As
filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 27, 2007
Registration
No. 333-
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
________________
FORM
S-3
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT
Under
THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
________________
WEINGARTEN
REALTY INVESTORS
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Texas
(State
or other jurisdiction
of
incorporation or organization)
|
|
74-1464203
(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification
No.)
|
2600
Citadel Plaza Drive, Suite 300
Houston,
Texas 77008
(713)
866-6000
(Address,
including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's
principal executive offices)
________________
Andrew
M. Alexander
President
and Chief Executive Officer
Weingarten
Realty Investors
2600
Citadel Plaza Drive, Suite 300
Houston,
Texas 77008
(713)
866-6000
(Name,
address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
agent
for service)
________________
Copies
to:
Bryan
L. Goolsby
Gina
E. Betts
Locke
Liddell & Sapp LLP
2200
Ross Avenue, Suite 2200
Dallas,
Texas 75201
(214)
740-8000
________________
Approximate
date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: from time to time after
the
effective date of this Registration Statement.
If
the
only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to
dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.
¨
If
any of
the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed
or
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other
than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. x
If
this
Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to
Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the
Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If
this
Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the
Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. ¨
If
this
Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a
post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with
the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the
following box. x
If
this
Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant
to
General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional
clauses of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check
the following box. ¨
CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE
|
Title
of Each Class of Securities
to
be Registered
|
Amount
to be
Registered
|
Proposed
Maximum Aggregate Price Per Share (2)
|
Proposed
Maximum Aggregate
Offering
Price(2)
|
Amount
of
Registration
Fee
(2)
|
Common
Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.03 par value per share (1)
|
54,016
|
$48.27
|
$2,607,352
|
$80.05
|
(1)
|
This
Registration Statement on Form S-3 registers 54,016 common shares
of
beneficial interest, par value $0.03 per share, of Weingarten Realty
Investors, that may be offered by a selling shareholder, comprised
of
54,016 common shares that Weingarten Realty issued to the selling
shareholder as an earn-out payment in connection with Weingarten
Las
Tiendas JV. This Registration Statement also relates to such additional
common shares as may be issued as a result of certain adjustments,
including, without limitation, share dividends and share
splits.
|
(2)
|
Estimated
solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant
to
Rule 457(c) based on the average of the high and low reported sales
prices
of the common shares on the New York Stock Exchange on April 23,
2007.
|
PROSPECTUS
54,016
SHARES
Weingarten
Realty Investors
COMMON
SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
__________
Our
selling shareholder may offer from time to time up to 54,016 common shares
of
beneficial interest, par value $0.03 per share, in amounts, at prices and on
terms to be determined at the time of sale. We will not receive any of the
proceeds from the sale of the common shares being sold by the selling
shareholders.
The
common shares covered by this prospectus are comprised of 54,016 common shares
that were issued to the selling shareholder in connection with an earn-out
agreement reached in connection with the Weingarten Las Tiendas JV.
We
have
registered the offering and resale of the common shares to allow the selling
shareholder to sell these common shares without restriction in the open market
or otherwise, but the registration of the common shares does not necessarily
mean that the selling shareholder will offer or sell its common
shares.
The
selling shareholder may sell the common shares offered hereby directly to
purchasers or through underwriters, dealers, brokers or agents designated from
time to time. Sales of common shares and particular offerings may be made on
the
New York Stock Exchange or in the over-the-counter market or otherwise at prices
and at terms then prevailing, at prices related to the then current market
price, at fixed prices or in negotiated transactions.
Our
common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "WRI."
On April 23, 2007, the closing sale price on the New York Stock Exchange for
our
common shares was $48.47 per share.
Our
executive offices are located at 2600 Citadel Plaza Drive, Suite 300, Houston,
Texas 77008, and our telephone number is (713) 866-6000.
See
"Risk Factors" on page 1 for certain factors relevant to an investment ion
our
common shares.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission
has
approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or
accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
____________
The
date
of this prospectus is April 27, 2007
You
should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference
in
this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized
anyone else to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you
with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We will
not make an offer to sell these securities in any state where the offer or
sale
is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this
prospectus, as well as the information we previously filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and incorporated by reference, is accurate only as
of
the date of the documents containing the information.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Cautionary
Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
|
(i)
|
About
This Prospectus
|
1
|
The
Company
|
1
|
Use
of Proceeds
|
5
|
Plan
of Distribution
|
5
|
Redemption
of Units
|
6
|
Federal
Income Tax Consequences
|
6
|
Legal
Matters
|
14
|
Experts
|
14
|
Where
You Can Find More Information
|
14
|
Incorporation
of Documents by Reference
|
14
|
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain
statements contained herein constitute forward-looking statements as such term
is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of performance. Our future results, financial
condition and business may differ materially from those expressed in these
forward-looking statements. You can find many of these statements by looking
for
words such as "plans," "intends," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects,"
"believes" or similar expressions in this prospectus and the applicable
prospectus summary. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous
assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Many of the factors that will determine
these items are beyond our ability to control or predict.
