid by a lessee that is a “related party tenant” of ours generally will not be qualifying income for purposes of the two gross income tests applicable to REITs. An exception is provided, however, for leases of “qualified lodging facilities” to a TRS so long as the hotels are managed by the Operator who is an “eligible independent contractor” and certain other requirements are satisfied. We lease and expect to lease all or substantially all of our hotels to TRS lessees, which are disregarded subsidiaries of the TRSs, and to engage hotel management companies that are intended to qualify as “eligible independent contractors.” Among other requirements, in order to qualify as an eligible independent contractor, the hotel management company must not own, directly or through its stockholders, more than 35% of our outstanding shares, and no person or group of persons can own more than 35% of our outstanding shares and the shares (or ownership interest) of the hotel management company (taking into account certain ownership attribution rules and, with respect to our shares and the outstanding shares of any publicly traded hotel management company, only the shares owned by persons who own, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of a publicly traded class of shares). The ownership attribution rules that apply for purposes of these 35% thresholds are complex, and monitoring actual and constructive ownership of our shares by the hotel management companies and their owners may not be practical. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that these ownership levels will not be exceeded.
In addition, for a hotel management company to qualify as an eligible independent contractor, such company or a related person must be actively engaged in the trade or business of operating “qualified lodging facilities” (as defined below) for one or more persons not related to the REIT or its TRSs at each time that such company enters into a hotel management contract with a TRS or its TRS lessee. As of the date hereof, we believe the hotel management companies operate qualified lodging facilities for certain persons who are not related to us or our TRS. However, no assurances can be provided that this will continue to be the case or that any other hotel management companies that we may engage in the future will in fact comply with this requirement in the future. Failure to comply with this requirement would require us to find other managers for future contracts, and, if we hired a management company without knowledge of the failure, could jeopardize our status as a REIT.
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Finally, each hotel with respect to which our TRS lessees pay rent must be a “qualified lodging facility.” A “qualified lodging facility” is a hotel, motel or other establishment more than one-half of the dwelling units in which are used on a transient basis, including customary amenities and facilities, provided that no wagering activities are conducted at or in connection with such facility by any person who is engaged in the business of accepting wagers and who is legally authorized to engage in such business at or in connection with such facility. As of the date hereof, we believe that all of the hotels leased to our TRS lessees will be qualified lodging facilities. Although we intend to monitor future acquisitions and improvements of hotels, the REIT provisions of the IRS Code provide only limited guidance for making determinations under the requirements for qualified lodging facilities, and there can be no assurance that these requirements will be satisfied in all cases.
Although our use of TRSs may partially mitigate the impact of meeting certain requirements necessary to maintain our qualification as a REIT, there are limits on our ability to own and engage in transactions with TRSs, and a failure to comply with such limits would jeopardize our REIT qualification and may result in the application of a 100% excise tax.
A REIT may own up to 100% of the stock or securities of one or more TRSs. A TRS may hold assets and earn income that would not be qualifying assets or income if held or earned directly by a REIT. Both the subsidiary and the REIT must jointly elect to treat the subsidiary as a TRS. A corporation of which a TRS directly or indirectly owns more than 35% of the voting power or value of the stock will automatically be treated as a TRS. Overall, no more than 20% of the value of a REIT’s assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more TRSs. In addition, the rules limit the deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a TRS to its parent REIT to assure that the TRS is subject to an appropriate level of corporate taxation. The rules also impose a 100% excise tax on certain transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT that are not conducted on an arm’s-length basis. We may jointly elect with one or more subsidiaries for those subsidiaries to be treated as TRSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. These TRSs will pay U.S. federal, state and local income tax on their taxable income, and their after-tax net income will be available for distribution to us but is not required to be distributed to us. We will monitor the value of our respective investments in any TRSs we may form for the purpose of ensuring compliance with TRS ownership limitations and intend to structure our transactions with any such TRSs on terms that we believe are arm’s-length to avoid incurring the 100% excise tax described above. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to comply with the TRS ownership limitation or to avoid application of the 100% excise tax.
You may be restricted from acquiring, transferring or redeeming certain amounts of our common stock.
In order to maintain our REIT qualification, among other requirements, no more than 50% in value of our outstanding shares may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals, as defined in the Code to include certain kinds of entities, during the last half of any taxable year, other than the first year for which a REIT election is made. To assist us in qualifying as a REIT, our charter contains an aggregate share ownership limit and a common stock ownership limit. Generally, any of our shares owned by affiliated owners will be added together for purposes of the aggregate share ownership limit, and any common stock owned by affiliated owners will be added together for purposes of the common stock ownership limit. In addition, our charter prohibits a person from owning actually or constructively shares of our outstanding capital stock if such ownership would result in any of our income that would otherwise qualify as rents from real property for purposes of the REIT rules to fail to qualify as such.
If anyone attempts to transfer or own shares in a way that would violate the aggregate share ownership limit or the common stock ownership limit or results in ownership that would result in any of our income that would otherwise qualify as rents from real property for purposes of the REIT rules to fail to qualify as such, or would prevent us from continuing to qualify as a REIT), unless such ownership limits have been waived by our Manager, those shares instead will be deemed transferred to a trust for the benefit of a charitable beneficiary and will be either redeemed by us or sold to a person whose ownership of the shares will not violate the aggregate share ownership limit or the common stock ownership limit and will not prevent us from qualifying as a REIT. If this transfer to a trust fails to prevent such a violation or our disqualification as a REIT, then the initial intended transfer or ownership will be null and void from the outset. Anyone who acquires or owns shares in violation of the aggregate share ownership limit or the common stock ownership limit, unless such ownership limit or limits have been waived by our Manager, or the other restrictions on transfer or ownership in our charter, bears the risk of a financial loss when the shares are redeemed or sold, if the NAV of our shares falls between the date of purchase and the date of redemption or sale.
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Our limits on ownership of our shares also may require us to decline redemption requests that would cause other stockholders to exceed such ownership limits or to the extent we determine is necessary to preserve our status as a REIT. In addition, in order to comply with certain of the distribution requirements applicable to REITs we will decline to honor any redemption request that we believe is a “dividend equivalent” redemption as discussed in “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Redemption or Repurchase by Us.”
In addition, our charter provides that, prior to the first date on which any class or series of shares of our capital stock constitutes “publicly-offered securities” (as defined in the Plan Assets Regulation), “benefit plan investors” may not hold, in the aggregate, 25% or more of the value of any class or series of shares of our capital stock. If benefit plan investors exceed this 25% limit, we may redeem their interests at a price equal to the then current NAV per share or transfer their interests to a trust for the benefit of a charitable beneficiary. See “Investment by Qualified Plans and IRAs—Plan Asset Regulations” for more information.
Furthermore, our charter provides that, in the event we determine in our discretion that there is a material likelihood that we would be a fiduciary under applicable law with respect to an investor that is subject to ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code (e.g., an IRA), we have the authority to redeem such investor’s interests at a price equal to the then current NAV per share.
The tax on prohibited transactions will limit our ability to engage in transactions that would be treated as sales for federal income tax purposes.
A REIT’s net income from prohibited transactions is subject to a 100% tax. In general, prohibited transactions are sales or other dispositions of assets, other than foreclosure property, deemed held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business (subject to a safe harbor under the Code for certain sales). It may be possible to reduce the impact of the prohibited transaction tax by conducting certain activities through TRSs. However, to the extent that we engage in such activities through TRSs, the income associated with such activities may be subject to full corporate income tax.
Non-United States investors may be subject to FIRPTA on the sale of shares of our common stock if we are unable to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity.”
Except with respect to a “qualified foreign pension plan” or a non-United States person that is a “qualified stockholder”, a non-United States person disposing of a United States real property interest, including shares of a United States corporation whose assets consist principally of United States real property interests, is generally subject to a tax under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Trust Act, or FIRPTA, on the gain recognized on the disposition of such interest. FIRPTA does not apply, however, to the disposition of shares in a REIT if the REIT is a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity.” A REIT is a domestically controlled qualified investment entity if, at all times during a specified testing period (the continuous five-year period ending on the date of disposition or, if shorter, the entire period of the REIT’s existence), less than 50% in value of its shares is held directly or indirectly by non-United States holders. We cannot assure you that we will qualify as a domestically controlled qualified investment entity. If we were to fail to so qualify, gain realized by a non-United States investor that is not a “qualified foreign pension plan” or a “qualified stockholder” on a sale of our common stock would be subject to FIRPTA unless our common stock was regularly traded on an established securities market and the non-United States investor did not at any time during a specified testing period directly or indirectly own more than 10% of the value of our outstanding common stock.
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Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively.
The REIT provisions of the Code may limit our ability to hedge our assets and operations. Under these provisions, any income that we generate from transactions intended to hedge our interest rate, inflation and/or currency risks will be excluded from gross income for purposes of the REIT 75% and 95% gross income tests if the instrument hedges (i) interest rate risk on liabilities incurred to carry or acquire real estate, (ii) risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the REIT 75% or 95% gross income tests or (iii) certain other offsetting positions, and such instrument is properly identified under applicable Treasury Regulations. Income from hedging transactions that do not meet these requirements will generally constitute nonqualifying income for purposes of both the REIT 75% and 95% gross income tests. As a result of these rules, we may have to limit our use of hedging techniques that might otherwise be advantageous, which could result in greater risks associated with interest rate or other changes than we would otherwise incur.
If we were considered to actually or constructively pay a “preferential dividend” to certain of our stockholders, our status as a REIT could be adversely affected.
In order to qualify as a REIT, we must distribute annually to our stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain. In order for dividends to be counted as satisfying the annual distribution requirements for REITs, and to provide us with a REIT-level tax deduction, the dividends must not be “preferential dividends.” A dividend is generally not a preferential dividend if the distribution is pro rata among all outstanding shares of stock within a particular class, and in accordance with the preferences among different classes of stock as set forth in the REIT’s organizational documents. There is no de minimis exception with respect to preferential dividends. Therefore, if the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) were to take the position that we inadvertently paid a preferential dividend, we may be deemed either to (a) have distributed less than 100% of our REIT taxable income and be subject to tax on the undistributed portion, or (b) have distributed less than 90% of our REIT taxable income and our status as a REIT could be terminated for the year in which such determination is made if we were unable to cure such failure. It also is possible that under certain technical rules relating to the deduction for dividends paid, the IRS could take the position that redemptions taxed as dividends impair our ability to satisfy our distribution requirements under the Code. To avoid certain issues related to our ability to comply with the REIT distribution requirements (see “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations— Qualification as a REIT — Annual Distribution Requirements”), we have implemented procedures designed to track our stockholders’ percentage interests in our common stock and identify any such dividend equivalent redemptions, and we will decline to effect a redemption to the extent that we believe that it would constitute a dividend equivalent redemption. However, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in preventing all dividend equivalent redemptions. We can provide no assurance that we will not be treated as inadvertently paying preferential dividends.
Sales of our assets may constitute “prohibited transactions,” which are subject to a 100% tax.
Net income derived from prohibited transactions is subject to a 100% tax. The term “prohibited transactions” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property) that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. Whether property is held “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the specific facts and circumstances. The Code provides a safe harbor pursuant to which sales of properties held for at least two years (which period, for property being developed, does not begin to run until the property is placed in service) and meeting certain additional requirements will not be treated as prohibited transactions, but compliance with the safe harbor may not always be practical. We intend to continue to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as held as inventory or for sale to customers and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. However, we may have to sell assets from time to time to fund redemption requests, to satisfy our REIT distribution requirements, to satisfy other REIT requirements, or for other purposes. In addition, part of our investment strategy is to purchase assets that provide an opportunity for gain through capital appreciation, and we may sell such assets if beneficial opportunities arise. Therefore, no assurance can be given that any particular property in which we hold a direct or indirect interest will not be treated as property held for sale to customers, or that the safe-harbor provisions will apply. The potential application of the prohibited transactions tax could cause us to forego potential dispositions of other property or to forego other opportunities that might otherwise be attractive to us (such as developing property for sale), or to undertake such dispositions or other opportunities through a TRS, which would generally result in corporate income taxes being incurred.
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The ability of our Board of Directors to revoke the REIT election of the Company without the approval of the holders of our common stock may cause adverse consequences to holders of our common stock.
Our governing documents provide that our Board of Directors may revoke or otherwise terminate the REIT election of the Company, without the approval of holders of our common stock, if our Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in the best interest of the stockholders to continue to qualify as a REIT. If the Company ceases to qualify as a REIT, it would become subject to U.S. federal income tax on its net taxable income and it generally would no longer be required to distribute any of its net taxable income to its stockholders, which may have adverse consequences on its total return to holders of our common stock.
The failure of a mezzanine loan to qualify as a real estate asset could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.
We may make mezzanine loans. The IRS has provided a safe harbor in Revenue Procedure 2003-65 for structuring mezzanine loans so that they will be treated by the IRS as a real estate asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, and interest derived from mezzanine loans will be treated as qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test, as discussed below. Although the Revenue Procedure provides a safe harbor on which taxpayers may rely, it does not prescribe rules of substantive tax law. We may make mezzanine loans that do not meet all of the requirements of the safe harbor. In the event a mezzanine loan does not meet the safe harbor, the IRS could challenge such loan’s treatment as a real estate asset for purposes of the REIT asset and income tests and, if such a challenge were sustained, we could fail to continue to qualify as a REIT.
Our qualification as a REIT and avoidance of 100% tax may depend on the characterization of any loans that we make as debt for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the IRS or a court may treat a loan with sufficient equity characteristics as equity for tax purposes. We may obtain equity participation rights with respect to our loans, and we may make loans with relatively high loan-to-value ratios and/or high yields, which are among the features that can cause a loan to be treated as equity for federal income tax purposes. Although we intend to structure each of our loans so that the loan should be respected as debt for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it is possible that the IRS or a court could disagree and seek to re-characterized the loan as equity. Re-characterization of one of our loans to a non-corporate borrower as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes generally would require us to include our share of the gross assets and gross income of the borrower in our REIT asset and income tests. Inclusion of such items could jeopardize our REIT status. Moreover, to the extent our borrowers hold their assets as dealer property or inventory, if we are treated as holding equity in a borrower for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our share of gains from sales by the borrower would be subject to the 100% tax on prohibited transactions (except to the extent earned through a TRS). To the extent one of our loans to a corporate borrower is recharacterized as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it could cause us to fail one or more of the asset tests applicable to REITs.
The treatment of an investment in preferred equity could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.
We may make investments in preferred equity in an entity that directly or indirectly owns real property. Although economically comparable to investments in mezzanine loans in many cases, investments in preferred equity will be treated differently for tax purposes. If the issuer of the preferred equity is taxed as a partnership or an entity disregarded as separate from its owners for U.S. federal income tax purposes (aside from a qualified REIT subsidiary), we will generally be treated as owing an interest in the underlying real estate and other assets of the partnership for tax purposes. As a result, absent sufficient controls to ensure that the underlying real property is operated in compliance with the REIT rules, preferred equity investments may jeopardize our compliance with the REIT income and asset tests. In addition, the treatment of interest-like preferred returns in a partnership or disregarded entity (other than a qualified REIT subsidiary) also is not clear under the REIT rules and could be treated as non-qualifying income. More importantly, in many cases the status of debt-like preferred equity as debt or equity for tax purposes is unclear. The IRS could challenge our treatment of such preferred equity investment for purposes of applying the REIT income and asset tests and, if such a challenge were sustained, we could fail to continue to qualify as REIT. In addition to the risk of loss of REIT status due to nonqualifying income, if the underlying property is dealer property, our gains from the sale of the property would be subject to a 100% tax. In addition, if the issuer of the preferred equity is taxed as a
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corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such preferred equity generally will be a nonqualifying asset unless the issuer is a REIT, qualified REIT subsidiary or TRS.
A portion of our distributions may be treated as a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which could reduce the basis of a stockholder’s investment in our common stock and may trigger taxable gain.
A portion of our distributions may be treated as a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a general matter, a portion of our distributions will be treated as a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes if the aggregate amount of our distributions for a year exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits for that year. To the extent that a distribution is treated as a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it will reduce a holder’s adjusted tax basis in the holder’s shares, and to the extent that it exceeds the holder’s adjusted tax basis will be treated as gain resulting from a sale or exchange of such shares. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
Legislative, regulatory, or administrative changes could adversely affect us or our security holders.
The tax laws or regulations governing REITs or the administrative interpretations thereof may be amended at any time. We cannot predict if or when any new or amended law, regulation, or administrative interpretation will be adopted, promulgated, or become effective, and any such change may apply retroactively. We and our security holders may be adversely affected by any new or amended law, regulation, or administrative interpretation.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was enacted. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act makes significant changes to the U.S. federal income tax rules related to the taxation of individuals and corporations, generally effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. In addition to reducing corporate and non-corporate tax rates, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminates and restricts various deductions and limits the ability to utilize net operating losses. Most of the changes applicable to individuals are temporary and apply only to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2026. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act makes numerous large and small changes to the tax rules that do not affect REITs directly but may affect our security holders and may indirectly affect us.
Prospective investors are urged to consult with their tax advisors with respect to the status of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and any other regulatory or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on investment in our securities.
Your investment has various tax risks.
Although the provisions of the Code generally relevant to an investment in shares of our common stock are described in “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” we urge you to consult your tax advisor concerning the effects of United States federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax laws to you with regard to an investment in shares of our common stock
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Retirement Plan Risks
If the fiduciary of an employee pension benefit plan subject to ERISA (such as profit sharing, Section 401(k) or pension plan) or any other retirement plan or account fails to meet the fiduciary and other standards under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code as a result of an investment in our common stock, the fiduciary could be subject to penalties.
There are special considerations that apply to employee benefit plans subject to ERISA (such as profit sharing, Section 401(k) or pension plans) and other retirement plans or accounts subject to Section 4975 of the Code (such as an IRA) that are investing in our shares. Fiduciaries investing the assets of such a plan or account in our common stock should satisfy themselves that:
| • | the investment is consistent with their fiduciary and other obligations under ERISA and the Code; |
| • | the investment is made in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the plan or IRA, including the plan’s or account’s investment policy; |
| • | the investment satisfies the prudence and diversification requirements of Sections 404(a)(1)(B) and 404(a)(1)(C) of ERISA and other applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code; |
| • | the investment in our shares, for which no public market currently exists, is consistent with the liquidity needs of the plan or IRA; |
| • | the investment will not produce an unacceptable amount of “unrelated business taxable income” for the plan or IRA; |
| • | the fiduciary will be able to comply with the requirements under ERISA and the Code to value our common stock annually; and |
| • | the investment will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code. |
Failure to satisfy the fiduciary standards of conduct and other applicable requirements of ERISA and the Code may result in the imposition of penalties and could subject the fiduciary to claims for damages or for equitable remedies. In addition, if an investment in our shares constitutes a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, the fiduciary or IRA owner who authorized or directed the investment may be subject to the imposition of excise taxes with respect to the amount invested. In the case of a prohibited transaction involving an IRA owner, the IRA may be disqualified and all of the assets of the IRA may be deemed distributed and subjected to tax. ERISA plan fiduciaries and IRA custodians should consult with counsel before making an investment in our common stock.
We may become subject to Title I of ERISA, which may lead to the rescission of certain transactions, tax or fiduciary liability and our being held in violation of certain ERISA and Code requirements.
If for any reason our assets are deemed to be “plan assets” because we do not qualify as either a “real estate operating company” or a “venture capital operating company” and there is no other exemption available to prevent our assets from being deemed “plan assets,” certain transactions, including acquisitions, sales and exchanges of properties, might constitute non-exempt prohibited transactions under Section 406 of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code and might have to be rescinded and may give rise to prohibited transaction excise taxes and fiduciary liability. In addition, if our assets are deemed to be “plan assets,” our management may be considered to be fiduciaries under ERISA. In this regard, while we intend to be structured to qualify as either a “real estate operating company” or a “venture capital operating company,” fiduciaries of employee benefit plans subject to Title I of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code should make an independent determination whether such status can be achieved.
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STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
We make statements in this offering circular that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The words “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “may,” and similar expressions or statements regarding future periods are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from any predictions of future results, performance or achievements that we express or imply in this offering circular or in the information incorporated by reference into this offering circular.
The forward-looking statements included in this offering circular are based upon our current expectations, plans, estimates, assumptions and beliefs that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond our control. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, our actual results and performance could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to:
| • | our ability to effectively deploy the proceeds raised in this offering; |
| • | our ability to comply with the rules and regulations relating to investing in qualified opportunity zones; |
| • | risks associated with breaches of our data security; |
| • | changes in economic conditions generally and the real estate and securities markets specifically; |
| • | limited ability to dispose of assets because of the relative illiquidity of real estate investments; |
| • | intense competition in the real estate market that may limit our ability to attract or retain tenants or release space; |
| • | defaults on or nonrenewal of leases by tenants; |
| • | increased interest rates and operating costs; |
| • | our failure to obtain necessary outside financing; |
| • | decreased rental rates or increased vacancy rates; |
| • | the risk associated with potential breach or expiration of a ground lease, if any; |
| • | difficulties in identifying properties to complete, and consummating, real estate acquisitions, developments, joint ventures and dispositions; |
| • | our failure to successfully operate acquired properties and operations; |
| • | exposure to liability relating to environmental and health and safety matters; |
| • | changes in real estate and zoning laws and increases in real property tax rates; |
| • | our failure to maintain our status as a REIT; |
| • | failure of acquisitions to yield anticipated results; |
| • | risks associated with breaches of our data security; |
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| • | risks associated with derivatives or hedging activity; |
| • | our level of debt and the terms and limitations imposed on us by our debt agreements; |
| • | the need to invest additional equity in connection with debt refinancings as a result of reduced asset values; |
| • | our ability to retain our executive officers and other key personnel of our advisor, our property manager and their affiliates; |
| • | expected rates of return provided to investors; |
| • | the ability of our sponsor and its affiliates to source, originate and service our loans and other assets, and the quality and performance of these assets; |
| • | our ability to retain and hire competent employees and appropriately staff our operations; |
| • | legislative or regulatory changes impacting our business or our assets (including changes to the laws governing the taxation of REITs and SEC guidance related to Regulation A or the JOBS Act); |
| • | changes in business conditions and the market value of our assets, including changes in interest rates, prepayment risk, operator or borrower defaults or bankruptcy, and generally the increased risk of loss if our investments fail to perform as expected; |
| • | our ability to implement effective conflicts of interest policies and procedures among the various real estate investment opportunities sponsored by our sponsor; |
| • | our ability to access sources of liquidity when we have the need to fund redemptions of shares of our common stock in excess of the proceeds from the sales of shares of our common stock in our continuous offering and the consequential risk that we may not have the resources to satisfy redemption requests; |
| • | our failure to maintain our status as a REIT; |
| • | our compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws, including the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Investment Company Act and other laws; and |
| • | changes to generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. |
Any of the assumptions underlying forward-looking statements could be inaccurate. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included in this offering circular. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this offering circular and the risk that actual results will differ materially from the expectations expressed in this offering circular will increase with the passage of time. Except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this offering circular, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included in this offering circular, including, without limitation, the risks described under “Risk Factors,” the inclusion of such forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the objectives and plans set forth in this offering circular will be achieved.
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We are offering up to $75,000,000 in Shares, pursuant to this Offering Circular through Dalmore Group, LLC (“Dalmore”). In order to acquire Shares, all investors must meet the suitability standards discussed in the section of this Offering Circular titled “Investment Criteria.” Neither Dalmore nor its affiliates will directly or indirectly compensate any person engaged as an investment adviser or bank trust department as an inducement for such investment adviser or bank trust department to advise favorably for an investment in us.
This offering will commence as of the date the offering statement of which this Offering Circular forms a part is qualified by the SEC. We reserve the right to terminate this offering at any time and to extend our offering term to the extent permissible under applicable law.
The Shares are being offered on a "best efforts" basis, which means generally that our managing broker-dealer is required to use only its best efforts to sell the Shares and it has no firm commitment or obligation to purchase any of the Shares. The offering will continue until the offering termination. If the minimum offering amount is not reached by the offering termination date, the investors’ funds will be promptly returned. Following achievement of the minimum offering amount, we anticipate that we will hold closings for purchases of the Shares on a quarterly basis. Once a subscription has been submitted and accepted by the Company, an investor will not have the right to request the return of its subscription payment prior to the next closing date. If subscriptions are received on a closing date and accepted by the Company prior to such closing, any such subscriptions will be closed on that closing date. If subscriptions are received on a closing date but not accepted by the Company prior to such closing, any such subscriptions will be closed on the next closing date. It is expected that settlement will occur on the same day as each closing date. On each closing date, offering proceeds for that closing will be disbursed to us and the Shares purchased will be issued to the investors in the offering. If the Company is dissolved or liquidated after the acceptance of a subscription, the respective subscription payment will be returned to the subscriber. The offering is being made on a best-efforts basis through Dalmore, our managing broker-dealer.
The per Share purchase price for Shares will be equal to $10.00 for the first 12 months of the offering. After 12 months, the offering price will be represented by the then-current “Transaction Price.” The “Transaction Price” generally will be the most recently determined NAV per Share; however, we may offer Shares at a price that we believe reflects the NAV per Share more appropriately than the prior quarter’s NAV per Share, including by updating a previously disclosed Transaction Price, in cases where we believe there has been a material change (positive or negative) to our NAV per unit since the end of the prior quarter. Until we commence quarterly valuations, the per Share purchase price for Shares will be $10.00. Thereafter, we will determine the NAV on a quarterly basis and the offering price per Share. See “—Valuation Policies” for more information about the determination of our NAV per Share.
We have not retained an underwriter in connection with this offering. Our Shares are being offered on a best-efforts basis, which means that no underwriter, broker dealer or other person will be obligated to purchase any Shares.
Compensation Payable to Dalmore and Wefunder
We will offer our Shares on a best-efforts basis primarily by broker-dealers Dalmore Group, LLC (“Dalmore”), a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). Dalmore will receive a selling commission in an amount up to 1.0% of the Total Sales. Dalmore will also receive one time set up fee of $5000 a consulting fee of $20,000 payable upon the issuance of the No Objection Letter by FINRA and a pass-through FINRA filing fee of $8,000. In addition, the Company has engaged Wefunder, Inc.(“Wefunder”) to provide listing services on its platform (“Wefunder Platform”) and XX Investments, LLC to provide transfer agent services. Wefunder will receive $80,000 for its services, which amount is not continent upon the closing of the offering. The Company will be responsible for
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paying all Selling Commissions and Expenses. See “Management Compensation” for a description of additional fees and expenses that we will pay our Manager.
Other Compensation
We will incur or reimburse our Manager for our cumulative organization and offering expenses incurred by our Manager and its affiliates in connection with this offering and our organization, in an amount equal to up to 2.5% of gross offering proceeds from this offering. The Company will reimburse the Manager $100,000 of such advanced expenses upon the initial closing of this offering upon achieving the minimum investment of $150,000. Thereafter, the Manager will be reimbursed any such remaining advanced expenses in amounts equal to 2.5% of the gross proceeds of each subsequent closing, provided that the aggregate amount of any such reimbursements will not exceed $250,000. As of the date of this Offering Circular, the Manager has incurred $80,000 of such organization and offering expenses. We will reimburse our Manager for all such advanced expenses, as well as any organization and offering expenses incurred in prior periods related to this offering.
Included in the organization and offering expenses for which we will reimburse our Manager are amounts that our Manager will use to reimburse Dalmore and Wefunder for expenses in connection with the offering. Any such underwriting expenses must comply with FINRA Rules, including FINRA Rules concerning non-cash compensation. In no event will the maximum amount of underwriting compensation from any source payable to underwriters, broker-dealers or affiliates exceed 10% of the gross offering proceeds of this offering.
Other than the fees described above, we may not pay referral or similar fees to any professional or other person in connection with the distribution of the Shares in this offering.
Limitations on Underwriting Compensation
Dalmore will monitor the aggregate amount of underwriting compensation that we and the Manager pay in connection with this offering in order to ensure we comply with the underwriting compensation limits of applicable FINRA rules, including FINRA Rule 2310, which prohibits underwriting compensation in excess of 10% of gross offering proceeds. FINRA rules also limit our total organization and offering expenses (including upfront selling commissions bona fide due diligence expenses and other underwriting compensation) to 15% of our gross offering proceeds from this offering. After the termination of the primary offering, the Company has agreed to reimburse the Manager to the extent that total cumulative organization and offering expenses (including selling commissions, Dalmore fee and any additional underwriting compensation) that we incur exceeds 15% of our gross proceeds from the applicable offering.
We have agreed to indemnify participating broker dealers, registered investment advisors, Dalmore and our Manager against material misstatements and omissions contained in this Offering Circular, as well as other potential liabilities arising in connection with this offering, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act, subject to certain conditions. Dalmore will also indemnify participating broker dealers and registered investment advisors against such liabilities, and under certain circumstances, our sponsor and/or our Manager may agree to indemnify participating broker dealers and registered investment advisors against such liabilities.
The table below shows the estimated maximum compensation payable to Dalmore, all or a portion of which may be reallowed to participating broker dealers in connection with this offering. In order to show the maximum amount of compensation that may be paid in connection with this offering, the following table assumes that (1) we sell all of the Shares offered by this Offering Circular and (2) the Transaction Price per Share remains equal to $10.00.
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Set forth below is a table indicating the estimated compensation and expenses that will be paid in connection with the offering to Dalmore.
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| Per Share |
|
| Total Maximum | |||||
Offering: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Price to public |
| $ | 10.00 |
|
| $ | 75,000,000 |
| ||
Less selling commissions |
| $ | 0.10 |
|
| $ | 750,000 |
| ||
Remaining Proceeds |
| $ | 9.90 |
|
| $ | 74,250,000 |
| ||
Included within the compensation described above and not in addition to, our manager may pay certain costs associated with the sale and distribution of our Shares. We may reimburse our Manager for such payments. Nonetheless, such payments will be deemed to be “underwriting compensation” by FINRA. In accordance with the rules of FINRA, the table above sets forth the nature and estimated amount of all items that will be viewed as “underwriting compensation” by FINRA that are anticipated to be paid by us and our sponsor in connection with the offering. The amounts shown assume we sell all of the Shares offered hereby and that all Shares are sold in our offering through Dalmore, which is the distribution channel with the highest possible selling commissions.
Discounts for Shares Purchased by Certain Persons
We may pay reduced or no selling commissions and/or Dealer Manager fees in connection with the sale of Shares in this offering to:
| • | registered principals or representatives of Dalmore or a participating broker (and immediate family members of any of the foregoing persons); |
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|
|
| • | our employees, officers and directors or those of our Manager, or the affiliates of any of the foregoing entities (and the immediate family members of any of the foregoing persons), any benefit plan established exclusively for the benefit of such persons or entities, and, if approved by our board of directors, joint venture partners, consultants and other service providers; |
| • | clients of an investment advisor registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 or under applicable state securities laws (other than any registered investment advisor that is also registered as a broker-dealer, with the exception of clients who have “wrap” accounts which have asset-based fees with such dually registered investment advisor/broker-dealer); or |
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|
|
| • | persons investing in a bank trust account with respect to which the authority for investment decisions made has been delegated to the bank trust department. |
For purposes of the foregoing, “immediate family members” means such person’s spouse, parents, children, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandchildren and any such person who is so related by marriage such that this includes “step-” and “-in-law” relations as well as such persons so related by adoption. In addition, participating brokers contractually obligated to their clients for the payment of fees on terms inconsistent with the terms of acceptance of all or a portion of the selling commissions and/or Dealer Manager fees may elect not to accept all or a portion of such compensation. In that event, such Shares will be sold to the investor at a per Share purchase price, net of all or a portion of selling commissions and/or Dealer Manager fees. All sales must be made through a Selling Group Member, and investment advisors must arrange for the placement of sales accordingly. The net proceeds to us will not be affected by reducing or eliminating selling commissions and/or Dealer Manager fees payable in connection with sales to or through the persons described above.
Either through this offering or subsequently on any secondary market, affiliates of our company may buy Shares if and when they choose. There are no restrictions to these purchases. Affiliates that become stockholders will have rights on parity with all other stockholders.
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The Subscription Process and Admission of Stockholders
We and participating broker dealers selling Shares on our behalf are required to make every reasonable effort to determine whether a purchase of our Shares is suitable for you. The participating broker dealers shall transmit promptly to our Transfer Agent the completed subscription documentation and any supporting documentation we may reasonably require. To purchase Shares pursuant to this offering, investors must follow the subscription process located on the Wefunder Platform, which includes the electronic delivery of subscription agreements and the electronic delivery of subscription funds
Dalmore and participating broker dealers are required to deliver to you a copy of the final Offering Circular. We plan to make this Offering Circular and the appendices available electronically to Dalmore and the participating broker dealers, as well as to provide them paper copies, and such documents will be available on the Wefunder Platform, located at www.wefunder.com and on our website at www.thecommodorecollection.com. Any Offering Circular amendments and supplements, as well as any periodic reports, proxy statements or other reports required to be made available to you will be posted on the Wefunder Platform and our website at www.thecommodorecollection.com.
All investors will be required to electronically complete and execute a subscription agreement in the form attached as Appendix A to this Offering Circular is a part. The subscription agreement and delivery of subscription funds should be delivered through the Wefunder Platform in accordance with the instructions set forth thereon.
Proceeds will be held with the escrow agent in an escrow account subject to compliance with Exchange Act Rule 15c2-4 until a closing occurs. Wefunder/Dalmore will submit a subscriber’s form(s) of payment in compliance with Exchange Act Rule 15c2-4, generally by noon of the next business day following receipt of the subscriber’s subscription agreement and form(s) of payment.
You will be required to represent and warrant in your subscription agreement that you are an accredited investor as defined under Rule 501 of Regulation D or that your investment in the Shares does not exceed 10% of your net worth or annual income, whichever is greater, if you are a natural person, or 10% of your revenues or net assets, whichever is greater, calculated as of your most recent fiscal year if you are a non-natural person. By completing and executing your subscription agreement you will also acknowledge and represent that you have received a copy of this Offering Circular, you are purchasing the Shares for your own account and that your rights and responsibilities regarding your Shares will be governed by the indenture and the form of global bond certificate each filed as an exhibit to the Offering Statement of which this Offering Circular is a part.
Until we begin conducting quarterly valuations, the Transaction Price will be $10.00 per Share. Once we begin conducting quarterly valuations, Shares will generally be sold at the prior quarter’s NAV per Share. Although the price you pay for our Shares will generally be based on the prior quarter’s NAV per Share, the NAV per Share for the quarter in which you make your purchase may be significantly different. We may offer Shares at a price that we believe reflects the NAV per Share more appropriately than the prior quarter’s NAV per Share (including by updating a previously disclosed Transaction Price) or suspend our offering in cases where we believe there has been a material change (positive or negative) to our NAV per unit since the end of the prior quarter. We expect to establish a new NAV per unit on a quarterly basis commencing no later than 12 months following the commencement of this offering.
The general forms of subscription agreement that investors will use to subscribe for the purchase of Shares in this offering is included as Appendix A to this Offering Circular. The subscription agreements will be returned to the Company’s Transfer Agent, see “Description of Capital Stock — Transfer Agent” and “How to Subscribe.” The subscription agreement requires all investors subscribing for Shares to make the following certifications or representations:
| • | your tax identification number set forth in the subscription agreement is accurate and you are not subject to backup withholding; |
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|
|
| • | a copy of this Offering Circular was delivered or made available to you at least five business days prior to the date of your subscription agreement; |
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|
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| • | you meet the minimum income, net worth and any other applicable suitability standards established for you, as described in the “Investment Criteria” section of this Offering Circular; |
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| • | you are purchasing the Shares for your own account; and |
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|
| • | you acknowledge that there is no public market for the Shares and, thus, your investment in units is not liquid. |
The above certifications and representations are included in the subscription agreement in order to help satisfy the responsibility of Dalmore to make every reasonable effort to determine that the purchase of our Shares is a suitable and appropriate investment for you and that appropriate income tax reporting information is obtained. We will not sell any Shares to you unless you are able to make the above certifications and representations by executing the subscription agreement. By executing the subscription agreement, you will not, however, be waiving any rights you may have under the federal securities laws.
In order to purchase Shares in this offering, you must initially acquire at least 25 Shares, regardless of the then-applicable Transaction Price, unless waived by us. Thereafter, subject to restrictions imposed by state law, you may purchase additional Shares in whole or fractional unit increments subject to a minimum for each additional purchase of 10 Shares. You should carefully read the minimum investment requirements explained in the “Investment Criteria” section of this Offering Circular.
The soliciting dealers and registered investment advisors recommending the purchase of Shares in this offering have the responsibility to make every reasonable effort to determine that your purchase of the Shares in this offering is a suitable and appropriate investment for you based on information provided by you regarding your financial situation and investment objectives. In making this determination, these persons have the responsibility to ascertain that you:
| • | meet the minimum income and net worth standards set forth under “Investment Criteria” immediately following the cover page of this offering circular; |
| • | can reasonably benefit from an investment in our Shares based on your overall investment objectives and portfolio structure; |
| • | are able to bear the economic risk of the investment based on your overall financial situation; |
| • | are in a financial position appropriate to enable you to realize to a significant extent the benefits described in this offering circular of an investment in our Shares; and |
| • | have apparent understanding of: |
| • | the fundamental risks of the investment; |
| • | the risk that you may lose your entire investment; |
| • | the lack of liquidity of our Shares; |
| • | the restrictions on transferability of our Shares; and |
| • | the tax consequences of your investment. |
Relevant information for this purpose will include at least your age, investment objectives, investment experience, income, net worth, financial situation, and other investments as well as any other pertinent factors. The soliciting
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dealers and registered investment advisors recommending the purchase of shares in this offering must maintain, for a six-year period, records of the information used to determine that an investment in shares is suitable and appropriate for you.
We set our initial offering price at $10.00 per Share, which will be the purchase price of our Shares until twelve months from the commencement of this offering. Thereafter, the per Share purchase price will be adjusted every fiscal quarter and, as of March 31st, June 30th, September 30th and December 31st of each year, will be equal to the sum of our NAV divided by the number of Shares outstanding as of the close of business on the last business day of the prior fiscal quarter.
Beginning after one year from the commencement of this offering, we will file with the SEC on a quarterly basis an offering circular supplement disclosing the quarterly determination of our NAV per Share that will be applicable for such fiscal quarter, which we refer to as the pricing supplement. Except as otherwise set forth in this Offering Circular, we will disclose, on a quarterly basis in an offering circular supplement filed with the SEC, the principal valuation components of our NAV.
Our NAV per Share will be calculated by our Manager at the end of each fiscal quarter, subject to approval by our board of directors, on a fully diluted basis, beginning twelve months after commencement of this offering using a process that reflects several components, including (1) estimated values of each of our commercial real estate assets and investments, including related liabilities, based upon (a) market capitalization rates, comparable sales information, interest rates, discount rates, net operating income, and (b) in certain instances individual appraisal reports of the underlying real estate provided by an independent valuation expert, (2) the price of liquid assets for which third party market quotes are available, (3) accruals of our periodic dividends and (4) estimated accruals of our operating revenues and expenses.
Specifically, our Manager will calculate NAV primarily utilizing a discounted cash flow methodology and will then compare that NAV estimate to a valuation utilizing a comparable sales methodology, to ensure no material variances exist. Both the discounted cash flow methodology and the comparable sales methodology are summarized below.
Discounted Cash Flow Methodology — Our Manager estimates NAV of the Company's ownership interest in an investment based on a forecasted cash flow stream to the Company (including a contemplated disposition) discounted to a present/fair value at a risk adjusted rate. Yield rates, disposition capitalization rates, and growth assumptions are derived from market transactions as well as other financial and industry data. The discount rate utilized to establish fair value is intended to reflect the leveraged return required of a third-party stockholder acquiring the Company's ownership interest at the date of the valuation. The discount rate is also intended to reflect key risk factors associated with real estate properties under development, redevelopment, repositioning, or stabilization, including entitlement risk, construction risk, leasing/sales risk, operation expense risk, credit risk, capital market risk, pricing risk, event risk and valuation risk. Additionally, the fair value is intended to include the timely recognition of estimated entrepreneurial profit after such consideration.
Comparable Sales Methodology — Our Manager also estimates NAV of the Company's ownership interest in an investment based on completed sales and/or quoted prices in active marketing of comparable assets. Comparable sales are identified by reviewing recent sales of similar vintage in a defined geographic region that are comparable in quality of improvements and tenancy. From the real estate property fair value, our Manager estimates the NAV of the Company's ownership interest by reducing the real estate property value by (i) any ownership liabilities (i.e. senior loans, secured and unsecured creditors, etc.) and (ii) the ownership interest and/or profit participation of any other members in the applicable venture.
We expect that the NAV calculations described above will primarily be undertaken by our Manager's internal accountants or by a third party fund administrator, which may or may not be affiliated with the Manager. Members of our Manager's real estate team have extensive expertise as real estate fund managers, real estate property managers, financial analysts, accountants and real estate market research consultants. These team members have extensive direct management experience with hotel acquisition, management, and financing.
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In instances where we determine that an independent appraisal of the real estate asset is necessary, including, but not limited to, instances where our Manager is unsure of its ability on its own to accurately determine the estimated values of our commercial real estate assets and investments, or instances where third party market values for comparable properties are either nonexistent or extremely inconsistent, we may engage an appraiser that has expertise in appraising commercial real estate assets, to act as our independent valuation expert. The independent valuation expert will not be responsible for, or prepare, our NAV per Share. However, we may hire a third party to calculate, or assist with calculating, the NAV per Share.
The use of different judgments or assumptions would likely result in different estimates of the value of our real estate assets. Moreover, although we evaluate and provide our NAV per Share on a quarterly basis, our NAV per Share may fluctuate in the interim, so that the NAV per Share in effect for any fiscal quarter may not reflect the precise amount that might be paid for your Shares in a market transaction. Further, our published NAV per Share may not fully reflect certain material events to the extent that they are not known or their financial impact on our portfolio is not immediately quantifiable. Any resulting potential disparity in our NAV per Share may be in favor of either stockholders who redeem their Shares, or stockholders who buy new Shares, or existing stockholders.
Our goal is to provide a reasonable estimate of the NAV per Share on a quarterly basis. However, all of our assets will consist of hotel properties and, as with any commercial real estate valuation protocol, the conclusions reached by our Manager will be based on a number of judgments, assumptions and opinions about future events that may or may not prove to be correct. The use of different judgments, assumptions or opinions would likely result in different estimates of the value of our commercial real estate assets and investments. In addition, for any given quarter, our published NAV per Share may not fully reflect certain material events, to the extent that the financial impact of such events on our portfolio is not immediately quantifiable. As a result, the quarterly calculation of our NAV per Share may not reflect the precise amount that might be paid for your Shares in a market transaction, and any potential disparity in our NAV per Share may be in favor of either stockholders who buy new Shares or existing stockholders. However, to the extent quantifiable, if a material event occurs in between quarterly updates of NAV that would cause our NAV per Share to change by 10% or more from the last disclosed NAV, we will disclose the updated NAV per Share and the reason for the change in an offering circular supplement as promptly as reasonably practicable. Note, in addition, that the determination of our NAV is not based on, nor intended to comply with, fair value standards under generally accepted accounting principles and our NAV may not be indicative of the price that we would receive for our assets at current market conditions.
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The following table sets forth certain information about the estimated use of the proceeds of the Offering:
|
| Minimum Offering | Maximum Offering | |||||||||||||||
|
| Amount |
|
| Percentage |
| Amount |
|
| Percentage | ||||||||
Gross Offering Proceeds |
| $ | 150,000 |
|
|
| 100.00% |
| $ | 75,000,000 |
|
|
| 100.00 | % | |||
Organization and Offering Expenses(1) |
|
| (148,500 | ) |
|
| (99.0)% |
|
| (150,000 | ) |
|
| (0.2 | )% | |||
Selling Commissions(2) |
|
| (1,500 | ) |
|
| (1.0)% |
|
| (750,000 | ) |
|
| (1.0 | )% | |||
Marketing and Due Diligence(3) |
|
| (0 | ) |
|
| (0.0)% |
|
| (3,000,000 | ) |
|
| (4.0 | )% | |||
Reserves(4) |
|
| (0 | ) |
|
| (0)% |
|
| (1,125,000 | ) |
|
| (1.5 | )% | |||
Available for Properties(5) |
| $ | 0 |
|
|
| 0% |
| $ | 69,975,000 |
|
|
| 93.3 | % | |||
Total Application |
| $ | 150,000 |
|
|
| 100.00 |
| $ | 75,000,000 |
|
|
| 100.00 | % | |||
| (1) | The Manager will be entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in connection with this offering and the organization of the Company (the “Organization and Offering Expenses”), including legal, accounting, printing and other costs and expenses directly related to this offering. The Company anticipates that the Organization and Offering Expenses will be approximately $150,000. See “Plan of Distribution—Underwriting Terms—Other Compensation.” |
| (2) | Dalmore will receive Selling Commissions equal to 1.0% of Total Sales. |
| (3) | The Selling Group Members will receive a non-accountable marketing and due diligence allowance equal to 1% of Total Sales which it may reallow, in whole or in part, to Selling Group Members. This amount assumes all Shares sold in this offering are sold by Selling Group Members. |
| (4) | The Manager will establish reserves for ongoing operations of the Company and for operations and maintenance of the Properties in an amount equal to approximately $1,125,000 (approximately 1% of the Maximum Offering Amount). |
| (5) | The Properties will be initially acquired with a cash down payment and acquisition debt which has not yet been obtained. Amounts available for investment will be used to acquire the Properties and to pay Property related expenses. |
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Commodore Hospitality, Inc. is a newly organized Delaware corporation, formed to invest in limited and select service hotels in the United States. Substantially all of our assets will be held by, and substantially all of our operations will be conducted through, our Operating Partnership, either directly or through its subsidiaries, and we will be the sole general partner of our Operating Partnership. Additionally, we will contribute the net proceeds from this offering to our Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units. We intend to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning with our taxable year ending December 31, 2021.
The Manager believes that the current hospitality real estate environment provides the Company the opportunity to acquire attractively priced hotel properties. The Manager's ability to increase value will be based on applying sound acquisition policies and taking advantage of the disparity between the purchase price and stabilized value and replacement cost of these properties. The Company expects to acquire the Properties at prices that are less than the stabilized values and replacement costs of the properties.
The Manager is a strategic buyer of hotel properties and brings proven hotel management expertise to each investment. The Manager will apply aggressive expense reduction strategies to each acquired hotel. By doing so, the Manager expects to increase net revenues at each hotel without any improvement in occupancy or room rates or gross revenues. This should create enhanced stockholder value through greater net operating income and increased cash flow to the stockholders while maintaining a high level of guest service.
The Company’s objective is to provide its stockholders with risk-adjusted returns through investments in the Properties. The Company believes that the Properties will generate positive cash flow because:
(i) Expense Reduction and Revenue Improvement. The Manager will apply cost reduction measures to increase cash flow and repositioning procedures to improve gross revenues upon takeover.
(ii) Location. The Manager intends to acquire Properties located in areas of the United States that it believes are business destinations or otherwise expected to experience an influx of travelers seeking hotel rooms.
(iii) Occupancy. The occupancy number of hotel rooms in the United States has decreased significantly in the last year primarily due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, current data suggests that business travel has increased. The Manager believes that this has contributed to an increase in demand for hotel rooms, resulting in higher rates.
(v) Barriers to Entry. The Properties are anticipated to be located in regions where travel remains steady or which we believe will again be destinations once travel begins to increase. The Manager believes this will provide the hotels acquired by the Company greater market share than would be the case if numerous competitive hotels were able to be developed nearby.
(vi) Pricing Opportunity. The Manager expects to acquire the Properties at a price below the current replacement cost.
The Manager expects to operate the Company for approximately five to ten years. Following that time, the Company anticipates selling the Properties for the best possible price, either to an affiliated public entity or to an independent third party.
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The Manager anticipates that distributions will commence beginning with the first full quarter following the acquisition of the first Property and the completion of any renovations. The frequency of the distributions will depend on the method of delivery selected by our stockholders. Stockholders who elect to have their distributions delivered electronically will receive distributions quarterly, while stockholders who elect physical delivery will receive distributions quarterly. The distribution to any stockholder who has not held his or her Shares for an entire month or quarter, as applicable, will be calculated based on the number of days in the month or quarter, as applicable, such Shares are held by the stockholder. THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THESE OBJECTIVES WILL BE ACHIEVED.
Our Structure
The structure will be structured as an umbrella partnership real estate investment trusts ("UPREIT"). Under this structure all of the limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership will be owned by the Company and the Operating Partnership will own the Properties. The Manager of the Company will be the general partner of the Operating Partnership
The tax code provisions governing REITs impose strict limitations on the income and activities of REITs that are at odds with hotel ownership and operation. First, in order to maintain its status as a qualified REIT, all income to the REIT must comply with the so-called income test, which requires that all income must be derived from rents from real property, interest on real estate mortgages or other real estate-related revenue. Revenue from hotel operations does not satisfy this test. In addition, a REIT may not perform many services related to the management or operation of the hotel property or business because income from these services is not considered to be income from qualified real estate activities under the applicable REIT laws.
To comply with the income test and avoid engaging in prohibited non-real estate-related activities, the Operating Partnership will lease the hotel Properties to a separate tenant entity (taxable REIT subsidiary or TRS) who then will hire a third-party operator.
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The lease between the Operating Partnership and the TRS will be a true lease with typical lease obligations on the part of the TRS in order for the Company to comply with the REIT restrictions on real estate activities. The Operating Partnership’s possessory rights will be subject to the TRS’s leasehold rights, and the TRS will have all of the benefits and risks of hotel operations.
The TRS lease will provide for typical periodic fixed and percentage rent payments. The fixed rent payments must be paid without regard to the success or failure of the hotel. Percentage rent must be based on gross revenue, rather than profit or net income, or hotel net, although real estate-related costs, such as taxes, insurance and real estate operating costs, and hotel credits issued as investor incentives shall be deducted before determining the Operating Partnership's percentage of gross revenues. The percentage rent figure will be set at lease execution (like a typical lease), and cannot be renegotiated if the changes are based on profit or net income. The duration of the leases shall be three to five years.
REIT Qualification
We believe that our currently contemplated business operations will enable us to qualify as a REIT beginning with our taxable year ending December 31, 2021. Our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code relating to, among other things, compliance with the REIT income and asset tests. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT.” There is no assurance that we will qualify as a REIT or, if qualified, will maintain such qualification in the future. See “Risk Factors—Federal Income Tax Risks.”
In order for the income from our hotel operations to be REIT qualifying income, we cannot directly operate any of our hotel properties. As a result, we intend to lease our hotel properties to one or more TRSs that are wholly owned by our Operating Partnership. The rent paid to us by each of these TRSs will be REIT qualifying income provided that the hotels are managed by an “eligible independent contractor” and the lease rates due are not “excessive.” It is currently anticipated that the Operator will manage our hotels. We believe that the Operator will qualify as an independent contractor. A TRS is a corporate entity that pays federal income tax at regular corporate rates on its taxable income.
Prior to the global pandemic related to COVID-19, the state of the lodging industry in the United States had been relatively strong. However, due to the pandemic, the hotel industry has seen a significant, and in some cases, fatal, downturn. According to STR data, U.S. hoteliers saw their steepest decline ever the week of April 11, with RevPAR down almost 84%. By comparison, past down cycles spurred by 9/11 and the Great Recession bottomed out in their lowest weeks with declines of 38% and 25.3%, respectively.8
8 https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Hotels-will-be-hurting-into-2021-forecasts-show
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Recent surges of COVID-19 infections dampened expectations for U.S. hotel performance through the first half of 2021, but news of effective vaccines has bolstered projections of U.S. lodging industry recovery beginning in earnest during the second half of next year, according to CBRE's latest hotel forecast.10 Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics, predicts that it will take roughly three years for hotel demand to bounce back to 2019 levels, versus approximately two years to get back to peak demand after the Great Recession.11
According to the recently released Q3 2020 edition of Hotel Horizons®, CBRE Hotels Research is forecasting an average national occupancy level of 44.4 percent during the first half of 2021. This measure increases to 55.7 percent during the year's second half.12 CBRE's Q3 2020 forecasts call for a return to 2019 occupancy, average daily room rates (ADR), and RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room) levels in 2024. In general, properties that operate in the lower-priced chain-scale segments will recover to 2019 performance levels sooner than the higher-priced hotels. One exception is luxury hotels.13 While occupancy levels in this category have declined significantly during 2020, luxury still has maintained some relative stability in room rates. It appears that leisure travelers who prefer luxury accommodations continue to have the means to pay the price premium.
The diverse impact of COVID-19 on different groups of travelers becomes evident when analyzing changes in lodging demand by chain scale:
·Luxury and upper-upscale properties are most dependent on businesspeople and conventioneers and will see their demand levels decline in excess of 60 percent in 2020.
·Conversely, hotels operating in the economy and midscale segments will see their business fall off by less than 25 percent.
"The confidence provided by an effective vaccine will serve to sustain the relatively strong leisure travel patterns observed during the summer of 2020, plus initiate a significant return of corporate travelers during the second half of
9 Id.
10 https://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4102088.html
11 https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Hotels-will-be-hurting-into-2021-forecasts-show
12 Id.
13 Id.
58
2021. Group demand, on the other hand, will lag in recovery because of the advance-booking nature of this segment," Gallagher said.14
The prospects for improvement in ADR during 2021 are influenced by these demand patterns. Overall, CBRE is forecasting a 1.3 percent decline in ADR for U.S. hotels during 2021 and annual increases in ADR for each of the three lower-priced chain scales, but continued declines in ADR for the higher-priced segments.15
Prior to the pandemic, the industry recorded over 100 months of consecutive RevPAR growth since the last downturn. Although supply growth had increased over the last several years, the growth has been concentrated in major markets. Furthermore, supply growth is still significantly below past growth peaks. We expect that supply growth will continue to moderate in the near future and that the industry will not see peak supply growth similar to prior cycles. There are several contributing factors dampening supply growth in this cycle, including the global pandemic. Construction loans have significantly stricter terms that in the past, requiring developers to share more of the downside risk. Construction cost for both material and labor continues to grow significantly faster than the average CPI reducing developers profit margins and rendering once viable Properties unprofitable.
Due to current financial projections and credit markets, we believe that the lodging industry will continue to experience declines but should see moderate growth except for certain unforeseeable events that could negatively impact GDP growth. The Company expects that there will be ample hotel investment opportunities both in individual and portfolio transactions available in the market place, allowing it to focus on revenue management. Furthermore, with the Company’s senior leadership’s industry experience, the Company is able to source and identify investment opportunities through various channels.
Finally, the Company’s conservative capital management policy, which includes maintaining low leverage and maintaining larger capital cushion at all given times, will allow it to not only weather unforeseeable events but also be able to opportunistically take advantage of investment opportunities in distress during such periods.
The lodging industry is highly specialized both in general and in its separation of duties between various stakeholders. Customers staying at the hotel interact with up to four different entities. Reservations are often handled through third party online travel agents, such as Expedia, Priceline, or Hotels.com. The hotel’s standards (both physical layout and minimum operating levels) are set by franchisors. The hotels themselves are operated by management companies that are either affiliated with the ownership or are true independent managers. Finally, the hotels facilities are maintained and improved by owners investing in the real estate.
The Company believes that it will continue to be able to identify acquisition opportunities that will allow it to utilize its strengths to create above average investment returns. The Company generally believes that its ability to generate profits is grounded upon implementing sound acquisition policies, and that a critical benchmark for acquisition decision-making is disparity of purchase price to stabilized value and replacement costs. The Company will seek to purchase the Properties at a price that is less than the stabilized and replacement value, as determined by the Manager, which would allow the Company to make capital expenditures for upgrades and other items to increase occupancy and room rental rates. In addition, through a strategic and tactical business platform, it is anticipated that the Operator will apply aggressive hotel management strategies to each Property it manages to provide value.
The Company generally expects to hold and operate each Property for approximately five to ten years, and then to sell the Properties for the best price obtainable. The Company anticipates that it should be able to sell Properties for more that it paid for them, but there can be no assurances. If a Property is sold within one year of the termination date of this offering, the Manager, may at its sole discretion, reinvest the sale proceeds from the sale of such Property in a new Property. The Manager intends to obtain financing to acquire the Properties.
The following are some of the Company’s goals:
14 Id.
15 Id.
59
| • | Preserve our stockholders’ capital investments. |
| • | Realize income through the acquisition, renovation, operation and sale of the Properties. |
| • | Target an overall annualized rate of return to our stockholders. |
| • | Make distributions to our stockholders from cash generated by operations, anticipated to be 4% cumulative, annual distribution, on the price of the shares. |
| • | Invest opportunistically in value-add select-service and compact full-service hotel in superior locations at a discount to projected value and replacement cost, which typically are in need of repositioning, management and other enhancements. |
| • | Provide an investment term of approximately five to ten years after the termination date of this offering to enable our stockholders to realize a return on their investment through (i) liquidating our assets and distributing cash to our stockholders, (ii) merging with a public entity to provide our stockholders with cash or liquid securities or (iii) combining with other entities managed by the Manager to create a publicly traded REIT. |
THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT ANY OF THESE OBJECTIVES WILL BE ACHIEVED.
Property Philosophy and Strategy
The principals of the Manager believe that rewards should be based on performance, which is why the Manager’s Asset Management Fee is based on the total revenue of the Properties as opposed to another factor such as the total amount invested in Shares. The Company also believes that the primary key to success include disciplined and aggressive property and asset management, as well as acquiring Properties at a significant discount to (1) projected stabilized value after occupancy and room rental rates have been optimized and improvements have been made and (2) replacement cost in order to afford necessary capital expenditures to improve the Properties to competitive standards. The Company intends to use the techniques to provide it with sufficient margin to improve, manage and sell the Properties in a compressed time frame.
The Company intends to acquire Properties, where the hotels are value-add, with RevPAR that is lower than hotels competing in the same class or lower than similar positioned hotels in the Company portfolio. RevPAR is typically calculated by dividing the total revenue of the rooms by the total number of rooms available during a particular time frame (or alternatively by multiplying a hotel’s average daily room rate by its occupancy rate), and is often used in the hotel industry as an indicator of the overall financial performance of a hotel relative to other comparable hotels. Through aggressive management, sales and marketing as well as strategic capital improvements, the Company believes that it will be able to successfully reposition the hotels it acquires and increase RevPAR to competitive levels.
The Company also intends to acquire Properties both through its extensive relationship with the broker networks as well as the hotel ownership community at large. The Company expects to be able to transact on both on-market opportunities, i.e. properties listed through brokers, and off-market opportunities, i.e. properties sold through direct contact and negotiations with the sellers. In addition, the Company will also look at opportunistic transactions, such as transactions with distressed sellers or recapitalization efforts as well as mergers and acquisitions deals typically offered through investment banking relationships. All these types of acquisitions generally require good timing and a sufficient amount of available capital. The company believes that the experience of the principals of the Manager and the capital management policies of the Company will enable the Company to acquire Properties quickly and with less leverage than most competitors.
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Property Acquisition Sources
The Manager will engage in competitive bidding situations in which properties are marketed by traditional commercial real estate brokers as well as pursue off-market opportunities. The Manager has a network of resources to assist it in identifying potential sellers of attractive properties. Though time consuming, the benefits to the seller from this “off market” strategy are the avoidance of business disruption, no broker fees, greater transaction certainty and seller privacy. The obvious benefit to the Company is a discount to the market price.
The Company will seek to invest substantially all of the net Offering Proceeds available for investment in hotels, which will be located primarily in the South Central United States. It is anticipated that the Properties will consist of existing hotels. All of the Properties are anticipated to be branded, franchised hotels under the Commodore brand. There are no limitations on the number or size of Properties to be acquired by the Company or the percentage of the proceeds from this offering that may be invested in a single Property. The Company may acquire hotels in other regions as opportunity arises.
As of the commencement of this offering, the Company has not identified any Properties for acquisition. As to making material developments, this Offering Circular will be supplemented with a supplement which may add, update or change information contained in this Offering Circular, including the acquisition of Properties. The number and mix of Properties acquired by the Company will be determined in the sole discretion of the Manager and will depend, in part, on the net proceeds of this offering, the real estate market and financing conditions existing at the time the Company makes its investments in Properties, and other circumstances outside the control of the Company and the Manager. The number of Properties to be acquired is unknown and may vary.
The Company’s primary strategy will be to identify and acquire Properties which provide a value-added opportunity for the Company. The Company currently intends to seek Properties that have one or more of the following characteristics:
| • | current or projected cash flow in an amount equal to at least a 4% return on the Company’s investment, |
| • | the Property provides a “value-add” opportunity through expense management, |
| • | the Property’s location in an established area, |
| • | a favorable location, such as in a high growth area or an area with relatively few competing properties, and |
| • | a purchase price that is below the replacement cost of the Property, as determined in the Manager’s sole discretion. The Company may acquire Properties that do not meet one or more of these criteria. |
Acquisition and Financing Terms
Acquisition Terms
The Company intends to purchase the Properties from unaffiliated sellers. The Company will acquire the Properties “as is” except as otherwise set forth in the purchase agreements. The terms of the purchase and sale agreements are not currently known. It is anticipated that the Company will be responsible for paying all or a portion of the closing costs related to the acquisition of the Properties and that the Company will be required to establish reserves related to each Property acquired. The Company may be required to pay various acquisition fees when it acquires Properties from franchisees, including transfer fees, affiliation fees and costs associated with property improvement plans.
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The Manager has formed an investment committee, which is initially comprised of Christopher Biesanz and Eric Bergin, both of whom are officers of our Manager (the “Investment Committee”). See “Management.” The Investment Committee will have two members unless otherwise determined by the Manager, and the consent of at least two members of the Investment Committee is required to authorize any recommendation of the Investment Committee. The Investment Committee will provide recommendations to the Company regarding the identification, acquisition and disposition of the Properties, but will not have the authority to decide which Properties to acquire.
It is anticipated that the Company will own the Properties either directly or through special purpose entities; provided, however, that the Company may purchase some of the Properties in connection with joint venture partners, and the Company may acquire long-term ground lease interests or limited liability company membership interests in entities that own the Properties. In the event the Company acquires a Property together with a joint venture partner, it is anticipated that the Company will enter into a partnership or operating agreement with the joint venture partner and the joint venture partner will hold the ownership interest in any such Properties. Thus, the Company will only own an interest in an entity in the event any Property is purchased in a joint venture. The Company will not acquire undivided interests in any Properties, including interests offered through a tenant-in-common syndication program.
The acquisition structure for the Properties is unknown, and the manner of acquisition will be determined in the sole discretion of the Manager. The Manager or its Affiliates are entitled to receive an Acquisition Fee with respect to the Properties in an amount up to 3% of the gross purchase price of each Property. The Company generally expects to hold and operate each Property for approximately five to ten years from the date of its acquisition, and it is anticipated that no Property will be held for more than 10 years from the date of acquisition of such Property. The Properties may be sold to affiliates of the Manager, but only if the price is equal to or greater than the value determined by an independent appraisal.
Financing Terms
The Company anticipates that it will enter into loans from various third-party lenders to acquire the Properties. The terms of such loans are unknown. Although the Company anticipates obtaining loans for the Properties that will be nonrecourse as to principal and interest, it is possible that lenders may require the Manager and the Company to be personally liable for certain nonrecourse carve-outs and springing recourse events. In circumstances where personal liability attaches, the lender could proceed against the Company’s assets. The loan-to-value ratio for the portfolio in total will not exceed 80%. The Manager has not obtained any financing commitments for any Properties. The terms of the Property loans will vary. The loans obtained by the Company may be interest only loans and variable interest rate loans. The lenders may require certain reserves to be funded and maintained by the Company, including interest reserves. It is anticipated that the loans will have short terms and will require balloon payments at the end of the loan term. The Company will not incur any recourse indebtedness.
The Company intends to seek investment opportunities in value-add Properties located throughout the South Central United States. The Company anticipates determining the relative strength and position of each market under consideration by analyzing RevPAR trends, new construction, forecasted rates and occupancy figures and by applying measurable metric criteria to each market analyzed. The investment potential of a hotel in a specific market depends significantly upon where the market is in the cycle. For example, a market that has entered the last stage of a recessionary phase could be expected to begin its recovery by the end of the year. As the fundamentals improve, the value of the property in such market would also be expected to improve. The Company currently intends to seek Properties, where the hotels are located in a high growth area or an area with relatively few competing properties.
The Manager believes that the best way to position an acquisition to offset a significant potential market downturn is through "best in class" due diligence, conservative underwriting and market evaluation and intensive management of cash flow. The Manager strongly believes that its ability to buy a Property "right," the thoroughness of its due diligence process and its conservative approach to pro forma analysis will mitigate the controllable acquisition risk. In addition, the Manager's expertise in reducing costs and improving net income should result in stable valuations of the Properties acquired even in times of reduced occupancy and lower gross revenues. In light of the global pandemic
62
and economic downturn, there are a number of measures that are built into the Company’s investment and management process that should minimize risk from market downturn:
| • | Cost cutting measures will be instituted at the property level and will not be limited to labor expense. |
| • | Aggressive pricing will be used to ensure that property captures the maximum revenue per available room. |
| • | Property upgrades will be considered to increase the ability of the Property to compete within its sub-market. |
| • | Sales efforts will re-focus upon client/business at other hotels in that sub-market by offering direct, aggressive pricing. This low margin business may then be replaced as market conditions stabilize and higher rated, more profitable business will then be pursued. |
Comparison with Other Real Estate Funds
Alignment of Interests
The Company is structured to align the interests of our stockholders and the Manager. For instance, the Manager’s Asset Management Fee is based on the revenues of the Properties gross of investor credits, not the total amount invested in the Company by our stockholders. Additionally, The Manager does not receive a salary and is only compensated via distributions from The Company.
Properties Recommended by the Investment Committee
The Investment Committee will provide recommendations to the Company regarding the identification, acquisition and disposition of the Properties, and our board of directors will not cause the Company to purchase any Properties without the recommendation of the Investment Committee.
Shorter Property Period
The Company anticipates an investment period of approximately seven years after the termination date of this offering.
Low Minimum Investment Amount
The Company believes that many other private real estate funds typically require high minimum investment amounts and are available only to institutional stockholders and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. By offering a minimum investment amount of only 25 shares, or $250 based on the $10.00 initial Transaction Price, the Company provides the opportunity for a wide range of stockholders who are “qualified purchasers” to make an investment that is in line with their investment goals. See “Investment Criteria.”
It is anticipated that the TRSs will enter into one or more hotel management agreements with the Operator to operate the Properties. It is anticipated that the Operator will operate all of the Properties, but if the Operator is contractually prohibited or is otherwise unable or elects not to operate a Property, another operator will be chosen for that Property in the sole discretion of the Manager, provided that such operator qualifies as an eligible independent contractor. It is not anticipated that the Operator will enter into any subcontract agreements relating to the operation of any Property. The Company seeks to acquire Properties that will generate positive cash flow after payment of all expenses, including amortization of any Property loans and payment of hotel management fees. The Company believes that the operating methodology employed by the Operator will help the Company achieve this goal. See “Experience of Operator.” [we haven’t selected yet and will be location dependent]
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Our net income depends, in large part, on our ability to source, acquire and manage Properties with attractive risk-adjusted yields. We compete with many other entities engaged in real estate investment activities, including individuals, corporations, bank and insurance company investment accounts, REITs, private real estate funds, and other entities engaged in real estate investment activities, which have greater financial resources and lower costs of capital available to them than we have. In addition, there are numerous other entities with asset acquisition objectives similar to ours, and others may be organized in the future, which may increase competition for the investments suitable for us. Competitive variables include market presence and visibility, amount of capital to be invested per Property and underwriting standards. To the extent that a competitor is willing to risk larger amounts of capital in a particular transaction or to employ more liberal underwriting standards when evaluating potential investments than we are, our investment volume and profit margins for our investment portfolio could be impacted. Our competitors may also be willing to accept lower returns on their investments and may succeed in buying the assets that we have targeted for acquisition. Although we believe that we are well positioned to compete effectively, there is enormous competition in our market sector and there can be no assurance that we will compete effectively or that we will not encounter increased competition in the future that could limit our ability to conduct our business effectively.
There are no legal actions pending against the Company or the Manager, nor, to the knowledge of management, is any litigation threatened either any of them, any of their management, or any affiliate, which may materially affect operations or projected goals.
Board of Directors
We operate under the direction of our board of directors, the members of which are accountable to us and our stockholders as fiduciaries. Our board of directors has retained our Manager to direct the management of our business and affairs, manage our day-to-day affairs, and implement our investment strategy, subject to the board of directors’ supervision. The current board members are Christopher Biesanz and Eric Bergin.
All members of our board of directors will serve annual terms. Upon the expiration of their terms at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2021, directors will be elected to serve a term of one year and until his or her successor is elected and qualified. With respect to the election of directors, each candidate nominated for election to our board of directors must receive a plurality of the votes cast, in person or by proxy, in order to be elected. Only the holders of the Company’s preferred stock shall be entitled to elect our directors.
Our current directors are also executive officers of our Manager and serve on the investment committees for affiliates of our Manager. In order to ameliorate the risks created by conflicts of interest, our board of directors will appoint an independent representative to address any potential conflicts (the “Independent Representative”). The Independent Representative will act upon conflicts of interest matters, including transactions between us and our Manager. For more details, see “Conflicts of Interest and Related Party Transactions.”
Although the number of board members may be increased or decreased, a decrease may not have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director. Any director may resign at any time or may be removed for fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, or by the stockholders upon the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast at a meeting called for the purpose of the proposed removal. The notice of the meeting will indicate that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to determine if the director will be removed.
Our charter and bylaws provide that any and all vacancies on our board of directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any individual elected to fill such vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the class in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is duly elected and qualifies.
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Our charter and bylaws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting with the unanimous consent, in writing or by electronic transmissions, of each stockholder entitled to vote on the matter.
Under Delaware law, our directors must perform their duties in good faith and in a manner each director believes to be in our best interests. Further, our directors must act with such care as a prudent person in a similar position would use under similar circumstances, including exercising reasonable inquiry when taking actions. However, our directors and executive officers are not required to devote all of their time to our business and must devote only such time to our affairs as their duties may require. We do not expect that our directors will be required to devote a substantial portion of their time to us in discharging their duties.
Our general investment and borrowing policies are set forth in this offering circular. Our directors may establish further written policies on investments and borrowings and will monitor our administrative procedures, investment operations and performance to ensure that our executive officers and Manager follow these policies and that these policies continue to be in the best interests of our stockholders. Unless modified by our directors, we will follow the policies on investments and borrowings set forth in this offering circular.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our board of directors may delegate many of its powers to one or more committees. As of the date of this Offering Circular, no board committees have been established.
Executive Officers and Directors
We have provided below certain information about our directors and executive officers.
Name |
| Age |
| Position Held |
Christopher Biesanz |
| 27 |
| Co-Founder, Director, Chief Executive Officer |
Eric Bergin |
| 41 |
| Co-Founder, Director, Chairman |
Currently, all of our directors are also officers of our Manager and serve as members on the Investment Committee. The address of each director listed is 6116 N Central Expressway, Suite 705, Dallas, TX 75206. Biographical information for each of our directors may be found above in “Our Manager and the Management Agreement—Management Biographical Information.”
Compensation of Officers and Directors
Our board of directors has the authority to fix the compensation of all officers that it selects and may pay compensation to directors for services rendered to us in any other capacity. However, we currently do not intend to pay our board members or officers any compensation for serving as members of our board of directors and officers, respectively.
A member of our board of directors who is also an employee of our Manager or our sponsor is referred to as an executive director. Executive directors will not receive compensation for serving on our board of directors. Our board of directors has the authority to fix the compensation of any non-executive directors that may serve on our board of directors in the future. Our board of directors may pay compensation to directors for services rendered to us in any other capacity. We will also reimburse each of our directors for their travel expenses incurred in connection with their attendance at full board of directors and committee meetings, if any, including meetings of the Investment Committee. We have not made any payments to any of our directors to date.
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Compensation of Executive Officers
We do not currently have any employees nor do we currently intend to hire any employees who will be compensated directly by us. Each of the executive officers of our Sponsor also serves as an executive officer of our Manager. Each of these individuals receives compensation for his or her services, including services performed for us on behalf of our Manager, from our Sponsor. As executive officers of our Manager, these individuals will serve to manage our day-to-day affairs, oversee the review, selection and recommendation of investment opportunities, service acquired investments and monitor the performance of these investments to ensure that they are consistent with our investment objectives. Although we will indirectly bear some of the costs of the compensation paid to these individuals, through fees we pay to our Manager, we do not intend to pay any compensation directly to these individuals.
Limitations on Director and Officer Liability and Indemnification
Our certificate of incorporation limits the liability of our directors to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware Law. Delaware law provides that directors of a corporation will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, except liability for:
| • | any breach of their duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders; |
| • | acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; |
| • | unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions; or |
| • | any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
Upon completion of this offering, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws will provide that we are required to indemnify our directors and officers, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Any repeal of or modification to our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws may not adversely affect any right or protection of a director or officer for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director or officer occurring prior to such amendment or repeal. Upon completion of this offering, our bylaws will also provide that we shall advance expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of any action or proceeding, and permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her inactions in connection with their services to us, regardless of whether our bylaws permit such indemnification.
Prior to the completion of this offering, we intend to enter into separate indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers, in addition to the indemnification provided for in our bylaws. These agreements, among other things, provide that we will indemnify our directors and executive officers for certain expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, penalties and settlement amounts incurred by a director or executive officer in any action or proceeding arising out of such person’s services as one of our directors or executive officers, or any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at our request. We believe that these provisions and agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and executive officers.
The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions that will be contained in our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws upon completion of this offering may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us and other stockholders. Further, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent that we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers as required by these indemnification provisions. There is no pending litigation or proceeding involving one of our directors or executive officers as to which indemnification is required or permitted, and we are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result in a claim for indemnification.
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OUR MANAGER AND THE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
We operate under the direction of our Manager, which is responsible for directing the management of our business and affairs, managing our day-to-day affairs, and implementing our investment strategy. Our Manager has established the Investment Committee that will make decisions with respect to all acquisitions and dispositions. See “—Investment Committee of our Manager” below. The Manager and its officers and directors are not required to devote all of their time to our business and are only required to devote such time to our affairs as their duties require.
We will follow investment guidelines adopted by our Manager and the investment and borrowing policies set forth in this Offering Circular unless they are modified by our board of directors. Our Manager may establish further written policies on investments and borrowings and will monitor our administrative procedures, investment operations and performance to ensure that the policies are fulfilled, subject to approval by our board of directors.
Our Manager performs its duties and responsibilities pursuant to a management agreement between our Manager and the Company. Our Manager maintains a contractual, as opposed to a fiduciary relationship, with us and our stockholders. Furthermore, we have agreed to limit the liability of our Manager and to indemnify our Manager against certain liabilities.
Responsibilities of our Manager
The responsibilities of our Manager include:
Property Advisory, Origination and Acquisition Services
| • | approve and oversee our overall investment strategy, which will consist of elements such as investment selection criteria, diversification strategies and asset disposition strategies; |
| • | serve as our investment manager with respect to sourcing, underwriting, acquiring, financing, investing in and managing a diversified portfolio of hotel properties; |
| • | adopt and periodically review our investment guidelines; |
| • | structure the terms and conditions of our acquisitions, sales and joint ventures; |
| • | enter into service contracts for the properties and other investments; |
| • | approve and oversee our debt financing strategies; |
| • | approve joint ventures, limited partnerships and other such relationships with third parties; |
| • | approve any potential liquidity transaction; |
| • | obtain market research and economic and statistical data in connection with our investments and investment objectives and policies; |
| • | oversee and conduct the due diligence process related to prospective investments; |
| • | prepare reports regarding prospective investments that include recommendations and supporting documentation necessary for the Investment Committee to evaluate the proposed investments; and |
| • | negotiate and execute approved investments and other transactions. |
Offering Services
| • | the development of this offering, including the determination of its specific terms; |
| • | preparation and approval of all marketing materials to be used by us relating to this offering; |
| • | the negotiation and coordination of the receipt, collection, processing and acceptance of subscription agreements, commissions, and other administrative support functions; |
| • | creation and implementation of various technology and electronic communications related to this offering; and |
| • | all other services related to this offering. |
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Asset Management Services
| • | investigate, select, and, on our behalf, engage and conduct business with such persons as our Manager deems necessary to the proper performance of its obligations under the management agreement, including, without limitation, consultants, accountants, lenders, technical managers, attorneys, corporate fiduciaries, escrow agents, depositaries, custodians, agents for collection, insurers, insurance agents, developers, construction companies and any and all persons acting in any other capacity deemed by our Manager necessary or desirable for the performance of any of the services under the management agreement; |
| • | monitor applicable markets and obtain reports (which may be prepared by our Manager or its affiliates) where appropriate, concerning the value of our investments; |
| • | monitor and evaluate the performance of our investments, provide daily management services to us and perform and supervise the various management and operational functions related to our investments; |
| • | formulate and oversee the implementation of strategies for the administration, promotion, management, operation, maintenance, improvement, financing and refinancing, marketing, leasing and disposition of investments on an overall portfolio basis; and |
| • | coordinate and manage relationships between us and any joint venture partners. |
Accounting and Other Administrative Services
| • | manage and perform the various administrative functions necessary for our day-to-day operations; |
| • | provide or arrange for administrative services, legal services, office space, office furnishings, personnel and other overhead items necessary and incidental to our business and operations; |
| • | provide financial and operational planning services and portfolio management functions; |
| • | maintain accounting data and any other information concerning our activities as will be required to prepare and to file all periodic financial reports and returns required to be filed with the SEC and any other regulatory agency, including annual financial statements; |
| • | maintain all appropriate company books and records; |
| • | oversee tax and compliance services and risk management services and coordinate with appropriate third parties, including independent accountants and other consultants, on related tax matters; |
| • | supervise the performance of such ministerial and administrative functions as may be necessary in connection with our daily operations; |
| • | provide us with all necessary cash management services; |
| • | evaluate and obtain adequate insurance coverage based upon risk management determinations; |
| • | provide timely updates related to the overall regulatory environment affecting us, as well as managing compliance with regulatory matters; |
| • | evaluate our corporate governance structure and appropriate policies and procedures related thereto; and |
| • | oversee all reporting, record keeping, internal controls and similar matters in a manner to allow us to comply with applicable law. |
Stockholder Services
| • | determine our distribution policy and authorizing distributions from time to time; |
| • | manage communications with our stockholders, including answering phone calls, preparing and sending written and electronic reports and other communications; and |
| • | establish technology infrastructure to assist in providing stockholder support and services. |
Financing Services
| • | identify and evaluate potential financing and refinancing sources, engaging a third-party broker if necessary; |
| • | negotiate terms of, arrange and execute financing agreements; |
| • | manage relationships between us and our lenders, if any; and |
| • | monitor and oversee the service of our debt facilities and other financings, if any. |
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Disposition Services
| • | evaluate and approve potential asset dispositions, sales or liquidity transactions; and |
| • | structure and negotiate the terms and conditions of transactions pursuant to which our assets may be sold. |
Executive Officers of our Manager
As of the date of this offering circular, the executive officers of our Manager and their positions and offices are as follows:
Name |
| Age |
| Position Held |
Eric Bergin |
| 41 |
| Manager, Chairman |
Chris Biesanz |
| 27 |
| Manager, Chief Executive Officer |
Eric Bergin- Mr. Bergin serves as a manager and Chairman of the Manager. Since March 2020 he has served as a Co-Founder of TSM Financial Academy, an e-learning platform created to help students break into the commercial real estate industry and since September 2018, he has been a co-founder of Top Shelf Models. Since April 2016 he has been the Managing Member of 3E Management, LLC, a consulting services business which provides financial underwriting, model auditing, corporate modeling, CFO services, and waterfall certifications.. Prior to joining 3E, Mr. Bergin was a director for Rockpoint Group, a real estate private equity firm and Registered Investment Advisor and was an associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers from August 2001 to February 2004. Mr. Bergin holds a BBA in Finance from Southern Methodist University.
Christopher Biesanz- Mr. Biesanz serves as a manager and Chief Executive Officer of the Manager. Since May 2018, he has been a financial analyst and vice president of 3E Management, LLC. While at 3E, he co-founded TSM Financial Academy in March 2020. Mr. Biesanz is also a Co-founder of Top Shelf Models, a specialized real estate financial modeling firm, which he co-founded in 2018. Prior to TSM he was a Senior Hedge Fund Accountant at Strait Capital from February 2017 to May 2018 and held the same position at ALPS, from January 2016 to February 2017. Mr. Biesanz holds a Bachelors of Science in Accounting from Pensacola Christian College and a Masters of Finance from Colorado State University.
Investment Committee of our Manager
The Investment Committee will assist our Manager in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by (1) considering and approving of each investment made by us, (2) establishing our investment guidelines and overseeing our investments, and the investment activity of other accounts and funds held for our benefit and (3) overseeing the investment activities of certain of our subsidiaries. The Investment Committee will consist of at least two members, each of whom will be appointed by our Manager, who will serve until such time as such Investment Committee member resigns or is replaced by our Manager, in its sole and absolute discretion. The Investment Committee is comprised of Messrs. Biesanz and Bergin. See “Conflicts of Interest—Certain Conflict Resolution Measures—Our Policies Relating to Conflicts of Interest”.
Compensation of Executive Officers
We do not currently have any employees nor do we currently intend to hire any employees who will be compensated directly by us. Each of the executive officers of our sponsor also serves as an executive officer of our Manager. Each of these individuals receives compensation for his or her services, including services performed for us on behalf of our Manager, from our Manager. As executive officers of our Manager, these individuals will serve to manage our day-to-day affairs, oversee the review, selection and recommendation of investment opportunities, service acquired investments and monitor the performance of these investments to ensure that they are consistent with our investment objectives. Although we will indirectly bear some of the costs of the compensation paid to these individuals, through fees we pay to our Manager, we do not intend to pay any compensation directly to these individuals.