These
forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and
uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from
those contemplated by the forward-looking statements include, among others,
those listed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form
10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and, to the extent applicable,
our
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and any applicable prospectus supplement, as
well as the following possibilities:
· |
national,
regional and local economic
conditions;
|
· |
consequences
of any armed conflict involving, or terrorist attack against, the
United
States;
|
· |
our
ability to secure adequate
insurance;
|
· |
local
conditions such as an oversupply of space or a reduction in demand
for the
real estate in the area;
|
· |
competition
from other available space;
|
· |
whether
tenants consider a property
attractive;
|
· |
the
financial condition of our tenants, including the extent of tenant
bankruptcies or defaults;
|
· |
whether
we are able to pass some or all of any increased operating costs
through
to our tenants;
|
· |
how
well we manage our properties;
|
· |
fluctuations
in interest rates;
|
· |
changes
in real estate taxes and other
expenses;
|
· |
changes
in market rental rates;
|
· |
the
timing and costs associated with
|
· |
property
improvements and rentals;
|
· |
changes
in taxation or zoning laws;
|
· |
our
failure to continue to qualify as a real estate investment
trust;
|
· |
availability
of financing on acceptable terms or at
all;
|
· |
potential
liability under environmental or other laws or regulations;
and
|
· |
general
competitive factors.
|
For
these
statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor forward-looking
statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus
summary or the date of any document incorporated by reference. All subsequent
written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person
acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary
statements contained or referred to in this section. We do not undertake any
obligation to release publicly any revisions to our forward-looking statements
to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus and the
applicable prospectus summary.
ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
This
prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC.
This
prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities being
issued. You should read this prospectus together with the additional information
described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."
All
references to "we," "our" and "us" in this prospectus mean Weingarten Realty
Investors and all entities owned or controlled by us, except where it is made
clear that the term means only the parent company. All references to the "Joint
Venture" in this prospectus mean Weingarten Las Tiendas JV, a Texas joint
venture.
THE
COMPANY
We
are a
real estate investment trust organized under the Texas Real Estate Investment
Trust Act. We, and our predecessor entity, began the ownership and development
of shopping centers and other commercial real estate in 1948. Our primary
business is leasing space to tenants in the shopping and industrial centers
we
own or lease. We also manage centers for joint ventures in which we are partners
or for other outside owners for which we charge fees.
We
operate a portfolio of properties that includes neighborhood and community
shopping centers and industrial properties of approximately 65 million square
feet. Our shopping centers are anchored primarily by supermarkets, drugstores
and other retailers that sell basic necessity-type items. We have a diversified
tenant base with our largest tenant comprising only 3% of total rental revenues
during 2006.
At
December 31, 2006, we owned or operated under long-term leases, either directly
or through our interest in joint ventures or partnerships, a total of 363
developed income-producing properties and 26 properties under various stages
of
construction and development. The total number of centers includes 322
neighborhood and community shopping centers located in Arizona, Arkansas,
California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Texas, and Washington. We also owned 67 industrial
projects located in California, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas.
Our
executive offices are located at 2600 Citadel Plaza Drive, Suite 300, Houston,
Texas 77008, and our telephone number is (713) 866-6000. Our website address
is
www.weingarten.com. The information contained on our website is not part of
this
prospectus.
RISK
FACTORS
The
economic performance and value of our shopping centers depend on many factors,
each of which could have an adverse impact on our cash flows and operating
results.
The
economic performance and value of our properties can be affected by many
factors, including the following:
§ |
Changes
in the national, regional and local economic
climate;
|
§ |
Local
conditions such as an oversupply of space or a reduction in demand
for
real estate in the area;
|
§ |
The
attractiveness of the properties to
tenants;
|
§ |
Competition
from other available space;
|
§ |
Our
ability to provide adequate management services and to maintain our
properties;
|
§ |
Increased
operating costs, if these costs cannot be passed through to tenants;
and
|
§ |
The
expense of periodically renovating, repairing and releasing
spaces.
|
Our
properties consist primarily of neighborhood and community shopping centers
and,
therefore, our performance is linked to general economic conditions in the
market for retail space. The market for retail space has been and may continue
to be adversely affected by weakness in the national, regional and local
economies where our properties are located, the adverse financial condition
of
some large retailing companies, the ongoing consolidation in the retail sector,
the excess amount of retail space in a number of markets and increasing consumer
purchases through catalogues and the Internet. To the extent that any of these
conditions occur, they are likely to affect market rents for retail space.
In
addition, we may face challenges in the management and maintenance of the
properties or encounter increased operating costs, such as real estate taxes,
insurance and utilities, which may make our properties unattractive to
tenants.
Our
acquisition activities may not produce the cash flows that we expect and may
be
limited by competitive pressures or other factors.
We
intend
to acquire existing retail properties to the extent that suitable acquisitions
can be made on advantageous terms. Acquisitions of commercial properties involve
risks such as:
§ |
Our
estimates on expected occupancy and rental rates may differ from
actual
conditions;
|
§ |
Our
estimates of the costs of any redevelopment or repositioning of acquired
properties may prove to be
inaccurate;
|
§ |
We
may be unable to operate successfully in new markets where acquired
properties are located, due to a lack of market knowledge or understanding
of local economies;
|
§ |
We
may be unable to successfully integrate new properties into our existing
operations; or
|
§ |
We
may have difficulty obtaining financing on acceptable terms or paying
the
operating expenses and debt service associated with acquired properties
prior to sufficient occupancy.
|
In
addition, we may not be in a position or have the opportunity in the future
to
make suitable property acquisitions on advantageous terms due to competition
for
such properties with others engaged in real estate investment. Our inability
to
successfully acquire new properties may have an adverse effect on our results
of
operations.