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Limited Liability and Indemnification of our Manager and Others
Subject to certain limitations, the management agreement limits the liability of our Manager, its officers, members and affiliates for monetary damages and provides that we will indemnify and pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to our Manager, its officers, members and affiliates.
The management agreement provides that to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law our Manager, its officers, members and affiliates will not be liable to us. In addition, pursuant to the management agreement, we have agreed to indemnify our Manager, its officers, members and affiliates to the fullest extent permitted by law, against all expenses and liabilities (including judgments, fines, penalties, interest, amounts paid in settlement with the approval of the company and attorney’s fees and disbursements) arising from the performance of any of their obligations or duties in connection with their service to us or the management agreement, including in connection with any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other action, suit or proceeding to which any such person may hereafter be made party by reason of being or having been the Manager or one of our Manager’s directors or officers.
Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors, officers or persons controlling us for liability arising under the Securities Act, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Term and Removal of the Manager
The management agreement provides that our Manager will serve as our manager for an indefinite term, but that our Manager may be removed by us, or may choose to withdraw as manager, under certain circumstances.
Our board of directors may only remove our Manager at any time with 30 days’ prior written notice for “cause.” “Cause” is defined as:
| • | our Manager’s continued breach of any material provision of the management agreement following a period of 30 days after written notice thereof (or 45 days after written notice of such breach if our Manager, under certain circumstances, has taken steps to cure such breach within 30 days of the written notice); |
| • | the commencement of any proceeding relating to the bankruptcy or insolvency of our Manager, including an order for relief in an involuntary bankruptcy case or our Manager authorizing or filing a voluntary bankruptcy petition; |
| • | our Manager committing fraud against us, misappropriating or embezzling our funds, or acting, or failing to act, in a manner constituting bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of its duties under the management agreement; provided, however, that if any of these actions is caused by an employee, personnel and/or officer of our Manager or one of its affiliates and our Manager (or such affiliate) takes all necessary and appropriate action against such person and cures the damage caused by such actions within 30 days of our Manager’s actual knowledge of its commission or omission, then our Manager may not be removed; or |
| • | the dissolution of our Manager. |
Unsatisfactory financial performance does not constitute “cause” under the management agreement.
In the event of the removal of our Manager, our Manager will cooperate with us and take all reasonable steps to assist in making an orderly transition of the management function. Our Manager will determine whether any succeeding manager possesses sufficient qualifications to perform the management function.
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Investment Adviser Consideration
The Manager has not registered as an Investment Adviser under the Advisers Act. The Manager does not believe that it meets the definition of an investment adviser because it is not, a “person who, for compensation, engages in the business of advising others, either directly or through publications or writings, as to the value of securities or as to the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling securities, or who, for compensation and as part of a regular business, issues or promulgates analyses or reports concerning securities. The assets of the Company consist of real properties and not securities.
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The following information summarizes the forms and estimated amounts of compensation (some of which involve cost reimbursements) to be paid by the special purpose entities (“SPEs”) acquiring from Properties, or others, to the Manager and its affiliates. Much of this compensation will be paid regardless of the success or profitability of the acquired Properties. None of these fees were determined by arm’s length negotiations. Except as disclosed in this Memorandum, neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents or counselors are participating, directly or indirectly, in any other compensation or remuneration with respect to the Offering. The percentage of such fees that will be attributable to the Company will be equal to the Company’s percentage interest in the SPE making the applicable payment.
Form of Compensation |
| Description |
| Estimated | ||
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Offering and |
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Organization and Offering Expenses: |
| The Manager be entitled to be reimbursed for organization and offering expenses associated with this offering, in an aggregate amount of $100,000 but not to exceed $250,000. The Company will reimburse the Manager for these organization and offering expenses upon the initial closing of this offering. See “Plan of Distribution — Underwriting Terms — Other Compensation.” Organization and offering expenses include the legal, accounting, marketing, printing, mailing and filing fees, charges of our escrow holder and transfer agent, charges of the Manager for administrative services related to the issuance of the Shares in this offering, the reimbursement of bona fide due diligence expenses of broker-dealers, reimbursement of the Manager for costs in connection with preparing supplemental sales materials, the cost of bona fide training and education and education meetings held by the Company (primarily the travel, meal and lodging costs of registered representatives of broker-dealers), attendance and sponsorship fees payable to participating broker-dealers hosting retail seminars and travel, meal and lodging costs for officers and employees of the Manager and its affiliates to attend retail seminars conducted by broker-dealers, legal fees of Wefunder and promotional items. |
| $100,000 | ||
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Operating Stage: |
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Reimbursement of Expenses to Manager:
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| Reimbursement of reasonable and necessary expenses paid or incurred by the Manager in connection with the operation of the Company, including any legal, marketing and accounting costs (which may include an allocation of salary) and any costs incurred in connection with acquisition of the Properties, including travel, surveys, environmental and other studies and interest expense incurred on deposits or expenses, to be paid from operating revenue. |
| Impracticable to determine at this time.
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Acquisition Fee: |
| The Manager or an affiliate will be entitled to receive an Acquisition Fee in an amount up to 3% of the gross purchase price of each Property from the SPE acquiring the Property, including any debt or leverage attributable to such Property. The Manager and/or its affiliates will also be reimbursed for customary acquisition expenses (including expenses relating to potential acquisitions that are not closed), such as legal fees and expenses, costs of due diligence (including, as necessary, updated appraisals, surveys and environmental site assessments), travel and communications expenses, accounting fees and expenses and other closing costs and miscellaneous expenses related to the acquisition of real estate properties. |
| Although the exact amount of the Acquisition Fee is not determinable at this time, if the Company were to invest the net proceeds from the maximum amount of this offering, with no leverage, the aggregate Acquisition Fee would be approximately $2,100,000. | |||
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Asset Management Fee: |
| The Manager will be entitled to receive an annual Asset Management Fee in an amount up to 3% of gross revenues received, gross of investor credits. This will be paid at the Property level.
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| Impracticable to determine at this time. | |||
Waterfall Certificate |
| This fee is to cover the calculation and allocation of distributions between the investors and the general partner. Services include calculation of gross and net returns, management fee calculations, liquidation scenarios for audit/tax reasons, and investor specific calculations for each individual investor.
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| 3% of the equity capital allocated to each Property acquired. | |||
Underwriting Fee |
| Payable to an affiliate of the Manager to cover underwiring and building of the pro-forma financial models, revenues, expenses, debt payments, and exit scenarios to determine the potential returns to investors. |
| $75,000 per acquired Property | |||
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Interest in the Company: |
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Subordinated Participation in Net Cash Flow/Incentive Fee: |
| At the level of the Operating Partnership, the Manager, as the General Partner of the Operating Partnership, is entitled to receive a share of the distributable cash of the Operating Partnership., The Manager is entitled to receive 60% of our distributions and the Company is entitled to receive 40%. Upon liquidation of an asset, after the Company has received 100% of its outstanding capital contribution on a deal by deal basis, the Manager shall be entitled to receive 80% of the net proceeds and the Company, as the limited partner will be entitled to receive 20% of the net proceeds. |
| Impracticable to determine at this time. | |||
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The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our Shares as of the date of this Offering Circular for each person or group that holds more than 5% of our Shares, for each director and executive officer and for the directors and executive officers as a group. To our knowledge, each person that beneficially owns our Shares has sole voting and disposition power with regard to such Shares.
Unless otherwise indicated below, each person or entity has an address in care of our principal executive offices at 6116 N Central Expressway, Suite 705, Dallas, TX 75206.
Name of Beneficial |
| Number of Shares Beneficially Owned |
| Percent of All Shares |
Eric Bergin |
| 137.5(2) |
| 55% |
Christopher Biesanz |
| 112.5(2) |
| 45% |
All directors and executive officers as a group (2 persons) |
| 250 |
| 100% |
(1) | Under SEC rules, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or Shares “voting power,” which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. A person also is deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities which that person has a right to acquire within 60 days. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same securities and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which he or she has no economic or pecuniary interest. |
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(2) | As of the date of this Offering Circular, Commodore Collection, LLC owns all of our issued and outstanding shares of Preferred Stock. Commodore Collection, LLC is owned 45% by Eric Bergin, 45% by Matterhorn Capital LLC (which is wholly owned by Christopher Biesanz), and 10% by 3E Management, LLC (which is wholly owned by Eric Bergin). The Company has not issued any shares of Common Stock. |
PRIOR PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
We are a newly formed corporation and will not commence operations until we raise sufficient funds. As a result, we do not have any prior performance or experience.
Overview of Our Manger
Although our the principals of our Manager have been involved in investment programs in connection with prior employment, neither the Manager nor its affiliates have any prior investment programs which have been originated by our Manager or for which it or its affiliates serve as the issuer (“Originated Program”).
Prior Investment Programs
As of the date of this Offering Circular, our Manager has not originated any investment programs of Originated Programs.]
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The Company will engage Commodore Asset Management, LLC, (“Asset Manager”) an affiliate of the Manager to provide asset management of the Properties. The Asset Manager will provide asset management, capital renovation supervision, accounting and consulting services for the Properties. The goal of the Asset Manager is to enhance the value of each hotel it operates and increase owner profitability. The Asset Manager will be paid an annual management fee estimated to be 3% of aggregate gross revenues of the Properties, payable at the Property level.
The Company will also engage one or more third party operators (each, an “Operator”) to manage the operations at the Properties. The Operator will provide hotel management services for the Properties. The management team of the Operator will have extensive experience operating hotels. The goal of the Operator is to enhance the value of each hotel it operates and increase owner profitability. The Operator will be paid an annual base management fee estimated to be 3% of aggregate gross revenues of the Properties payable at the Property level.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Commodore Hospitality, Inc. was organized in the State of Delaware on December 23rd, 2020 to engage primarily in the acquisition and management of hotels in the United States. We believe that the current hospitality real estate environment provides us the opportunity to acquire attractively priced hotel properties. We anticipate being able to increase the value of the Properties we acquire through applying sound acquisition policies and taking advantage of the disparity between the purchase price and the stabilized value and replacement costs of the properties. The Company expects to acquire the Properties at prices that are less than the stabilized values and replacement costs of the properties. The Manager, directly and through its oversight of the Operator, will apply aggressive expense reduction strategies to each Property. By doing so, the Manager expects to increase net revenues at each Property without any improvement in occupancy or room rates or gross revenues. The Company expects to generate positive cash flow from the Properties based on a number of factors, including reducing expenses, acquiring Properties in areas we believe are business or leisure destinations, and acquiring the Properties at prices below the current replacement costs. See “Description of Business.”
As of the date of this Offering Circular, we have not commenced operations. We expect to use substantially all of the net proceeds from this offering to invest in and manage a diverse portfolio of hotel properties. To meet our need for cash, we are attempting to raise money from this offering. The maximum aggregate amount of this offering will be required to fully implement our business plan. If we are unable to successfully generate revenue, we may quickly use up the proceeds from this offering and will need to find alternative sources. If we need additional cash and cannot raise it, we will either have to suspend operations until we do raise the cash, or cease operations entirely.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We are dependent upon the net proceeds from this offering to conduct our proposed operations. We will obtain the capital required to purchase the Properties and conduct our operations from the proceeds of this offering, from secured or unsecured financings from banks and other lenders and from any undistributed funds from our operations. As of the date of this offering circular, we have not made any investments, and have no operating assets. For information regarding the anticipated use of proceeds from this offering, see “Estimated Use of Proceeds.”
We will not sell any Shares in this offering unless we raise a minimum of $150,000 in gross offering proceeds from persons who are not affiliated with us or our Manager. If the minimum offering amount is not reached by the offering termination date, the investors’ funds will be promptly returned. If we are unable to raise substantially more funds in this offering than the minimum offering amount, we will make fewer investments resulting in less diversification in terms of the type, number and size of investments we make and the value of an investment in us will fluctuate with the performance of the specific assets we acquire. Further, we will have certain fixed operating
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expenses, including certain expenses as a publicly offered company, regardless of whether we are able to raise substantial funds in this offering. Our inability to raise substantial funds would increase our fixed operating expenses as a percentage of gross income, reducing our net income and limiting our ability to make distributions. To the extent that we have insufficient funds for maintenance and repair of the Properties, we may establish reserves from gross offering proceeds or out of cash flow from operations.
We currently have no outstanding debt. Once we have invested the proceeds of this offering in the Properties, we expect our debt financing to be up to 80% of the value of our portfolio assets. Our charter does not limit us from incurring debt.
In addition to making investments in accordance with our investment objectives, we expect to use our capital resources to make certain payments to our Manager and its affiliates. During our organization and offering stage, these payments will include payments to our Manager for reimbursement of certain organization and offering expenses. During our acquisition and development stage, we expect to make payments to our Manager and its affiliates in connection with the selection and purchase of the Properties, the management of the Properties and costs incurred by our Manager and its affiliates in providing services to us. For a discussion of the compensation to be paid to our Manager and its affiliates, see “Management Compensation.”
We are highly dependent upon the success of this offering, as described herein. Therefore, the failure thereof would result in the need to seek capital from other resources such as incurring indebtedness, which would likely not be possible for the Company. However, if such financing is not available, because we are a development stage company with no operations to date, we would likely have to pay additional costs in order to obtain such debt financing. If the Company cannot raise additional proceeds through a private placement of its equity or debt securities, or secure a loan, the Company would be required to cease business operations. As a result, stockholders would lose all of their investment.
Upon selling the minimum offering amount of Shares, the Company plans to pursue its investment strategy. There can be no assurance of the Company's ability to do so or that additional capital will be available to the Company. If so, the Company's investment objective will be adversely affected and the Company may not be able to execute on its business plan. The Company currently has no agreements, arrangements or understandings with any person to obtain funds through bank loans, lines of credit or any other sources. Since the Company has no such arrangements or plans currently in effect, its inability to raise funds for the above purposes will have a severe negative impact on its ability to remain a viable company. There can be no assurance that additional capital will be available to the Company. If we are successful at raising capital by issuing more stock, or securities which are convertible into Shares of the Company, your investment will be diluted as a result of such issuance.
Upon achieving the minimum offering, we intend to execute on our proposed business plan of acquiring hotels throughout the South Central United States. See “Description of Business.” The number of Properties that we will be able to acquire will depend on how quickly we are able to raise funds through this offering and the availability of debt financing. We expect the proceeds of this offering, together with funds from third party financings, will be sufficient for us to implement our business plan and that no additional equity, other than the proceeds of this offering, will need to be raised over the next six months in order to implement our business plan.
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We are subject to various conflicts of interest arising out of our relationship with our Manager and its affiliates. We discuss these conflicts below and conclude this section with a discussion of the corporate governance measures we have adopted to mitigate some of the risks posed by these conflicts.
Our Affiliates’ Interests in Other Entities
General
The officers and the key real estate professionals of our Manager, who perform services for us also perform such services for our Manager, are also officers, directors, managers, and/or key professionals of our sponsor and other related entities. These persons have legal obligations with respect to those entities that are similar to their obligations to us. In the future, these persons and other affiliates of our Manager may organize other real estate programs and acquire for their own account real estate investments that may be suitable for us.
Allocation of Our Affiliates’ Time
We rely on our Manager’s key real estate professionals, including Mssrs. Biesanz and Bergin, for the day-to-day operation of our business. Mssrs. Biesanz and Bergin also provide services for 3E Management, Top Shelf Models and other entities. As a result, their obligations to other entities and the fact that they engage in and will continue to engage in other business activities on behalf of himself and others, Mssrs. Biesanz and Bergin will face conflicts of interest in allocating their time among us and other business activities in which they are involved. However, we believe that our Manager and its affiliates have sufficient real estate professionals to fully discharge their responsibilities.
Receipt of Fees and Other Compensation by our Manager and its Affiliates
Our Manager and its affiliates will receive substantial fees from us, which fees will not be negotiated at arm’s length. These fees could influence our Manager’s advice to us as well as the judgment of affiliates of our Manager, some of whom also serve as our Manager’s officers and the key real estate professionals. Among other matters, these compensation arrangements could affect their judgment with respect to:
| • | the continuation, renewal or enforcement of provisions in the management agreement involving our Manager and its affiliates; |
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| • | public offerings of equity by us, which will likely entitle our Manager to increased acquisition fees, origination fees, asset management fees and other fees; |
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| • | acquisitions of investments at higher purchase prices, which entitle our Manager to higher acquisition fees, origination fees and asset management fees regardless of the quality or performance of the investment; |
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| • | borrowings up to or in excess of our stated borrowing policy to acquire investments, which borrowings will increase asset management fees payable by us to our Manager; |
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| • | whether and when we seek to list our Shares on a stock exchange or other trading market; |
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| • | whether we seek stockholder approval to internalize our management, which may entail acquiring assets (such as office space, furnishings and technology costs) and the key real estate and debt finance professionals of our sponsor who are performing services for us on behalf of our Manager for consideration that would be negotiated at that time and may result in these real estate and debt finance professionals receiving more compensation from us than they currently receive from our sponsor; |
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| • | whether and when we seek to sell the Company or its assets; and |
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| • | whether and when we merge or consolidate our assets with other companies, including companies affiliated with our Manager. |
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Duties Owed by Some of Our Affiliates to Our Manager and our Manager’s Affiliates
Our Manager’s officers and the key real estate professionals performing services on our behalf also perform such services to the following entities:
| • | Commodore Collection, LLC, our Manager; |
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| • | Commodore Asset Management, LLC, our Operator; and |
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| • | other related entities (see “— Allocation of Property Opportunities” above). |
As a result, they owe duties to each of these entities and their equity holders. These duties may from time to time conflict with the duties that they owe to us.
Indemnification Agreements
We intend to enter into an indemnification agreement with each of our directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements and our charter and bylaws require us to indemnify our directors and executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. See “Management — Limitations on Director and Officer Liability and Indemnification.”
Certain Conflict Resolution Measures
Independent Representative
If our Manager or its affiliates have a conflict of interest with us that is not otherwise covered by an existing policy we have adopted or a transaction is deemed to be a “principal transaction,” the Independent Representative will review and approve such transactions. Principal transactions are defined as transactions between our Manager or its affiliates, on the one hand, and us or one of our subsidiaries, on the other hand. Our Manager is only authorized to execute principal transactions with the prior approval of the Independent Representative and in accordance with applicable law. Such prior approval may include but not be limited to pricing methodology for the acquisition of assets and/or liabilities for which there are no readily observable market prices.
Our Policies Relating to Conflicts of Interest
In addition to the provisions in the management agreement described below and our Manager’s investment allocation policies described above, we have adopted the following policies prohibiting us from entering into certain types of transactions with our Manager, its officers or any of its affiliates in order to further reduce the potential for conflicts inherent in transactions with affiliates.
Pursuant to these conflicts of interest policies, we may not engage in the following types of transactions unless such transaction is approved by the Independent Representative:
| • | sell or lease any investments to our Manager, its officers or any of their affiliates; and |
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| • | acquire or lease any investments from our Manager, its officers or any of its affiliates. |
We may, however, purchase an investment from another related in the event that such entities initially acquire an investment that is suitable for us at a time when we are unable to do so, with the intention of providing us the opportunity to acquire the investment at a later date when we are able to acquire the investment. We will not purchase investments from a related entity in these circumstances without a determination by the Independent Representative that such transaction is fair and reasonable to us and at a price to us that is not materially greater than the cost of the asset to other related entity.
These conflicts of interest policies may be amended at any time in the sole discretion of our board of directors.
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Other Management Agreement Provisions Relating to Conflicts of Interest
The management agreement contains many other restrictions relating to conflicts of interest including the following:
Term of our Manager. The management agreement provides that our Manager will serve as our manager for an indefinite term, but that our Manager may be removed by us, or may choose to withdraw as manager, under certain circumstances. Our board of directors may remove our Manager at any time with 30 days’ prior written notice for “cause.” Unsatisfactory financial performance does not constitute “cause” under the management agreement. Our Manager may withdraw as manager if we become required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, with such withdrawal deemed to occur immediately before such event. In the event of the removal of our Manager, our Manager will cooperate with us and take all reasonable steps to assist in making an orderly transition of the management function. Our Manager will determine whether any succeeding manager possesses sufficient qualifications to perform the management function. See “Management—Term and Removal of the Manager.”
Other Transactions Involving Affiliates. Before engaging in a transaction involving an affiliate, our Manager must conclude that all other transactions between us and our sponsor, our Manager, any of their officers or directors, or any of their affiliates are fair and reasonable to us and on terms and conditions not less favorable to us than those available from unaffiliated third parties. See “Management—Investment Committee of our Manager.”
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK AND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF DELAWARE LAW, OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS
The following description of our capital stock, certain provisions of Delaware law and certain provisions of our charter and bylaws, which will be in effect upon commencement of this offering, are summaries and are qualified by reference to Delaware law and our charter and bylaws, copies of which are filed as exhibits to the offering statement of which this offering circular is a part. See “Additional Information.” References in this section to “we,” “our,” “us” and “our company” refer to Commodore Hospitality, Inc.
General
We were incorporated in Delaware as a corporation on December 23, 2020. Our charter authorizes us to issue: (i) 70,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share and (ii) 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. We may increase the number of shares of common or preferred stock without stockholder consent.. As of the date of this offering circular, we have issued 250 shares of preferred stock to our Manager.
We intend to have a December 31st fiscal year end. In addition, we intend to qualify as a REIT and to be taxed as a REIT under the Code beginning with the year ending December 31, 2021; however, our Board of Directors may extend such date until the taxable year ending December 31, 2022.
Common Stock In General
Holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive such dividends as declared from time to time by our Board of Directors out of legally available funds, subject to any preferential rights of any preferred stock that we issue in the future. In any liquidation, each outstanding share of common stock entitles its holder to share (based on the percentage of shares held) in the assets that remain after we pay our liabilities and any preferential dividends owed to preferred stockholders. Holders of shares of our common stock will not have preemptive rights, which means that you will not have an automatic option to purchase any new shares that we issue, nor will holders of our shares of common stock have any preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund, redemption, or appraisal rights. Our common stock will be non-assessable by us upon our receipt of the consideration for which our Board of Directors authorized its issuance.
Our Board of Directors has authorized the issuance of shares of our common stock without certificates. We will not issue shares in certificated form. Information regarding restrictions on the transferability of our shares that, under Delaware law, would otherwise have been required to appear on our stock certificates will instead be furnished to stockholders upon request and without charge.
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Through our transfer agent, Wefunder (which is not affiliated with the Company), we maintain a stock ledger that contains the name and address of each stockholder and the number of shares that the stockholder holds. With respect to uncertificated stock, we will continue to treat the stockholder registered on our stock ledger as the owner of the shares until the new owner delivers a properly executed form to us, which form we will provide to any registered holder upon request.
Voting Common Stock
Subject to the restrictions in our charter on transfer and ownership of shares and except as may otherwise be specified in the charter, the holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a stockholder vote. However, the holders of our common stock are not entitled to vote on the election of the Board of Directors. The holders of our preferred stock will possess exclusive voting power with respect to the election of our Board of Directors. Our charter does not provide for cumulative voting in the election of its directors.
Preferred Stock
We have authorized and issued one class of preferred stock, designated as Series A Preferred Stock. Our Manager holds all of the issued and outstanding shares of our Series A Preferred Stock. The Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to elect the Directors but have no other preferences. Our charter authorizes our Board of Directors to designate and issue additional classes or series of preferred stock without approval of our common stockholders. Our Board of Directors may determine the relative rights, preferences and privileges of each class or series of preferred stock so issued, which may be more beneficial than the rights, preferences, and privileges attributable to our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control. Our Board of Directors has no present plans to issue preferred stock but may do so at any time in the future without stockholder approval.
Meetings and Special Voting Requirements
An annual meeting of our stockholders will be held each year, on a date and at the time and place set by our Board of Directors.
Special meetings of stockholders may be called by the chairman of our Board of Directors, chief executive officer, president or our Board of Directors. In addition, a special meeting of the stockholders must be called to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting and the satisfaction by such stockholders of certain procedural requirements set forth in the Bylaws.
The presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at any stockholder meeting constitutes a quorum. The affirmative vote of a plurality of all votes cast is sufficient to elect a director. Unless otherwise provided by the Delaware General Corporation Law or our charter, the affirmative vote of a majority of all votes cast is sufficient to approve any other matter which properly comes before the meeting.
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Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a Delaware corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business, unless declared advisable by its board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, a Delaware corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Except for amendments of our charter relating to the restrictions on transfer and ownership of shares and the vote required to amend certain provisions of our charter and except for those amendments permitted to be made without stockholder approval under Delaware law or by specific provision in the charter, any amendment to our charter will be valid only if it is declared advisable by our Board of Directors and approved by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast at least two-thirds of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Restrictions on Ownership of Shares
Ownership Limit
To maintain our REIT qualification, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding shares may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (including certain entities treated as individuals under the Code) during the last half of each taxable year. In addition, at least 100 persons who are independent of us and each other must beneficially own our outstanding shares for at least 335 days per 12-month taxable year or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Each of the requirements specified in the two preceding sentences will not apply to any period prior to the second year for which we elect to be taxable as a REIT. We may prohibit certain acquisitions and transfers of shares so as to ensure our continued qualification as a REIT under the Code. However, we cannot assure you that this prohibition will be effective.
To help ensure that we meet these tests, our charter prohibits any person or group of persons from acquiring, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership of more than 9.8% by value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding shares of common stock, or 9.8% by value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding capital stock unless exempted by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors may waive 9.8% ownership limitations with respect to a particular person if our Board of Directors receives evidence that ownership in excess of the limit will not jeopardize our REIT status. For purposes of this provision, we treat corporations, partnerships and other entities as single persons. These 9.8% ownership limitations will apply as of the first date of the second taxable year for which we elect to be treated as a REIT, which will be January 1, 2022 assuming we elect to be treated as a REIT for the taxable year ending December 31, 2021. However, our charter will also prohibit any actual, beneficial or constructive ownership of our shares that causes us to fail to qualify as a REIT (including any ownership that would result in any of our income that would otherwise qualify as “rents from real property” for purposes of the REIT rules to fail to qualify as such) and such ownership limitation shall not be waived. In addition, our charter prohibits a person from owning actually or constructively shares of our outstanding capital stock if such ownership would result in any of our income that would otherwise qualify as “rents from real property” for purposes of the REIT rules to fail to qualify as such.
Any attempted transfer of our shares that, if effective, would result in a violation of our ownership limit or would otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT (including by virtue of us being “closely held” or through our receipt of related party tenant income) will be null and void and will cause the number of shares causing the violation to be automatically transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries. Any attempted transfer of our shares that, if effective, would result in our shares being owned by fewer than 100 persons will be null and void. The prohibited transferee will not acquire any rights in the shares. The automatic transfer will be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the attempted transfer. We will designate a trustee of the trust that will not be affiliated with us or the prohibited transferee. We will also name one or more charitable organizations as a beneficiary of the share trust.
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Shares held in trust will remain issued and outstanding shares and will be entitled to the same rights and privileges as all other shares of the same class or series. The prohibited transferee will not benefit economically from any of the shares held in trust, will not have any rights to dividends or dividends, and will not have the right to vote or any other rights attributable to the shares held in the trust. The trustee will receive all dividends and dividends on the shares held in trust and will hold such dividends or dividends in trust for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. The trustee may vote any shares held in trust.
Within 20 days of receiving notice from us that any of our shares have been transferred to the trust for the charitable beneficiary, the trustee will sell those shares to a person designated by the trustee whose ownership of the shares will not violate the above restrictions. Upon the sale, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the prohibited transferee and to the charitable beneficiary as follows. The prohibited transferee will receive the lesser of (i) the price paid by the prohibited transferee for the shares or, if the prohibited transferee did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the trust (e.g., a gift, devise or other similar transaction), the market price (as defined in our charter) of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the trust and (ii) the price received by the trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares. Any net sale proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the prohibited transferee will be paid immediately to the charitable beneficiary. If, prior to our discovery that shares have been transferred to the trust, the shares are sold by the prohibited transferee, then (i) the shares will be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and (ii) to the extent that the prohibited transferee received an amount for the shares that exceeds the amount he was entitled to receive, the excess will be paid to the trustee upon demand.
In addition, shares held in the trust for the charitable beneficiary will be deemed to have been offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in the transfer to the trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price at the time of the devise or gift) and (ii) the market price on the date we, or our designee, accept the offer. We will have the right to accept the offer until the trustee has sold the shares. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the prohibited transferee.
Any person who acquires or attempts to acquire shares in violation of the foregoing restrictions or who would have owned the shares that were transferred to any such trust must give us immediate written notice of such event, and any person who proposes or attempts to acquire or receive shares in violation of the foregoing restrictions must give us at least 15 days’ written notice prior to such transaction. In both cases, such persons will provide to us such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such transfer on our status as a REIT.
The foregoing restrictions will continue to apply until our Board of Directors determines it is no longer in our best interest to continue to qualify as a REIT. The 9.8% ownership limitations described above do not apply to any underwriter in an offering of our shares or to a person or persons exempted from the ownership limit by our Board of Directors based upon appropriate assurances that our qualification as a REIT would not be jeopardized.
Within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, every owner of 5% or more of our outstanding capital stock will be asked to deliver to us a statement setting forth the number of shares owned directly or indirectly by such person and a description of how such person holds the shares. Each such owner will also provide us with such additional information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of his or her beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with our ownership limit.
These restrictions could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or change in control of us that might involve a premium price for our shares of common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.
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Investment Criteria, Minimum Investment and Transfer Restrictions
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 18(b)(4)(D)(ii) of the Securities Act and Rule 251(d)(2)(i)(C) of Regulation A, purchasers of our common stock must be “qualified purchasers,” which means that they are required to satisfy certain investment criteria regarding their net worth or income. Purchasers must either (i) be an accredited investor or (ii) if you are not an accredited investor, the investment in the shares is not more than 10% of the greater of: (a) if you are a natural person: (1) your individual net worth, or joint net worth with your spouse, excluding the value of your primary residence; or (2) your individual income, or joint income with your spouse, received in each of the two most recent years and you have a reasonable expectation that an investment in the shares will not exceed 10% of your individual or joint income in the current year or (b) if you are not a natural person, (1) your revenue, as of your most recently completed fiscal year end; or (2) your net assets, as of your most recently completed fiscal year end. See “Investment Criteria” on page iii of this offering circular for more information.
No stockholder shall, without the prior written approval of our Board of Directors, transfer any shares of Capital Stock if, in the opinion of counsel, such transfer would result in our being required to become a reporting company under the Exchange Act. Any such transfer shall be void ab initio and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock. This restriction shall not apply at any time (i) that we have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act or are filing reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) under the Exchange Act or (ii) after our Board of Directors adopts a resolution to such effect.
All subsequent sales must comply with applicable state and federal securities laws.
The minimum investment required in this offering is 25 shares of common stock, or $250 based on the initial offering price of $10.00 per share. Pursuant to a board policy, you may not transfer your shares of common stock in a manner that causes you or your transferee to own fewer than the number of shares of common stock required to meet the minimum purchase requirements, except for the following transfers without consideration: transfers by gift; transfers by inheritance; intrafamily transfers; family dissolutions; transfers to affiliates; and transfers by operation of law. These minimum investment requirements are applicable unless and until our shares of common stock are listed on a national securities exchange, and these requirements may make it more difficult for you to sell your shares of common stock. We cannot assure you that our shares of common stock will ever be listed on a national securities exchange.
Dividends
We expect that we will declare and pay dividends on a quarterly basis, or more or less frequently as advised by our Manager, in arrears, based on daily record dates. Any dividends we make will be following consultation with our Manager, and will be based on, among other factors, our present and reasonably projected future cash flow. We expect that we will set the rate of dividends at a level that will be reasonably consistent and sustainable over time. Neither we nor our Manager has pre-established a percentage range of return for dividends to stockholders. We have not established a minimum distribution level, and our charter does not require that we pay dividends to our stockholders.
Generally, our policy will be to pay dividends from cash flow from operations. During our offering stage, when we may raise capital in this offering more quickly than we acquire income-producing assets, and for some period after our offering stage, we may not be able to pay dividends solely from our cash flow from operations. Further, because we may receive property income or other revenue at various times during our fiscal year and because we may need cash flow from operations during a particular period to fund capital expenditures and other expenses, we expect that at least during the early stages of our development and from time to time during our operational stage, we will declare dividends in anticipation of cash flow that we expect to receive during a later period and we will pay these dividends in advance of our actual receipt of these funds. In these instances, we expect to look to third party borrowings or lines of credit to fund our dividends. We may also fund such dividends from the sale of assets or other investments. Our charter permits us to pay dividends from any source, including offering proceeds or borrowings (which may constitute a return of capital), and our charter does not limit the amount of funds we may use from any source to pay such dividends. If we pay dividends from sources other than our cash flow from operations, we will have less funds available for investment in properties and other assets.
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To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we must make aggregate annual dividends to our stockholders of at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (which is computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction or net capital gain and which does not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP). If we meet the REIT qualification requirements, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on the income that we distribute to our stockholders each year. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations – Requirements for Qualification – Annual Distribution Requirements.” Our Board of Directors may authorize dividends in excess of those required for us to maintain REIT status depending on our financial condition and such other factors as our Board of Directors deems relevant.
Dividends that you receive, and which are not designated by us as capital gain dividends, will generally be taxed as ordinary income to the extent they are from current or accumulated earnings and profits. To the extent any portion of your distribution is not from current or accumulated earnings and profits, it will not be subject to tax immediately; it will be considered a return of capital for tax purposes and will reduce the tax basis of your investment (and potentially result in taxable gain upon your sale of the stock). Dividends that constitute a return of capital, in effect, defer a portion of your tax until your investment is sold or we are liquidated, at which time you will be taxed at capital gains rates. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of Stockholders – Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders – Dividends” for an additional discussion of these rules. However, because each investor’s tax considerations are different, we suggest that you consult with your tax advisor.
Other Provisions
Advance Notice of Director Nominations and Stockholder Proposals
Our bylaws include advance notice and informational requirements and time limitations on any director nomination or proposal that a stockholder wishes to make at a meeting of stockholders, as described above. A failure to comply with these timing and informational requirements can result in a stockholder's director nomination or proposal not being considered at a meeting of stockholders.
Meetings of Stockholders; Action by Written Consent
Our bylaws, annual and special meetings of stockholders are to be held at a date and time as determined by the board of directors. Special meetings of our stockholders may only be called by a majority of our board of directors. At any meeting of stockholders, only business that was properly brought before the meeting will be transacted. Our bylaws also provide that a majority of votes cast by the shares present in person or represented by proxy at any meeting of stockholders and entitled to vote thereat shall decide any question (other than the election of directors) brought before such meeting, except in any case where a larger vote is required by Delaware Corporate Law, our charter, our bylaws or otherwise. In addition, our stockholders do not have the authority to call a special stockholder meeting or to take action by unanimous or partial written consent in lieu of an annual or special meeting.
Removal of Directors
Our bylaws provide that any or all of the directors may be removed only for cause, by a vote of our stockholders at a special meeting called for that purpose; provided, however that a vote of a majority of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote is required to effect any such removal. This provision may delay or prevent our stockholders from removing incumbent directors.
The provisions described above and certain statutory anti-takeover provisions could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, control of us.
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Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Delaware Corporate Law
The Company is a Delaware corporation. Section 102 of the Delaware Corporation Law permits a corporation to include a provision in its certificate of incorporation eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to a corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for certain breaches of the director's fiduciary duty, except (1) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) the payment of unlawful dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions or (4) transactions from which the director received an improper personal benefit. Our charter eliminates the liability of directors to the fullest extent permissible under Delaware law.
Section 145 of the Delaware Corporate Law, or Section 145, authorizes a corporation to indemnify its directors, officers, employees and agents against certain liabilities (including attorney's fees, judgments, fines and expenses) they may incur in their capacities as such in connection with specified actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, or a derivative action), if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. Section 145 also provides that directors and officers have a right to indemnification against expenses where they have been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of such actions. A similar standard is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification only extends to expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred in connection with defense or settlement of such action, and the statute requires court approval before there can be any indemnification where the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the corporation. Section 145 also authorizes a corporation to advance expenses incurred in defending such actions, suits or proceedings in advance of their final disposition. Section 145 empowers the corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any directors, officers, employees and agent, against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under Section 145.
Section 145 provides that the indemnification provided thereby is not exclusive of any other indemnification rights that may exist under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.
Our Bylaws and Charter
Our charter includes provisions eliminating the personal liability of our directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware Corporate Law, and our bylaws include provisions indemnifying our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware Corporate Law. The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our charter and our bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though a derivative action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. In addition, the value of investments in our securities may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
Our bylaws provide indemnification to directors and officers for all actions taken by them in their capacities as directors and officers and for all failures to take action in their capacities as directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware Corporate Law against all expense, liability and loss reasonably incurred or suffered by them in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (including, without limitation, an action, suit or proceeding by or in the right of our Company), whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative. Our bylaws provide advancement of expenses to directors and officers upon receipt of an undertaking by such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification. Our bylaws also permit us, by action of our board of directors, to indemnify or advance expenses to our employees and agents of our Company to the same extent as directors and officers. Amendments, repeals or modifications of this provision of our bylaws can only be prospective and no such change may reduce the limitations of director's liability or limit indemnification or advancement of expenses unless adopted by the unanimous vote of
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all of the directors then serving or the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote in elections of directors. Our bylaws further permit us to maintain insurance, at our expense, for the benefit of any person on behalf of whom insurance is permitted to be purchased by Delaware Corporate Law against any such expenses, liability or loss.
Under Delaware law, our directors will remain liable for the following:
| • | any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders; |
| • | acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; |
| • | the payment of dividends, stock repurchases or redemptions that are unlawful under Delaware law; and |
| • | any transaction in which the director receives an improper personal benefit. |
We maintain directors' and officers' liability insurance which would indemnify our directors and officers against damages arising out of certain kinds of claims which might be made against them based on their negligent acts or omissions while acting in their capacity as such.
Wefunder, Transfer Agent and Registrar
We are selling the shares through Dalmore Group LLC and the Wefunder Platform located at www.wefunder.com. This offering circular will be furnished to prospective investors at [SEC LINK] via download 24 hours per day, 7 days per week on our website.
Payments for subscriptions must be transmitted directly by wire, credit cards or electronic funds transfer via ACH to the specified bank account maintained by our Manager pursuant to the instructions in the subscription agreement.
To ensure that any account changes or updates are made promptly and accurately, all changes and updates should be directed to the transfer agent, including any change to a stockholder’s address, ownership type, or distribution mailing address, as well as stockholder repurchase requests under our share repurchase program.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT OF
COMMODORE HOSPITALITY OPERATIONS, LP
The following summary of the terms of the Agreement of Limited Partnership of our Operating Partnership does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Agreement of Limited Partnership of COMMODORE HOSPITALITY OPERATIONS, LP, a copy of which is an exhibit to the offering statement of which this offering circular is a part. See “Additional Information.” References in this section to “we,” “our,” “us” and “our company” refer to Commodore Hospitality, Inc.
Management
Commodore Collection, LLC, the Manager of the Company, is the sole general partner of Commodore Hospitality Operations, LP, our Operating Partnership, which is organized as a Delaware limited partnership. We will conduct all of our operations and make all of our investments through our Operating Partnership. Pursuant to the partnership agreement, we have full, exclusive and complete responsibility and discretion in the management and control of our Operating Partnership, including the ability to cause our Operating Partnership to enter into certain major transactions including acquisitions, dispositions and refinancings, pay dividends to partners, and to cause changes in our Operating Partnership’s business activities. The partnership agreement will require that our Operating Partnership be operated in a manner that permits us to qualify as a REIT.
Capital Contributions
We will contribute, directly, to our Operating Partnership substantially all of the net proceeds from this offering and the private placement to our Sponsor as our initial capital contribution in exchange for OP Units. The partnership agreement provides that if our Operating Partnership requires additional funds at any time in excess of funds available to our Operating Partnership from borrowing or capital contributions, we may borrow such funds from a financial institution or other lender and lend such funds to our Operating Partnership on the same terms and conditions as are applicable to our borrowing of such funds. Under the partnership agreement, if we issue any additional equity securities, we are obligated to contribute the proceeds from such issuance as additional capital to our Operating Partnership and we will receive additional OP Units with economic interests substantially similar to those of the securities we issued. In addition, if we contribute additional capital to our Operating Partnership, we generally will revalue the property of our Operating Partnership to its fair market value (as determined by us) and the capital accounts of the partners will be adjusted to reflect the manner in which the unrealized gain or loss inherent in such property (that has not been reflected in the capital accounts previously) would be allocated among the partners under the terms of the partnership agreement if there were a taxable disposition of such property for its fair market value (as determined by us) on the date of the revaluation. Our operating partnership may issue preferred partnership interests, in connection with acquisitions of property, our issuance of preferred shares or otherwise, which could have priority over common partnership interests with respect to dividends from our Operating Partnership, including the partnership interests we own.
Redemption Rights
Pursuant to the partnership agreement, any future limited partners, other than the Company or our subsidiaries (except to the extent described below), will receive redemption rights, which, beginning one year after issuance, will enable them to cause our Operating Partnership to redeem the OP Units held by such limited partners in exchange for cash or, at our option, shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis. The cash redemption amount per common unit would be calculated as a percentage of the NAV per share in effect at the time of the redemption, determined in the same manner as payments under our stockholder redemption plan for shares of our common stock. The number of shares of our common stock issuable upon redemption of OP Units held by limited partners may be adjusted upon the occurrence of certain events such as stock dividends, stock subdivisions or combinations. We expect to fund cash redemptions, if any, out of available cash or borrowings. To the extent we assume the redemption request by issuing shares of our common stock to a redeeming limited partner, the redeeming limited partner could then redeem those shares for cash pursuant to our stockholder redemption plan. The partnership agreement provides that, until such time as our common stock is listed for trading on a stock exchange, a limited partner may make its redemption request contingent on such limited partner’s OP Units either (i) being redeemed by the Operating Partnership for cash or (ii) being acquired by us in exchange for shares of our common stock and then those shares being redeemed pursuant to
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our stockholder redemption plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a limited partner will not be entitled to exercise its redemption rights if the delivery of common stock to the redeeming limited partner could cause:
| • | the redeeming partner or any other person to violate any of the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock contained in our charter; |
| • | a termination of our Operating Partnership for U.S. federal or state income tax purposes (except as a result of the redemption of all units other than those owned by us); |
| • | our Operating Partnership to cease to be classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (except as a result of the redemption of all units other than those owned by us); |
| • | our Operating Partnership to become, with respect to any employee benefit plan subject to Title I of ERISA, a “party-in-interest” (as defined in Section 3(14) of ERISA) or a “disqualified person” (as defined in Section 4975(e) of the Code); |
| • | any portion of the assets of our Operating Partnership to constitute assets of any employee benefit plan pursuant to Department of Labor Regulations Section 2510.2-101; |
| • | our Operating Partnership to become a “publicly traded partnership,” as such term is defined in Section 7704(b) of the Code, that is taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| • | our Operating Partnership to be regulated under the Investment Company Act, the Investment Advisers Act, or ERISA; or |
| • | an adverse effect on our ability to continue to qualify as a REIT or, except with our consent, cause any taxes to become payable by us under Section 857 or Section 4981 of the Code. |
We may, in our sole and absolute discretion, waive any of these restrictions.
In addition to the foregoing, (i) to the extent we redeem common stock of the REIT, the Operating Partnership may redeem common units held by the REIT in order to give effect to such redemption of common stock and (ii) the Operating Partnership may make certain other anti-dilutive adjustments to the REIT’s ownership of common units in order to effect the varying economic arrangements between the REIT on the one hand and the other investors in the Operating Partnership on the other hand (i.e., the disproportionate bearing of certain fees and expenses).
Repurchase Plan
At any time after twelve (12) months following the purchase of Shares, the holders of Shares may request repurchase of the Shares in accordance with the Company's Repurchase Plan as set forth herein. The repurchase of the Shares is effected pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by this Offering. The Repurchase Plan is designed to qualify for exemption from the provisions of Rule 102(a) of Regulation M allowing non-listed REITs to redeem their equity through established share redemption programs in accordance with the guidance set forth in the October 22, 2007 Alston & Bird LLP class exemptive letter (“Alston Letter”). In accordance with the guidance of the Alston Letter, the Company believes that the Repurchase Plan will qualify for exemption from the provisions of Rule 102(a) of Regulation M because:
1.There is no trading market for the Company’s shares;
2.The Company will terminate the Repurchase Plan during the distribution of the Shares in the event that a secondary market for the Company’s shares develops;
3.The Company purchases Shares under the Repurchase Plan at a price that does not exceed the then current public offering price of the Shares;
4.The terms of the Repurchase Plan are fully disclosed in this Offering Circular; and
5.Except as otherwise exempted herein, the Company will comply with Regulation M.
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Redemption of our Shares will be made at any time after twelve (12) months. The redemption price will be made at a price equal to the lower of (a) the purchase price at which the Shares in that Series were purchased or (b) the current public offering price of such Shares. All redemption requests received will be paid in accordance with the terms set forth herein on the first day of each calendar month, or the first business day thereafter (“Redemption Payment Date”); provided, that the Manager must receive a request for redemption (either by email to redemptions@commodorecollection.com by mailing the Company at their principal business office) no less than three (3) business days prior to the Redemption Payment Date following the date of the request (“Redemption Request Date”). Shareholders may increase or decrease their redemption requests at any time prior to the Redemption Payment Date and may cancel or withdraw their redemption request for any reason at any time prior to the Redemption Payment Date. A Shareholder making a redemption request would be entitled to receive any distributions made between the date of the Redemption Request Date and the Redemption Payment Date and such distributions will not affect the Redemption Price
We cannot guarantee that the funds set aside for the Repurchase Plan or funds available under the Credit Facility will be sufficient to accommodate all requests made in any quarter. In the event that we do not have sufficient funds available to redeem all of the Shares for which redemption requests have been submitted in any quarter, we plan to redeem our Shares on a pro rata basis on the redemption date. In addition, if we redeem less than all of the Shares subject to a redemption request, with respect to any unredeemed Shares, you can elect at the time of the original request for redemption to either: (i) withdraw your request for redemption; or (ii) ask that we honor your request in the future, if any, when such redemptions can be made pursuant to the limitations of the Repurchase Plan when sufficient funds are available. Such pending requests will be honored on a pro rata basis. For investors who hold Shares with more than one record date, redemption requests will be applied to such Shares in the order in which they were purchased, on a first in first out basis.
During the period that this offering is ongoing, all Shareholders who have held their Shares for at least thirty (30) days may require us to redeem Shares in accordance with the Repurchase Plan. Once we have concluded this Offering, we intend to evaluate redemption levels on a monthly basis depending on our available cash and credit available on the Credit Facility. The Manager may use the Credit Facility or other financing method, in its sole discretion, to fund redemption of Shares. The redemption of the shares shall be made pursuant to this 1A offering.
There is currently no trading market for the Shares. In the event that a secondary market for the Shares develops, the Company will terminate the Repurchase Plan.
Shareholders shall be required to cover third party fees in connection with the redemption request, and may be required to pay bank transaction charges, custody fees, transfer fees and additional charges. If the Company agrees to honor a redemption request, the Shares to be redeemed will cease to have voting rights as of the Redemption Effective Date.
In addition, following the conclusion of this offering, our Manager may, in its sole discretion, amend, suspend, or terminate the Repurchase Plan at any time upon providing thirty (30) days prior notice to the Shareholders, including to protect our operations and our non-redeemed Shareholders, to prevent an undue burden on our liquidity, to preserve our tax status, if such redemption will affect the Company’s status as a REIT or for any other reason. Material modifications, including any reduction to the monthly or quarterly limitations on repurchases, and suspensions of the Plan, will be promptly disclosed in a supplement (or post-effective amendment if required by the Securities Act), as well as on the Company’s website. Therefore, you may not have the opportunity to make a redemption request prior to any potential termination of our Repurchase Plan. For more information about our Repurchase Plan or to submit a redemption request, please refer to the Platform or contact us by email at redemptions@commodorecollection.com.
For the avoidance of doubt, all activity related to execution of redemptions of Shares will be originated by the Investor and neither the Company nor the Manager would be acting as a broker or dealer, and none of them would make any recommendation as to the repurchase of the Shares. Neither the Company nor the Manager would receive any compensation for its role in any redemption of Shares. Certain trading will be avoided when a person is in possession of material nonpublic information relating to the Shares.
The Company may also compulsorily redeem all or a portion of the Shares held by any Investor to cover any fees or expenses owed by the Investor related to the Shares or the services of the Company and its affiliates. Any such redemption shall be made in accordance with the Company’s Repurchase Plan as described above.
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Reimbursement of Expenses
In addition to the administrative and operating costs and expenses incurred by our Operating Partnership, our Operating Partnership will pay all of our administrative costs and expenses, including:
| • | all expenses relating to our formation and continuity of existence and operation; |
| • | all expenses relating to our organizational costs and the costs of this offering; |
| • | all expenses relating to registrations and repurchases of securities; |
| • | all expenses associated with the preparation and filing of any of our periodic or other reports and communications under U.S. federal, state or local laws or regulations; |
| • | all expenses associated with our compliance with laws, rules and regulations promulgated by any regulatory body; |
| • | all expenses for compensation of our directors, director nominees and officers; and |
| • | all of our other operating or administrative costs incurred in the ordinary course of business on behalf of our Operating Partnership, including, but not limited to, audit, tax and accounting and legal expenses. |
Fiduciary Responsibilities
Our directors and officers have duties under applicable Delaware law to manage our company in a manner consistent with the best interests of our stockholders. At the same time, we, as the general partner of our Operating Partnership, will have fiduciary duties under applicable Delaware law to manage our Operating Partnership in a manner beneficial to our Operating Partnership and its partners. Our duties to our Operating Partnership and its limited partners, therefore, may come into conflict with the duties of our directors and officers to our stockholders. The limited partners of our Operating Partnership expressly will acknowledge that, as the general partner of our Operating Partnership, we are acting for the benefit of our Operating Partnership, the limited partners and our stockholders collectively. When deciding whether to cause our Operating Partnership to take or decline to take any actions, we, as the general partner, will be under no obligation to give priority to the separate interest of (i) the limited partners in our Operating Partnership (including, without limitation, tax considerations of our limited partners except as provided in a separate written agreement) or (ii) our stockholders.
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Dividends
The partnership agreement will provide that, subject to the terms of any preferred partnership interests, our Operating Partnership will make non-liquidating dividends at such time and in such amounts as determined by us in our sole discretion, to us and the limited partners in accordance with their respective percentage interests in our Operating Partnership.
Upon liquidation of our Operating Partnership, after payment of, or adequate provision for, debts and obligations of the partnership, including any partner loans and subject to the terms of any preferred partnership interests, any remaining assets of the partnership will be distributed to us and the limited partners with positive capital accounts in accordance with their respective positive capital account balances.
Allocations
Profits and losses of the Operating Partnership (including depreciation and amortization deductions) for each taxable year generally will be allocated to the Manager, as the General Partner, and the Company as the limited partner, 60%/40% respectively. All of the foregoing allocations are subject to compliance with the provisions of Sections 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code and Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. To the extent Treasury Regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 704(c) of the Code permit, we, as the general partner, shall have the authority to elect the method to be used by our Operating Partnership for allocating taxable items with respect to any contributed property acquired in connection with this offering or thereafter for which fair market value differs from the adjusted tax basis at the time of contribution, or with respect to properties that are revalued and carried for purposes of maintaining capital accounts at a value different from adjusted tax basis at the time of revaluation, and such election shall be binding on all partners.
Term
Our operating partnership will continue indefinitely, or until sooner dissolved upon:
| • | our bankruptcy, dissolution or withdrawal (unless the limited partners elect to continue the partnership); |
| • | the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of our Operating Partnership; |
| • | an election by us in our capacity as the general partner; or |
| • | entry of a decree of judicial dissolution. |
Tax Matters
Our partnership agreement will provide that we, as the sole general partner of our Operating Partnership, will be the tax matters partner or partnership representative of our Operating Partnership and will have authority to handle tax audits and to make tax elections under the Code on behalf of our Operating Partnership.
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INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT CONSIDERATIONS
The Company is not registered and will not be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). The Company and the Manager have taken the position that the Underlying Properties are not “securities” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act, and thus the Company’s assets will consist of less than 40% investment securities under the Investment Company Act.
We do not believe that the Company will be an investment company under Section 3(a)(1)(A) because we are not engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities. The only assets which the Company will hold is real property, which will be held through wholly owned subsidiaries which comply with the 40% test in accordance with Section 3(a)(1)(C). These subsidiaries will be outside the definition of investment company under Section 3(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act because they likewise will not be engaged in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities and furthermore will qualify for an exemption set forth in Section 3(c)(5)(C) because at least 55% of the portfolio will be in or qualifying real estate assets. Section 3(c)(5)(C), as interpreted by the staff of the SEC, requires entities relying on this exception to invest at least 55% of its portfolio in qualifying assets; at least 80% of its assets in qualifying assets plus other real estate-related assets and no more than 20% of the portfolio in miscellaneous assets which are not qualifying assets or real estate related assets
In that the Company’s investment model will be for the Company to invest in and own commercial real estate properties and therefore qualifying real estate assets, we believe that the investment by our wholly owned subsidiaries will qualify for exemption under Section 3(c)(5)(C). How we classify our assets for purposes of the Investment Company Act will be based in large measure upon no-action letters issued by the SEC staff in the past and other SEC interpretive guidance. These no-action positions were issued in accordance with factual situations that may be substantially different from the factual situations we may face, and a number of these no-action positions were issued more than ten years ago. Pursuant to this guidance, and depending on the characteristics of the specific investments, certain joint venture investments may not constitute qualifying real estate assets and therefore investments in these types of assets may be limited. No assurance can be given that the SEC will concur with our classification of our assets. Future revisions to the Investment Company Act or further guidance from the SEC may cause us to lose our exclusion from registration or force us to re-evaluate our portfolio and our investment strategy. Such changes may prevent us from operating our business successfully.
In the event that the Company were to acquire assets that could make such entities fall within the definition of investment company under Section 3(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act, we believe that we would still qualify for an exclusion from registration pursuant to Section 3(c)(6). Section 3(c)(6) excludes from the definition of investment company any company primarily engaged, directly or through majority owned subsidiaries, in one or more of certain specified businesses. These specified businesses include the real estate business described in Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the Investment Company Act. It also excludes from the definition of investment company any company primarily engaged, directly or through majority owned subsidiaries, in one or more of such specified businesses from which at least 25% of such company’s gross income during its last fiscal year is derived, together with any additional business or businesses other than investing, reinvesting, owning, holding, or trading in securities. Although the SEC staff has issued little interpretive guidance with respect to Section 3(c)(6), we believe that we and our operating partnership may rely on Section 3(c)(6) if 55% of our assets consist of, and at least 55% of our income is derived from, qualifying real estate assets owned by our wholly owned or majority owned subsidiaries.
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U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to our qualification and taxation as a REIT and relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of our shares of common stock. Because this is a summary that is intended to address only certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the ownership and disposition of our common stock generally applicable to holders, it may not contain all the information that may be important to you. As you review this discussion, you should keep in mind that:
| • | the tax consequences to you may vary depending on your particular tax situation; |
| • | special rules that are not discussed below may apply to you if, for example, you are a broker-dealer, a trust, an estate, a regulated investment company, a REIT, a financial institution, an insurance company, a person who holds 10% or more (by vote or value) of our stock, a person holding their interest through a partnership or similar pass-through entity, a person subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code, a person holding our common stock as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “short sale,” “conversion transaction,” “synthetic security” or other integrated investment, a person who marks-to market our common stock or preferred stock, a U.S. expatriate, a U.S. stockholder (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar or are otherwise subject to special tax treatment under the Code; |
| • | this summary does not address state, local or non-U.S. tax considerations; |
| • | this summary does not address other federal tax considerations aside from U.S. federal income taxes, such as alternative minimum taxes or estate taxes; |
| • | this summary assumes that stockholders hold our common stock as a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code; |
| • | this summary does not address U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to tax-exempt organizations and non-U.S. persons, except to the limited extent described below; and |
| • | this discussion is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, tax advice. |
You are urged both to review the following discussion and to consult with your own tax advisor to determine the effect of ownership and disposition of our common stock on your particular tax situation, including any state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences.
For purposes of this discussion, references to “we,” “us” or “our” and any similar terms, refer solely to Commodore Hospitality, Inc. and not our Operating Partnership or any other subsidiary.
The information in this section is based on the current Code, current, temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations, the legislative history of the Code, current administrative interpretations and practices of the IRS including its practices and policies as endorsed in private letter rulings, which are not binding on the IRS except in the case of the taxpayer to whom a private letter ruling is addressed, and existing court decisions. Future legislation, regulations, administrative interpretations and court decisions could change current law or adversely affect existing interpretations of current law, possibly with retroactive effect. Any change could apply retroactively. We have not obtained any rulings from the IRS concerning the tax treatment of the matters discussed below. Thus, it is possible that the IRS could challenge the statements in this discussion that do not bind the IRS or the courts, and that a court could agree with the IRS. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. This summary is also based upon the assumption that we will operate Commodore Hospitality, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliated entities in accordance with their applicable organizational documents.
The federal income tax treatment of holders of our common stock depends in some instances on determinations of fact and interpretations of complex provisions of United States federal income tax law for which no clear precedent or authority may be available. In addition, the tax consequences to any particular stockholder of holding our common stock will depend on the stockholder’s particular tax circumstances. You are urged to consult your tax advisor
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regarding the federal, state, local, and foreign income and other tax consequences to you in light of your particular investment or tax circumstances of acquiring, holding, exchanging, or otherwise disposing of our common stock.
Taxation of our Company
General
We intend to elect to be taxed as a REIT beginning with the taxable year ending December 31, 2021, which may be extended by our Board of Directors until the taxable year ending December 31, 2022. A REIT generally is not subject to U.S. federal income tax on the income that it distributes to stockholders if it meets the applicable REIT distribution requirements and other requirements for qualification.
We believe that our ownership, form of organization and our operations through the date hereof and our proposed ownership, organization and method of operations thereafter have enabled and will enable us to qualify as a REIT beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 2021. Our qualification and taxation as a REIT will depend on our ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual operating results, asset composition, distribution levels, diversity of share ownership, and various other qualification tests imposed under the Code discussed below. In addition, our ability to qualify as a REIT depends in part upon the operating results, organizational structure and entity classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes of certain entities in which we invest. Our ability to qualify as a REIT for a particular year also requires that we satisfy certain asset and gross income tests during such year, some of which depend upon the fair market values of assets in which we directly or indirectly own an interest. Such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of our operations for any taxable year will satisfy such requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.
Taxation of REITs in General
As indicated above, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code. The material qualification requirements are summarized below under “—Requirements for Qualification—General.” While we intend to operate so that we qualify as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification, or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See “—Requirements for Qualification—Failure to Qualify.”
So long as we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally will be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and therefore will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our net income that we distribute currently to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates “double taxation” (that is, taxation at both the corporate and stockholder levels) that generally results from an investment in a corporation.
However, even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we will be subject to federal income tax as follows:
| • | We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed “REIT taxable income.” REIT taxable income is the taxable income of the REIT subject to specified adjustments, including a deduction for dividends paid. See “—Requirements for Qualification—Annual Distribution Requirements.” |
| • | If we have net income from “prohibited transactions” we will be subject to a 100% tax on this income. In general, prohibited transactions are sales or other dispositions of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business other than foreclosure property. See “—Requirements for Qualification—Prohibited Transactions.” |
| • | If we elect to treat property that we acquire with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or certain leasehold terminations as “foreclosure property,” we may thereby avoid the 100% tax on gain from resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction), but the income from the sale or operation of the property will be subject to tax at the highest corporate rate. See “—Requirements for Qualification—Prohibited Transactions” and “—Requirements for Qualification—Foreclosure Property.” |
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| • | If we fail to satisfy either the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because other requirements are met, we will be subject to a tax equal to the gross income attributable to the greater of either (1) the amount by which we fail the 75% gross income test for the taxable year or (2) the amount by which we fail the 95% gross income test for the taxable year, multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect our profitability. See “—Requirements for Qualification—Income Tests.” |
| • | If we fail to satisfy any of the REIT asset tests, as described below, other than a failure by a de minimis amount of the 5% or 10% assets tests, and we qualify for and satisfy certain cure provisions, then we will be required to pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the product of (x) the net income generated by the nonqualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy the asset tests and (y) the highest U.S. federal income tax rate then applicable to corporations. See “—Requirements for Qualification—Asset Tests.” |
| • | If we fail to satisfy any provision of the Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT (other than a gross income or asset test requirement) and that violation is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, we may retain our REIT qualification, but we will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. See “—Requirements for Qualification—Failure to Qualify.” |
| • | If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT because we fail to distribute by the end of the relevant year any earnings and profits we inherit from a taxable C corporation during the year (e.g., by tax-free merger or tax-free liquidation), and the failure is not due to fraud with intent to evade tax, we generally may retain our REIT status by paying a special distribution, but we will be required to pay an interest charge on 50% of the amount of undistributed non-REIT earnings and profits. See “—Requirements for Qualification—General.” |
| • | We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record-keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of our stockholders, as described below in “—Requirements for Qualification—General.” |
| • | We will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of amounts actually distributed and amounts retained for which federal income tax was paid, if we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of 85% of our REIT ordinary income for the year, 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for the year; and any undistributed taxable income from prior taxable years. See “—Requirements for Qualification—Annual Distribution Requirement.” |
| • | We will be subject to a 100% penalty tax on some payments we receive or on certain other amounts (or on certain expenses deducted by our TRS) if arrangements among us, our tenants and/or our TRS are not comparable to similar arrangements among unrelated parties. See “—Requirements for Qualification—Effect of Subsidiary Entities.” |
| • | We may be subject to tax on gain recognized in a taxable disposition of assets acquired by way of a tax-free merger or other tax-free reorganization with a non-REIT corporation or a tax-free liquidation of a non-REIT corporation into us. Specifically, to the extent we acquire any asset from a C corporation in a carry-over basis transaction and we subsequently recognize gain on a disposition of such asset during a five-year period beginning on the date on which we acquired the asset, then, to the extent of any “built-in gain,” such gain will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the highest regular corporate tax rate, which is currently 35%. Built-in gain means the excess of (i) the fair market value of the asset as of the beginning of the applicable recognition period over (ii) our adjusted basis in such asset as of the beginning of such recognition period. See “—Requirements for Qualification—Tax on Built-in Gains of Former C Corporation Assets.” |
| • | We may elect to retain and pay income tax on our net long-term capital gain. In that case, a stockholder would: (1) include its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain (to the extent we make a timely designation of such gain to the stockholder) in its income, (2) be deemed to have paid its proportionate share of the tax that we paid on such gain and (3) be allowed a credit for its proportionate share of the tax deemed to have been paid, with an adjustment made to increase the stockholders’ basis in our stock. See “—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders—Dividends.” |
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| • | We may have subsidiaries or own interests in other lower-tier entities that are C corporations that will elect, jointly with us, to be treated as our TRSs, the earnings of which would be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax. See “—Requirements for Qualification—Effect of Subsidiary Entities.” |
No assurance can be given that the amount of any such U.S. federal income taxes will not be substantial. In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes other than U.S. federal income tax, including payroll taxes and state, local and foreign income, franchise, property and other taxes on assets and operations. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.
Requirements for Qualification
General
We intend to elect to be taxed as a REIT under the Code effective with our taxable year ended December 31, 2021 or such later date as determined by our Board of Directors. In order to have so qualified, we must have met and continue to meet the requirements discussed below, relating to our organization, ownership, sources of income, nature of assets and dividends of income to stockholders, beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 2021, unless otherwise noted.
The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust, or association:
| (1) | that is managed by one or more trustees or directors; |
| (2) | the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest; |
| (3) | that would be taxable as a domestic corporation, but for its election to be subject to tax as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code; |
| (4) | that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to applicable provisions of the Code; |
| (5) | the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons for at least 335 days of each taxable year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months; |
| (6) | during the last half of each taxable year not more than 50% in value of the outstanding shares of which is owned directly or indirectly by five or fewer “individuals,” as defined in the Code to include specified entities; |
| (7) | that makes an election to be taxable as a REIT, or has made this election for a previous taxable year, which has not been revoked or terminated, and satisfies all relevant filing and other administrative requirements established by the IRS that must be met to elect and maintain REIT status; |
| (8) | that uses a calendar year for U.S. federal income tax purposes and complies with the recordkeeping requirements of the Code and regulations promulgated thereunder; |
| (9) | that has no earnings and profits from any non-REIT taxable year as of a successor to any subchapter C corporation at the close of any taxable year; and |
| (10) | that meets other applicable tests, described below, regarding the nature of its income and assets and the amount of its distributions. |
Conditions (1), (2), (3) and (4) above must be met during the entire taxable year and condition (5) above must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months. Conditions (5) and (6) need not be satisfied during a corporation’s initial tax year as a REIT (which, in our case, we currently intend to be our taxable year ended December 31, 2021).
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We believe that after the offering we will have sufficient diversity of ownership to allow us to satisfy conditions (5) and (6) above. In addition, our charter provides restrictions regarding the transfer of shares of our capital stock that are intended to assist us in satisfying the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above (as described in “Description of Shares—Restriction on Ownership of Shares.”). These restrictions, however, may not ensure that we will be able to satisfy these share ownership requirements.
We intend to comply with condition (7) above by electing to be taxed as a REIT as part of our U.S. federal income tax return for our taxable year ending December 31, 2021, which may be extended by our Board of Directors until December 31, 2022.
To monitor its compliance with condition (6) above, a REIT is required to send annual letters to its stockholders requesting information regarding the actual ownership of its shares. If we comply with the annual letters requirement and we do not know or, exercising reasonable diligence, would not have known of our failure to meet condition (6) above, then we will be treated as having met condition (6) above. If you fail or refuse to comply with the demands, you will be required by Treasury Regulations to submit a statement with your tax return disclosing your actual ownership of our shares and other information.
For purposes of condition (8) above, we will use a calendar year for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and we intend to comply with the applicable recordkeeping requirements.
In addition, as described in condition (9) above, a REIT may not have any undistributed C corporation earnings and profits at the end of any taxable year. Upon our election to be taxable as a REIT, any earnings and profits that we may have accumulated while we were taxable as a C corporation would have to be distributed no later than the end of the first year for which we elect REIT status. If we fail to do so, we would not qualify to be taxed as a REIT for that year and a number of years thereafter, unless we are able to rely on certain relief provisions.
The Code provides relief from violations of the REIT gross income requirements, as described below under “—Requirements for Qualification—Income Tests,” in cases where a violation is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, and other requirements are met. REITs that take advantage of this relief provision must pay a penalty tax that is based upon the magnitude of the violation. In addition, certain provisions of the Code extend similar relief in the case of certain violations of the REIT asset requirements (see “—Requirements for Qualification—Asset Tests” below) and other REIT requirements, again provided that the violation is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, and other conditions are met. Again, REITs that take advantage of this relief provision must pay a penalty tax. If we fail to satisfy any of the various REIT requirements, there can be no assurance that these relief provisions would be available to enable us to maintain our qualification as a REIT, and, if such relief provisions are available, the amount of any resultant penalty tax could be substantial.
Effect of Subsidiary Entities
Ownership of Partnership Interests. A REIT that is a partner in a partnership (or a member of a limited liability company or other entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) will be deemed to own its proportionate share of the assets of the partnership based on its interest in partnership capital, and will be deemed to earn its proportionate share of the partnership’s income. The assets and gross income of the partnership retain the same character in the hands of the REIT for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs, as described below.
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Disregarded Subsidiaries. If a REIT owns a corporate subsidiary (including an entity that is treated as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary,” the separate existence of that subsidiary is disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Generally, a qualified REIT subsidiary is a corporation, other than a TRS, all of the capital stock of which is owned by the REIT (either directly or through other disregarded subsidiaries). For U.S. federal income tax purposes, all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the qualified REIT subsidiary will be treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the REIT itself. Our qualified REIT subsidiaries will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation, but may be subject to state and local taxation in some states. Certain other entities also may be treated as disregarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, generally including any wholly-owned domestic unincorporated entity that would be treated as a partnership if it had more than one owner. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of any such disregarded entity will be treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the owner of the disregarded entity.
In the event that a disregarded subsidiary of ours ceases to be wholly owned—for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of ours—the subsidiary’s separate existence would no longer be disregarded for federal income tax purposes. Instead, the subsidiary would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the securities of another corporation (other than a TRS). See “—Requirements for Qualification—Asset Tests” and “—Requirements for Qualification—Income Tests.”
Taxable REIT Subsidiaries. A TRS is a corporation in which we directly or indirectly own stock and that jointly with us elects to be treated as our TRS under Section 856(l) of the Code. In addition, if we have a TRS that owns, directly or indirectly, securities representing more than 35% of the voting power or value of a subsidiary corporation, that subsidiary would also be treated as our TRS. A TRS is subject to U.S. federal income tax and state and local income tax, where applicable, as a regular C corporation.
Generally, a TRS can perform impermissible tenant services without causing us to receive impermissible tenant services income from those services under the REIT income tests. A TRS may also engage in other activities that, if conducted by us other than through a TRS, could result in the receipt of non-qualified income or the ownership of non-qualified assets. However, several provisions regarding the arrangements between a REIT and its TRSs ensure that a TRS will be subject to an appropriate level of U.S. federal income taxation. For example, a TRS is limited in its ability to deduct interest payments made to us in excess of a certain amount. In addition, we will be obligated to pay a 100% penalty tax on some payments that we receive or certain other amounts or on certain expenses deducted by the TRS if the economic arrangements among us, our tenants and/or the TRS are not comparable to similar arrangements among unrelated parties.
We may own interests in one or more TRSs that may perform certain services for our tenants, receive management fee income and/or hold interests in joint ventures and private equity real estate funds that might hold assets or generate income that could cause us to fail the REIT income or asset tests or subject us to the 100% tax on prohibited transactions. Our TRSs may incur significant amounts of U.S. federal, state and local income taxes.
The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation is not ignored for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a TRS or other taxable corporation generally would be subject to corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow that we and our subsidiaries generate in the aggregate, and may reduce our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.
We are not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by a taxable subsidiary to us is an asset in our hands, and we treat the dividends paid to us from such taxable subsidiary, if any, as income. This treatment can affect our income and asset test calculations, as described below. Because we do not include the assets and income of TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations in determining our compliance with the REIT requirements, we may use such entities to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude us from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. For example, we may use TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations to conduct activities
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that give rise to certain categories of income such as management fees or activities that would be treated in our hands as prohibited transactions.
Our Relationship with Our TRSs
We intend to purchase hotels to be leased to our TRSs (or disregarded subsidiaries of the TRS).
In transactions involving our TRSs, our intent is that the rents paid to us by the TRSs qualify as “rents from real property” under the REIT gross income tests summarized above. In order for this to be the case, the manager operating on behalf of the applicable TRS must be an “eligible independent contractor” within the meaning of Section 856(d)(9)(A) of the Code, and the hotels leased to the TRS must be “qualified lodging facilities” within the meaning of Section 856(d)(9)(D) of the Code. Qualified lodging facilities are defined as hotels, motels, or other establishments where more than half of the dwelling units are used on a transient basis, provided that legally authorized wagering or gambling activities are not conducted at or in connection with such facilities. Also included in the definition are the qualified lodging facility’s customary amenities and facilities.
For these purposes, a contractor qualifies as an “eligible independent contractor” if it is less than 35% affiliated with the REIT and, at the time the contractor enters into the agreement with the TRS to operate the qualified lodging facility, that contractor or any person related to that contractor is actively engaged in the trade or business of operating qualified lodging facilities for persons unrelated to the TRS or its affiliated REIT. For these purposes, an otherwise eligible independent contractor is not disqualified from that status on account of the TRS bearing the expenses of the operation of the operation of the qualified lodging facility, the TRS receiving the revenues from the operation of the qualified lodging facility, the TRS receiving the revenues from the operation of the qualified lodging facility, net of expenses for that operation and fees payable to the eligible independent contractor, or the REIT receiving income from the eligible independent contractor pursuant to a preexisting or otherwise grandfathered lease of another property.
We intend to engage the Operator that manages a number of qualified lodging facilities for parties other than us and our TRSs. We believe that the Operator qualifies as an eligible independent contactor. But if the IRS or a court determines that this is incorrect, then the rental income we receive from our TRSs in respect of properties managed by ineligible contractors would be non-qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests, jeopardizing our compliance with the 95% gross income test. Under those circumstances, however, we expect we would qualify for the gross income tests’ relief provision described above, and thereby would preserve our qualification as a REIT. If the relief provision were to apply to us, we would be subject to tax at a 100% rate on the amount by which we failed the 95% gross income test, with adjustments, multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect our profitability for the taxable year. Even though we have little or no non-qualifying income from other sources in a typical taxable year, imposition of this 100% tax in this circumstance could be material if a material number of the properties leased to our TRSs are managed for the TRS by ineligible contractors.
As explained above, we will be subject to a 100% tax if the IRS successfully asserts that the rents paid by our TRSs to us exceed an arm’s length rental rate. Although there is no clear precedent to distinguish for federal income tax purposes among leases, management contracts, partnerships, financings, and other contractual arrangements, we believe that our leases and our TRSs’ management agreements will be respected for purposes of the requirements of the IRC discussed above. Accordingly, we expect that the rental income from our TRSs will qualify as “rents from real property,” and that the 100% tax on excessive rents from a TRS will not apply.
Subsidiary REITs
If any REIT in which we acquire an interest fails to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, that failure could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the securities of another corporation that is not a REIT or a TRS, as further described below.
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Income Tests
To qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income tests annually. First, at least 75% of our gross income generally must be derived from (1) rents from real property, (2) interest on obligations secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property, (3) gains from the sale or other disposition of real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property) other than property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of our trade or business, (4) dividends from other qualifying REITs and gain (other than gain from prohibited transactions) from the sale of shares of other qualifying REITs, (5) other specified investments relating to real property or mortgages thereon, and (6) for a limited time, temporary investment income. Interest and gain on debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs that are not secured by mortgages on real property or interests in real property are not qualifying income for the 75% test. Second, at least 95% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain other income and gains described below, must be derived from any combination of income qualifying under the 75% test and dividends, interest and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities other than stock or securities held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of our trade or business.
Rents we receive will qualify as “rents from real property” in satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if several conditions are met. First, the amount of rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded from the term “rents from real property” solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales. This limitation does not apply, however, where the lessee leases substantially all of its interest in the property to tenants or subtenants to the extent that the rental income derived by the lessee would qualify as rents from real property had we earned the income directly. Second, rents received from a “related party tenant” will not qualify as rents from real property in satisfying the gross income tests unless the tenant is a TRS and either (i) at least 90% of the property is leased to unrelated tenants and the rent paid by the TRS is substantially comparable to the rent paid by the unrelated tenants for comparable space, or (ii) the property leased is a “qualified lodging facility,” as defined in Section 856(d)(9)(D) of the Code, or a “qualified health care property,” as defined in Section 856(e)(6)(D)(i), and certain other conditions are satisfied. A tenant is a related party tenant if the REIT, or an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of the REIT, actually or constructively owns 10% or more of the tenant. Third, if rent attributable to personal property, leased in connection with a lease of real property, is greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease, then the portion of rent attributable to the personal property will not qualify as rents from real property.
Generally, for rents to qualify as rents from real property for the purpose of satisfying the gross income tests, we may provide directly only an insignificant amount of services, unless those services are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of real property and not otherwise considered “rendered to the occupant.” Accordingly, we may not provide “impermissible services” to tenants (except through an independent contractor from whom we derive no revenue and that meets other requirements or through a TRS) without giving rise to “impermissible tenant service income.” Impermissible tenant service income is deemed to be at least 150% of the direct cost to us of providing the service. If the impermissible tenant service income exceeds 1% of our total income from a property, then all of the income from that property will fail to qualify as rents from real property. If the total amount of impermissible tenant service income from a property does not exceed 1% of our total income from the property, the services will not disqualify any other income from the property that qualifies as rents from real property, but the impermissible tenant service income will not qualify as rents from real property.
We may directly or indirectly receive dividends from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These dividends generally are treated as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such dividends will generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any dividends that we receive from a REIT, however, will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% income tests.
We may receive various fees in connection with our operations relating to the origination or purchase of whole loans secured by first mortgages and other loans secured by real property. The fees will generally be qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests if they are received in consideration for entering into an agreement to make a loan secured by real property and the fees are not determined by the income and profits of any person. Other fees generally are not qualifying income for purposes of either gross income test and will not be
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favorably counted for purposes of either gross income test. Any fees earned by any TRS will not be included for purposes of the gross income tests.
We have not derived, and do not anticipate deriving, rents based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person, rents from related party tenants and/or rents attributable to personal property leased in connection with real property that exceeds 15% of the total rents from that property in sufficient amounts to jeopardize our status as REIT. We also have not derived, and do not anticipate deriving, impermissible tenant service income that exceeds 1% of our total income from any property if the treatment of the rents from such property as nonqualifying rents would jeopardize our status as a REIT.
Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% income test (as described above) to the extent that the obligation upon which such interest is paid is secured by a mortgage on real property. For purposes of this analysis, real property includes ancillary personal property whose value is less than 15% of the total value of the collateral. If we receive interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and other property, the fair market value of the personal property is 15% or more of the total value of the collateral, and the highest principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property on the date that we acquired or originated the mortgage loan, then the interest income will be apportioned between the real property and the other collateral, and our income from the arrangement will qualify for purposes of the 75% income test only to the extent that the interest is allocable to the real property. Even if a loan is not secured by real property, or is undersecured, the income that it generates may nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% income test.
We and our subsidiaries may invest in mezzanine loans, which are loans secured by equity interests in an entity that directly or indirectly owns real property, rather than by a direct mortgage of the real property. The IRS has issued Revenue Procedure 2003-65, which provides a safe harbor applicable to mezzanine loans. Under the Revenue Procedure, if a mezzanine loan meets each of the requirements contained in the Revenue Procedure, (1) the mezzanine loan will be treated by the IRS as a real estate asset for purposes of the asset tests described below and (2) interest derived from the mezzanine loan will be treated as qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% income test. Although the Revenue Procedure provides a safe harbor on which taxpayers may rely, it does not prescribe rules of substantive tax law. We intend to structure any investments in mezzanine loans in a manner that generally complies with the various requirements applicable to our qualification as a REIT. In addition, we may be required to retest an otherwise qualifying mezzanine loan if we modify the loan and the modification results in a “significant modification” of the loan for tax purposes. The retesting is applied by comparing the value of the real property collateral at the time of the modification to the outstanding balance of the modified loan. In certain cases, this could result in a previously qualifying loan becoming unqualified in whole or in part. Moreover, if a mezzanine loan or other loan issued by a partnership or disregarded entity was recharacterized as equity for tax purposes, it would likely mean that we should be treated as owning a preferred partnership interest in the underlying assets and would have to include a share of property revenues and gains in our REIT income tests and asset tests as described below. Although loans between unrelated parties are generally respected as debt for tax purposes, no assurance could be given that such loans would not be recharacterized as equity. To the extent that any of our mezzanine loans do not meet all of the requirements for reliance on the safe harbor set forth in the Revenue Procedure, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge the tax treatment of these loans.
In addition, we and our subsidiaries may invest in the preferred equity of an entity that directly or indirectly owns real property. If the issuer of the preferred equity is taxed as a partnership or an entity disregarded as separate from its owners for U.S. federal income tax purposes (aside from a qualified REIT subsidiary), a REIT holding preferred equity generally will be treated as owing an interest in the underlying real estate for REIT purposes. As a result, absent sufficient controls to ensure that the underlying real property is operated in compliance with the REIT rules, preferred equity investments may jeopardize the REIT’s compliance with the REIT income and asset tests described below. In addition, the treatment of interest-like preferred returns in a partnership or a disregarded entity (other than a qualified REIT subsidiary) also is not clear under the REIT rules and could be treated as non-qualifying income. In addition to the risk of loss of REIT status due to nonqualifying income, if the underlying property is dealer property, our gains from the sale of the property would be subject to a 100% tax. More importantly, in many cases the status of debt-like preferred equity as debt or equity for tax purposes is unclear. If the issuer of the preferred equity is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such preferred equity generally will be a nonqualifying asset unless the issuer is a REIT, our own qualified REIT subsidiary, or a TRS.
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If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for that year if we are entitled to relief under the Code. These relief provisions generally will be available if our failure to meet the tests is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, we attach a schedule of the sources of our income to our federal income tax return and otherwise comply with the applicable Treasury Regulations. It is not possible, however, to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions. For example, if we fail to satisfy the gross income tests because nonqualifying income that we intentionally incur unexpectedly exceeds the limits on nonqualifying income, the IRS could conclude that the failure to satisfy the tests was not due to reasonable cause. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances involving us, we will fail to qualify as a REIT. Even if these relief provisions apply, a tax would be imposed based on the amount of nonqualifying income.
Asset Tests
At the close of each quarter of our taxable year, we must satisfy five tests relating to the nature of our assets:
(1) at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by real estate assets, cash, cash items and U.S. Government securities. Real estate assets include interests in real property (such as land, buildings, leasehold interests in real property and personal property leased with real property if the rents attributable to the personal property would be rents from real property under the income tests discussed above), interests in mortgages on real property or on interests in real property, shares in other qualifying REITs, stock or debt instruments held for less than one year purchased with the proceeds from an offering of shares of our stock or certain debt, and debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs;
(2) not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by securities other than those in the 75% asset class;
(3) except for equity investments in REITs, qualified REIT subsidiaries, other securities that qualify as “real estate assets” for purposes of the test described in clause (1) or securities of our TRSs: the value of any one issuer’s securities owned by us may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets; we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer’s outstanding voting securities; and we may not own more than 10% of the value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer;
(4) not more than 20% of the value of our total assets may be represented by securities of one or more TRSs; and
(5) not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by debt instruments of publicly offered REITs that are not secured by mortgages on real property or interests in real property.