Our
dependence on rental income may adversely affect our ability to meet our debt
obligations and make distributions to our shareholders.
The
substantial majority of our income is derived from rental income from real
property. As a result, our performance depends on our ability to collect rent
from tenants. Our income and funds for distribution would be negatively affected
if a significant number of our tenants, or any of our major tenants (as
discussed in more detail below):
§ |
Delay
lease commencements;
|
§ |
Decline
to extend or renew leases upon
expiration;
|
§ |
Fail
to make rental payments when due; or
|
§ |
Close
stores or declare bankruptcy.
|
Any
of
these actions could result in the termination of the tenant’s leases and the
loss of rental income attributable to the terminated leases. Lease terminations
by an anchor tenant or a failure by that anchor tenant to occupy the premises
could also result in lease terminations or reductions in rent by other tenants
in the same shopping centers under the terms of some leases. In addition, we
cannot be sure that any tenant whose lease expires will renew that lease or
that
we will be able to re-lease space on economically advantageous terms. The loss
of rental revenues from a number of our tenants and our inability to replace
such tenants may adversely affect our profitability and our ability to meet
debt
and other financial obligations and make distributions to the
shareholders.
Our
development and construction activities could affect our operating
results.
We
intend
to continue the selective development and construction of retail properties
in
accordance with our development and underwriting policies as opportunities
arise. Our development and construction activities include risks
that:
§ |
We
may abandon development opportunities after expending resources to
determine feasibility;
|
§ |
Construction
costs of a project may exceed our original
estimates;
|
§ |
Occupancy
rates and rents at a newly completed property may not be sufficient
to
make the property profitable;
|
§ |
Rental
rates per square foot could be less than
projected;
|
§ |
Financing
may not be available to us on favorable terms for development of
a
property;
|
§ |
We
may not complete construction and lease-up on schedule, resulting
in
increased debt service expense and construction costs; and
|
§ |
We
may not be able to obtain, or may experience delays in obtaining
necessary
zoning, land use, building, occupancy and other required governmental
permits and authorizations.
|
Additionally,
the time frame required for development, construction and lease-up of these
properties means that we may have to wait years for a significant cash return.
If any of the above events occur, the development of properties may hinder
our
growth and have an adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition,
new
development activities, regardless of whether or not they are ultimately
successful, typically require substantial time and attention from
management.
Real
estate property investments are illiquid, and therefore we may not be able
to
dispose of properties when appropriate or on favorable
terms.
Real
estate property investments generally cannot be disposed of quickly. In
addition, the federal tax code imposes restrictions on the ability of a REIT
to
dispose of properties that are not applicable to other types of real estate
companies. Therefore, we may not be able to vary our portfolio in response
to
economic or other conditions promptly or on favorable terms, which could cause
us to incur extended losses and reduce our cash flows and adversely affect
distributions to shareholders.
Our
cash flows and operating results could be adversely affected by required
payments of debt or related interest and other risks of our debt
financing.
We
are
generally subject to risks associated with debt financing. These risks
include:
§ |
Our
cash flow may not satisfy required payments of principal and
interest;
|
§ |
We
may not be able to refinance existing indebtedness on our properties
as
necessary or the terms of the refinancing may be less favorable to
us than
the terms of existing debt;
|
§ |
Required
debt payments are not reduced if the economic performance of any
property
declines;
|
§ |
Debt
service obligations could reduce funds available for distribution
to our
shareholders and funds available for
acquisitions;
|
§ |
Any
default on our indebtedness could result in acceleration of those
obligations and possible loss of property to foreclosure; and
|
§ |
The
risk that necessary capital expenditures for purposes such as re−leasing
space cannot be financed on favorable
terms.
|
If
a
property is mortgaged to secure payment of indebtedness and we cannot make
the
mortgage payments, we may have to surrender the property to the lender with
a
consequent loss of any prospective income and equity value from such property.
Any of these risks can place strains on our cash flows, reduce our ability
to
grow and adversely affect our results of operations.
Property
ownership through partnerships and joint ventures could limit our control of
those investments and reduce our expected return.
Partnership
or joint venture investments may involve risks not otherwise present for
investments made solely by us, including the possibility that our partner or
co-venturer might become bankrupt, that our partner or co-venturer might at
any
time have different interests or goals than us, and that our partner or
co-venturer may take action contrary to our instructions, requests, policies
or
objectives. Other risks of joint venture investments could include impasse
on
decisions, such as a sale, because neither our partner or co-venturer nor we
would have full control over the partnership or joint venture. These factors
could limit the return that we receive from those investments or cause our
cash
flows to be lower than our estimates.
Our
financial condition could be adversely affected by financial covenants.
Our
credit facilities and public debt indentures under which our indebtedness is,
or
may be, issued contain certain financial and operating covenants, including,
among other things, certain coverage ratios, as well as limitations on our
ability to incur secured and unsecured indebtedness, sell all or substantially
all of our assets and engage in mergers and consolidations and certain
acquisitions. These covenants could limit our ability to obtain additional
funds
needed to address cash shortfalls or pursue growth opportunities or transactions
that would provide substantial return to our shareholders. In addition, a breach
of these covenants could cause a default under or accelerate some or all of
our
indebtedness, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition.