Securities for purposes of the asset tests may include debt securities that are not fully secured by a mortgage on real property (or treated as such). However, the 10% value test does not apply to certain “straight debt” and other excluded securities, as described in the Code including, but not limited to, any loan to an individual or estate, any obligation to pay rents from real property and any security issued by a REIT. In addition, (a) a REIT’s interest as a partner in a partnership is not considered a security for purposes of applying the 10% value test to securities issued by the partnership; (b) any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than straight debt or another excluded security) will not be considered a security issued by the partnership if at least 75% of the partnership’s gross income is derived from sources that would qualify for the 75% REIT gross income test; and (c) any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than straight debt or another excluded security) will not be considered a security issued by the partnership to the extent of the REIT’s interest as a partner in the partnership. In general, straight debt is defined as a written, unconditional promise to pay on demand or at a specific date a fixed principal amount, and the interest rate and payment dates on the debt must not be contingent on profits or the discretion of the debtor. In addition, straight debt may not contain a convertibility feature.
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We believe that our assets will comply with the above asset tests and that we can operate so that we can continue to comply with those tests. However, our ability to satisfy these asset tests depends upon our analysis of the characterization and fair market values of our assets, some of which are not susceptible to a precise determination and for which we will not obtain independent appraisals. For example, we may hold significant assets through a TRS or hold significant non-real estate assets (such as certain goodwill), and we cannot provide any assurance that the IRS might not disagree with our determinations.
After initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any quarter, we will not lose our status as a REIT if we fail to satisfy the 25%, 20% and 5% asset tests and the 10% value limitation at the end of a later quarter solely by reason of changes in the relative values of our assets (including changes in relative values as a result of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates). If the failure to satisfy the 25%, 20% or 5% asset tests or the 10% value limitation results from an acquisition of securities or other property during a quarter, the failure can be cured by disposition of sufficient non-qualifying assets within 30 days after the close of that quarter. We intend to maintain adequate records of the value of our assets to ensure compliance with the asset tests and to take any available actions after the close of any quarter as may be required to cure any noncompliance with the 25%, 20% or 5% asset tests or 10% value limitation. If we fail the 5% asset test or the 10% asset test at the end of any quarter, and such failure is not cured within 30 days thereafter, we may dispose of sufficient assets or otherwise satisfy the requirements of such asset tests within six months after the last day of the quarter in which our identification of the failure to satisfy those asset tests occurred to cure the violation, provided that the non-permitted assets do not exceed the lesser of 1% of the total value of our assets at the end of the relevant quarter or $10,000,000. If we fail any of the other asset tests, or our failure of the 5% and 10% asset tests is in excess of this amount, as long as the failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and, following our identification of the failure, we filed a schedule in accordance with the Treasury Regulations describing each asset that caused the failure, we are permitted to avoid disqualification as a REIT, after the 30 day cure period, by taking steps to satisfy the requirements of the applicable asset test within six months after the last day of the quarter in which our identification of the failure to satisfy the REIT asset test occurred, including the disposition of sufficient assets to meet the asset tests. In such case we would be required to pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the product of (x) the net income generated by the nonqualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy the relevant asset test and (y) the highest U.S. federal income tax rate then applicable to U.S. corporations.
In addition, see the discussion of investments in loans and preferred equity above under “Income Tests” and the discussion below under “Investments in Loans and Preferred Equity” for a discussion of how such investments could impact our ability to meet the asset tests.
Sale-Leaseback Transactions
We may make investments in the form of sale-leaseback transactions. We intend to treat these transactions as true leases for federal income tax purposes. However, depending on the terms of any specific transaction, the IRS might take the position that the transaction is not a true lease but is more properly treated in some other manner. If such recharacterization were successful, we would not be entitled to claim the depreciation deductions available to an owner of the property. In addition, the recharacterization of one or more of these transactions might cause us to fail to satisfy the asset tests or the income tests described above and such failure could result in our failing to qualify as a REIT. Alternatively, the amount or timing of income inclusion or the loss of depreciation deductions resulting from the recharacterization might cause us to fail to meet the distribution requirement described below for one or more taxable years absent the availability of the deficiency dividend procedure or might result in a larger portion of our dividends being treated as ordinary income to our stockholders.
Annual Distribution Requirements
To qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders each year in an amount at least equal to (1) the sum of (a) 90% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain and (b) 90% of the net income, after tax, from foreclosure property, minus (2) the sum of certain specified items of noncash income. For purposes of the distribution requirements, any built-in gain (net of the applicable tax) we recognize during the applicable recognition period that existed on an asset at the time we acquired it from a C corporation in a carry-over basis transaction will be included in our REIT taxable income. See “—Requirements for Qualification—Tax on Built-in Gains of Former C Corporation
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Assets” for a discussion of the possible recognition of built-in gain. These distributions must be paid either in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before we timely file our tax return for the prior year and if paid with or before the first regular dividend payment date after the declaration is made.
In order for distributions to be counted as satisfying the annual distribution requirements for REITs, and to provide us with a REIT-level tax deduction, the distributions must not be “preferential dividends.” A dividend is generally not a preferential dividend if the distribution is pro rata among all outstanding shares of stock within a particular class, and in accordance with the preferences among different classes of stock as set forth in the REIT’s organizational documents. There is no de minimis exception with respect to preferential dividends. To avoid paying preferential dividends, we must treat every stockholder of the class of shares with respect to which we make a distribution the same as every other stockholder of that class, and we must not treat any class of shares other than according to its dividend rights as a class. Under certain technical rules governing deficiency dividends, we could lose our ability to cure an under-distribution in a year with a subsequent year deficiency dividend if we pay preferential dividends. Preferential dividends potentially include “dividend equivalent redemptions.” Accordingly, we intend to pay dividends pro rata within each class, and to abide by the rights and preferences of each class of our shares if there is more than one, and will seek to avoid dividend equivalent redemptions. (See “— Taxation of U.S. Stockholders — Redemptions of Common Stock” below for a discussion of when redemptions are dividend equivalent and measures we intend to take to avoid them.). If the IRS were to take the position that we inadvertently paid a preferential dividend, we may be deemed either to (a) have distributed less than 100% of our REIT taxable income and be subject to tax on the undistributed portion, or (b) have distributed less than 90% of our REIT taxable income and our status as a REIT could be terminated for the year in which such determination is made if we were unable to cure such failure. We can provide no assurance that we will not be treated as inadvertently paying preferential dividends.
To the extent that we do not distribute (and are not deemed to have distributed) all of our net capital gain or distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our REIT taxable income, as adjusted, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on these retained amounts at regular corporate tax rates.
We will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of amounts actually distributed and amounts retained for which U.S. federal income tax was paid, if we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of:
(1) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for the year;
(2) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for the year; and
(3) any undistributed taxable income from prior taxable years.
A REIT may elect to retain rather than distribute all or a portion of its net capital gains and pay the tax on the gains. In that case, a REIT may elect to have its stockholders include their proportionate share of the undistributed net capital gains in income as long-term capital gains and receive a credit for their share of the tax paid by the REIT. For purposes of the 4% excise tax described above, any retained amounts would be treated as having been distributed. Our stockholders would then increase their adjusted basis of their stock by the difference between (a) the amounts of capital gain dividends that we designated and that they include in their taxable income minus (b) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income.
To the extent that we have available net operating losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of dividends that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Such losses, however, will generally not affect the character, in the hands of our stockholders, of any dividends that are actually made as ordinary dividends or capital gains. See “—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders—Distributions.”
We intend to make timely distributions sufficient to satisfy the annual distribution requirements.
We anticipate that we will generally have sufficient cash or liquid assets to enable us to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement and to distribute such greater amount as may be necessary to avoid U.S. federal income and excise taxes. It is possible, however, that, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to
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fund required distributions as a result, for example, of differences in timing between our cash flow, the receipt of income for GAAP purposes and the recognition of income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the effect of non-deductible capital expenditures, the creation of reserves, payment of required debt service or amortization payments, or the need to make additional investments in qualifying real estate assets. The insufficiency of our cash flow to cover our distribution requirements could require us to (1) sell assets in adverse market conditions, (2) borrow on unfavorable terms, (3) distribute amounts that would otherwise be invested in future acquisitions or capital expenditures or used for the repayment of debt, (4) pay dividends in the form of taxable stock dividends or (5) use cash reserves, in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Under some circumstances, we may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirement for a year by paying dividends to stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. We refer to such dividends as “deficiency dividends.” Thus, we may be able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. We will, however, be required to pay interest based upon the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
Failure to Qualify
In the event we violate a provision of the Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT, specified relief provisions will be available to us to avoid such disqualification if (1) the violation is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (2) we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each failure to satisfy the provision and (3) the violation does not include a violation under the gross income or asset tests described above (for which other specified relief provisions are available). This cure provision reduces the instances that could lead to our disqualification as a REIT for violations due to reasonable cause. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we will be entitled to this statutory relief. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions of the Code do not apply, we will be subject to tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. Dividends to our stockholders in any year in which we are not a REIT will not be deductible by us, nor will they be required to be made. In this situation, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits, and, subject to limitations of the Code, dividends to our stockholders will generally be taxable to stockholders who are individual U.S. stockholders at a maximum rate of 20%, and dividends received by our corporate U.S. stockholders may be eligible for a dividends received deduction. Unless we are entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we will also be disqualified from re-electing REIT status for the four taxable years following a year during which qualification was lost.
Tax on Built-in Gains of Former C Corporation Assets
If a REIT acquires an asset from a C corporation in a transaction in which the REIT’s basis in the asset is determined by reference to the basis of the asset in the hands of the C corporation (e.g., a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code), the REIT may be subject to an entity-level tax upon a taxable disposition during a five-year period following the acquisition date. The amount of the tax is determined by applying the highest regular corporate tax rate, which is currently 21%, to the lesser of (i) the excess, if any, of the asset’s fair market value over the REIT’s basis in the asset on the acquisition date, or (ii) the gain recognized by the REIT in the disposition. The amount described in clause (i) is referred to as “built-in gain.” Assuming we elect to be taxed as a REIT for the taxable year ending December 31, 2020, we do not believe we have acquired and do not currently expect to acquire assets the disposition of which would be subject to the built-in gains tax but are not foreclosed from doing so in the future.
Prohibited Transactions
Net income derived from prohibited transactions is subject to a 100% tax. The term “prohibited transactions” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property) that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or as having been, held for sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. Whether property is held “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the specific facts and circumstances. The Code provides a safe harbor pursuant to which sales of properties held for at least two years and meeting certain additional requirements will not be treated as prohibited transactions, but compliance with the safe harbor may not always be practical. We intend to continue to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as held as inventory or for sale to customers and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. However, part of our investment strategy is to purchase assets that provide an opportunity for gain through capital appreciation, and we may sell such assets if
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beneficial opportunities arise. Therefore, no assurance can be given that any particular property in which we hold a direct or indirect interest will not be treated as property held for sale to customers, or that the safe-harbor provisions will apply. The 100% tax will not apply to gains from the sale of property held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate income tax rates. The potential application of the prohibited transactions tax could cause us to forego potential dispositions of other property or to forego other opportunities that might otherwise be attractive to us (such as developing property for sale), or to undertake such dispositions or other opportunities through a TRS, which would generally result in corporate income taxes being incurred.
Foreclosure Property
Foreclosure property is real property (including interests in real property) and any personal property incident to such real property (1) that is acquired by a REIT as a result of the REIT having bid in the property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced the property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after there was a default (or default was imminent) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by the REIT and secured by the property, (2) for which the related loan or lease was made, entered into or acquired by the REIT at a time when default was not imminent or anticipated and (3) for which such REIT makes an election to treat the property as foreclosure property. REITs generally are subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate (currently 21%) on any net income from foreclosure property, including any gain from the disposition of the foreclosure property, other than income that would otherwise be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above, even if the property is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business.
Hedging Transactions
We may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including interest rate swaps or cap agreements, options, futures contracts, forward rate agreements or similar financial instruments. Except to the extent provided by Treasury Regulations, any income from a hedging transaction (1) made in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate or price changes or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred by us to acquire or own real estate assets, (2) entered into primarily to manage the risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% income tests (or any property that generates such income or gain), or (3) that hedges against transactions described in clause (i) or (ii) and is entered into in connection with the extinguishment of debt or sale of property that is being hedged against by the transaction described in clause (i) or (ii), and which complies with certain identification requirements, including gain from the disposition or termination of such a transaction, will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 95% gross income test and the 75% gross income test. To the extent we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our ability to qualify as a REIT. As a result of these rules, we may have to limit our use of hedging techniques that might otherwise be advantageous, which could result in greater risks associated with interest rate or other changes than we would otherwise incur.
Investments in Loans and Preferred Equity
Except as provided below, in cases where a mortgage loan is secured by both real property and other property, if the outstanding principal balance of a mortgage loan during the year exceeds the value of the real property securing the loan at the time we committed to acquire the loan, which may be the case, for instance, if we acquire a “distressed” mortgage loan, including with a view to acquiring the collateral, a portion of the interest accrued during the year will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test applicable to REITs and a portion of such loan will not be a qualifying real estate asset. Furthermore, we may be required to retest modified loans that we hold to determine if the modified loan is adequately secured by real property as of the modification date. If the IRS were to assert successfully that any mortgage loans we hold were not properly secured by real estate or that the value of the real estate collateral (at the time of commitment or retesting) was otherwise less than the amount of the loan, we could, as mentioned, earn income that is not qualifying for the 75% income test and also be treated as holding a non-real
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estate investment in whole or part, which could result in our failure to qualify as a REIT. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a mortgage loan secured by both real property and personal property shall be treated as a wholly qualifying real estate asset and all interest shall be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% income test if the combined fair market values of the personal and real property combined exceed the balance of the mortgage and the fair market value of such personal property does not exceed 15% of the total fair market value of all such property, even if the real property collateral value is less than the outstanding principal balance of the loan.
The IRS has provided a safe harbor with respect to the treatment of a mezzanine loan as a mortgage loan and therefore as a qualifying asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests. Pursuant to the safe harbor, if a mezzanine loan meets certain requirements, it will be treated by the IRS as a qualifying real estate asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, and interest derived from the mezzanine loan will be treated as qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the REIT 75% income test. However, structuring a mezzanine loan to meet the requirements of the safe harbor may not always be practical. To the extent that any of our mezzanine loans do not meet all of the requirements for reliance on the safe harbor, such loans might not be properly treated as qualifying mortgage loans for REIT purposes.
In addition, we and our subsidiaries may invest in the preferred equity of an entity that directly or indirectly owns real property. If the issuer of the preferred equity is taxed as a partnership or an entity disregarded as separate from its owners for U.S. federal income tax purposes (aside from a qualified REIT subsidiary), we generally will be treated as owing an interest in the underlying real estate for REIT purposes. As a result, absent sufficient controls to ensure that the underlying real property is operated in compliance with the REIT rules, preferred equity investments may jeopardize our compliance with the REIT income and asset tests described above. In addition, the treatment of interest-like preferred returns in a partnership or disregarded entity (other than a qualified REIT subsidiary) also is not clear under the REIT rules and could be treated as non-qualifying income. More importantly, in many cases the status of debt-like preferred equity as debt or equity for tax purposes is unclear. The IRS could challenge our treatment of such preferred equity investment for purposes of applying the REIT income and asset tests and, if such a challenge were sustained, we could fail to continue to qualify as REIT. In addition, if the issuer of the preferred equity is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such preferred equity generally will be a nonqualifying asset unless the issuer is a REIT, our own qualified REIT subsidiary, or TRS.
Tax Aspects of Investments in Partnerships
General. We currently hold and anticipate holding direct or indirect interests in one or more partnerships, including the Operating Partnership. We operate as an Umbrella Partnership REIT, or UPREIT, which is a structure whereby we own a direct interest in the operating partnership, and the operating partnership, in turn, directly or indirectly owns our properties (generally through lower-tier partnerships and disregarded entities, but the Operating Partnership also may hold properties through lower-tier REITs or TRSs or other taxable corporations).
The following is a summary of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of our investment in the Operating Partnership if the Operating Partnership is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This discussion should also generally apply to any investment by the Operating Partnership in a lower-tier property partnership.
A partnership (that is not a publicly traded partnership taxed as a corporation) is generally not subject to tax as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Rather, partners are allocated their allocable share of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the partnership, and are potentially subject to tax thereon, without regard to whether the partners receive any distributions from the partnership. We are required to take into account our allocable share of the foregoing items for purposes of the various REIT gross income and asset tests, and in the computation of our REIT taxable income and U.S. federal income tax liability. Further, there can be no assurance that distributions from the operating partnership will be sufficient to pay the tax liabilities resulting from an investment in the operating partnership or will be sufficient for us to make the distributions necessary for us to maintain our qualification as a REIT or avoid entity-level taxes. However, as the general partner of the operating partnership, we intend to cause the operating partnership to generally make distributions to us necessary for us to make distributions to our stockholders that will allow us to maintain our qualification as a REIT and to avoid entity-level taxes, but no assurance can be given that the operating partnership will be able to make such distributions.
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Generally, an entity with two or more members formed as a partnership or non-corporate entity under state law will be taxed as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes unless it specifically elects otherwise or is treated as a corporation under special rules for “publicly traded partnerships.” Because the operating partnership was formed as a partnership under state law, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the operating partnership will be treated as a partnership, if it has two or more partners and is not treated as a corporation under the publicly traded partnership rules, or a disregarded entity, if it is treated as having one partner. As a result, if the operating partnership becomes wholly owned by us, it will cease to be a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and become a disregarded entity.
Domestic unincorporated entities with more than one owner may be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including if the entity is a “publicly traded partnership” that does not qualify for an exemption based on the character of its income. A partnership is a “publicly traded partnership” under Section 7704 of the Code if:
| • | interests in the partnership are traded on an established securities market; or |
| • | interests in the partnership are readily tradable on a “secondary market” or the “substantial equivalent” of a secondary market. |
A partnership whose interests are not traded on an established securities market will not be treated as a publicly traded partnership if it qualifies for certain safe harbors. We intend that interests in the operating partnership (and any partnership invested in by the operating partnership) will comply with a “safe harbor” for partnerships with fewer than 100 partners to avoid being classified as a publicly traded partnership. However, no assurance can be given that the operating partnership or any other partnership in which we indirectly hold an interest will at all times satisfy such safe harbor. We reserve the right to not satisfy any safe harbor.
If the operating partnership has greater than 100 partners for U.S. federal income tax purposes and did not meet any other safe harbor to avoid being treated as a publicly traded partnership, there is a risk that the right of a holder of operating partnership common units to redeem the units for cash (or common stock at our option) could cause operating partnership common units to be considered readily tradable on the substantial equivalent of a secondary market. If the operating partnership is a publicly traded partnership, it will be taxed as a corporation unless at least 90% of its gross income has consisted and will consist of “qualifying income” under Section 7704 of the Code. Qualifying income generally includes real property rents and other types of passive income. The income requirements applicable to REITs under the Code and the definition of qualifying income under the publicly traded partnership rules are very similar. Although differences exist between these two income tests, we do not believe that these differences will cause the operating partnership to fail the 90% gross income test applicable to publicly traded partnerships. However, there is sparse guidance as to the proper interpretation of this 90% gross income test, and thus it is possible that differences will arise that prevent us from satisfying the 90% gross income test.
If for any reason the operating partnership (or any partnership invested in by the operating partnership) is taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the character of our assets and items of gross income would change, and as a result, we would most likely be unable to satisfy the applicable REIT requirements under U.S. federal income tax laws discussed above. Further, if any partnership was treated as a corporation, items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of such partnership would be subject to corporate income tax, and the partners of any such partnership would be treated as stockholders, with distributions to such partners being treated as dividends.
Income Taxation of Partnerships and their Partners. Although a partnership agreement generally will determine the allocation of a partnership’s income and losses among the partners, such allocations may be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Code Section 704(b) and the Treasury Regulations if the allocations do not have “substantial economic effect” and are not otherwise consistent with the partners’ interests in the partnership. If any allocation is not recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the item subject to the allocation will be reallocated in accordance with the partners’ economic interests in the partnership. We believe that the allocations of taxable income and loss in the operating partnership agreement comply with the requirements of Code Section 704(b) and the Treasury Regulations.
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In some cases, special allocations of net profits or net losses will be required to comply with the U.S. federal income tax principles governing partnership tax allocations. Additionally, pursuant to Code Section 704(c), income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to property contributed to the operating partnership in exchange for units must be allocated in a manner so that the contributing partner is charged with, or benefits from, the unrealized gain or loss attributable to the property at the time of contribution. The amount of such unrealized gain or loss is generally equal to the difference between the fair market value and the adjusted basis of the property at the time of contribution. These allocations are designed to eliminate book-tax differences by allocating to contributing partners lower amounts of depreciation deductions and increased taxable income and gain attributable to the contributed property than would ordinarily be the case for economic or book purposes. With respect to any property purchased by the operating partnership, such property generally will have an initial tax basis equal to its fair market value, and accordingly, Code Section 704(c) will not apply, except as described further below in this paragraph. The application of the principles of Code Section 704(c) in tiered partnership arrangements is not entirely clear. Accordingly, the IRS may assert a different allocation method than the one selected by the operating partnership to cure any book-tax differences. In certain circumstances, we create book-tax differences by adjusting the values of properties for economic or book purposes and generally the rules of Code Section 704(c) would apply to such differences as well.
Some expenses incurred in the conduct of the operating partnership’s activities may not be deducted in the year they were paid. To the extent this occurs, the taxable income of the operating partnership may exceed its cash receipts for the year in which the expense is paid. As discussed above, the costs of acquiring properties must generally be recovered through depreciation deductions over a number of years. Prepaid interest and loan fees, and prepaid management fees are other examples of expenses that may not be deducted in the year they were paid.
Congress recently revised the rules applicable to federal income tax audits of partnerships (such as the operating partnership) and the collection of any tax resulting from any such audits or other tax proceedings, generally for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. Under the new rules, the partnership itself may be liable for a hypothetical increase in partner-level taxes (including interest and penalties) resulting from an adjustment of partnership tax items on audit, regardless of changes in the composition of the partners (or their relative ownership) between the year under audit and the year of the adjustment. The new rules also include an elective alternative method under which the additional taxes resulting from the adjustment are assessed against the affected partners, subject to a higher rate of interest than otherwise would apply. Many questions remain as to how the new rules will apply, especially with respect to partners that are REITs (such as us), and it is not clear at this time what effect this new legislation will have on us. However, these changes could increase the U.S. federal income tax, interest, and/or penalties otherwise borne by us in the event of a federal income tax audit of the operating partnership or one of its subsidiary partnerships.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Holders of Our Stock
The following summary describes the material U.S. federal income tax considerations to you of purchasing, owning and disposing of our stock. This summary assumes you hold shares of our stock as a “capital asset” (generally, property held for investment within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code). It does not address all the tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your particular circumstances. In addition, this discussion does not address the tax consequences relevant to persons who receive special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax law, except where specifically noted. Holders receiving special treatment include, without limitation:
| • | financial institutions, banks and thrifts; |
| • | insurance companies; |
| • | tax exempt entities (except to the extent discussed in “—Taxation of Tax-Exempt Holders of Our Stock”); |
| • | “S” corporations; |
| • | traders in securities that elect to mark to market; |
| • | partnerships, pass-through entities and persons holding our stock through a partnership or other pass-through entity; |
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| • | individual holders subject to the alternative minimum tax; |
| • | regulated investment companies and REITs; |
| • | non-U.S. corporations or partnerships, and persons who are not residents or citizens of the United States; |
| • | broker-dealers or dealers in securities or currencies; |
| • | U.S. expatriates;6 |
| • | persons holding our stock as part of a hedge, straddle, conversion, integrated or other risk reduction or constructive sale transaction; |
| • | U.S. persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; or |
| • | persons who receive our stock through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation. |
If you are considering purchasing our stock, you should consult your tax advisors concerning the application of U.S. federal income tax laws to your particular situation as well as any consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our stock arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.
When we use the term “U.S. holder,” we mean a holder of shares of our stock who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is:
| • | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
| • | a corporation or partnership, including an entity treated as a corporation or partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof or in the District of Columbia unless, in the case of a partnership, Treasury regulations provide otherwise; |
| • | an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
| • | a trust, if (A) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration, and one or more U.S. persons, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions, or (2) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person. |
If you hold shares of our stock and are not a U.S. holder, a partnership or an entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, you are a “non-U.S. holder.”
If a partnership or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds shares of our stock, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend on the status of the partner and on the activities of the partnership. Partners of partnerships holding shares of our stock are encouraged to consult their tax advisors.
Taxation of Taxable U.S. Holders of Our Stock
Distributions Generally. Distributions out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as dividends and, other than with respect to capital gain dividends and certain amounts which have previously been subject to corporate level tax, as discussed below, will be taxable to our taxable U.S. holders as ordinary income when actually or constructively received. See “—Tax Rates” below. As long as we qualify as a REIT, these distributions will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of U.S. holders that are corporations, nor, except to the extent provided in “—Tax Rates” below, the preferential rates on qualified dividend income applicable to non-corporate U.S. holders, including individuals. For purposes of determining whether distributions to holders of our stock are out of current or accumulated earnings and profits, our earnings and profits will be allocated first to our outstanding preferred stock and then to our outstanding common stock.
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To the extent that we make distributions on our stock in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits allocable to such stock, these distributions will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to a U.S. holder. This treatment will reduce the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in such shares of stock by the amount of the distribution, but not below zero. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits and in excess of a U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares will be taxable as capital gain. Such gain will be taxable as long-term capital gain if the shares have been held for more than one year. Dividends we declare in October, November, or December of any year and which are payable to a holder of record on a specified date in any of these months will be treated as both paid by us and received by the holder on December 31 of that year, provided we actually pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the following year.
Capital Gain Dividends. Dividends that we properly designate as capital gain dividends will be taxable to our taxable U.S. holders as a gain from the sale or disposition of a capital asset held for more than one year, to the extent that such gain does not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year and may not exceed our dividends paid for the taxable year, including dividends paid the following year that are treated as paid in the current year. U.S. holders that are corporations may, however, be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income. If we properly designate any portion of a dividend as a capital gain dividend then, except as otherwise required by law, we presently intend to allocate a portion of the total capital gain dividends paid or made available to holders of all classes of our capital stock for the year to the holders of each c lass of our capital stock in proportion to the amount that our total dividends, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, paid or made available to the holders of each such class of our capital stock for the year bears to the total dividends, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, paid or made available to holders of all classes of our capital stock for the year. In addition, except as otherwise required by law, we will make a similar allocation with respect to any undistributed long term capital gains which are to be included in our stockholders’ long term capital gains, based on the allocation of the capital gains amount which would have resulted if those undistributed long term capital gains had been distributed as “capital gain dividends” by us to our stockholders.
Retention of Net Capital Gains. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute as a capital gain dividend, all or a portion of our net capital gains. If we make this election, we would pay tax on our retained net capital gains. In addition, to the extent we so elect, a U.S. holder generally would:
| • | include its pro rata share of our undistributed net capital gains in computing its long-term capital gains in its return for its taxable year in which the last day of our taxable year falls, subject to certain limitations as to the amount that is includable; |
| • | be deemed to have paid its share of the capital gains tax imposed on us on the designated amounts included in the U.S. holder’s income as long-term capital gain; |
| • | receive a credit or refund for the amount of tax deemed paid by it; |
| • | increase the adjusted basis of its stock by the difference between the amount of includable gains and the tax deemed to have been paid by it; and |
| • | in the case of a U.S. holder that is a corporation, appropriately adjust its earnings and profits for the retained capital gains in accordance with Treasury regulations to be promulgated by the IRS. |
Net Operating Losses. Holders may not include in their individual income tax returns any of our net operating or capital losses. Instead these losses are generally carried over by us for potential offset against our future income.
Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations. Distributions we make and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. holder of our stock will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, U.S. holders generally will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against this income or gain. A U.S. holder may elect to treat capital gain dividends, capital gains from the disposition of our stock and income designated as qualified dividend income, as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation, but in such case, the holder will be taxed at ordinary income rates on such amount. Other distributions made by our company, to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital, generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation.
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Dispositions of Our Stock. A U.S. holder that sells or disposes of shares of stock will recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on the sale or other disposition and the holder’s adjusted basis in the shares of stock for tax purposes. Except as provided below, this gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the holder has held such stock for more than one year. However, if a U.S. holder recognizes loss upon the sale or other disposition of stock that it has held for six months or less, after applying certain holding period rules, the loss recognized will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent the U.S. holder received distributions from us which were required to be treated as long-term capital gains.
Redemption or Repurchase by Us. A redemption or repurchase of shares of our stock will be treated under Section 302 of the Code as a distribution (and taxable as a dividend to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits as described above) unless the redemption or repurchase satisfies one of the tests set forth in Section 302(b) of the Code and is therefore treated as a sale or exchange of the redeemed or repurchased shares. The redemption or repurchase generally will be treated as a sale or exchange if it:
(i) is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to the U.S. stockholder;
(ii) results in a “complete termination” of the U.S. stockholder’s stock interest in us; or
(iii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the U.S. stockholder,
all within the meaning of Section 302(b) of the Code.
In determining whether any of these tests has been met, shares of our capital stock, including the common stock and other equity interests in us, considered to be owned by the U.S. stockholder by reason of certain constructive ownership rules set forth in the Code, as well as shares of our capital stock actually owned by the U.S. stockholder, must generally be taken into account. Because the determination as to whether any of the alternative tests of Section 302(b) of the Code will be satisfied with respect to the U.S. stockholder depends upon the facts and circumstances at the time that the determination must be made, U.S. stockholders are advised to consult their tax advisors to determine such tax treatment.
If a redemption or repurchase of shares of our stock is treated as a distribution taxable as a dividend, the amount of the distribution will be measured by the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received. A U.S. stockholder’s adjusted basis in the redeemed or repurchased shares of the stock for tax purposes generally will be transferred to its remaining shares of our stock, if any. If a U.S. stockholder owns no other shares of our capital stock, under certain circumstances, such basis may be transferred to a related person or it may be lost entirely. Proposed Treasury regulations issued in 2009, if enacted in their current form, would affect the basis recovery rules described above. It is not clear whether these proposed regulations will be enacted in their current form or at all. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the federal income tax consequences of a redemption or repurchase of our stock.
If a redemption or repurchase of shares of our stock is not treated as a distribution taxable as a dividend, it will be treated as a taxable sale or exchange in the manner described under “—Dispositions of Our Stock.”
Foreign Accounts. Certain payments made to “foreign financial institutions” in respect of accounts of U.S. holders at such financial institutions may be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this withholding provision on their ownership and disposition of our stock and the effective date of such provision. See “—Foreign Accounts.”
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. We are required to report to our U.S. holders and the IRS the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year, and the amount of any tax withheld. Under the backup withholding rules, a U.S. holder may be subject to backup withholding with respect to dividends paid unless the U.S. holder is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact, or provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A U.S. holder that does not provide us with
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its correct taxpayer identification number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount paid as backup withholding will be creditable against the U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distributions to any holders who fail to certify their non-foreign status. See “—Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders of our Stock.”
Taxation of Tax-Exempt Holders of Our Stock
Dividend income from us and gain arising upon a sale of our shares of stock generally will not be unrelated business taxable income to a tax-exempt holder, except as described below. This income or gain will be unrelated business taxable income, however, if a tax-exempt holder holds its shares as “debt-financed property” within the meaning of the Code. Generally, “debt-financed property” is property the acquisition or holding of which was financed through a borrowing by the tax-exempt holder.
For tax-exempt holders which are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, or qualified group legal services plans exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) or (c)(20) of the Code, respectively, income from an investment in our shares will constitute unrelated business taxable income unless the organization is able to properly claim a deduction for amounts set aside or placed in reserve for specific purposes so as to offset the income generated by its investment in our shares. These prospective investors should consult their tax advisors concerning these “set aside” and reserve requirements.
Notwithstanding the above, however, a portion of the dividends paid by a “pension-held REIT” may be treated as unrelated business taxable income as to certain trusts that hold more than 10%, by value, of the interests in the REIT. A REIT will not be a “pension-held REIT” if it is able to satisfy the “not closely held” requirement without relying on the “look-through” exception with respect to certain trusts or if such REIT is not “predominantly held” by “qualified trusts.” As a result of restrictions on the transfer and ownership of our stock contained in our charter, we do not expect to be classified as a “pension-held REIT,” and as a result, the tax treatment described above should be inapplicable to our holders. However, because our common stock is publicly traded, we cannot guarantee that this will always be the case.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders of Our Stock
The following discussion addresses the rules governing U.S. federal income taxation of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our stock by non-U.S. holders. These rules are complex, and no attempt is made herein to provide more than a brief summary of such rules. Accordingly, the discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation and does not address state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences that may be relevant to a non-U.S. holder in light of its particular circumstances. We urge non-U.S. holders to consult their tax advisors to determine the impact of federal, state, local and non-U.S. income tax laws on the purchase, ownership, and disposition of shares of our stock, including any reporting requirements.
Distributions Generally. Distributions that are neither attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of U.S. real property interests, or “ USRPIs,” nor designated by us as capital gain dividends (except as described below) will be treated as dividends of ordinary income to the extent that they are made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions ordinarily will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, unless the distributions are treated as effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a U.S. trade or business (through a U.S. permanent establishment, where applicable). Under certain treaties, however, lower withholding rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from a REIT. If such a distribution is treated as effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to federal income tax on the distribution at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. holders are taxed on distributions, and also may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a corporate non-U.S. holder.
Except as otherwise provided below, we expect to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the rate of 30% on any distributions made to a non-U.S. holder unless:
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1) a lower treaty rate applies and the non-U.S. holder files with us an IRS Form W-8BEN (or Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable) evidencing eligibility for that reduced treaty rate; or
2) the non-U.S. holder files an IRS Form W-8ECI with us claiming that the distribution is income effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s trade or business.
Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a non-U.S. holder to the extent that such distributions do not exceed the adjusted basis of the holder’s stock, but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of such stock. To the extent that such distributions exceed the non-U.S. holder’s adjusted basis in such stock, they will give rise to gain from the sale or exchange of such stock, the tax treatment of which is described below. Under FIRPTA (discussed below), we may be required to withhold 15% of the portion of any distribution that exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits. That being said, for withholding purposes, we expect to treat all distributions as made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. However, amounts withheld should generally be refundable if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, provided that certain conditions are met.
Capital Gain Dividends and Distributions Attributable to a Sale or Exchange of USRPIs. Distributions to a non-U.S. holder that we properly designate as capital gain dividends, other than those arising from the disposition of USRPI, generally should not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation, unless:
1) the investment in our stock is treated as effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s U.S. trade or business (through a U.S. permanent establishment, where applicable), in which case the non-U.S. holder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. holders with respect to such gain, except that a non-U.S. holder that is a non-U.S. corporation may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, as discussed above; or
2) the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met, in which case the non-U.S. holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% on the non-U.S. holder’s capital gains (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses of such non-U.S. holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided the non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.
Pursuant to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, which is referred to as “FIRPTA,” distributions to a non-U.S. holder that are attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of USRPI, whether or not designated as capital gain dividends, will cause the non-U.S. holder to be treated as recognizing such gain as income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. Non-U.S. holders would generally be taxed at the same rates applicable to U.S. holders, subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax, and any non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. We also will be required to withhold and to remit to the IRS 21% of any distribution to non-U.S. holders attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of USRPIs. The amount withheld is creditable against the non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. However, any distribution with respect to any class of stock which is “regularly traded” on an established securities market located in the U.S. is not subject to FIRPTA, and therefore, not subject to the 21% U.S. withholding tax described above, if the non-U.S. holder did not own more than 10% of such class of stock at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution. Instead, such distributions generally will be treated as ordinary dividend distributions and subject to withholding in the manner described above with respect to ordinary dividends. In addition, distributions to certain non-U.S. publicly traded holders of our stock that meet certain record-keeping and other requirements (“qualified stockholders”) are exempt from FIRPTA, except to the extent owners of such qualified holders that are not also qualified holders own, actually or constructively, more than 10% of our capital stock. Furthermore, distributions to “qualified foreign pension funds” or entities all of the interests of which are held by “qualified foreign pension funds” are exempt from FIRPTA. Non-U.S. holders of our stock should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these rules.
Retention of Net Capital Gains. Although the law is not clear on the matter, it appears that amounts designated by us as retained net capital gains in respect of the stock held by U.S. holders generally should be treated with respect to non-U.S. holders in the same manner as actual distributions of capital gain dividends. Under this approach, the non-
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U.S. holders would be able to offset as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability resulting from their proportionate share of the tax paid by us on such retained net capital gains and to receive from the IRS a refund to the extent their proportionate share of such tax paid by us exceeds their actual U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the non-U.S. holder furnishes required information to the IRS on a timely basis. If we designate any portion of our net capital gain as retained net capital gain, a non-U.S. stockholder should consult its tax advisor regarding the taxation of such retained net capital gain.
Sale of Our Stock. Except as described below, gain recognized by a non-U.S. holder upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our stock generally will not be subject to U.S. taxation unless such stock constitutes a USRPI. In general, stock of a domestic corporation that constitutes a “U.S. real property holding corporation,” or USRPHC, will constitute a USRPI. We believe that we are a USRPHC. Our stock will not, however, constitute a USRPI so long as we are a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity.” A “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” includes a REIT in which at all times during a specified testing period less than 50% in value of its stock is held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. holders, subject to certain rules. For purposes of determining whether a REIT is a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity,” a person who at all applicable times holds less than 5% of a class of stock that is “regularly traded” is treated as a U.S. person unless the REIT has actual knowledge that such person is not a U.S. person. We believe, but cannot guarantee, that we are a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity.” Because our common stock is (and, we anticipate, will continue to be) publicly traded, no assurance can be given that we will continue to be a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity.”
Notwithstanding the foregoing, gain from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our stock not otherwise subject to FIRPTA will be taxable to a non-U.S. holder if either (a) the investment in our stock is treated as effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s U.S. trade or business (through a U.S. permanent establishment, where applicable), in which case the non-U.S. holder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. holders with respect to such gain, except that a non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, or (b) the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met, in which case the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s capital gains (reduced by certain capital losses). In addition, even if we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, upon disposition of our stock, a non-U.S. holder may be treated as having gain from the sale or other taxable disposition of a USRPI if the non-U.S. holder (1) disposes of our stock within a 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any portion of which, but for the disposition, would have been treated as gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI and (2) acquires, or enters into a contract or option to acquire, or is deemed to acquire, other shares of that stock during the 61-day period beginning with the first day of the 30-day period described in clause (1). The preceding sentence shall not apply to a non-U.S. holder if the non-U.S. holder did not own more than 5% of the stock at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution described in clause (1) of the preceding sentence and the class of stock is “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury regulations.
Even if we do not qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” at the time a non-U.S. holder sells our stock, gain arising from the sale or other taxable disposition by a non-U.S. holder of such stock would not be subject to U.S. taxation under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI if:
1) such class of stock is “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury regulations, on an established securities market such as the NYSE American; and
2) such non-U.S. holder owned, actually and constructively, 10% or less of such class of stock throughout the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or exchange or the non-U.S. holder’s holding period.
In addition, dispositions of our stock by qualified stockholders are exempt from FIRPTA, except to the extent owners of such qualified stockholders that are not also qualified stockholders own, actually or constructively, more than 10% of our stock. An actual or deemed disposition of our stock by such stockholders may also be treated as a dividend. Furthermore, dispositions of our stock by “qualified foreign pension funds” or entities all of the interests of which are held by “qualified foreign pension funds” are exempt from FIRPTA. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these rules.
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If gain on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. holder would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and would be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax with respect to such gain in the same manner as a taxable U.S. holder (subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals). In addition, if the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, and if shares of the applicable class of our stock were not “regularly traded” on an established securities market, the purchaser of such stock would be required to withhold and remit to the IRS 15% of the purchase price.
Redemption or Repurchase by Us. A redemption or repurchase of shares of our stock will be treated under Section 302 of the Code as a distribution (and taxable as a dividend to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits) unless the redemption or repurchase satisfies one of the tests set forth in Section 302(b) of the Code and is therefore treated as a sale or exchange of the redeemed or repurchased shares. See “—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Holders of Our Stock—Redemption or Repurchase by Us.” If the redemption or repurchase of shares is treated as a distribution, the amount of the distribution will be measured by the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received. See “—Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders of Our Stock—Distributions Generally.” If the redemption or repurchase of shares is not treated as a distribution, it will be treated as a taxable sale or exchange in the manner described under “—Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders of Our Stock—Sale of Our Stock.”
Information Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding. We will report to our stockholders and to the IRS the amount of distributions we pay during each calendar year and the amount of tax we withhold, if any. Under the backup withholding rules, a holder of our stock may be subject to backup withholding with respect to distributions unless the holder:
| • | is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact; or |
| • | provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. |
A holder who does not provide us with its correct taxpayer identification number also may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Any amount paid as backup withholding generally may be claimed as a credit against the holder’s income tax liability. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distributions to any holders who fail to certify their non-foreign status to us.
Backup withholding will generally not apply to payments of dividends made by us or our paying agents, in their capacities as such, to a non-U.S. holder provided that the non-U.S. holder furnishes to us or our paying agent the required certification as to its non-U.S. status, such as providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8ECI, or certain other requirements are met. Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding may apply if either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the holder is a U.S. person that is not an exempt recipient. Payments of the proceeds from a disposition or a redemption that occurs outside the U.S. by a non-U.S. holder made by or through a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, information reporting (but not backup withholding) generally will apply to such a payment if the broker has certain connections with the U.S. unless the broker has documentary evidence in its records that the beneficial owner is a non-U.S. holder and specified conditions are met or an exemption is otherwise established. Payment of the proceeds from a disposition by a non-U.S. holder of stock made by or through the U.S. office of a broker is generally subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless the non-U.S. holder certifies under penalties of perjury that it is not a U.S. person and satisfies certain other requirements, or otherwise establishes an exemption from information reporting and backup withholding.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or credited against the holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability if certain required information is furnished to the IRS. Holders of our stock should consult their own tax advisers regarding application of backup withholding to them and the availability of, and procedure for obtaining an exemption from, backup withholding.
Tax Rates. The maximum tax rate for non-corporate taxpayers for long-term capital gains, including certain “capital gain dividends,” is generally 20% (although depending on the characteristics of the assets which produced
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these gains and on designations which we may make, certain capital gain dividends may be taxed at a 25% rate). Capital gain dividends will only be eligible for the rates described above to the extent they are properly designated by us as “capital gain dividends.” In general, dividends payable by a REIT that are not “capital gains dividends” are subject to tax at the tax rates applicable to ordinary income, the maximum rate of which for individuals is 37%. Dividends that a REIT properly designates as “qualified dividend income,” however, are subject to a maximum tax rate of 20% in the case of non-corporate taxpayers. In general, dividends payable by a REIT are only eligible to be taxed as qualified dividend income to the extent that the taxpayer satisfies certain holding requirements with respect to the REIT’s stock and the REIT’s dividends are attributable to dividends received by the REIT from certain taxable corporations (such as its taxable REIT subsidiaries) or to income that was subject to tax at the corporate/REIT level (for example, if the REIT distributed taxable income that it retained and paid tax on in the prior taxable year). In addition, certain U.S. stockholders that are individuals, estates or trusts are required to pay an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on, among other things, dividends and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of stock. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax rates applicable to them in light of their particular circumstances. For taxable years prior to 2026, individual stockholders are generally allowed to deduct 20% of the aggregate amount of ordinary dividends distributed by us, subject to certain limitations, which would reduce the maximum marginal effective federal income tax rate for individuals on the receipt of such ordinary dividends to 29.6%.
Additional Withholding Tax on Payments Made to Foreign Accounts. Withholding taxes may be imposed under Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code (such sections commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA) on certain types of payments made to non-U.S. financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities (including payments to U.S. holders who hold shares of our stock through such a foreign financial institution or non-U.S. entity). Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends on our stock, interest on our debt securities, or gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our stock or debt securities, in each case paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code), unless (1) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations, (2) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in clause (1) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury under which it undertakes, among other things, to identify accounts held by certain “specified United States persons” or “United States-owned foreign entities” (each as defined in the Code), annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on certain payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.
Under the applicable Treasury regulations and administrative guidance, withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of dividends on our stock or interest on our debt securities, and will apply to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of such stock or debt securities on or after January 1, 2019.
Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of withholding under FATCA to their investment in our capital stock or debt securities.
Possible Legislative or Other Actions Affecting Tax Consequences
Prospective stockholders should recognize that the present U.S. federal income tax treatment of an investment in us may be modified by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time and that any such action may affect investments and commitments previously made. The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process, the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department, resulting in revisions of regulations and revised interpretations of established concepts as well as statutory changes. Revisions in U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations of these laws could adversely affect the tax consequences of your investment.
On December 22, 2017, H.R. 1, informally titled the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) was signed into law. The Tax Act makes major changes to the Code, including a number of provisions of the Code that may affect the taxation of REITs and the holders of their securities. The most significant of these provisions are described below. The individual and collective impact of these changes on REITs and their security holders is uncertain and may not
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become evident for some period of time. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the implications of the Tax Act on their investment.
Revised Individual Tax Rates and Deductions
The Tax Act adjusted the tax brackets and reduced the top federal income tax rate for individuals from 39.6% to 37%. In addition, numerous deductions were eliminated or limited, including the deduction for state and local taxes being limited to $10,000 per year. These individual income tax changes are generally effective beginning in 2018, but without further legislation, they will sunset after 2025.
Pass-Through Business Income Tax Rate Lowered through Deduction
Under the Tax Act, individuals, trusts, and estates generally may deduct 20% of “qualified business income” (generally, domestic trade or business income other than certain investment items) of a partnership, S corporation, or sole proprietorship. In addition, “qualified REIT dividends” (i.e., REIT dividends other than capital gain dividends and portions of REIT dividends designated as qualified dividend income eligible for capital gain tax rates) and certain other income items are eligible for the deduction. The deduction, however, is subject to complex limitations to its availability. As with the other individual income tax changes, the provisions related to the deduction are effective beginning in 2018, but without further legislation, they will sunset after 2025.
Maximum Corporate Tax Rate Reduced Elimination of Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax
The Tax Act reduced the maximum corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% and reduced the dividends received deduction for certain corporate subsidiaries. The Tax Act also permanently eliminated the corporate alternative minimum tax. These provisions are effective beginning in 2018.
Net Operating Loss Modifications
The Tax Act limited the net operating loss (“NOL”) deduction to 80% of taxable income (before the deduction). The Tax Act also generally eliminated NOL carrybacks for individuals and non-REIT corporations (NOL carrybacks did not apply to REITs under prior law) but allows indefinite NOL carryforwards. The new NOL rules apply beginning in 2018.
Limitations on Interest Deductibility
The Tax Act limits the net interest expense deduction of a business to 30% of the sum of adjusted taxable income, business interest, and certain other amounts. The Tax Act allows a real property trade or business to elect out of such limitation so long as it uses the alternative depreciation system which lengthens the depreciation recovery period with respect to certain property. The limitation with respect to the net interest expense deduction applies beginning in 2018.
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Withholding Rate Reduced
The Tax Act reduced the highest rate of withholding with respect to distributions to non-U.S. holders that are treated as attributable to gains from the sale or exchange of U.S. real property interests from 35% to 21%. These provisions are effective beginning in 2018.
Other Tax Consequences
State, local and non-U.S. income tax laws may differ substantially from the corresponding federal income tax laws, and this discussion does not purport to describe any aspect of the tax laws of any state, local or non-U.S. jurisdiction, or any federal tax other than the income tax. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisor regarding the effect of state, local and non-U.S. tax laws with respect to our tax treatment as a REIT and on an investment in
INVESTMENT BY QUALIFIED PLANS AND IRAS
In considering an investment in the Company of the assets of an employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA”) or an individual retirement account (“IRA”), a fiduciary or any other person responsible for investment of the plan or IRA investments, taking into account the facts and circumstances of such plan or IRA, should consider, among other things: (i) whether the investment is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing such plan or IRA, (ii) the definition of plan assets under ERISA, (iii) whether the investment satisfies the diversification requirements of Section 404(a)(1)(C) of ERISA (or other applicable law), (iv) whether, under Section 404(a)(1)(B) of ERISA (or other applicable law), the investment is prudent, considering the nature of an investment in and the compensation structure of the Company and the fact that there is not expected to be a market created in which the Shares can be sold or otherwise disposed of, (v) that the Company has had no history of operations, (vi) whether the Company or any affiliate is a fiduciary or a party in interest to the plan or IRA, (vii) the need to annually value the Shares, and (viii) whether an investment in the Company will cause the plan or IRA to recognize UBTI. The prudence of a particular investment must be determined by the responsible fiduciary or other person (usually the trustee, plan administrator, or investment manager) with respect to each employee benefit plan or IRA, taking into account all of the facts and circumstances of the investment.
Potential employee benefit plan and IRA stockholders should also take into consideration the limited liquidity of an investment in the Company as it relates to applicable minimum distribution requirements of the Code. If the Shares are held in the IRA or employee benefit plan at the time mandatory distributions are required to commence to the IRA beneficiary or plan participant, applicable law may require the in kind distribution of Shares. Such distribution must be included in the participant’s or beneficiary’s taxable income for the year of receipt of the Shares (at then current fair market value) without any cash distributions with which to pay the tax liability.
ERISA provides that Shares may not be purchased by an employee benefit plan if the Company or an affiliate of the Company is a fiduciary or party in interest (as defined in Sections 3(21) and 3(14) of ERISA) to the plan unless such purchase is exempt from the prohibited transaction provisions of Section 406 of ERISA. Under ERISA, it is the duty of the fiduciary responsible for purchasing the Shares not to engage in such transactions.
Code Section 4975 has similar restrictions applicable to transactions between disqualified persons and an employee benefit plan or IRA, which could result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company or loss of tax-exempt status of the IRA.
An investment in the Company by an employee benefit plan or IRA could also violate ERISA or the Code if, under applicable Department of Labor (“DOL”) regulations, the Company assets are considered to be assets of the plan or IRA. The DOL has promulgated final regulations (“DOL Regulations”), 29 C.F.R. Section 2510.3-101, that define what constitutes “Plan Assets” in a situation in which an employee benefit plan or IRA invests in a partnership,
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or other similar entity. If assets of the Company are classified as Plan Assets, the significant penalties discussed below could be imposed under certain circumstances.
Under the DOL Regulations, if an employee benefit plan or IRA invests in an equity interest of an entity that is neither a publicly offered security nor a security issued by an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act, its assets include both the equity interest and an undivided interest in each of the underlying assets of the entity, unless it is established that the entity is an “operating company,” or equity participation in the entity by benefit plan stockholders is not “significant.”
The Shares may not qualify as publicly offered securities nor will they be issued by an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act.
Nonetheless, if one of the exceptions described below is satisfied, Company assets may avoid being classified as Plan Assets. Company assets may be excluded from Plan Assets under the DOL Regulations if the Company is an “operating company.” The term “operating company” includes an entity that is a “real estate operating company,” as defined in the DOL Regulations. Under the DOL Regulations, an entity is a “real estate operating company” if:
(i) for any day during a 90-day annual valuation period at least 50% of its assets, valued at cost (other than short-term investments pending long-term commitment or distribution to stockholders), are invested in real estate that is managed or developed by such entity and with respect to which such entity has the right to substantially participate directly in the management or development activities; and
(ii) the entity, in the ordinary course of its business, is engaged directly in real estate management or development activities. Example (8) in the DOL Regulations indicates that an entity may still qualify as a “real estate operating company” when management of the entity’s real estate may be performed by independent contractors if the entity retains certain control over the independent contractor and frequently consults with and advises the independent contractor.
If the Company is classified as a “real estate operating company,” an investment by an employee benefit plan or IRA in the Company should be treated only as an investment in an equity interest in the Company and not as an investment in an undivided interest in each of the Company’s assets. There is no authority regarding whether the ownership and operation of a hotel will qualify the Company as a “real estate operating company.” As a result, qualified plan and IRA stockholders should not rely on the Company being deemed an “operating company” for purposes of the DOL Regulations. However, the qualified plan or IRA may qualify for the exemption for “significant” participation exemption described below.
If the Company does not qualify as an “operating company” under DOL Regulations, an employee benefit plan or IRA investment in the Company will be treated as an investment in an equity interest in the Company, and not as an investment in an undivided interest in each of the underlying assets, only if equity participation in the Company by benefit plan stockholders (i.e., employee benefit plans and IRAs) is not “significant.” Under the DOL Regulations, equity participation in the Company by benefit plan stockholders would be “significant” on any date if, immediately after the most recent acquisition of any equity interest in the Company, 25% or more of the total value of the Shares is held by benefit plan stockholders. In determining whether the 25% benefit plan stockholders’ ownership is met, the ownership of any person with discretionary authority with respect to Company assets is disregarded. If the Company complies with this limitation, the Company should qualify for the exemption from the DOL Regulations offered to entities in which benefit plan participation is not “significant.” However, if, for any reason, the 25% limitation is not met, then the issues described below will arise (unless the Company is an operating company).
Impact of Company’s Holding Plan Assets
If the Company is deemed to hold Plan Assets, additional issues relating to the Plan Assets and “prohibited transaction” concepts of ERISA and the Code arise. Anyone with discretionary authority with respect to Company assets could become a “fiduciary” of the employee benefit plans or IRAs within the meaning of ERISA. As a fiduciary, such person would be required to meet the terms of the employee benefit plan or IRA regarding asset investment and would be subject to prudent investment and diversification standards. Any such fiduciary could be a defendant in an
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ERISA lawsuit brought by the DOL, an employee benefit plan participant or another fiduciary to require that Company assets and the investment and stewardship thereof meet these and other ERISA standards.
In addition, if the Company is deemed to hold Plan Assets, investment in the Company might constitute an improper delegation of fiduciary responsibility to the Manager and expose the fiduciary of an employee benefit plan stockholder to co-fiduciary liability under ERISA for any breach by the Manager of its ERISA fiduciary duties.
Section 406 of ERISA and Code Section 4975(c) also prohibit employee benefit plans from engaging in certain transactions with specified parties involving Plan Assets. Code Section 4975(c) also prevents IRAs from engaging in such transactions.
One of the transactions prohibited is the furnishing of services between a plan and a “party in interest” or a “disqualified person.” Included in the definition of “party in interest” under Section 3(14) of ERISA and the definition of “disqualified person” in Code Section 4975(e)(2) are “persons providing services to the plan.” If the Manager or certain entities and individuals related to the Manager has previously provided services to an employee benefit plan or IRA stockholder, then the Manager could be characterized as a “party in interest” under ERISA and/or a “disqualified person” under the Code with respect to such benefit plan stockholder.
If such a relationship exists, it could be argued that, because the Manager Shares in certain Company distributions and tax allocations in a manner disproportionate to its Capital Contributions to the Company, the Manager is being compensated directly out of Plan Assets rather than Company assets for the provision of services, i.e., establishment of the Company and making it available as an investment to the employee benefit plan or IRA. If this were the case, absent a specific exemption applicable to the transaction, a prohibited transaction could be determined to have occurred between the employee benefit plan or IRA and the Manager.
If the Company’s assets are treated as Plan Assets, a prohibited transaction would also occur if a party with whom the Company enters into a transaction is a “party in interest” or “disqualified person” with respect to an employee benefit plan or IRA.
Another type of transaction prohibited by ERISA and the Code is one in which fiduciaries of an employee benefit plan or the person who establishes an IRA engage in self-dealing. Accordingly, affiliates of the Manager are not permitted to purchase Shares with assets of any benefit plan stockholder if they (i) have investment discretion with respect to such assets or (ii) regularly give individualized investment advice that serves as the primary basis for the investment decisions made with respect to such assets.
If the Company’s assets are treated as Plan Assets and if it is determined that the acquisition of a Share by an employee benefit plan (or another transaction of the Company) constitutes a prohibited transaction, then any party in interest, which may include a fiduciary or sponsor of an employee benefit plan, that has engaged in any such prohibited transaction could be required to: (i) restore to the employee benefit plan any profit realized on the transaction; (ii) make good to the employee benefit plan any losses suffered by the employee benefit plan as a result of such investment; (iii) pay an excise tax equal to 15% of the amount involved (i.e., the amount invested in the Company) for each year during which the investment is in place; and (iv) eliminate the prohibited transaction by reversing the transaction and making good to the Company any losses resulting from the prohibited transaction. Moreover, if any fiduciary or party in interest is ordered to correct the transaction by either the IRS or the DOL and such transaction is not corrected within a 90-day period, the party in interest involved could also be liable for an additional excise tax in an amount equal to 100% of the amount involved (i.e., the amount invested in the Company), for each taxable year commencing with the year in which the 90-day period expires and ending with the year in which the prohibited transaction is corrected. Also, the DOL could assert additional civil penalties against a fiduciary or any other person who knowingly participates in any such breach.
With respect to investing IRAs, the tax-exempt status of the IRA could be lost if the investment (or another transaction of the Company) constitutes a prohibited transaction under Code Section 408(e)(2). If the IRA were to lose its tax-exempt status, the entire value of the IRA would be considered to be distributed and taxable to the IRA sponsor.
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A fiduciary of an employee benefit plan subject to ERISA is required to determine annually the fair market value of each asset of the plan as of the end of the plan’s fiscal year and to file an Annual Return/Report on Form 5500 reflecting that value. When no fair market value of a particular asset is available, the fiduciary is required to make a good faith determination of that asset’s “fair market value” assuming an orderly liquidation at the time the determination is made. In addition, a trustee or custodian of an IRA must provide an IRA participant with a statement of the value of the IRA each year. In discharging its obligation to value assets of a plan, a fiduciary subject to ERISA must act consistently with the relevant provisions of the plan and the general fiduciary standards of ERISA.
To assist fiduciaries (and IRA trustees and custodians) in fulfilling their valuation and annual reporting responsibilities, the Company will provide reports of the Company’s annual determination of the current value of Shares to those fiduciaries (including IRA trustees and custodians) who identify themselves to the Company as such and request the reports. The Company valuation may be, but is not required to be, performed by independent appraisers.
There can be no assurance (i) that the value established by the Company could or will actually be realized by the Company or an stockholder upon liquidation (in part because appraisal or estimated values do not necessarily indicate the price at which assets could be sold and because no attempt will be made to estimate the expenses of selling any assets of the Company), (ii) that stockholders could realize such value if they were to try to sell their Shares, or (iii) that such valuation complies with the requirements of ERISA or the Code..
Investors seeking to purchase our Shares who satisfy the “qualified purchaser” standards should proceed as follows:
| • | Read this entire offering circular and any supplements accompanying this offering circular. |
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|
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| • | Complete and execute a copy of the subscription process and subscription agreement through the Wefunder Platform. |
By executing the subscription agreement and paying the total purchase price for our Shares subscribed for, each stockholder agrees to accept the terms of the subscription agreement and attests that the stockholder meets the minimum standards of a “qualified purchaser”, and that such subscription for Shares does not exceed 10% of the greater of such stockholder’s annual income or net worth (for natural persons), or 10% of the greater of annual revenue or net assets at fiscal year-end (for non-natural persons). Subscriptions will be binding upon stockholders but will be effective only upon our acceptance and we reserve the right to reject any subscription in whole or in part.
The minimum offering amount is $150,000 and we may not accept subscriptions until such time as we have received subscriptions equaling the minimum offering amount. If the minimum offering amount is not reached by the offering termination date, the investors’ funds will be promptly returned. Prior to our achieving the minimum offering amount, subscribers may revoke their subscription by providing Wefunder with a written notice requesting such rescission
Following the date on which the minimum offering amount has been achieved, subscriptions will be binding upon stockholders and will be accepted or rejected within 30 days of receipt by us. Regardless of the date on which we accept a subscription agreement, the purchase price for the Shares subject to the applicable subscription agreement will be the price in effect as of the date on which the investor’s subscription is initially submitted. We have until the date that is twelve months after the date of this offering circular to achieve the minimum offering amount.
We will not draw funds from any subscriber until the date we achieve the minimum offering amount or the date your subscription is accepted, whichever is later. If we accept your subscription, we will email you a confirmation.
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You must initially purchase at least 25 Shares in this offering, or $250 based on the $10.00 initial Transaction Price. If you have satisfied the applicable minimum purchase requirement, any additional purchase must be in amounts of at least $10 (or the then NAV of our Shares). However, the Manager may revise the minimum purchase requirements in the future.
Perks
Certain investors are entitled to receive the following benefits or “perks”, based upon the amounts they invest in this Offering, The “perks” include credits towards stays at the Properties, food and beverages and other items based upon the investment amount
Perks will only be available to the extent the Company raises sufficient capital pursuant to this offering to acquire hotel properties.
In addition, the purchaser who purchase the first $1,000,000 in Shares shall be entitled to receive additional perks in the form of additional investor credits and automatic lifetime Platinum Status.
Certain legal matters, including the validity of Shares offered hereby, have been passed upon for us by Carman Lehnhof & Israelsen LLP.
The financial statements of Commodore Hospitality, Inc. for the period from December 23, 2020 (inception) to December 31, 2021, included in this preliminary offering circular have been audited by dbbmckennon, independent auditors, as stated in their report appearing herein. Such financial statements have been so included in reliance upon for report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in auditing and accounting.
We have filed with the SEC an offering statement under the Securities Act on Form 1-A regarding this offering. This offering circular, which is part of the offering statement, does not contain all the information set forth in the offering statement and the exhibits related thereto filed with the SEC, reference to which is hereby made. Upon the qualification of the offering statement, we will be subject to the informational reporting requirements of the
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Exchange Act that are applicable to Tier 2 companies whose securities are registered pursuant to Regulation A, and accordingly, we will file annual reports, semi-annual reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy the offering statement, the related exhibits and the reports and other information we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. You can also request copies of those documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information regarding the operation of the public reference rooms. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, information statements and other information regarding issuers that file with the SEC.
You may also request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing, emailing or telephoning us at:
Commodore Hospitality, Inc.
c/o by Commodore Collection, LLC,
6116 N Central Expressway, Suite 705
Dallas, TX 75206
telephone number (781) 361-9881.
Within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year we will provide to our stockholders of record an annual report. The annual report will contain audited financial statements and certain other financial and narrative information that we are required to provide to our stockholders.
We also maintain a website at www.thecommodorecollection.com, where there may be additional information about our business, but the contents of that site are not incorporated by reference in or otherwise a part of this offering circular.
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Part F/S
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Table of Contents
F-1 | |
F-2 | |
F-3 | |
F-4 | |
F-5 | |
F-6 |
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Commodore Hospitality, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Commodore Hospitality, Inc. (the “Company”), which comprise the balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and the related statements of operations, stockholder’s deficit, and cash flows. and the related notes to the financial statements (collectively referred to as “financial statements”) for the period from December 23, 2020 (“Inception”) to December 31, 2020.
Management's Responsibility for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditors’ Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on our judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, we consider internal control relevant to the Company's preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Commodore Hospitality, Inc. as of December 31, 2020 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from Inception to December 31, 2020, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company has incurred losses and has no working capital, which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ dbbmckennon
San Diego, California
March 15, 2021
F-1
BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 2020
ASSETS |
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Long Term Assets - |
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Deferred offering costs | $12,500 |
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TOTAL ASSETS | $12,500 |
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S DEFICIT |
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Current Liabilities - |
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Accounts payable | $20,004 |
Total current liabilities | 20,004 |
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STOCKHOLDER'S DEFICIT |
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Preferred stock - $0.0001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, 0 issued and outstanding shares at December 31, 2020 |
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Common Stock - $0.0001 par value, 70,000,000 shares authorized, 0 issued and outstanding shares at December 31, 2020 |
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Accumulated deficit | ($7,504) |
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Total stockholder's deficit | ($7,504) |
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TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S DEFICIT | $12,500 |
See notes to the accompanying financial statements
F-2
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 23, 2020 (INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 2020
REVENUES |
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Interest income and other | $- |
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EXPENSES |
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Legal fees | 5,004 |
Marketing expense | 2,500 |
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Total expenses | $7,504 |
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Net loss | ($7,504) |
See notes to the accompanying financial statements
F-3
STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDER’S DEFICIT
PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 23, 2020 (INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 2020
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| Preferred Stock |
| Common Stock |
| Deficit |
| Deficit |
| Accumulated |
| Total Stockholder's |
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| Shares |
| Amount |
| Shares |
| Amount |
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Beginning December 23, 2020 (inception) |
| - |
| $- |
| - |
| $- |
| $- |
| $- |
Net loss |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| (7,504) |
| (7,504) |
Balance at December 31, 2020 |
| - |
| $- |
| - |
| $- |
| $(7,504) |
| $(7,504) |
See notes to the accompanying financial statements
F-4
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 23, 2020 (INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 2020
OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
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Net loss | ($7,504) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from operations to net cash used |
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in operating activities: |
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Changes in assets and liabilities: |
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Accounts payable | $7,504 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $0 |
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FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
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Net cash used in financing activities | $0 |
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NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | $0 |
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CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period | $0 |
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CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period | $0 |
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Supplemental disclosures for cash flow information |
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Cash paid for interest | $0 |
Cash paid for income taxes | $0 |
Non cash investing and financing activities |
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Deferred offering costs in accounts payable | $12,500 |
See notes to the accompanying financial statements
F-5
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 23, 2020 (INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 2020
1.ORGANIZATION
Commodore Hospitality, Inc (the "Company") is a Delaware corporation originally formed by Commodore Collection, LLC (the "Manager") on December 23, 2020. The financial statements of Commodore Hospitality, Inc, (which may be referred to as the "Company", "we," "us," or "our") are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company’s headquarters are in Dallas, TX.
The purpose of the Company shall be to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL. The Company was formed to acquire and invest in hotels in the United States. Substantially all of our assets will be held by, and substantially all of our operations will be conducted through, our operating partnership, Commodore Hospitality Operations, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), either directly or through its subsidiaries, and we will be the sole limited partner of our Operating Partnership. Additionally, we will contribute the net proceeds from this offering (including the proceeds from the private placements, as described below) to our Operating Partnership in exchange for units of limited partnership in our Operating Partnership (“OP Units”). We intend to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning with our taxable year ending December 31, 2021.
Management Plans and Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. To date, the Company has incurred net losses and has no working capital. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued.
During the next 12 months, we intend to fund the Company’s operations through member contributions or advances and security offerings. There are no assurances that we will be able to raise capital on terms acceptable to the Company. If the Company is unable to obtain enough additional capital, it may be required to reduce the scope of planned operations, which could harm the business financial condition and operating results. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from these uncertainties.
2.SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the reported amount of expenses during the reporting
F-6
periods. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates. It is reasonably possible that changes in estimates will occur in the near term
Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. Applicable accounting guidance provides an established hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability and are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the factors that market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 - Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 - Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.
The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
Fair-value estimates discussed herein are based upon certain market assumptions and pertinent information available to management as of December 31, 2020. The respective carrying value of certain on-balance-sheet financial instruments approximated their fair values.
Cash and Cash Equivalents - For purpose of the statement of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Deferred offering costs – Costs associated with the offering of shares are capitalized as other assets. Upon successful issuance, these costs will reduce additional paid-in capital, or if unsuccessful, recognized as general and administrative expense.
Income Taxes - As of December 31, 2020, the Company is taxed as a C corporation. Under these provisions, the Company pays federal corporate income taxes on its taxable income. The Company will pay state franchise taxes. The Company intends to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes starting December 31, 2021. To date, the company has yet to file a tax return. In addition, there are no open tax examinations.
F-7
Risks and Uncertainties - The Company’s operations are subject to compliance with new laws and regulations. Significant changes to regulations governing the way the Company derives revenues could impact the company negatively. Technological and advancements and updates as well as maintaining compliance standards are required to maintain the Company’s operations.
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic, which continues to spread throughout the United States. While the disruption to businesses is currently expected to be temporary, there is uncertainty around the duration. Therefore, while this issue may negatively impact the Company's investment portfolio, results of operations, and financial position, the related financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.
Concentration of Credit Risk - The Company will maintain its cash with a major financial institution located in the United States of America which it believes to be credit worthy. Balances are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. At times, the Company may maintain balances in excess of the federally insured limits.
Loss per Share - Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the Company’s net loss applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share is calculated by dividing the Company’s net loss available to common shareholders by the diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year. The diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding is the basic weighted number of shares adjusted for any potentially dilutive debt or equity. As of December 31, 2020, the Company does not have any securities or any other potentially dilutive securities outstanding.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements - The Financial Accounting Standards Board issues Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) to amend the authoritative literature in Accounting Standards Codification. Management believes that those issued to date are either already included in the Company’s accounting or (i) provide supplemental guidance, (ii) are technical corrections, (iii) are not applicable to us or (iv) are not expected to have a significant impact our financial statements.
3.DUE TO RELATED PARTIES
To date, the Manager paid for the formation and offering costs of the Company. The costs will be reimbursed to the Manager. See Note 5 for additional information.
F-8
4.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
We are currently not involved with or know of any pending or threatening litigation against the Company or any of its officers.
5.STOCKHOLDER’S DEFICIT
See Note 6 for discussion related to a subsequent amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation and issuance of Series A preferred stock.
6.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company has evaluated subsequent events through March 5, 2021, the date the financial statements were available to be issued.
Anticipated A+ Offering
The Company plans to offer up to $50,000,000 in a securities offering exempt from registration under Regulation A+. The securities offering is anticipated to be listed with an online portal. The Company has engaged a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and a member of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) FINRA, as underwriter and placement agent. The broker-dealer is selling our shares in the anticipated offering on a best-efforts basis and are not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of shares. For its services, the broker-dealer shall be entitled to (i) 1.0% of the purchase price of the shares sold through the online portal’s platform and (ii) receive a fee of $33,000 for reasonable accountable out of pocket expenses incurred by the broker-dealer. Prior to the anticipated A+ offering, the Manager is expected to enter into an agreement with Wefunder to list the offering. It is expected that Wefunder will be due $80,000 to host the capital raise.
Related Party Transactions
To date, the Manager has paid on behalf of the Company $47,004 related to the anticipated A+ offering. It is expected that the Manager will pay at least $100,000 on behalf of the Company leading up to the offering going live which will be reimbursed to the Manager.
Amendment to Articles of Incorporation and Issuance of Series A Preferred Stock
On March 2, 2021, the Company amended their articles of incorporation for which 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock were designated as Series A preferred stock. The Series A preferred stock converts into common at a one-to-one basis, includes one vote for each share held and are equal in rights to the common stock. However, the Series A preferred stock can elect the Board of Directors.
On March 2, 2021, the Company issued 250 shares of Series A preferred stock to the two founders of the Company.
F-9
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Regulation A, the issuer certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 1-A and has duly caused this offering statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on May 7, 2021.
COMMODORE HOSPITALITY, INC.
By: | /s/ Christopher Biesanz |
|
Name: | Christopher Biesanz |
|
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
|
This offering statement has been signed by the following person in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
(Signature) | /s/ Christopher Biesanz |
|
(Title) | Chief Executive Officer |
|
(Date) | May 7, 2021 |
|
(Signature) | /s/ Eric Bergin |
|
(Title) | Chairman, Co-Founder |
|
| (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
|
(Date) | May 7, 2021 |
|
116
PART III- EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number |
| Description |
1.1* |
| |
2.1* |
| |
2.2* |
| |
2.3* |
| Limited Partnership Agreement of Commodore Hospitality Operations, LP |
4.1** |
| |
11.1* |
| Consent of Carman Lehnhof Israelsen, LLP (included in Exhibit 12.1) |
11.2** |
| |
12.1** |
| Opinion of Carman Lehnhof Israelsen, LLP as to the legality of the securities be qualified |
13.1** |
| |
13.2** |
| |
13.3** |
| |
13.4** |
|
*Filed previously
**Filed herewith
117
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
of
COMMODORE HOSPITALITY OPERATIONS, LP
THIS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made as of March 13, 2021, by and among Commodore Collection, LLC a Texas limited liability company, as the sole General Partner (the “General Partner”) and those parties listed from time to time on Schedule A to this Agreement that have been or shall be admitted as Limited Partners in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (the “Limited Partners”) (collectively with the General Partner, the “Parties”).
WHEREAS, on March 10, 2021, a Certificate of Limited Partnership (the “Certificate”), pursuant to the Act (as hereinafter defined), for the formation of Commodore Hospitality Operations, LP (the “Partnership”) was filed the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to enter into this Agreement and to set forth all the provisions governing the Partnership.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, of the mutual promises of the parties hereto, and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
FORMATION OF PARTNERSHIP
Section 1.01Formation. The Partnership was formed as a limited partnership under the laws of the State of Delaware by the filing of the Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware by the General Partner, as required by the Act.
Section 1.02Name. The name of the Partnership shall be Commodore Hospitality, LP or such other name as may hereafter be chosen from time to time by the General Partner.
Section 1.03Limited Partnership Certificate and Fictitious Name Registration. The parties hereto have filed in the appropriate places a Certificate to reflect certain of the terms of this Agreement pursuant to the requirements of the Act and shall file all instruments and documents which shall be necessary for the purpose of complying with any applicable fictitious name act or assumed name act. In no event shall the Partnership or the General Partner have any obligation to send to the Limited Partner a filed copy of the Certificate or Certificate of Amendment (as hereinafter defined) or cancellation thereof, or any other certificate or statement required or permitted to be filed under the Act, as amended.
Section 1.04Principal Place of Business. The principal place of business of the Partnership shall be at 6116 N Central Expressway, Suite 705, Dallas, Texas 75206, or at such other place or places as the General Partner may from time to time designate. The Partnership may maintain such other offices and places of business as the General Partner may from time to time deem advisable.
Section 1.05Term. The term of the Partnership shall commence upon the filing of the Partnership’s Certificate under the Act and shall continue into perpetuity, unless the Partnership is sooner dissolved in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
The following defined terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings specified below, in addition to any other defined terms used herein:
“Act” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (6 Del. C. § 17) and any successor statute, as amended from time to time.
“Adjusted Capital Account” means a Partner’s Capital Account, adjusted as follows: (a) any deficit balance in a Partner’s Capital Account shall be reduced by any amount that the Partner is obligated to restore to the Partnership or any amount the Partner is treated as obligated to restore to the Partnership under Regulation § 1.704-2(g) (26 C.F.R. § 1.704-2(g)) and Regulation § 1.704-2(i)(5) (26 C.F.R. § 1.704-2(i)(5)); and (b) a Partner’s Capital Account shall be adjusted for items specified in subsections (4), (5), and (6) of Regulation § 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) (26 C.F.R. § 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)) that, as of the end of the year, are reasonably expected to occur with respect to the Partner.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any individual, that individual’s spouse, children, or parents, or, with respect to any entity, any Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Partner. For the purpose of this definition, the term “control” shall mean, with respect to any entity, the beneficial ownership of fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the equity or voting interests in such entity.
“Agreement” means this Agreement, as amended from time to time.
“Assignment” means, with respect to a Partnership Interest or part thereof, any offer, sale assignment, transfer, hypothecation, pledge, gift, or any other disposition, whether voluntary or by operation of law.
“Bankruptcy” means, with respect to any Person, the occurrence of any of the following: (a) the filing of an application by such Person for, or consent to, the appointment of a trustee of such Person’s assets; (b) the filing by such Person of a voluntary petition in bankruptcy or the filing of a pleading in any court of record admitting in writing such Person’s inability to pay its debts as they come due; (c) the making by such Person of a general assignment for the benefit of such Person’s creditors; (d) the filing by such Person of an answer admitting the material allegations of, or such Person’s consenting to, or defaulting in answering a bankruptcy petition filed against, such Person in any bankruptcy proceeding; or (e) the expiration of sixty (60) days following the entry of an order, judgment or decree by any court of competent jurisdiction adjudicating such Person a bankrupt or appointing a trustee of such Person’s assets.
“Book Value” means the adjusted basis of the Partner’s property for federal income tax purposes, with the adjustments provided in 0 of this Agreement.
“Capital Account” means the account established and maintained for each Partner in accordance with 0 of this Agreement.
“Capital Contribution” means the total amount of capital agreed to be contributed, as the context requires, to the Partnership by each Partner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Any reference to the Capital Contribution of a Partner shall include the Capital Contribution made by any predecessor holder of the Partnership interest of such Partner allocable to such interest.
“Cash Flow” means gross cash proceeds of the Partnership from all sources other than Capital Contributions, Sales, or Financings, including reductions in Reserves that reduced Cash Flow for prior periods, reduced by the portion used (i) to pay Partnership expenses, including debt service, (ii) to acquire capital improvements, and (iii) to fund Reserves. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any Financing produces a ”cash-out” as a result of any Financing, any such amounts attributable to appreciation of the Property above the original value may be treated as “Cash Flow”.
“Closing” means the Initial Closing or any Subsequent Closing, as the case may be.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Covered Person” means the General Partner (including, without limitation, the General Partner in its role as Tax Matters Partner and, if applicable, in its capacity as a special limited partner or a former general partner), the Investment Manager, each of their Affiliates, any officers, directors, managers, employees, shareholders, partners, members, agents and consultants of any of the foregoing, the members of an advisory committee (including the Limited Partners represented by any member of an advisory committee) and any director, officer or manager of any entity in which the Partnership invests serving in such capacity at the request of the General Partner or the Investment Manager.
“Default Interest Rate” means [five percent (5%)] per annum or, if determined to be usurious by a court of law, the highest legally available interest rate.
“Depreciation” means the amount determined for each year or other period as an amount equal to the depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction allowable with respect to any Partnership property for such year or other period, except that, if the Book Value of any property differs from its adjusted tax basis for federal income tax purposes at the beginning of such year or other period, Depreciation shall be an amount that bears the same ratio to such beginning Book Value as the federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction for such year or other period bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided, however, that if the adjusted tax basis of a property at the beginning of a year is zero, Depreciation shall be determined for such property with reference to Book Value using any reasonable method selected by the Partners.
“Excess Nonrecourse Liabilities” has the meaning set forth in Regulation § 1.752-3(a)(3) (26 C.F.R. § 1.752-3(a)(3)).
“Financing” means the borrowing of money by the Partnership, secured by Partnership property or any part thereof, for the purpose of either paying all or part of the balance due, including accrued interest, on any outstanding loan secured by the Partnership property or any part thereof, or for making distributions to the Partners.
“General Partner” means Commodore Collection, LLC, or if that party is unable to serve as General Partner, any other entity or person admitted to the Partnership as a General Partner pursuant to this Agreement, and its respective successors.
“Initial Closing” means the first Closing at which a Limited Partner was admitted to the Partnership.
“Interest” or “Partnership Interest” means the ownership interest of a Partner in the Partnership at any particular time, including the right of such Partner to any and all benefits to which such Partner may be entitled as provided in this Agreement and in the Act, together with the obligations of such Partner to comply with all the terms and provisions of this Agreement and of said Act.
“Internal Revenue Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute. All references to specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code shall be deemed to include any provisions of the Internal Revenue Code which replace or supersede the sections in effect at the time of execution of this Agreement.
“Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, subject to the exclusions below (i) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property, (ii) the face amount of all letters of credit issued for the account of such Person, and (iii) all indebtedness of others that such Person has guaranteed, to the extent of such guarantee, or, subject to the limitation below, that are secured by a lien to which any property or assets of such Person are subject, whether or not the obligations secured thereby shall have been assumed by such Person or shall otherwise be such Person’s legal liability. If the obligations so secured have not been assumed by such Person and are not otherwise such Person’s legal liability, the Indebtedness attributable to such obligations shall be deemed to be in an amount equal to the lesser of the full amount of such obligations and the fair market value of the property or assets of such Person by which such obligations are secured. Indebtedness shall not include any indebtedness described in clause (iii) above if such indebtedness is not required to be treated as a contingent liability under generally accepted accounting principles.
“Investment Value” means for each Real Estate Investment (i) prior to the first valuation of such Real Estate Investment, the amounts invested or anticipated to be invested by the Partnership, or the allocable portion, as determined by the General Partner, of the amounts invested or anticipated to be invested by a Subsidiary, for such Real Estate Investment, and (ii) thereafter, the most recent valuation of such Real Estate Investment.
“Investment Manager” means such Person engaged by the Partnership in accordance with the Investment Management Agreement.
“Limited Partners” means the parties hereto designated on the signature page hereof as limited partners and any other Person admitted to the Partnership as a limited partner pursuant to this Agreement, and their respective successors as substitute limited partners of the Partnership.
“Liquidator” means the General Partner or, if there are none at the time in question, such other Person who may be appointed in accordance with applicable law and who shall be responsible for taking all action necessary or appropriate to wind up the affairs of, and distribute the assets of, the Partnership upon its dissolution.
“Majority in Interest” means the written approval of, or the affirmative vote by, Limited Partners with an aggregate Partnership Interest in excess of fifty percent (50%).
“Net Proceeds from Capital Transactions” means gross cash proceeds of the Partnership from all Sales and Financings, including reductions in Reserves that reduced Net Proceeds from Capital Transactions for prior periods, reduced by the portion used (i) to pay Partnership expenses incurred in connection with such Sale or Financing, including any liabilities then due, (ii) to acquire capital improvements, including any replacement property for the property that is sold or otherwise disposed of, and (iii) to fund Reserves.
“Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning set forth in Regulation § 1.704-2(b)(1) (26 C.F.R. § 1.704-2(b)(1)).