If
we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to U.S.
federal income tax as a regular corporation and could have significant tax
liability.
We
intend
to operate in a manner that allows us to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. However, REIT qualification requires us to satisfy numerous
requirements (some on an annual or quarterly basis) established under highly
technical and complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, for which there
are a limited number of judicial or administrative interpretations. Our status
as a REIT requires an analysis of various factual matters and circumstances
that
are not entirely within our control. Accordingly, it is not certain we will
be
able to qualify and remain qualified as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. Even a technical or inadvertent violation of the REIT requirements
could jeopardize our REIT qualification. Furthermore, Congress or the IRS might
change the tax laws or regulations and the courts might issue new rulings,
in
each case potentially having retroactive effect that could make it more
difficult or impossible for us to qualify as a REIT. If we fail to qualify
as a
REIT in any tax year, then:
§ |
We
would be taxed as a regular domestic corporation, which, among other
things, means that we would be unable to deduct distributions to
our
shareholders in computing our taxable income and would be subject
to U.S.
federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate
rates;
|
§ |
Any
resulting tax liability could be substantial and would reduce the
amount
of cash available for distribution to shareholders, and could force
us to
liquidate assets or take other actions that could have a detrimental
effect on our operating results; and
|
§ |
Unless
we were entitled to relief under applicable statutory provisions,
we would
be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years
following the year during which we lost our qualification, and our
cash
available for distribution to our shareholders therefore would be
reduced
for each of the years in which we do not qualify as a
REIT.
|
Even
if
we remain qualified as a REIT, we may face other tax liabilities that reduce
our
cash flow. We may also be subject to certain U.S. federal, state and local
taxes
on our income and property either directly or at the level of our subsidiaries.
Any of these taxes would decrease cash available for distribution to our
shareholders.
Compliance
with REIT requirements may negatively affect our operating decisions.
To
maintain our status as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must
meet
certain requirements, on an ongoing basis, including requirements regarding
our
sources of income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the amounts
we
distribute to our shareholders and the ownership of our shares. We may also
be
required to make distributions to our shareholders when we do not have funds
readily available for distribution or at times when our funds are otherwise
needed to fund capital expenditures.
As
a
REIT, we must distribute at least 90% of our annual net taxable income
(excluding net capital gains) to our shareholders. To the extent that we satisfy
this distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of our net taxable
income, we will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our
undistributed taxable income. From time to time, we may generate taxable income
greater than our income for financial reporting purposes, or our net taxable
income may be greater than our cash flow available for distribution to our
shareholders. If we do not have other funds available in these situations,
we
could be required to borrow funds, sell a portion of our securities at
unfavorable prices or find other sources of funds in order to meet the REIT
distribution requirements.
Dividends
paid by REITs generally do not qualify for reduced tax rates.
In
general, the maximum U.S. federal income tax rate for dividends paid to
individual U.S. shareholders is 15% (through 2008). Unlike dividends received
from a corporation that is not a REIT, our distributions to individual
shareholders generally are not eligible for the reduced rates.
Our
real estate investments may contain environmental risks that could adversely
affect our operating results.
The
acquisition of certain assets may subject us to liabilities, including
environmental liabilities. Our operating expenses could be higher than
anticipated due to the cost of complying with existing or future environmental
laws and regulations. In addition, under various federal, state and local laws,
ordinances and regulations, we may be considered an owner or operator of real
property or to have arranged for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or
toxic
substances. As a result, we may become liable for the costs of removal or
remediation of certain hazardous substances released on or in our
property.
We
may
also be liable for other potential costs that could relate to hazardous or
toxic
substances (including governmental fines and injuries to persons and property).
We may incur such liability whether or not we knew of, or were responsible
for,
the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances. Any liability could be
of
substantial magnitude and divert management’s attention from other aspects of
our business and, as a result, could have a material adverse effect on our
operating results and financial condition, as well as our ability to make
distributions to the shareholders.
An
uninsured loss or a loss that exceeds the policies on our properties could
subject us to lost capital or revenue on those properties.
Under
the
terms and conditions of the leases currently in force on our properties, tenants
generally are required to indemnify and hold us harmless from liabilities
resulting from injury to persons, air, water, land or property, on or off the
premises, due to activities conducted on the properties, except for claims
arising from our negligence or intentional misconduct or that of our agents.
Tenants are generally required, at the tenant’s expense, to obtain and keep in
full force during the term of the lease, liability and property damage insurance
policies. We have obtained comprehensive liability, casualty, property, flood
and rental loss insurance policies on our properties. All of these policies
may
involve substantial deductibles and certain exclusions. In addition, we cannot
assure the shareholders that the tenants will properly maintain their insurance
policies or have the ability to pay the deductibles. Should a loss occur that
is
uninsured or in an amount exceeding the combined aggregate limits for the
policies noted above, or in the event of a loss that is subject to a substantial
deductible under an insurance policy, we could lose all or part of our capital
invested in, and anticipated revenue from, one or more of the properties, which
could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial
condition, as well as our ability to make distributions to the
shareholders.
Compliance
with the Americans with Disabilities Act and fire, safety and other regulations
may require us to make unintended expenditures that adversely affect our cash
flows.
All
of
our properties are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities
Act
(ADA). The ADA has separate compliance requirements for “public accommodations”
and “commercial facilities,” but generally requires that buildings be made
accessible to people with disabilities. Compliance with the ADA requirements
could require removal of access barriers, and noncompliance could result in
imposition of fines by the U.S. government or an award of damages to private
litigants, or both. While the tenants to whom we lease properties are obligated
by law to comply with the ADA provisions, and typically under tenant leases
are
obligated to cover costs associated with compliance, if required changes involve
greater expenditures than anticipated, or if the changes must be made on a
more
accelerated basis than anticipated, the ability of these tenants to cover costs
could be adversely affected. As a result, we could be required to expend funds
to comply with the provisions of the ADA, which could adversely affect the
results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make
distributions to shareholders. In addition, we are required to operate the
properties in compliance with fire and safety regulations, building codes and
other land use regulations, as they may be adopted by governmental agencies
and
bodies and become applicable to the properties. We may be required to make
substantial capital expenditures to comply with those requirements, and these
expenditures could have a material adverse effect on our ability to meet the
financial obligations and make distributions to our shareholders.
USE
OF PROCEEDS
All
of
the common shares are being offered by the selling shareholder. We will not
receive any proceeds from the sale of the common shares.
SELLING
SHAREHOLDER
The
following table sets forth the name of the selling shareholder, the total number
of common shares beneficially owned by it as of April 23, 2007, the total number
of common shares offered by the selling shareholder and the total number and
percentage of outstanding common shares that will be beneficially owned by
the
selling shareholder upon completion of the offering. Since the selling
shareholder may sell all, some or none of its common shares, the table assumes
that the selling shareholder is offering, and will sell, all of the common
shares to which this Prospectus relates.
Number
of Selling Shareholder
|
Common
Shares Beneficially
Owned
|
Common
Shares Beneficially Owned, Assuming the Sale of All Common Shares
Offered
Hereby
|
Percentage
of Outstanding Common Shares Beneficially Owned, Assuming the Sale
of All
Common
Shares Offered
|
Las
Tiendas Plaza Partnership, LTD
|
131,780
|
77,764
|
*
|
______
*
Less
than 1%
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
The
selling shareholder and its pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors
in
interest may offer and sell, from time to time, some or all of the common shares
covered by this prospectus. We have registered the common shares covered by
this
prospectus for offer and sale by the selling shareholder so that those common
shares may be freely sold to the public by them. Registration of the common
shares covered by this prospectus does not mean, however, that those shares
necessarily will be offered or sold. We will not receive any proceeds from
any
sale of the common shares by the selling shareholder. The selling shareholder
will pay all underwriting discounts and commissions and similar selling
expenses, if any, attributable to the sale of the common shares covered by
this
prospectus.
The
selling shareholder and its distributes, pledgees, donees, transferees or other
successors in interest may sell the common shares covered by this prospectus
from time to time, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices
related to market prices, at a fixed price or prices subject to change or at
negotiated prices, by a variety of methods including the following:
· |
in
privately negotiated transactions;
|
· |
through
broker-dealers, who may act as agents or
principals;
|
· |
in
a block trade in which a broker-dealer will attempt to sell a block
of
common shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the
block
as principal to facilitate the
transaction;
|
· |
through
one or more underwriters on a firm commitment or best-efforts
basis;
|
· |
directly
to one or more purchasers;
|
· |
in
any combination of the above.
|
In
effecting sales, brokers or dealers engaged by the selling shareholder may
arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate. Broker-dealer transactions
may include:
· |
purchases
of the common shares by a broker-dealer as principal and resales
of the
common shares by the broker-dealer for its account under this
prospectus;
|
· |
ordinary
brokerage transactions; or
|
· |
transactions
in which the broker-dealer solicits
purchasers.
|
At
any
time a particular offer of the common shares covered by this prospectus is
made,
a revised prospectus or prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed
which will state the aggregate amount of common shares covered by this
prospectus being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name
or
names of any underwriters, dealers, brokers or agents, any discounts,
commissions, concessions and other items constituting compensation from the
selling shareholder and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or
reallowed or paid to dealers. Any prospectus supplement, and, if necessary,
a
post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus
is a part will be field with the SEC to reflect the disclosure of additional
information with respect to the distribution of the common shares covered by
this prospectus.
In
connection with the sale of the common shares covered by this prospectus through
underwriters, underwriters may receive compensation in the form of underwriting
discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of
common shares for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell to or
through dealers, and these dealers may receive compensation in the form of
discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and commissions
from
the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.
The
common shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol "WRI."
Any
underwriters, broker-dealers or agents participating in the distribution of
the
common shares covered by this prospectus may be deemed to be "underwriters"
within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, and any commissions received
by any of those underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may be deemed to be
underwriting commissions under the Securities Act of 1933.
Some
of
the common shares covered by this prospectus may be sold in private transactions
or under Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933 rather than under this
prospectus.
We
may
agree to indemnify the selling shareholder against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933. The selling shareholder
may also agree to indemnify us against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, for information they furnished
to
us for use in this prospectus.
FEDERAL
INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
General
The
statements in this discussion summarizes the taxation of us and the material
federal income tax consequences to holders of our common shares for general
information purposes only. It is not tax advice. The tax treatment of a holder
of common shares will vary depending upon the holder's particular situation,
and
this discussion addresses only holders that hold common shares as capital assets
and does not deal with all aspects of taxation that may be relevant to
particular holders in light of their personal investment or tax circumstances.