“Non-Discretionary Expense” means any expense that, in the General Partner’s good faith judgment, is necessary to (i) comply with any of the obligations of the Partnership or any Subsidiary as landlord under any lease, (ii) comply with any agreements, encumbrances or other instruments affecting any Real Estate Investment, (iii) comply with any other obligations of the Partnership or any Subsidiary under agreements to which the Partnership or any Subsidiary is a party (including, without limitation, any property management agreement), (iv) fulfill real estate or other tax obligations, (v) maintain appropriate insurance for any Real Estate Investment, the Partnership and all Subsidiaries or as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, (vi) pay utility bills for any Real Estate Investment,
(vii) pay wages and benefits to employees of any property manager, leasing agent or asset manager, (viii) complete planned capital improvements, development or leasing of, or otherwise maintain or protect, any existing Real Estate Investment or (ix) pay the Investment Management Fee or any other expenses reasonably required for the continued operation of the Partnership.
“Notice” means a writing containing the information required by this Agreement to be communicated to a Partner and sent as provided in 0; provided, however, that any written communication containing such information sent to such Partner actually received by such Partner shall constitute Notice of all purposes of this Agreement.
“Operating Expenses” means, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the Partnership’s pro rata share of all third-party costs and expenses of maintaining the operations of the Partnership and appraising and valuing, acquiring, maintaining, financing, hedging and disposing of Properties), including, without limitation, taxes, fees and other governmental charges levied against the Partnership; insurance; administrative and research fees; expenses of custodians, outside advisors, counsel (including Partnership counsel), accountants, auditors, administrators and other consultants and professionals; expenses associated with forming and operating other entities and/or vehicles related to a Property; technological expenses; interest on and fees, costs and expenses arising out of all financings entered into by the Partnership (including, without limitation, those of lenders, investment banks, and other financing sources); travel expenses; brokerage commissions; custodial expenses; litigation expenses (including the amount of any judgments or settlements paid in connection therewith); winding up and liquidation expenses; expenses incurred in connection with any tax audit, investigation, settlement or review; expenses of any advisory committee members and the costs of any services provided by the General Partner or its Affiliates; expenses associated with meetings of any advisory committee and the preparation and distribution of reports, financial statements, tax returns and K-1s; indemnification and other unreimbursed expenses; and any extraordinary expenses to the extent not reimbursed or paid by insurance, but specifically excluding the Investment Management Fee and Organizational Expenses.
“Organizational Expenses” means the Partnership’s pro rata share of all out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the organization and formation of the General Partner, the Partnership and any related investment vehicle, and other related entities organized by the General Partner or its Affiliates and the offering of the interests therein, including, without limitation, legal and accounting fees and expenses; printing costs; filing fees; and the transportation, meal, and lodging expenses of the personnel of the General Partner and the Investment Manager, but specifically excluding all Placement Fees.
“Partner” means any General Partner or any Limited Partner.
“Partner Nonrecourse Debt” has the same meaning as “partner nonrecourse debt” as set forth in Regulation § 1.704-2(b)(4) (26 C.F.R. § 1.704-2(b)(4)).
“Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain” has the same meaning as “partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain” as set forth in Regulation § 1.704-2(i)(3) (26 C.F.R. § 1.704-2(i)(3)).
“Partner Nonrecourse Deductions” has the same meaning as “partner nonrecourse deductions” as set forth in Regulation § 1.704-2(i)(2) (26 C.F.R. § 1.704-2(i)(2)).
“Partnership Minimum Gain” has the same meaning as “partnership minimum gain” as set forth in Regulation § 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d) (26 C.F.R. § 1.704-2(b)(2), (d)).
“Person” means any individual, trust, corporation, partnership, proprietorship, or any other entity.
“Profits” and “Losses” mean, for each year or other period, an amount equal to the Partner’s taxable income or loss for such year or period, determined in accordance with Section 703(a) of the Code (26 U.S.C. § 703(a)) (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss, or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Section 703(a)(1) of the Code shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments:
(a)Any income of the Partnership that is exempt from federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits and Losses shall be added to such taxable income or loss.
(b)Any expenditures of the Partnership described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code (26 U.S.C. § 705(a)(2)(B)), or treated as § 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures pursuant to Regulation § 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i) (26 C.F.R. § 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i)) and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits and Losses, shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss.
(c)If the Book Value of any Partnership property is adjusted pursuant to 0 of this Agreement, the amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of such property for purposes of computing Profits or Losses.
(d)Gain or loss resulting from any disposition of Partnership property with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Book Value of the asset disposed of, notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such asset differs from its Book Value.
(e)In lieu of the depreciation, amortization, and other cost recovery deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such year or other period as determined in accordance with this Agreement.
(f)Items of income, gain, loss, or deduction allocated pursuant to 0 shall be excluded from Profits and Losses.
“Regulations” means the income tax regulations promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time.
“Reserves” means amounts set aside to pay future costs or expenses or capital expenditures that are anticipated to exceed cash available to pay such costs or expenses or capital expenditures, as determined by the Partners.
“Sale” means any disposition of all or any part of Partnership property not in the ordinary course of business, including, without limitation, a sale, exchange, condemnation, casualty, or grant of a long-term leasehold.
“Subscription Agreement” means the agreement executed and delivered by a Limited Partner pursuant to which it makes a Capital Contribution to the Partnership and agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.
“Subsequent Closing” means a Closing that occurs after the Initial Closing, at which any additional investor is admitted to the Partnership.
“Subsidiary” means any entity which is wholly owned by the Partnership.
“Transfer” means and includes a Sale or an Assignment, or an act of affecting a Sale or Assignment, as the context may require.
“Transferee” means the recipient of a Transfer of a Partnership Interest.
“Unreturned Capital Contributions” means a Partner’s Capital Contributions reduced (but not below zero) by all distributions to such Partner pursuant to 0 of this Agreement. If any Interest is transferred in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the transferee shall succeed to the Unreturned Capital Contributions of the transferor to the extent it relates to the transferred Interest.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSES AND BUSINESS OF THE PARTNERSHIP
Section 3.01Purpose of the Partnership. The Partnership is organized for the purpose of (a) acquiring, purchasing, operating, leasing, financing, encumbering and otherwise dealing in or with hotels located in the United States (each, a “Property” and collectively, the “Properties”) and other real property, personal property, equipment, supplies and other items in relation to the purposes stated herein, (b) doing any and all things permitted by law incident to the foregoing, including but not limited to, borrowing of funds, pledging of Partnership assets, and dealing with tangible and intangible property of all kinds, (c) in general, carrying on any other business in connection with the foregoing, or otherwise, and having and exercising all the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware on limited partnerships, and (d) transacting any or all lawful businesses for which a limited partnership may be organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.
Section 3.02Qualification in Other Jurisdictions. The General Partner may cause the Partnership and any Subsidiary to be qualified or registered under applicable laws in such states as the General Partner determines appropriate to avoid any material adverse effect on the business of the Partnership and shall be authorized to execute, deliver and file any certificates and documents necessary to effect such qualification or registration, including without limitation the appointment of agents for service of process in such jurisdictions.
Section 3.03Powers. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Partnership shall have the power to do any and all acts necessary or convenient in furtherance of the purpose of the Partnership and shall have and may exercise all of the powers and rights that can be conferred upon limited partnerships formed pursuant to the Act.
Section 3.04Authority of the Partnership. In order to carry out its purposes, and not in limitation thereof, the Partnership is empowered and authorized to do any and all acts and things necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental to, or convenient for the furtherance and accomplishment of its purposes, including, but not limited to, the following:
(a)Purchase, own, construct, operate, maintain, improve, sell, convey, assign, mortgage, refinance, rent, or lease any real estate and any personal property, including the Properties;
(b)Engage in any kind of activity, and perform and carry out contracts of any kind necessary to, or in connection with, or incidental to, the accomplishment of the purposes of the Partnership;
(c)Borrow money and issue evidence of indebtedness in furtherance of the Partnership business and secure any such indebtedness by mortgage, granting security interest in the Properties or in the Partnership Interests or other lien, any or all of which debt instruments may contain confessions of judgment against the Partnership if the General Partner consents thereto;
(d)Maintain and operate the Partnership’s assets;
(e)Negotiate for and conclude agreements for the sale, exchange, or other disposition of all or any part of the Properties;
(f)Hire and compensate employees, agents, independent contractors, attorneys, and accountants;
(g)Execute, deliver, and perform all agreements in connection with the sale of Interests, including but not limited to the Subscription Agreements and any side letters with one or more Limited Partners;
(h)Form one or more subsidiary corporations or partnership or other entities;
(i)To hold assets of the Partnership in the name of one or more trustees, nominees, other agents or, directly or indirectly, through one or more entities (each, a “Subsidiary”) owned in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by the Partnership and with respect to which the Partnership has rights to cause such entity to comply with the requirements of this Agreement applicable to Subsidiaries, and to cause any such Subsidiary to have such tax status as the General Partner may deem appropriate. Sponsor Affiliates may have management rights and financial interests in Subsidiaries so long as such arrangements preserve in all material respects the overall economic relationship and rights of the Partners;
(j)To maintain such insurance as the General Partner may deem appropriate to protect the assets and interests of the Partnership, Subsidiaries and the Indemnified Parties and to satisfy any contractual undertakings of the Partnership or any Subsidiary;
(k)To enter into construction management, property management, leasing, financing, development, sales, servicing and special servicing or other service provider arrangements with respect to any asset of the Partnership or any Subsidiary, including, without limitation, agreements that provide for incentive compensation;
(l)To cause the Partnership or any Subsidiary to enter into joint ventures and other arrangements with third parties with respect to the acquisition, ownership, development, improvement, permitting, financing, disposition, and other activities with respect to any real property in which the Partnership has a direct or indirect interest;
(m)Maintain cash reserves for anticipated investment expenses, liabilities, and obligations of the Partnership, whether actual or contingent, in such amounts as the General Partner in its reasonable discretion deems necessary or advisable; and
(n)Engage in any other type of conduct which is, within the reasonable discretion of the General Partner, beneficial to the operation of the Partnership and in accord with the purpose of the Partnership as set forth in 0 of this Agreement.
Section 3.05Investment Restrictions The following restrictions shall be applicable to the Partnership and Subsidiaries unless waived by the General Partner.
(a)The Partnership shall not make any investment that is not a qualified real estate investment.
(b)Except as provided below in this Section 3.06, the Partnership shall not commit to make or make an initial investment in a Real Estate Investment if, as a result of such investment, the total equity capital invested by the Partnership in any single Real Estate Investment, together with the equity capital anticipated at the time the Partnership commits to make the investment to be invested in the future, as determined by the General Partner in its discretion, would exceed the greater of (i) twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) or (ii) forty percent (40%) of all Capital Commitments. The Partnership may commit to invest in and make an initial investment in a Real Estate Investment without regard to the limits described
above if the General Partner reasonably expects that the Partnership or a Subsidiary will close a financing, sale or other recapitalization within twelve months following the acquisition of the Real Estate Investment that will result in the reduction of the Partnership’s equity capital invested in the Real Estate Investment to an amount that complies with the restriction stated above in this Section 3.06. If the General Partner relies on the exception in the preceding sentence, it will use commercially reasonable efforts to a close on a financing, sale or other recapitalization within twelve months following the acquisition of the applicable Real Estate Investment that will result in the reduction of the Partnership’s equity capital invested in the Real Estate Investment to an amount that complies with the restriction stated above in this Section 3.06.
(c)The Partnership shall not invest in real property located outside the United States.
(d)The Partnership shall not invest in unentitled land.
(e)The Partnership shall not invest more than 25% of capital in real property located outside the South Central United States
(f)The Partnership shall not invest in equity interests in entities unless the value of such investments is principally attributable to real property owned directly or indirectly by such entities.
(g)The Partnership shall not incur, and shall not permit Subsidiaries to incur, Indebtedness unless, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the expenditures to be made with such Indebtedness, the total Indebtedness of the Partnership does not exceed eighty percent (80%) of the Investment Value of the Partnership’s Investments.
(i)Exceptions to Leverage Restrictions. Notwithstanding the restrictions set forth in Section 3.06(e) the Partnership may borrow for the following purposes:
(A)borrowings to pay Non-Discretionary Expenses that the Partnership cannot pay by calling for additional Capital Contributions,
(B)borrowings the General Partner deems necessary or convenient to allow the Partnership or a Subsidiary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement applicable to it,
(C)borrowings under any credit facility of the Partnership or Subsidiaries, or
(D)indebtedness assumed by the Partnership in connection with the acquisition of a Real Estate Investment, or to which a Real Estate Investment is subject at the time it is acquired by the Partnership, if the General Partner expects that, as a result of repays or acquisitions, the Partnership will within twelve months following the acquisition of the Real Estate Investment be in compliance with the restriction in Section 3.06.
Section 3.06Operating and Organizational Expenses.
(a)Except as otherwise provided, and subject to any limits in this Agreement, the Partnership will pay all Operating Expenses, and will reimburse the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, as applicable, for its payment of Operating Expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing and except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, neither the General Partner nor the Investment Manager shall be reimbursed for any costs and expenses relating to the general operation of their businesses.
(b)Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Partnership will pay all third party charges and out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the formation of the Partnership,
the offering of interests, admission of investors, including without limitation, travel, legal, accounting, marketing, filing, and other expenses incurred in connection with the offering and sale of interests, including without limitation, amounts payable to a Placement Agent by or on behalf of the Partnership in connection with the offering and sale of Interests and any related expenses (the “Placement Fees”) and Organizational Expenses, and will reimburse the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, as applicable, for its payment of Placement Fees and Organizational Expenses on the Partnership’s behalf.
ARTICLE IV
PARTNERS CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Section 4.01Capital Contributions of the General Partner/Limited Partner. The Capital Contributions of the General Partner and Limited Partners are set forth opposite their names in the books and records of the Partnership. A Person shall be admitted as a Limited Partner only after such Person’s Subscription Agreement is accepted by the General Partner and when the General Partner holds a Closing with respect to such Person.
Section 4.02Return of Capital Contribution. Except as specifically provided in this Agreement, no Partner shall be entitled to demand or receive the return of that Partner’s Capital Contribution. Upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership, the Partners shall look solely to the Partnership assets for the return of their Capital Contributions and no Partner shall be liable for such return, even if such assets are insufficient to return the full amount of such Capital Contributions.
Section 4.03Additional Capital Contributions. The General Partner may, in the General Partner’s reasonable determination, require additional cash contributions of capital. If the General Partner so determines that additional cash contributions of capital are required, the General Partner shall notify each Partner, which notice shall include a statement in reasonable detail of the proposed uses of the additional cash contributions of capital, and each Partner shall contribute his, her, or its/that Partner’s pro rata share, which shall be determined in accordance with each Partner’s Partnership Interest, within thirty (30) days after the General Partner shall have given notice to each Partner of the additional cash capital contributions required.
Section 4.04 Default in Making Capital Contributions; Remedies of Partnership in Event of Default. If a Limited Partner does not contribute by the time required, all or any portion of the capital contribution, additional capital contribution, or both, which that Limited Partner is required to make, the General Partner may exercise, on notice to that Limited Partner (the “Delinquent Limited Partner”), one or more of the following remedies:
(a)Taking such action (including, without limitation, court proceedings) as the General Partner may deem appropriate to obtain payment by the Delinquent Limited Partner of the portion of the Delinquent Limited Partner’s capital contribution that is in default, together with interest thereon at the Default Interest Rate from the date that the capital contribution was due until the date that it is made, all at the cost and expense of the Delinquent Limited Partner;
(b)Permitting the other Limited Partners (the “Lending Limited Partner,” whether one or more), in proportion to their Partnership Interest or in such other percentages as they may agree, to advance the portion of the Delinquent Limited Partner’s capital contribution that is in default, with the following results:
(i)The sum advanced constitutes a loan from the Lending Limited Partner to the Delinquent Limited Partner and a capital contribution of that sum to the Partnership by the Delinquent Limited Partner pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Agreement;
(ii)The principal balance of the loan and all accrued unpaid interest thereon is due and payable in whole on the tenth (10th) day after written demand therefor by the Lending Limited Partner to the Delinquent Limited Partner; the amount lent bears interest at the Default Interest Rate from the day that the advance is deemed made until the date that the loan, together with all interest accrued on it, is repaid by the Lending Limited Partner;
(iii)All distributions from the Partnership that otherwise would be made to the Delinquent Limited Partner (whether before or after dissolution of the Partnership) instead shall be made to the Lending Limited Partner until the loan and all interest accrued on it have been paid in full to the Lending Limited Partner (which payments shall be applied first to accrued and unpaid interest and then to principal);
(iv)The payment of the loan and interest accrued on it is secured by a security interest in the Delinquent Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest;
(v)The Lending Limited Partner has the right, in addition to the other rights and remedies granted to it pursuant to this Agreement, or available to it at law or in equity, to take any action (including, without limitation, court proceedings) that the Lending Limited Partner may deem appropriate to obtain payment from the Delinquent Limited Partner of the loan and all accrued and unpaid interest on it, at the cost and expense of the Delinquent Limited Partner;
(vi)The Lending Limited Partner has the right, in addition to the other rights and remedies granted to it pursuant to this Agreement, or available to it at law or in equity, to exercise the rights of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware; and
(vii)The Lending Limited Partner has the right, in addition to the other rights and remedies granted to it pursuant to this Agreement, to exercise any other rights and remedies available at law or in equity.
(c)If the Delinquent Limited Partner is a member or officer of the General Partner, such Delinquent Limited Partner shall not participate in or interfere with the decision to exercise one or more of the remedies set forth above.
Section 4.05 Loans to Partnership by Partners. Any Partner may lend amounts to the Partnership on terms and conditions agreed to by such lending Partner and the General Partner. Absent an agreement to the contrary, the loans shall be repaid prior to distributions being made to the Partners. Any Partner who shall loan funds to the Partnership shall be treated as a non-partner with regard to such loan.
Section 4.06 Cross-Indemnification. In the event that any Partner, or any partner, shareholder, or other constituent of a Partner (a “Constituent”), is required to guaranty personally any obligation of the Partnership, such as a loan to the Partnership, or to indemnify any such obligee of the Partnership, such as an environmental indemnification, and in the event that any such Partner or Constituent then is required to pay personally any such obligation or indemnification, all the other Partners shall indemnify such Partner or Constituent in the proportion that each of such other Partners’ percentage interest in the Partnership bears to the percentage interests of all the Partners of the Partnership. The provisions of this Section 4.06 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any agreement, vote of Partners, the Act, or otherwise.
Section 4.07Admission of Limited Partners After Initial Closing. The Limited Partners agree that the General Partner shall have the right to admit additional Limited Partners to the Partnership in one or more Subsequent Closings held within thirty-six (36) months of the Initial Closing in accordance with the terms hereof. The Limited Partners hereby consent to such admission of any additional Limited Partners and agree to take all
actions reasonably requested by the General Partner to give effect to the foregoing. Each additional Limited Partner admitted in a Subsequent Closing shall contribute to the Partnership an amount equal to the sum of (i) a fraction, the numerator of which equals the additional Limited Partner’s Capital Contribution and the denominator of which equals the Capital Contributions of all Partners as of such Subsequent Closing (including the Capital Commitments of all additional Limited Partners) to fund the cost of investments to the extent such investments have been realized prior to the date of such Subsequent Closing. For all purposes of this Agreement, Capital Contributions made pursuant to this 0 and refunded to a Partner that participated in a previous Closing will be deemed to have been made by the contributing Partner (and not the refunded Partner) as of the date on which the refunded Partner actually made such Capital Contribution. Amounts in respect of Capital Contributions, but not amounts representing interest, distributed to a refunded Partner pursuant to this 0 shall increase such refunded Partner’s refunded Capital Commitment and no amount distributed to a refunded Partner pursuant to this 0 shall be considered a distribution.
Section 5.01Capital Accounts. A separate Capital Account shall be maintained and adjusted for each Partner, in accordance with the Regulations issued under Section 704(b) of the Code (26 U.S.C. § 704(b)). The following adjustments shall be made consistent with the foregoing:
(a)To each Partner’s Capital Account there shall be added the Partner’s Capital Contributions, the amount of any Partnership liabilities assumed by such Partner or secured by any Partnership property distributed to such Partner, and the Partner’s distributive share of Profits and any items of income or gain which are allocated separately from Profits under 0.
(b)From each Partner’s Capital Account there shall be subtracted the amount of money and the fair market value of any Partnership property distributed to the Partner, the amount of any liabilities of the Partner assumed by the Partnership or to which any property contributed to the Partnership by such Partner is subject, and the Partner’s distributive share of Losses and any items of deduction or loss which are allocated separately from Losses under 0.
(c) If any Partnership Interest is transferred in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the transferee shall succeed to the Capital Account of the transferor to the extent it relates to the transferred Partnership Interest.
(d)For purposes of determining the Partner’s Capital Accounts, the following provisions concerning Partnership property shall apply:
(i)The Book Value of any property contributed by a Partner to the Partnership initially shall be the gross fair market value of the property;
(ii)The Book Value of all Partnership property shall be adjusted to equal the respective gross fair market values of the property as of the following times: (A) the acquisition of an additional Partnership Interest by any new or existing Partner in exchange for services or more than a de minimis Capital Contribution; (B) the distribution by the Partnership to a Partner of more than a de minimis amount of Partnership property as consideration for a Partnership Interest; or (C) the liquidation of the Partnership within the meaning of Regulation § 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g) (26 C.F.R. § 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g));
(iii)The Book Value of Partnership property shall be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such property; and
(iv)The Book Value of Partnership property distributed to a Partner shall be adjusted to equal the fair market value of such property immediately before such distribution.
Section 5.02Distributions of Cash Flow. For each quarter, Cash Flow, as reasonable determined by the General Partner shall be distributed to the Partners as follows: 40% to the Limited Partners and 60% to the General Partner.
Section 5.03Distributions of Net Proceeds from Capital Transactions and in Liquidation. Net Proceeds from Capital Transactions and distributions in liquidation of the Partnership shall be distributed to the Partners as set forth in this 0 within a reasonable period of time following the end of the fiscal year in which such amounts are received or more frequently in the sole discretion of the General Partner, in each case, in the priority as set forth below. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, distributions shall be made only to the extent of available assets and in compliance with the Act and other applicable law.
(a)First, 100% among the Limited Partners in proportion to their relative Unreturned Capital Contributions until all Unreturned Capital Contributions are reduced to zero;
(b)Then, any balance, (i) 20% to such Limited Partner and (ii) 80% to the General Partner.
Section 5.04General Allocation of Profits and Losses.
(a)Profits from Operations. After taking into account any special allocations pursuant to 0 and subject to any limitations contained therein, Profits from any source other than a Sale for any year or portion thereof shall be allocated among the Partners as follows:
(i)First, Profits shall be allocated among the Partners in the same proportion and reverse order as Losses are allocated pursuant to 0 until the cumulative Profits allocated to the Partners pursuant to this 0 for the current year and all prior years equal cumulative Losses allocated to the Partners pursuant to 0 for all prior years;
(ii)Thereafter, Profits shall be allocated to the Partners in proportion to their Partnership Interests set forth in 0.
(b)Losses from Operations. After taking into account any special allocations pursuant to 0 and subject to any limitations contained therein, Losses from any source other than a Sale for any year or portion thereof shall be allocated among the Partners as follows:
(i)First, Losses shall be allocated among the Partners in the same proportion and reverse order as Profits were allocated pursuant to 0 until the cumulative Losses allocated to the Partners pursuant to this 0 for the current year and all prior years equal cumulative Profits allocated to the Partners pursuant to 0 for all prior years;
(ii)Then, Losses shall be allocated among the Partners with positive Unreturned Capital Account balances in proportion to each such Partner’s relative positive Capital Account balance, until all positive Capital Account balances are eliminated;
(iii)Thereafter, Losses shall be allocated to the Partners in proportion to their Partnership Interests set forth in 0.
(c)Profits from Sales. After taking into account any special allocations pursuant to 0 and subject to any limitations contained therein, and after adjusting Capital Accounts for all allocations of
Profits and Losses pursuant to 0 and 0 and distributions pursuant to 0 for the year, but prior to adjusting Capital Accounts for distributions pursuant to 0 for the year, Profits from a Sale shall be allocated among the Partners as follows:
(i)First, among the Partners with negative Capital Account balances in proportion to each such Partner’s relative negative Capital Account balance, until all negative Capital Account balances are eliminated;
(ii)Then, among the Partners with Unreturned Capital Contributions in excess of their Capital Account balances in proportion to each such Partner’s share of such excess, until each Partner’s Capital Account balance is equal to such Partner’s Unreturned Capital Contributions;
(iii)Thereafter, to the Partners in proportion to their Partnership Interests set forth in 0.
(d)Losses from Sales. After taking into account any special allocations pursuant to 0 and subject to any limitations contained therein, and after adjusting Capital Accounts for all allocations of Profits and Losses pursuant to 0 and 0, and distributions pursuant to 0 for the year, but prior to adjusting Capital Accounts for distributions pursuant to 0 for the year, Losses from a Sale shall be allocated among the Partners as follows:
(i)First, among the Partners with Capital Account balances in excess of their Unreturned Capital Contributions until each Partner’s Capital Account balance is equal to such Partner’s Unreturned Capital Contributions;
(ii)Then, among the Partners with positive Capital Account balances in proportion to each such Partners relative positive Capital Account balance, until all positive Capital Account balances are eliminated;
(iii)Thereafter, to the Partners in proportion to their Partnership Interests set forth in 0.
Section 5.05Special Allocations.
(a)Limitation on Allocation of Items of Loss or Deduction. No Partnership items of loss or deduction may be allocated to any Partner to the extent such allocation would result in an Adjusted Capital Account deficit balance for such Partner. If, at the end of a year, any Partner has an Adjusted Capital Account deficit balance, such Partner shall be allocated items of income and gain to the extent necessary to eliminate such deficit balance.
(b)Nonrecourse Deductions and Partnership Minimum Gain Chargeback. Nonrecourse Deductions shall be allocated equally between each Partner. If there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain for any year, each Partner shall be allocated the next available items of income and gain for such year (and for subsequent years if necessary) equal to such Partner’s share of the net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain as determined in accordance with Regulation § 1.704-2(g) (26 C.F.R. § 1.704-2(g)) and the “minimum gain chargeback” requirement of Regulation § 1.704-2(f) (26 C.F.R. § 1.704-2(f)).
(c)Partner Nonrecourse Deductions and Chargeback. Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any year shall be allocated to the Partner who bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the Partner Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable as determined under Regulation § 1.704-2(i) (26 C.F.R. § 1.704-2(i)). If there is a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain in any year, each Partner shall be allocated items of income and gain for such year (and for
subsequent years, if necessary) equal to such Partner’s share of the net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain in accordance with Regulation § 1.704- 2(i)(4) (26 C.F.R. § 1.704-2(i)(4)).
(d)Qualified Income Offset. Any Partner who unexpectedly receives, with respect to the Partnership, an adjustment, allocation, or distribution of any item described in subsections (4), (5), or (6) of Regulation § 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) (26 C.F.R. § 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4)-(6)) shall be allocated items of income and gain in an amount sufficient to eliminate such Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account deficit balance arising thereby as quickly as possible, in accordance with the “qualified income offset” rule of Regulation § 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(3) (26 C.F.R. § 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(3)).
(e)Curative Allocations. The special allocations set forth in this 0 are intended to comply with the requirements of the Regulations under Section 704(b) of the Code (26 U.S.C. § 704(b)). It is the intent of the Partners that all such special allocations shall be offset with other special allocations. Accordingly, to the extent consistent with the Regulations, to the extent that any such special allocations are made to a Partner, subsequent offsetting special allocations shall be made to such Partner such that the net amount of all items of income, gain, loss, and deduction allocated to each Partner is the same that would have been allocated to each Partner if no special allocations had been made to any Partner, taking into account future special allocations that, although not yet made, are likely to offset previous special allocations.
(a)General Allocation. Except as otherwise provided in this 0, items of income, gain, loss, and deduction as determined for federal income tax purposes shall be allocated in the same manner as the related items of Profits, Losses, or specially allocated items. Tax credits shall be allocated in accordance with Regulation § 1.704-1(b)(4)(ii) (26 C.F.R. § 1.704-1(b)(4)(ii)).
(b)Contributed Property. In accordance with Section 704(c) of the Code (26 U.S.C. § 704(c)) and the Regulations thereunder, income, gain, loss, and deduction as determined for federal income tax purposes with respect to any property contributed to the capital of the Partnership shall be allocated among the Partners so as to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such property to the Partnership for federal income tax purposes and its Book Value.
(c)Revaluations. If the Book Value of any Partnership property is adjusted pursuant to 0 of this Agreement, income, gain, loss, and deduction as determined for federal income tax purposes with respect to such property shall be allocated among the Partners so as to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such property for federal income tax purposes and its Book Value in the same manner as under Section 704(c) of the Code (26 U.S.C. § 704(c)) and the Regulations thereunder.
(d)No Effect on Capital Accounts. Allocations pursuant to this 0 are for purposes of federal income taxes and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any Partner’s Capital Account or share of Profits, Losses, or other items or distributions pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.
(e)Allocation Method. The method for making allocations pursuant to 0 and 0 shall be such method permitted by Regulation § 1.704-3 (26 C.F.R. § 1.704-3) as shall be agreed upon by the Partners.
Section 5.07Allocation of Excess Nonrecourse Liabilities. Excess Nonrecourse Liabilities shall be allocated equally between both Partnership groups.
Section 5.08 Authority of General Partner to Vary Allocations to Preserve and Protect Partners’ Intent.
(a)It is the intent of the Partners that each Partner’s distributive share of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit (or item thereof) shall be determined and allocated in accordance with this 0 to the fullest extent permitted by Section 705(b) of the Code (26 U.S.C. § 705(b)). In order to preserve and protect the determinations and allocations provided for in this 0, the General Partner hereby is authorized and directed to allocate income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit (or item thereof) arising in any year differently than otherwise provided for in this 0 to the extent that allocating income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit (or item thereof) in the manner provided for in 0 would cause the determinations and allocations of each Partner’s distributive share of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit (or item thereof) not to be permitted by Section 705(b) of the Code and Regulations promulgated thereunder. Any allocation made pursuant to this 0 shall be deemed to be a complete substitute for any allocation otherwise provided for in this 0 and no amendment of this Agreement or approval of any Partner shall be required.
(b)In making any allocation (the “new allocation”) under 0, the General Partner is authorized to act only after having been advised by the independent certified public accounting firm engaged by the Partnership that, under Section 705(b) of the Code (26 U.S.C. § 705(b)) and the Regulations thereunder (i) the new allocation is necessary and (ii) the new allocation is the minimum necessary under 0 in order to assure that, either in the then current year or in any preceding year, each credit (or item thereof) is determined and allocated in accordance with this 0 to the fullest extent permitted by Section 704(b) of the Code (26 U.S.C. § 704(b)) and the Regulations thereunder.
(c)If the General Partner is required by 0 to make any new allocation in a manner less favorable to the Limited Partners than is otherwise provided for in this 0, then the General Partner is authorized and directed, only after having been advised by the independent certified public accounting firm engaged by the Partnership that it is permitted by Section 704(b) of the Code (26 U.S.C. § 704(b)), to allocate income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit (or item thereof) arising in later years in such manner so as to bring the allocations of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit (or item thereof) to the Limited Partners as nearly as possible to the allocations thereof otherwise contemplated by this 0.
(d)New allocations made by the General Partner under 0 and 0 in reliance upon the advice of the accountants shall be deemed to be made pursuant to the fiduciary obligation of the General Partner to the Partnership and the Limited Partners, and no such allocation shall give rise to any claim or cause of action by any Limited Partner.
Section 5.09Designation of Partnership Representative. The General Partner shall be designated as the Partnership Representative as provided in Section 6223(a) of the Code (26 U.S.C.A. § 6223(a)). Each Partner, by the execution of this Agreement consents to such designation of the Partnership Representative and agrees to execute, certify, acknowledge, deliver, swear to, file, and record at the appropriate public offices such documents as may be necessary or appropriate to evidence such consent.
Section 5.10Expenses of Partnership Representative. The Partnership shall indemnify and reimburse the Partnership Representative for all expenses, including legal and accounting fees, claims, liabilities, losses, and damages incurred in connection with any administrative or judicial proceeding with respect to the tax liability of the Partners. The payment of all such expenses shall be made before any distributions are made from Cash Flow or any discretionary reserves are set aside by the General Partner. The General Partner shall have the obligation to provide funds for such purpose. The taking of any action and the incurring of any expense by the Partnership Representative in connection with any such proceeding, except to the extent required by law, is a matter in the sole discretion of the Partnership Representative and the provisions on limitations of liability of General Partner and indemnification set forth in 0 of this Agreement shall be fully applicable to the Partnership Representative in its capacity as such.
Section 5.11Determination of Time and Amount of Distributions. The time and amount of all distributions made pursuant to this 0 shall be determined by the General Partner in its sole discretion, provided that such distribution shall be made not less frequently than quarterly. In making such determination, the General Partner may, in its sole discretion, establish reserves for working capital, maintenance, repairs, capital expenditures or other items, and the satisfaction of liabilities (including, without limitation, contingent liabilities) as they come due or may come due.
ARTICLE VI
MANAGEMENT POWERS, DUTIES, AND RESTRICTIONS
Section 6.01Management Authority of the General Partner.
(a)Except for the powers specifically excluded in 0, the General Partner shall have full, complete, and exclusive discretion to take, without the consent of the Limited Partners, any and all action of whatsoever type that the Partnership is authorized to take and to make all decisions with respect thereto, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement. The General Partner may, on behalf of the Partnership and as part of its business, and without the consent of the Limited Partners, sell, encumber, or otherwise transfer any or all of the Partnership property, including its goodwill, submit a Partnership claim or liability to arbitration and execute documents authorizing a third party to confess a judgment against the Partnership, and all of the Limited Partners hereby consent to the taking of any such action by the General Partner.
(b)Without limiting the generality of 0, all Limited Partners agree that the General Partner shall, exercising reasonable discretion, have the following rights and powers, except to the extent such rights and powers may be limited by other provisions of this Agreement:
(i)the making of any expenditures incurred in connection with the business of the Partnership;
(ii)the development, sale, lease or other disposition of all or a portion of the assets of the Partnership in connection with the business of the Partnership;
(iii)the purchase or other acquisition of other assets of all kinds;
(iv)the operation of the Partnership’s business;
(v)the negotiation, execution, and performance of any contracts, conveyances, or other instruments;
(vi)the management of all or any part of the Partnership’s assets and business;
(vii)the distribution of Partnership cash other than as required pursuant to any other provisions of this Agreement;
(viii)the selection and dismissal of employees and outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;
(ix)the maintenance of insurance for the benefit of the Partnership and the Partners;
(x)the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership, including the conduct of litigation and the incurring of legal expense and the settlement of claims and litigations;
(xi)the indemnification of any person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;
(xii)the entering into of side letters or other agreements with one or more Limited Partners that have the effect of establishing rights under, or altering or supplementing, the terms of this Agreement; provided, that no such side letter or other agreement shall adversely affect the rights of any other Limited Partner hereunder;
(xiii)the making or revoking of the elections referred to in Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code or any similar provision enacted in lieu thereof, or any corresponding provision of state tax laws (and each Partner will, upon request of the General Partner, supply the information necessary to properly give effect to such elections);
(xiv)the filing of such amendments to the Certificate as may be required or as the General Partner may deem necessary from time to time;
(xv)borrowing money, guaranteeing indebtedness and other liabilities, and issuing evidence of indebtedness on behalf of the Partnership, including without limitation, negotiating, and executing all notes, mortgages, and other documents and certificates in connection with such financing including without limitation loan documents containing confessions of judgment;
(xvi)the prepayment, refinancing or extension of any mortgage affecting the Partnership’s assets;
(xvii)the compromise or release of any of the Partnership’s claims or debts;
(xviii)participate in hiring and overseeing the work of all Persons necessary to provide services to the Partnership for the management and operation of the Partnership business, including the property manager(s) of the Properties; and
(xix)the filing on behalf of the Partnership of all required local, state, and federal tax returns and other documents relating to the Partnership.
(c)Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the General Partner shall have no obligation to the Partnership or the Partners to make any capital contributions or advances to the Partnership, or otherwise make available any funds to the Partnership, even if the failure to do so would result in a default in any of the Partnership’s obligations, a foreclosure on the Partnership’s assets or the Properties or other adverse consequence to the Partnership. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Partner may, in its sole discretion, make loans and advances to the Partnership on such reasonable terms (including interest rate) as the General Partner deems appropriate.
Section 6.02Excluded Powers of the General Partner and Removal. The General Partner may not, without the consent of a majority of the Partners:
(a)Add, remove, or modify the obligations of the Limited Partners; or
Section 6.03Appointment of Employees and Agents. The General Partner may appoint, employ, contract, or otherwise deal with any Persons for the transaction of the business of the Partnership, which Persons may, under supervision of the General Partner, perform any acts or services for the Partnership as the General Partner may approve.
Section 6.04Liability for Acts or Omissions; Indemnification.
(a)To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no Covered Person shall be liable, in damages or otherwise, to the Partnership, the Limited Partners, or any of their Affiliates for any act or omission in connection with or in any way relating to the Partnership’s business or affairs (including the business or affairs of any alternative investment vehicle or Feeder Vehicle) and matters related to Properties (including, without limitation, any act or omission performed or omitted by such Covered Person in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or in good faith reliance upon the opinion or advice of experts selected with reasonable care by the General Partner), except in the case of any act or omission with respect to which a court of competent jurisdiction (or other similar tribunal) has issued a final and non-appealable decision, judgment or order that such act or omission resulted from such Covered Person’s bad faith, gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud or a material breach of this Agreement or the Investment Management Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that such provisions expressly restrict or eliminate the duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities of a Covered Person otherwise existing at law or in equity are agreed by the Partners to replace such other duties and liabilities of such Covered Person.
(b)The Partnership hereby indemnifies and agrees to save each Covered Person harmless against losses, damages, expenses (including, without limitation, court costs and attorneys’ fees), judgments, and amounts paid in settlement incurred by it in connection with any threatened or contemplated claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which a Covered Person is a party or is threatened to be made a party of by reason of its capacity as a Covered Person or the fact that it was engaged in activities on behalf of the Partnership, except in the case of any act or omission with respect to which a court of competent jurisdiction (or other similar tribunal) has issued a final and non-appealable decision, judgment or order that such act or omission resulted from such Covered Person’s bad faith, gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud or a material breach of this Agreement. For purposes of this subsection, the determination of any claim, action, suit, or proceeding by judgment or order of settlement will not of itself create a presumption that the General Partner did not act in good faith. The General Partner shall have the right, but shall not be required, to cause the Partnership to obtain and pay the premiums on liability insurance, at the partnership’s expense, including, without limitation, General Partner’s liability, securities law liability, and other insurance in such amounts and with such carriers as the General Partner in its discretion deems appropriate.
Section 6.05General Partner or Affiliates Dealing with Partnership. The General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner may contract or otherwise deal with the Partnership for the provisions of goods or services if the compensation paid or promised for such goods or services is reasonable and is paid only for goods or services actually furnished to the Partnership.
Section 6.06Reimbursement of Expenses. Expenses incurred with respect to the organization of the Partnership and expenses allocable to the operation and management of the Partnership shall be borne by the Partnership. The General Partner shall be entitled to reimbursement by the Partnership for its direct and indirect expenses allocable to the organization of the Partnership and the operation and management of the Partnership, including but not limited to, reasonably allocable overhead, supplies, telephone, travel and copying charges, legal and accounting expenses, and any other services performed by third parties for the Partnership or the General Partner engaged in Partnership activities.
Section 6.07Other Activities. The General Partner and its Affiliates may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of every nature and description for their own account, independently or with others, whether or not such other enterprises shall be in competition with any activities of the Partnership. None of the Partnership, the investors and the General Partner shall have any right by virtue of this Agreement in and to such independent ventures or to the income or profits derived therefrom.
Section 6.08Removal of the General Partner. The Limited Partners may, at any time, by consent of a Majority in Interest of the Limited Partners, send notice to the General Partner that the General Partner will be removed as the general partner of the Partnership for cause.
Section 6.09Vacancy. If a General Partner ceases to exist or is unable to act, whether by death, dissolution, incapacity or otherwise, a Majority in Interest of the Limited Partners will promptly designate a successor general partner.
Section 6.10Meetings and Voting.
(a)Meetings of the Partners may be called by the General Partner for any purpose permitted by this Agreement or the Act at a time and place reasonably selected by the General Partner. Except as otherwise specified herein, the General Partner shall give all Limited Partners not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ notice of the purpose of such proposed meeting and any votes to be conducted at such meeting. Partners may participate in a meeting by telephone or similar communications by means of which all Persons participating in the meeting can hear and be heard. The General Partner shall call a meeting of the Partners for informational purposes at least once every fiscal year with at least 60 days’ notice to discuss the Partnership’s investment activities.
(b)The General Partner shall, where feasible, solicit required consents of the Limited Partners under this Agreement by written ballot with at least 15 days’ notice or, if a written ballot is not feasible, at a meeting held pursuant to 0.