This section also does not deal with all aspects of taxation that may be
relevant to certain types of holders to which special provisions of the federal
income tax laws apply, including, but not limited to: dealers in securities
or
currencies; traders in securities that elect to use mark-to-market method of
accounting for their securities holdings; banks; tax exempt organizations;
certain insurance companies; persons liable for the alternative minimum tax;
persons that hold securities that are a hedge, that hedged against currency
risks or that are part of a straddle or conversion transactions; and U.S.
shareholders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.
This
summary is based on the current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, its
legislative history, existing and proposed regulations under the Code, published
rulings and court decisions. This summary describes the provisions of these
sources of law only as they are currently in effect. All the sources of law
may
change at any time, and any change in the law may apply retroactively.
WE
URGE YOU TO CONSULT WITH YOUR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES
TO
YOU OF ACQUIRING, OWNING AND SELLING COMMON SHARES, INCLUDING THE FEDERAL,
STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF ACQUIRING, OWNING AND SELLING
COMMON SHARES IN YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AND POTENTIAL CHANGES IN
APPLICABLE LAWS.
Taxation
of Weingarten Realty Investors as a REIT
We
have
elected to be treated as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal
Revenue Code for federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year
ended December 31, 1985. We believe that we have been organized and have
operated in a manner that qualifies for taxation as a REIT under the Internal
Revenue Code. We also believe that we will continue to operate in a manner
that
will preserve our status as a REIT. We cannot however, assure you that such
requirements will be met in the future.
We
have
received an opinion from Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP, our legal counsel, to the
effect that we qualified as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code for our
taxable year ended December 31, 2004, and that our proposed manner of operation
and diversity of equity ownership should enable us to continue to satisfy the
requirements for qualification as a REIT in calendar year 2007 if we operate
in
accordance with our representations concerning our intended method of operation.
However, you should be aware that opinions of counsel are not binding on the
IRS
or on the courts, and, if the IRS were to challenge these conclusions, no
assurance can be given that these conclusions would be sustained in court.
The
opinion of Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP is based on various assumptions as well
as on certain representations made by us as to factual matters, including a
factual representation letter provided by us. The rules governing REITs are
highly technical and require ongoing compliance with a variety of tests that
depend, among other things, on future operating results, asset diversification,
distribution levels and diversity of share ownership.
Locke
Liddell & Sapp LLP will not monitor our compliance with these requirements.
While we expect to satisfy these tests, and will use our best efforts to do
so,
no assurance can be given that we will qualify as a REIT for any particular
year, or that the applicable law will not change and adversely affect us and
our
shareholders. See “-- Failure to Qualify as a REIT.” The following is a summary
of the material federal income tax considerations affecting us as a REIT and
the
holders of our securities. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the
applicable Internal Revenue Code provisions, relevant rules and regulations
promulgated under the Internal Revenue Code, and administrative and judicial
interpretations of the Internal Revenue Code and these rules and
regulations.
REIT
Qualification
We
must
be organized as an entity that would, if we do not maintain our REIT status,
be
taxable as a regular corporation. We cannot be a financial institution or an
insurance company. We must be managed by one or more trust managers. Our taxable
year must be the calendar year. Our beneficial ownership must be evidenced
by
transferable shares. Our capital shares must be held by at least 100 persons
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. Not more than
50%
of the value of the shares of our capital shares may be held, directly or
indirectly, applying the applicable constructive ownership rules of the Internal
Revenue Code, by five or fewer individuals at any time during the last half
of
each of our taxable years. We must also meet certain other tests, described
below, regarding the nature of our income and assets and the amount of our
distributions.
Our
outstanding common shares are owned by a sufficient number of investors and
in
appropriate proportions to permit us to satisfy these share ownership
requirements. To protect against violations of these share ownership
requirements, our declaration of trust provides that no person is permitted
to
own, applying constructive ownership tests set forth in the Internal Revenue
Code, more than 9.8% of our outstanding capital shares, unless the trust
managers (including a majority of the independent trust managers) are provided
evidence satisfactory to them in their sole discretion that our qualification
as
a REIT will not be jeopardized. In addition, our declaration of trust contains
restrictions on transfers of capital shares, as well as provisions that
automatically convert common shares into excess securities to the extent that
the ownership otherwise might jeopardize our REIT status. These restrictions,
however may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy the share
ownership requirements. If we fail to satisfy these share ownership
requirements, except as provided below, our status as a REIT will terminate.
However, if we comply with the rules contained in applicable Treasury
Regulations that require us to ascertain the actual ownership of our shares
and
we do not know, or would not have known through the exercise of reasonable
diligence, that we failed to meet the 50% requirement described above, we will
be treated as having met this requirement. See “—Failure to Qualify as a REIT.”
We may also qualify for relief under certain other provisions. See the section
below entitled “—Relief from Certain Failures of the REIT Qualification
Requirements.”
To
monitor our compliance with the share ownership requirements, we are required
to
and we do maintain records disclosing the actual ownership of our common shares.
To do so, we will demand written statements each year from the record holders
of
certain percentages of shares in which the record holders are to disclose the
actual owners of the shares (i.e., the persons required to include in gross
income the REIT dividends). A list of those persons failing or refusing to
comply with this demand will be maintained as part of our records.
Shareholders
who fail or refuse to comply with the demand must submit a statement with their
tax returns disclosing the actual ownership of the shares and certain other
information.
We
currently satisfy, and expect to continue to satisfy, each of these requirements
discussed above. We also currently satisfy, and expect to continue to satisfy,
the requirements that are separately described below concerning the nature
and
amounts of our income and assets and the levels of required annual
distributions.
Sources
of Gross Income.
In
order to qualify as a REIT for a particular year, we also must meet two tests
governing the sources of our income - a 75% gross income test and a 95% gross
income test. These tests are designed to ensure that a REIT derives its income
principally from passive real estate investments.
The
Internal Revenue Code allows a REIT to own and operate properties through
wholly-owned subsidiaries which are “qualified REIT subsidiaries.” The Internal
Revenue Code provides that a qualified REIT subsidiary is not treated as a
separate corporation, and all of its assets, liabilities and items of income,
deduction and credit are treated as assets, liabilities and items of income,
deduction and credit of the REIT.
In
the
case of a REIT which is a partner in a partnership or any other entity such
as a
limited liability company that is treated as a partnership for federal income
tax purposes, Treasury Regulations provide that the REIT will be deemed to
own
its proportionate share of the assets of the partnership. Also, the REIT will
be
deemed to be entitled to its proportionate share of the income of the
partnership. The character of the assets and gross income of the partnership
retains the same character in the hands of the REIT for purposes of Section
856
of the Internal Revenue Code, including satisfying the gross income tests and
the asset tests. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income
of any partnership in which we own an interest are treated as our assets and
items of income for purposes of applying the requirements described in this
discussion, including the income and asset tests described below.
75%
Gross Income Test.
At
least 75% of a REIT’s gross income for each taxable year must be derived from
specified classes of income that principally are real estate related. The
permitted categories of principal importance to us are:
· |
rents
from real property;
|
· |
interest
on loans secured by real property;
|
· |
gains
from the sale of real property or loans secured by real property
(excluding gain from the sale of property held primarily for sale
to
customers in the ordinary course of our business, referred to below
as
“dealer property”);
|
· |
income
from the operation and gain from the sale of property acquired in
connection with the foreclosure of a mortgage securing that property
(“foreclosure property”);
|
· |
distributions
on, or gain from the sale of, shares of other qualifying
REITs;
|
· |
abatements
and refunds of real property taxes;
|
· |
amounts
received as consideration for entering into agreements to make loans
secured by real property or to purchase or lease real property; and
“qualified temporary investment income” (described
below).
|
In
evaluating our compliance with the 75% gross income test, as well as the 95%
gross income test described below, gross income does not include gross income
from “prohibited transactions.” In general, a prohibited transaction is one
involving a sale of dealer property, not including foreclosure property and
not
including certain dealer property we have held for at least four
years.
We
expect
that substantially all of our operating gross income will be considered rent
from real property and interest income. Rent from real property is qualifying
income for purposes of the gross income tests only if certain conditions are
satisfied. Rent from real property includes charges for services customarily
rendered to tenants, and rent attributable to personal property leased together
with the real property so long as the personal property rent is not more than
15% of the total rent received or accrued under the lease for the taxable year.
We do not expect to earn material amounts in these categories.
Rent
from
real property generally does not include rent based on the income or profits
derived from the property. However, rent based on a percentage of gross receipts
or sales is permitted as rent from real property and we will have leases where
rent is based on a percentage of gross receipts or sales. We do not intend
to
lease property and receive rentals based on the tenant’s income or profit. Also
excluded from “rents from real property” is rent received from a person or
corporation in which we (or any of our 10% or greater owners) directly or
indirectly through the constructive ownership rules contained in Section 318
and
Section 856(d)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code, own a 10% or greater
interest.
A
third
exclusion from qualifying rent income covers amounts received with respect
to
real property if we furnish services to the tenants or manage or operate the
property, other than through an “independent contractor” from whom we do not
derive any income or through a “taxable REIT subsidiary.” A taxable REIT
subsidiary is a corporation in which a REIT owns stock, directly or indirectly,
and with respect to which the corporation and the REIT have made a joint
election to treat the corporation as a taxable REIT subsidiary. The obligation
to operate through an independent contractor or a taxable REIT subsidiary
generally does not apply, however, if the services we provide are “usually or
customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only
and are not considered rendered primarily for the convenience of the tenant
(applying standards that govern in evaluating whether rent from real property
would be unrelated business taxable income when received by a tax-exempt owner
of the property). Further, if the gross income from non-customary services
with
respect to a property, valued at no less than 150% of our direct cost of
performing such services, is 1% or less of the total income derived from the
property, then the provision of such non-customary services shall not prohibit
the rental income (except the non-customary service income) from qualifying
as
“rents from real property.”
We
believe that the only material services generally to be provided to tenants
will
be those usually or customarily rendered in connection with the rental of space
for occupancy only. We do not intend to provide services that might be
considered rendered primarily for the convenience of the tenants, such as hotel,
health care or extensive recreational or social services.
Consequently,
we believe that substantially all of our rental income will be qualifying income
under the gross income tests, and that our provision of services will not cause
the rental income to fail to be included under that test.