ARTICLE VII
STATUS OF LIMITED PARTNERS
Section 7.01Management of the Partnership. No Limited Partner, in that Limited Partner’s status as such, shall take part in the management or control of the business of the Partnership or transact any business in the name of the Partnership. No Limited Partner, in that Limited Partner’s status as such, shall have the power to bind the Partnership or take any action on its behalf or sign any documents on behalf of the Partnership. The Limited Partners shall, however, have the powers and be entitled to exercise the rights given to the Limited Partners by the terms of this Agreement, which rights are deemed to be rights affecting the basic structure of the Partnership and not the control of its business. In any matter with respect to which the Limited Partners are entitled to cast a vote under this Agreement or under applicable law, each Limited Partner shall be entitled to a number of votes equal to such Partner’s percentage interest in cash distributions of the Partnership made pursuant to 0 of this Agreement.
Section 7.02Limitation on Liability of Limited Partners. The liability of each Limited Partner for the debts and obligations of the Partnership shall be limited in the manner specified in the Act.
Section 7.03Provision of Information. To the extent that any information requested by a Limited Partner is deemed by the General Partner to be confidential, but such information is nevertheless determined to be required to be disclosed to the Limited Partners by the Act or any successor to the Act as amended, in no event shall such information be required to be provided unless and until the requesting partner signs such confidentiality and non-disclosure documents, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, as the General Partner shall request.
Section 7.04Other Activities. Any of the Limited Partners may engage in other business ventures of every nature and description, independently or with others, even if such ventures are competitive with the Partnership’s business, and the engagement in such activities shall not be deemed to be wrongful or improper. Neither the Partnership nor any other Partners shall, by virtue of their interest in the Partnership, have any rights in or to such ventures, or the income or profits derived from them.
ARTICLE VIII
WITHDRAWAL OF PARTNERS
Section 8.01Transfers of Partnership Interests.
(a)No Assignment of Interests. A Limited Partner shall not Assign or permit the Assignment of all, or any portion of the Limited Partner’s Interest in the Partnership or rights in the Limited Partner’s Interest in the Partnership without the prior consent of the General Partner. Each Limited Partner hereby acknowledges the reasonableness of this prohibition in view of the purposes of the Partnership and the relationship of the Limited Partners. The Assignment of a Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest or rights in violation of this Section shall be deemed invalid, null and void, and of no force or effect. Any Person to whom a Limited Partner attempts to Assign the Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest in violation of this Section or to whom a Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest is involuntarily assigned shall not be entitled to vote on matters coming before the Limited Partners; attend meetings of the Limited Partners; inspect Partnership books and records; have access to any other information of the Partnership; demand an accounting with respect to the Partnership; receive distributions from the Partnership; or have any other rights in or with respect to the Limited Partnership.
(b)Partner’s Partnership Interest. As used herein, the terms “Assign” and “Assignment” mean, voluntarily or involuntarily, to transfer, sell, pledge, hypothecate, or otherwise dispose of a Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest or the indirect or direct change in the management and control of a Limited Partner. Death of a Limited Partner shall not constitute an Assignment. Any assignee of or successor to a Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest who does not become a Limited Partner and desires to make further Assignments of the interest shall be subject to all of the restrictions on the assignment of the interest contained herein.
Section 8.02Withdrawal of General Partner. The General Partner shall not be permitted to voluntarily withdraw from the Partnership or transfer its general partnership interest unless it shall have received the prior consent of all Limited Partners.
Section 8.03Withdrawal of a Limited Partner. No Limited Partner may withdraw as a Partner, nor may a Limited Partner be required to withdraw as a Partner, prior to dissolution, liquidation, winding-up, and termination of the Partnership and its business. The substitution, death, insanity, dissolution (whether voluntary or involuntary), merger, bankruptcy or other change in the ownership or nature of a Limited Partner shall not effect a dissolution of the Partnership or otherwise affect the Partnership’s existence.
Section 8.04Release of Guarantor. In the event that any Partner is a guarantor or surety of any loan of the Partnership (“Guarantor Partner”) and such Partner is requested or required to sell that Partner’s shares in the General Partner and Partnership Interest(s) to the other Partners, then it shall be a requirement and pre-condition of such sale that the Guarantor Partner be fully released in writing from any guaranty or surety obligation that the Guarantor Partner may have issued to a lender of the Partnership.
Section 8.05Required Withdrawals. If the General Partner determines, in good faith after consultation with counsel, that the continued participation of a Limited Partner in the Partnership would be reasonably likely to result in a violation of any law or regulation applicable to the Partnership (including, without limitation, the anti-money laundering or anti-terrorism laws or regulations, including Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001 (the “AML Laws”)) or subject the Partnership to any unintended law or regulatory scheme (including, without limitation, ERISA) (a “Legal Violation”), then the General Partner shall notify such Limited Partner of such Legal Violation and such Limited Partner shall be required to withdraw from the Partnership immediately following such notification (the “Withdrawal Date”); provided, that, if the General Partner in its sole discretion determines that the Legal Violation (other than a Legal Violation involving the AML Laws) is capable of being reasonably mitigated, prevented or cured, then the General Partner and such Limited Partner may take actions as the General Partner deems necessary and appropriate to mitigate, prevent or cure such Legal Violation, including (i) prohibiting such Limited Partner from making Capital Contributions with respect to any future Properties, (ii) converting such Limited Partner’s Interest into a non-voting Interest, (iii) allowing, in the General Partner’s sole discretion, some or all of the Partnership investors or other Persons to purchase all or a portion of the Interest of such Limited Partner for an amount, in cash, equal to the fair value of such Interest, and/or (iv) making appropriate applications to the relevant governmental authority in respect of such Legal Violation. A withdrawing Limited Partner under this 0 shall be entitled to receive a distribution equal to any amounts it would have been entitled to if the Partnership, in accordance with the provisions hereof, dissolved, liquidated, and distributed all the proceeds thereof as of the date of withdrawal of such Limited Partner.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION OF THE PARTNERSHIP
Section 9.01Dissolution. The Partnership shall dissolve upon, but not before, the first to occur of the following:
(a)Upon the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Partnership’s assets and the receipt of the final payments to be paid by the purchaser or transferee thereof (or a determination by the Liquidator that it is unlikely that any additional payments will be made);
(b)Any other event causing dissolution of the Partnership under the Act.
(c)All liquidating distributions shall be made in cash. However, in connection with the sale by the Partnership and reduction to cash of its assets, although the Partnership has no obligation to offer to sell any properties to the Partners, any Partner, at the option of the Liquidator, may bid on and purchase any assets; it being agreed, however, that if the Liquidator shall determine that an immediate sale of part or all of the Partnership assets would cause undue loss to the Partners, the Liquidator may defer liquidation of and withhold from distribution for a reasonable time any assets of the Partnership (except those necessary to satisfy the Partnership’s current obligations).
(d)In connection with the termination of the Partnership, the Partnership’s accountants shall prepare and furnish to each Partner a statement setting forth the assets and liabilities of the Partnership as of the date of complete liquidation. After distribution of all of the assets of the Partnership, the Limited Partners shall cease to be such, and the General Partner shall cause to be executed, acknowledged, and filed all documents necessary to cancel the Partnership’s Certificate and fictitious name certificates, if any, and to terminate the Partnership.
(e)On liquidation, the General Partner shall comply with Regulation § 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b) (26 C.F.R. § 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b)).
(f)No Partner shall be liable for the return of the Capital Contribution of any other Partner; provided, that this provision shall not relieve any Partner of any other duty or liability it may have under this Agreement.
ARTICLE X
BOOKS, RECORDS, AND TAX ELECTIONS
Section 10.01Books and Records. The General Partner shall cause to be kept full and accurate books of the Partnership. All books and records of the Partnership shall be kept at the Partnership’s principal office and shall be available at reasonable times for inspection and copying by the Limited Partners or their duly authorized representatives. The books of the Partnership shall be kept on the accrual basis and the annual accounting period of the Partnership shall be the calendar year. Capital Accounts for each General and Limited Partners shall be maintained as part of the books of the Partnership and the amount or profits or losses of the Partnership, as well as capital contributions to the Partnership and distributions from the Partnership, shall be credited or charged, as the case may be, to the capital account of each General and Limited Partner. An annual statement showing the income and expenses of the Partnership (and the portion allocable to each Partner), a balance sheet of the Partnership at the end of the fiscal year, and a statement of Partners’ equity, together with all other information needed by the Partners for income tax purposes, shall be prepared by the Partnership’s accountants without audit and furnished to each Limited Partner within seventy (70) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Partnership. The General Partner may, at its option, cause an amendment to the Partnership’s Certificate to be filed to reflect any reductions in the Partners’ capital accounts, but shall have no obligation to do so and shall have no liability to any party for any failure to do so.
Section 10.02Capital Accounts. No Partner shall have any obligation to eliminate a deficit balance in that Partner’s Capital Account at any time, or bring that Partner’s Capital Account into any particular parity with any other Partner’s Capital Account at any time, although this sentence shall not limit a Partner’s obligations pursuant to other sections of this Agreement. The General Partner shall have no obligation to make up any deficit balance in any Partner’s Capital Account.
Section 10.03Tax Elections. The General Partner may cause the Partnership to make such tax elections (including, without limitation, the election under Section 754 of the Code (26 U.S.C. § 754)) as the General Partner deems appropriate in its sole discretion.
Section 10.04Tax Matters Partner. The General Partner shall be designated as the “tax matters partner” (as defined in Section 6231 of the Code) (the “Tax Matters Partner”) and, for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2021, the “partnership representative” (the “Partnership Representative”) as provided in Section 6223(a) of the Code. Any expenses incurred by the Tax Matters Partner or Partnership Representative in carrying out its responsibilities and duties under this Agreement shall be an Operating Expense of the Partnership for which the Tax Matters Partner or Partnership Representative shall be reimbursed.
ARTICLE XI
APPOINTMENT OF GENERAL PARTNER AS ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
Section 11.01Power of Attorney. Each Limited Partner hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the General Partner as that Limited Partner’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with the General Partner having full power and authority in its name, place and stead to execute, acknowledge, deliver, swear to, file, and record at the appropriate public offices, such certificates, instruments and documents as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this Agreement or effectuate any action taken by or on behalf of the Partnership, including, but not limited to:
(a)All certificates and other instruments (including, without limitation, counterparts of this Agreement and the Partnership’s Certificate and fictitious name certificates), and any amendment thereof, which the General Partner deems appropriate to qualify or continue the Partnership as a limited partnership in the jurisdictions in which the Partnership may conduct business or to comply with any applicable law or regulations;
(b)All instruments which the General Partner deems appropriate to reflect a change or modification of the Partnership in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;
(c)Any documents, instruments, certificates, or agreements reasonably required by a lender;
(d)All certificates or other instruments necessary or desirable to accomplish the business, purposes and objectives of the Partnership or required by any applicable law; and
(e)All conveyances and other instruments which the General Partner deems appropriate to reflect the dissolution and termination of the Partnership.
Section 11.02Survival of Power of Attorney. The appointment by all Limited Partners of the General Partner as attorney-in-fact shall be deemed to be powers coupled with an interest, in recognition of the fact that each of the Partners under this Agreement will be relying upon the power of the General Partner to act as contemplated by this Agreement in any filing and other action by them on behalf of the Partnership and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, survive the Bankruptcy, death, or incompetence of any Partner hereby giving such power and the transfer or assignment of all or any part of the interest of such Partner; provided, however, that in the event of the transfer by a Limited Partner of all or any part of the Limited Partner’s interest, the foregoing power-of-attorney of the transferor Limited Partner shall survive such transfer only until such time, if any, as the transferee shall have been admitted to the Partnership as a substituted Limited Partner and all required documents and instruments shall have been duly executed, filed, and recorded to effect such substitution.
ARTICLE XII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 12.01Amendments. No amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless such amendment is proposed in writing by the General Partner and the written consent of a Majority in Interest of the Limited Partners is obtained with respect thereto pursuant to the Act, except that amendments may be adopted by the General Partner, without consent of a Majority in Interest of the Limited Partners, to (a) effect changes of an administrative or ministerial nature or to cure ambiguities or inconsistencies in the Agreement, (b) admit or withdraw one or more Partners in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, (c) make changes to this Agreement negotiated with Limited Partners admitted to the Partnership after the Initial Closing so long as such changes do not materially adversely affect the rights and obligations of any existing Limited Partner, or (d) change the name of the Partnership. The General Partner shall furnish each Limited Partner with a copy of each amendment to this Agreement promptly after its adoption.
Section 12.02Waiver. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of any party hereto to exercise any right, remedy, power, or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power, or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right, remedy, power, or privilege, nor shall any waiver of any right, remedy, power, or privilege with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power, or privilege with respect to any other occurrence. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by the party asserted to have granted such waiver.
Section 12.03Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereto hereby acknowledges and agrees that any controversy which may arise under this Agreement is likely to involve complicated and difficult issues and, therefore, each such party irrevocably and unconditionally waives any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any legal action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby.
Section 12.04Controlling Law. This Agreement and all questions relating to its validity, interpretation, performance, and enforcement, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware, notwithstanding any conflict of law provisions to the contrary.
(a)Each Limited Partner shall maintain the confidentiality of (i) Non-Public Information (as defined below), (ii) any information subject to a confidentiality agreement binding upon the General Partner or the Partnership of which such Limited Partner has provided written notice and (iii) the identity of other Limited Partners and their Affiliates so long as such information has not become otherwise publicly available unless, after reasonable notice to the Partnership by the Limited Partner, otherwise compelled by court order or other legal process or in response to other governmentally imposed reporting or disclosure obligations including, without limitation, any act regarding the freedom of information to which it may be subject; provided, that, for any bona fide business purpose reasonably related to its Interest in the Partnership, each Limited Partner may disclose Non-Public Information to its Affiliates, officers, employees, agents, professional consultants, and regulators upon notification to such Affiliates, officers, employees, agents, consultants, or regulators that such disclosure is made in confidence and shall be kept in confidence; provided, further, that each Limited Partner shall be liable for any subsequent disclosure of any such Non-Public Information disclosed by it to any such Person.
(b)As used in this 0, “Non-Public Information” means information regarding the Partnership, the General Partner, the Investment Manager, their respective Affiliates, any investment in a Property or potential investment, any existing or potential investment in a Property, or any existing or potential counterparty of the Partnership or source of existing or potential investments in Properties received by such Limited Partner pursuant to this Agreement, but does not include information that was publicly known when received by such Limited Partner, subsequently becomes publicly known through no act or omission by such Limited Partner or is disclosed to such Limited Partner by a third party not known to such Limited Partner to be bound by any confidentiality obligation. The General Partner may not disclose the identities of the Limited Partners, except on a confidential basis to prospective and other Limited Partners in the Partnership, or to lenders, third-party partners, or other financial sources. In the event a Limited Partner receives a request for the disclosure of information under freedom of information acts or similar statutes that is Non-Public Information, the Limited Partner shall (i) promptly notify the Partnership and the General Partner of the existence, terms, and circumstances surrounding such request, (ii) consult with the Partnership and the General Partner regarding taking steps to resist or narrow such request, (iii) if disclosure of such information is required, furnish only such portion of such information as such Limited Partner is advised by counsel is legally required to be disclosed, and (iv) cooperate with the Partnership and the General Partner in their efforts to obtain an order or other reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded to such portion of the information that is required to be disclosed. Notwithstanding any provision of the Agreement to the contrary, the General Partner may withhold disclosure of any Non-Public Information (other than this Agreement or tax reports) to any Limited Partner if the General Partner reasonably determines that the disclosure of such Non-Public Information to such Limited Partner may result in the public disclosure of such Non-Public Information, and in such case the General Partner will use commercially reasonable efforts to make such information available to such Limited Partner through an alternate means; provided that such information will not thereby become subject to public disclosure.
Section 12.06Notices. All notices, requests, demands, and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given, made, and received only when delivered (personally, by courier service such as UPS, or by other messenger) or when deposited in the United States mails, registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed to the Partnership at its principal place of business and addressed to any other party at the addresses listed below. Any party may alter that party’s address by giving notice thereof to the General Partner, but such change shall not be effective unless and until such notice is actually received by the General Partner.
If to the General Partner:6116 N Central Expressway, Suite 705
Dallas, Texas 75206
Email: eric@thecommodorecollection.com
Attention: Eric Bergin
If to the Partnership:6116 N Central Expressway, Suite 705
Dallas, Texas 75206
Email: eric@thecommodorecollection.com
Attention: Eric Bergin
With a copy to: Carman Lehnhof Israelsen, LLP
Facsimile: 801-494-5515
Email: mtate@clilaw.com
Attention: J. Martin Tate
Section 12.07Exhibits. Any Exhibits attached hereto are hereby incorporated by reference into, and made a part of, this Agreement.
Section 12.08Binding Nature of Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors, and assigns, except that no party may assign or transfer its rights or obligations under this Agreement in any manner other than as provided in this Agreement.
Section 12.09Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts hereof, individually or taken together, shall bear the signatures of all the parties reflected hereon as the signatories. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile transmission of any party’s signature.
Section 12.10Provisions Separable. The provisions of this Agreement are independent of and separable from each other, and no provision shall be affected or rendered invalid or unenforceable by virtue of the fact that, for any reason, any other or others of them may be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part.
Section 12.11Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, inducements, or conditions, express or implied, oral or written, except as herein contained. The express terms hereof control and supersede any course of performance and/or usage of the trade inconsistent with any of the terms hereof.
Section 12.12Paragraph Headings. The paragraph headings in this Agreement are for convenience only; they form no part of this Agreement and shall not affect its interpretation.
Section 12.13Gender and Number. Words used herein, regardless of the number and gender specifically used, shall be deemed and construed to include any other number, singular or plural, and any other gender, masculine, feminine or neuter, as the context requires.
Section 12.14Number of Days. In computing the number of days for purposes of this Agreement, all days shall be counted, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays; provided, however, that if the final day of any time period falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, then the final day shall be deemed the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday.
Section 12.15Interpretation. No provision of this Agreement is to be interpreted for or against either party because that party or that party’s legal representative or counsel drafted such provision.
Section 12.16Reliance. Each party acknowledges that, in entering into this Agreement and making any capital contributions pursuant hereto, the party is relying solely upon its own investigation and the contents of this Agreement and any agreements executed concurrently herewith and not upon any statements made or materials produced by any other party or such other party’s representatives.
Section 12.17Further Assurances. In addition to the documents and instruments to be delivered as herein provided, each of the parties hereto shall, from time to time at the request of the General Partner, execute and deliver such instruments and shall take such other action as may be required to carry out more effectively the terms of this Agreement.
Section 12.18Corporate Authority. Any corporation, limited liability company, or other business entity signing this Agreement represents and warrants that the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement by such corporation, limited liability company, or other business entity has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate/business action and is valid and binding upon such corporation, limited liability company, or other business entity.
Section 12.19No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no provision of this Agreement is intended to benefit any party other than the Partnership and the lender, the signatories hereto and their permitted successors and assigns nor shall any such provision be enforceable by any other party.
Section 12.20Waiver of Partition. Each party does hereby waive any right to partition or the right to take any other action which might otherwise be available to such party outside of the provisions of this Agreement for the purpose of severing such party’s relationship with the Partnership or such party’s interest in the property held by the Partnership from the interests of the other parties until the end of the term of both this Partnership and any successor partnership formed pursuant to the terms hereof.
Section 12.21Nominal Title Holder. Any or all Partnership property may, at the option of the General Partner, be held in the name of one or more nominal title holders chosen by the General Partner for the Partnership.
Section 12.22Controversies with Internal Revenue Service. In the event of any controversy with the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority involving the Partnership or any Partner or Partners, the outcome of which may adversely affect the Partnership, directly or indirectly, or the amount of allocation of profits, gains, credits, or losses of the Partnership to one or more Partners, the Partnership may, at its option, incur expenses it deems necessary or advisable in the interest of the Partnership in connection with any such controversy, including, without limitation, attorneys’ and accountants’ fees.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.
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PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE
This page constitutes Subscriber’s signature page for the Limited Partnership Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Subscriber has executed this signature page on the date below.
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SCHEDULE A
List of Partners
COMMODORE HOSPITALITY, INC.
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
THIS INVESTMENT INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. THIS INVESTMENT IS SUITABLE ONLY FOR PERSONS WHO CAN BEAR THE ECONOMIC RISK FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME AND WHO CAN AFFORD TO LOSE THEIR ENTIRE INVESTMENT. FURTHERMORE, INVESTORS MUST UNDERSTAND THAT SUCH INVESTMENT IS ILLIQUID AND IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO BE ILLIQUID FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME. NO PUBLIC MARKET EXISTS FOR THE SECURITIES, AND NO PUBLIC MARKET IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP FOLLOWING THIS OFFERING.
THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS AND ARE BEING OFFERED AND SOLD IN RELIANCE ON EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT AND STATE SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS. ALTHOUGH AN OFFERING STATEMENT HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE “SEC”), THAT OFFERING STATEMENT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE SAME INFORMATION THAT WOULD BE INCLUDED IN A REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT. THE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY, NOR HAVE ANY OF THE FOREGOING AUTHORITIES PASSED UPON THE MERITS OF THIS OFFERING OR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER MATERIALS OR INFORMATION MADE AVAILABLE TO INVESTOR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, OVER THE WEB-BASED PLATFORM MAINTAINED BY WEFUNDER (THE “PLATFORM”). ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.
THE SECURITIES CANNOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT. IN ADDITION, THE SECURITIES CANNOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES OR “BLUE SKY” LAWS.
INVESTORS WHO ARE NOT “ACCREDITED INVESTORS” (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN SECTION 501 OF REGULATION D PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) ARE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS ON THE AMOUNT THEY MAY INVEST, AS SET OUT IN SECTION 4(G). THE COMPANY IS RELYING ON THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES SET FORTH BY EACH INVESTOR IN THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED BY INVESTOR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING TO DETERMINE THE APPLICABILITY TO THIS OFFERING OF EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
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PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS MAY NOT TREAT THE CONTENTS OF THE SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT, THE OFFERING CIRCULAR OR ANY OF THE OTHER MATERIALS AVAILIBLE ON THE PLATFORM OR PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY (COLLECTIVELY, THE “OFFERING MATERIALS”), OR ANY PRIOR OR SUBSEQUENT COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS (INCLUDING “TESTING THE WATERS” MATERIALS) AS INVESTMENT, LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. IN MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS MUST RELY ON THEIR OWN EXAMINATION OF THE COMPANY AND THE TERMS OF THIS OFFERING, INCLUDING THE MERITS AND THE RISKS INVOLVED.
EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT THE INVESTOR’S OWN COUNSEL, ACCOUNTANTS AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS AS TO INVESTMENT, LEGAL, TAX AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS CONCERNING THE INVESTOR’S PROPOSED INVESTMENT.
THE OFFERING MATERIALS MAY CONTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION RELATING TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE COMPANY, ITS BUSINESS PLAN AND STRATEGY, AND ITS INDUSTRY. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE BASED ON THE BELIEFS OF, ASSUMPTIONS MADE BY, AND INFORMATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO THE COMPANY’S MANAGEMENT. WHEN USED IN THE OFFERING MATERIALS, THE WORDS “ESTIMATE,” “PROJECT,” “BELIEVE,” “ANTICIPATE,” “INTEND,” “EXPECT” AND SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS ARE INTENDED TO IDENTIFY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH CONSTITUTE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS. THESE STATEMENTS REFLECT MANAGEMENT’S CURRENT VIEWS WITH RESPECT TO FUTURE EVENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT COULD CAUSE THE COMPANY’S ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE CONTAINED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. INVESTORS ARE CAUTIONED NOT TO PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE ON THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH SPEAK ONLY AS OF THE DATE ON WHICH THEY ARE MADE. THE COMPANY DOES NOT UNDERTAKE ANY OBLIGATION TO REVISE OR UPDATE THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS TO REFLECT EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER SUCH DATE OR TO REFLECT THE OCCURRENCE OF UNANTICIPATED EVENTS.
THE COMPANY MAY NOT BE OFFERING THE SECURITIES IN EVERY STATE. THE OFFERING MATERIALS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN ANY STATE OR JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE SECURITIES ARE NOT BEING OFFERED.
THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THE OFFERING MATERIALS WAS PREPARED BY THE COMPANY SOLELY FOR THE USE BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THE OFFERING MATERIALS IS OR SHOULD BE RELIED UPON AS A PROMISE OR REPRESENTATION AS TO THE FUTURE PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY.
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THE COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION AND FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER TO MODIFY, AMEND AND/OR WITHDRAW ALL OR A PORTION OF THE OFFERING AND/OR ACCEPT OR REJECT IN WHOLE OR IN PART ANY PROSPECTIVE INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES OR TO ALLOT TO ANY PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR LESS THAN THE AMOUNT OF SECURITIES SUCH INVESTOR DESIRES TO PURCHASE. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE INDICATED, THE OFFERING MATERIALS SPEAK AS OF THEIR DATE. NEITHER THE DELIVERY NOR THE PURCHASE OF THE SECURITIES SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THAT DATE.
To:
Commodore Hospitality, Inc.
6116 N Central Expressway, Suite 705,
Dallas, TX 75206
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1.Subscription.
(a)The Investor hereby irrevocably subscribes for and agrees to purchase shares (the “Shares”) of common stock (the “Common Stock”), par value $0.001 per share, of Commodore Hospitality, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). Such purchases shall be made at a purchase price of $10.00 per share of Common Stock (the “Per Security Price”), rounded down to the nearest whole share based on Investor’s subscription amount, upon the terms and conditions set forth herein. The purchase price of each Share is payable in the manner provided in Section 3(a) below. The Shares being subscribed for under this Subscription Agreement are sometimes referred to herein as the “Securities.” The rights and preferences of the Securities are as set forth in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, available in the Exhibits to the Offering Statement of the Company filed with the SEC (the “Offering Statement”).
(b)Investor understands that the Securities are being offered pursuant to the Offering Statement qualified on ______, 2021 as well as the exhibits to the offering circular (the “Offering Circular”) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). By subscribing to the Offering, Investor acknowledges that Investor has received and reviewed a copy of the Offering Circular and Offering Statement and any other information required by Investor to make an investment decision with respect to the Securities.
(c)This Subscription may be accepted or rejected in whole or in part, at any time prior to the Termination Date (as hereinafter defined), by the Company at its sole discretion. In addition, the Company, at its sole discretion, may allocate to Investor only a portion of the number of the Shares that Investor has subscribed to purchase hereunder. The Company will notify Investor whether this subscription is accepted (whether in whole or in part) or rejected. If Investor’s
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subscription is rejected, Investor’s payment (or portion thereof if partially rejected) will be returned to Investor without interest and all of Investor’s obligations hereunder shall terminate.
(d)The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be sold by the Company in this offering shall not exceed 7,500,000 shares (the “Maximum Shares”). The Company may accept subscriptions until ________, unless earlier terminated by the Company in its sole discretion (the “Termination Date”). The Company may elect at any time to close all or any portion of this offering on various dates at or prior to the Termination Date (each a “Closing”).
(e)In the event of rejection of this subscription in its entirety, or in the event the sale of the Shares (or any portion thereof) to Investor is not consummated for any reason, this Subscription Agreement shall have no force or effect, except for Section 6 hereof, which shall remain in force and effect.
(f)The terms of this Subscription Agreement shall be binding upon Investor and its transferees, heirs, successors and assigns (collectively, “Transferees”); provided that for any such transfer to be deemed effective, the Transferee shall have executed and delivered to the Company in advance an instrument in form acceptable to the Company in its sole discretion, pursuant to which the proposed Transferee shall be acknowledge, agree, and be bound by the representations and warranties of Investor, terms of this Subscription Agreement, and the Company consents to the transfer in its sole discretion.
3.Purchase Procedure.
(a)Payment. The purchase price for the Shares shall be paid simultaneously with Investor’s subscription. Investor shall deliver payment for the aggregate purchase price of the Securities by ACH electronic transfer or by wire transfer to an account designated by the Company, by credit or debit card, or by any combination of such methods.
4.Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to Investor that the following representations and warranties are true and complete in all material respects as of the date of each Closing:
(a)Organization and Standing. The Company is a corporation duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company has all requisite power and authority to own and operate its properties and assets, to execute and deliver this Subscription Agreement, the Securities and any other agreements or instruments required hereunder. The Company is duly qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in all jurisdictions in which the nature of its activities and of its properties (both owned and leased) makes such qualification necessary, except for those jurisdictions in which failure to do so would not have a material adverse effect on the Company or its business.
(b)Issuance of the Securities. The issuance, sale and delivery of the Securities in accordance with this Subscription Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company. The Securities, when issued, sold and delivered against payment
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therefor in accordance with the provisions of this Subscription Agreement, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
(c)Authority for Agreement. The acceptance by the Company of this Subscription Agreement and of Investor’s joinder as a party to each of the Investment Agreements, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, are within the Company’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company. Upon the Company’s acceptance of this Subscription Agreement, each of this Subscription Agreement and the Investment Agreements, shall constitute a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies and (iii) with respect to provisions relating to indemnification and contribution, as limited by considerations of public policy and by federal or state securities laws.
(d)No Filings. Assuming the accuracy of Investor’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 4 hereof, no order, license, consent, authorization or approval of, or exemption by, or action by or in respect of, or notice to, or filing or registration with, any governmental body, agency or official is required by or with respect to the Company in connection with the acceptance, delivery and performance by the Company of this Subscription Agreement except (i) for such filings as may be required under Regulation A or under any applicable state securities laws, (ii) for such other filings and approvals as have been made or obtained, or (iii) where the failure to obtain any such order, license, consent, authorization, approval or exemption or give any such notice or make any filing or registration would not have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to perform its obligations hereunder.
(e)Capitalization. The outstanding shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, options, warrants and other securities of the Company immediately prior to the initial Closing is as set forth in “Security Ownership” in the Offering Circular. Except as set forth in the Offering Circular, there are no outstanding options, warrants, rights (including conversion or preemptive rights and rights of first refusal), or agreements of any kind (oral or written) for the purchase or acquisition from the Company of any of its securities.
(f)Proceeds. The Company shall use the proceeds from the issuance and sale of the shares of Common Stock sold in the offering as set forth in “Use of Proceeds” in the Offering Circular.
(g)Litigation. Except as disclosed in the Offering Circular, there is no pending action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, mediation, complaint, claim, charge or investigation before any court, arbitrator, mediator or governmental body, or to the Company’s knowledge, currently threatened in writing (a) against the Company or (b) to the Company’s knowledge, against any consultant, officer, manager, director or key employee of the Company arising out of his or her consulting, employment or board relationship with the Company or that could otherwise materially impact the Company.
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5.Representations and Warranties of Investor. By subscribing to the Offering, Investor (and, if Investor is purchasing the Shares subscribed for hereby in a fiduciary capacity, the person or persons for whom Investor is so purchasing) represents and warrants, which representations and warranties are true and complete in all material respects as of the date of each Closing:
(a)Requisite Power and Authority. Investor has all necessary power and authority under all applicable provisions of law to subscribe to the Offering, to execute and deliver this Subscription Agreement, to join as a party to each of the Investment Agreements, and to carry out the provisions of such respective agreements. All action on Investor’s part required for the lawful subscription to the offering have been or will be effectively taken prior to the Closing. Upon subscribing to the Offering, this Subscription Agreement and each of the Investment Agreements will be valid and binding obligations of Investor, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights and (ii) as limited by general principles of equity that restrict the availability of equitable remedies.
(b)Company Information. Investor has had an opportunity to discuss the Company’s business, management and financial affairs with directors, officers and management of the Company and has had the opportunity to review the Company’s operations and facilities. Investor has also had the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from the Company and its management regarding the terms and conditions of this investment. Investor acknowledges that except as set forth herein, no representations or warranties have been made to Investor, or to Investor’s advisors or representative, by the Company or others with respect to the business or prospects of the Company or its financial condition.
(c)Investment Experience. Investor has sufficient experience in financial and business matters to be capable of utilizing such information to evaluate the merits and risks of Investor’s investment in the Securities, and to make an informed decision relating thereto; or Investor has utilized the services of a purchaser representative and together they have sufficient experience in financial and business matters that they are capable of utilizing such information to evaluate the merits and risks of Investor’s investment in the Securities, and to make an informed decision relating thereto.
(d)Investor Determination of Suitability. Investor has evaluated the risks of an investment in the Shares, including those described in the section of the Offering Circular captioned “Risk Factors”, and has determined that the investment is suitable for Investor. Investor has adequate financial resources for an investment of this character, and at this time Investor could bear a complete loss of Investor’s investment in the Company.
(e)No Registration. Investor understands that the Securities are not being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), on the ground that the issuance thereof is exempt under Regulation A of Section 3(b) of the Securities Act, and that reliance on such exemption is predicated in part on the truth and accuracy of Investor's representations and warranties, and those of the other purchasers of the shares of Securities in the offering. Investor further understands that the Securities are not being registered under the securities laws of any states on the basis that the issuance thereof is exempt as an offer and sale not involving a
6
registerable public offering in such state, since the Shares are "covered securities" under the National Securities Market Improvement Act of 1996. Investor covenants not to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any Securities unless such Securities have been registered under the Securities Act and under applicable state securities laws, or exemptions from such registration requirements are available.
(f)Illiquidity and Continued Economic Risk. Investor acknowledges and agrees that there is no ready public market for the Securities and that there is no guarantee that a market for their resale will ever exist. The Company has no obligation to list any of the Securities on any market or take any steps (including registration under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) with respect to facilitating trading or resale of the Securities. Investor must bear the economic risk of this investment indefinitely and Investor acknowledges that Investor is able to bear the economic risk of losing Investor’s entire investment in the Securities.
(g)Accredited Investor Status or Investment Limits. Investor represents that either:
(i)Investor is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act; or
(ii)The purchase price, together with any other amounts previously used to purchase Shares in this offering, does not exceed 10% of the greater of Investor’s annual income or net worth (or in the case where Investor is a non-natural person, their revenue or net assets for such Investor's most recently completed fiscal year end).
Investor represents that to the extent it has any questions with respect to its status as an accredited investor, or the application of the investment limits, it has sought professional advice.
(h)Stockholder Information. Within five days after receipt of a request from the Company, Investor hereby agrees to provide such information with respect to its status as a stockholder (or potential stockholder) and to execute and deliver such documents as may reasonably be necessary to comply with any and all laws and regulations to which the Company is or may become subject, including, without limitation, the need to determine the accredited status of the Company’s stockholders. Investor further agrees that in the event it transfers any Securities, it will require the transferee of such Securities to agree to provide such information to the Company as a condition of such transfer.
(i)Valuation. Investor acknowledges that the price of the shares of Securities to be sold in this offering was set by the Company on the basis of the Company’s internal valuation and no warranties are made as to value. Investor further acknowledges that future offerings of securities of the Company may be made at lower valuations, with the result that Investor’s investment will bear a lower valuation.
(j)Domicile. Investor maintains Investor’s domicile (and is not a transient or temporary resident) at the address provided with Investors subscription.
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(k)Foreign Investors. If Investor is not a United States person (as defined by Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), Investor hereby represents that it has satisfied itself as to the full observance of the laws of its jurisdiction in connection with any invitation to subscribe for the Shares or any use of this Subscription Agreement, including (i) the legal requirements within its jurisdiction for the purchase of the Shares, (ii) any foreign exchange restrictions applicable to such purchase, (iii) any governmental or other consents that may need to be obtained, and (iv) the income tax and other tax consequences, if any, that may be relevant to the purchase, holding, redemption, sale, or transfer of the Securities. Investor’s subscription and payment for and continued beneficial ownership of the Securities will not violate any applicable securities or other laws of Investor’s jurisdiction.
6.Indemnity. The representations, warranties and covenants made by Investor herein shall survive the closing of this Subscription Agreement. Investor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its respective officers, directors and affiliates, and each other person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all reasonable attorneys’ fees, including attorneys’ fees on appeal) and expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any false representation or warranty or breach of failure by Investor to comply with any covenant or agreement made by Investor herein or in any other document furnished by Investor to any of the foregoing in connection with this transaction.
7.Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Subscription Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.
EACH OF INVESTOR AND THE COMPANY CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION LOCATED WITHIN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND NO OTHER PLACE AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT MAY BE LITIGATED IN SUCH COURTS. EACH OF INVESTORS AND THE COMPANY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND HIMSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS AND HIS RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS AND WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ANY JUDGMENT RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT. INVESTOR AND THE COMPANY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OUT OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN THE MANNER AND IN THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 8 AND PROVIDED WITH INVESTORS SUBSCRIPTION. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, the Investor and Company acknowledge for the avoidance of doubt that this Section 8 shall not apply to claims arising under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and by agreeing to the provisions of this Section 8, the Purchaser will not be deemed to have waived compliance with US federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
8.Notices. Notice, requests, demands and other communications relating to this Subscription Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
8
have been duly given if and when (a) delivered personally, on the date of such delivery; or (b) mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, in the third day after the posting thereof; or (c) emailed on the date of such delivery to the address of the respective parties as follows:
If to the Company, to:
Commodore Hospitality, Inc.
6116 N Central Expressway, Suite 705
Dallas, TX 75206
If to Investor, at Investor’s address supplied in connection with this subscription, or to such other address as may be specified by written notice from time to time by the party entitled to receive such notice. Any notices, requests, demands or other communications by email shall be confirmed by letter given in accordance with (a) or (b) above.
9.Miscellaneous.
(a)All pronouns and any variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular or plural, as the identity of the person or persons or entity or entities may require.
(b)This Subscription Agreement is not transferable or assignable by Investor.
(c)The representations, warranties and agreements contained herein shall be deemed to be made by and be binding upon Investor and its heirs, executors, administrators and successors and shall inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns.
(d)None of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement may be waived, changed or terminated orally or otherwise, except as specifically set forth herein or except by a writing signed by the Company and Investor.
(e)In the event any part of this Subscription Agreement is found to be void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions are intended to be separable and binding with the same effect as if the void or unenforceable part were never the subject of agreement.
(f)The invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of one or more of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Subscription Agreement in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality or enforceability of this Subscription Agreement, including any such provision, in any other jurisdiction, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
(g)This Subscription Agreement supersedes all prior discussions and agreements between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and contains the sole and entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
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(h)The terms and provisions of this Subscription Agreement are intended solely for the benefit of each party hereto and their respective successors and assigns, and it is not the intention of the parties to confer, and no provision hereof shall confer, third-party beneficiary rights upon any other person.
(i)The headings used in this Subscription Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and do not define or limit the provisions hereof.
(j)This Subscription Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
(k)If any recapitalization or other transaction affecting the stock of the Company is effected, then any new, substituted or additional securities or other property which is distributed with respect to the Securities shall be immediately subject to this Subscription Agreement, to the same extent that the Securities, immediately prior thereto, shall have been covered by this Subscription Agreement.
(l)No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Subscription Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
[Signature pages follow]
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11
May 5, 2021
Commodore Hospitality, Inc.
6116 N Central Expressway, Suite 705, Dallas, TX 75206
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Commodore Hospitality, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Post Qualification Amendment to the Offering Statement on Form 1-A (the “Offering Statement”) dated March 13, 2021 filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Regulation A thereunder. The Offering Statement and POS Amendment relates to the issuance and sale by the Company of up to 7,500,000 shares of common stock of the Company (the “Shares”).
As such counsel, we have examined such documents and such matters of fact and law that we have deemed necessary for the purpose of rendering the opinion set forth herein. As to questions of fact material to this opinion, we have relied on certificates or comparable documents of public officials and of officers and representatives of the Company. In rendering the opinion expressed below, we have assumed without verification the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of the originals of such copies.
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and, when the Shares have been duly issued and delivered against payment therefore in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Agreement, the Shares will be validly issued, and purchasers of the Shares will have no obligation to make payments to the Company or its creditors (other than the purchase price for the Shares) or contributions to the Company or its creditors solely by reason of the purchasers’ ownership of the Shares.
Our opinion that any document is legal, valid and binding is qualified as to:
(a) limitations imposed by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally;
(b) rights to indemnification and contribution, which may be limited by applicable law or equitable principles; and
(c) general principles of equity, including without limitation concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief and limitation of rights of acceleration, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 12.1 to the Amendment to the Offering Circular included in the Offering Statement. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act. We consent to the reference to Carman Lehnhof Israelsen, LLP under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Offering Statement.
This opinion letter is given as of the date hereof, and we express no opinion as to the effect of subsequent events or changes in law occurring or becoming effective after the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update this opinion letter or otherwise advise you with respect to any facts or circumstances or changes in law that may hereafter occur or come to our attention (even though the change may affect the legal conclusions stated in this opinion letter).
299 S. Main Street, Suite 1300, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 | Phone: 801.534.4435 | Fax: 801.494.5515
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| Respectfully submitted, |
|
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| /s/ Carman Lehnhof Israelsen, LP |
|
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| CARMAN LEHNHOF ISRAELSEN, |
299 S. Main Street, Suite 1300, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 | Phone: 801.534.4435 | Fax: 801.494.5515
Exhibit 13.1
See attached pdf
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