Upon
the
ultimate sale of our properties, any gains realized also are expected to
constitute qualifying income, as gain from the sale of real property (not
involving a prohibited transaction).
95%
Gross Income Test.
In
addition to earning 75% of our gross income from the sources listed above,
95%
of our gross income for each taxable year must come either from those sources,
or from dividends, interest or gains from the sale or other disposition of
stock
or other securities that do not constitute dealer property. This test permits
a
REIT to earn a significant portion of its income from traditional “passive”
investment sources that are not necessarily real estate related. The term
“interest” (under both the 75% and 95% tests) does not include amounts that are
based on the income or profits of any person, unless the computation is based
only on a fixed percentage of receipts or sales.
Failing
the 75% or 95% Tests; Reasonable Cause.
As a
result of the 75% and 95% tests, REITs generally are not permitted to earn
more
than 5% of their gross income from active sources, including brokerage
commissions or other fees for services rendered. We may receive certain types
of
that income. This type of income will not qualify for the 75% test or 95% test
but is not expected to be significant and that income, together with other
nonqualifying income, is expected to be at all times less than 5% of our annual
gross income. While we do not anticipate that we will earn substantial amounts
of nonqualifying income, if nonqualifying income exceeds 5% of our gross income,
we could lose our status as a REIT. We may establish taxable REIT subsidiaries
to hold assets generating non-qualifying income. The gross income generated
by
these subsidiaries would not be included in our gross income. However, dividends
we receive from these subsidiaries would be included in our gross income and
qualify for the 95% income test.
If
we
fail to meet either the 75% or 95% income tests during a taxable year, we may
still qualify as a REIT for that year if, following the identification of such
failure, (1) we file a description of each item of our gross income in
accordance with regulations prescribed by Treasury, and (2) the failure to
meet
the tests is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect. It is not
possible, however, to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled
to
the benefit of this relief provision. For example, if we fail to satisfy the
gross income tests because nonqualifying income that we intentionally accrue
or
receive causes us to exceed the limits on nonqualifying income, the IRS could
conclude that our failure to satisfy the tests was not due to reasonable cause.
If these relief provisions do not apply to a particular set of circumstances,
we
will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed below, even if these relief provisions
apply, and we retain our status as a REIT, a tax would be imposed with respect
to our non-qualifying income equal to the product of (i) the greater of the
amount by which we fail either the 75% or 95% income tests for that year and
(ii) a fraction intended to reflect our profitability. See “—Taxation as a REIT”
below.
Prohibited
Transaction Income.
Any
gain that we realize on the sale of any property held as inventory or other
property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business
(including our share of any such gain realized by any subsidiary partnerships),
will be treated as income from a prohibited transaction that is subject to
a
100% penalty tax. This prohibited transaction income may also adversely affect
our ability to satisfy the income tests for qualification as a REIT. Under
existing law, whether property is held as inventory or primarily for sale to
customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business depends on all the
facts
and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction. We intend to hold
our
and our subsidiary partnerships intend to hold their properties for investment
with a view to long-term appreciation, to engage in the business of acquiring,
developing and owning properties, and to make occasional sales of the properties
as are consistent with their investment objectives. The IRS may contend,
however, that one or more of these sales is subject to the 100% penalty
tax.
Character
of Assets Owned.
At the
close of each calendar quarter of our taxable year, we also must meet three
tests concerning the nature of our investments. First, at least 75% of the
value
of our total assets generally must consist of real estate assets, cash, cash
items (including receivables) and government securities. For this purpose,
“real
estate assets” include interests in real property, interests in loans secured by
mortgages on real property or by certain interests in real property, shares
in
other REITs and certain options, but excluding mineral, oil or gas royalty
interests. The temporary investment of new capital in stock or debt instruments
also qualifies under this 75% asset test, but only for the one-year period
beginning on the date we receive the new capital.
Second,
although the balance of our assets generally may be invested without
restriction, we will not be permitted to own (1) securities of any one
non-governmental issuer (other than a taxable REIT subsidiary) that represent
more than 5% of the value of our total assets, (2) securities possessing more
than 10% of the voting power of the outstanding securities of any single issuer
or (3) securities having a value of more than 10% of the total value of the
outstanding securities of any one issuer. A REIT, however, may own 100% of
the
stock of a qualified REIT subsidiary, in which case the assets, liabilities
and
items of income, deduction and credit of the subsidiary are treated as those
of
the REIT. A REIT may also own more than 10% of the voting power or value of
a
taxable REIT subsidiary. Third, securities of a single taxable REIT subsidiary
may represent more than 5% of the value of the total assets but not more than
20% of the value of a REIT’s total assets may be represented by securities of
one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries. In evaluating a REIT’s assets, if the
REIT invests in a partnership, it is deemed to own its proportionate share
of
the assets of the partnership.
After
initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any quarter, we will not
lose
our status as a REIT for failure to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a
later quarter solely by reason of changes in asset values. If we fail to satisfy
the asset tests because we acquire securities or other property during a
quarter, we can cure this failure by disposing of sufficient nonqualifying
assets within 30 days after the close of that quarter. We intend to take such
action within the 30 days after the close of any quarter as may be required
to
cure any noncompliance. If we fail to cure noncompliance with the asset tests
within this time period, we could cease to qualify as a REIT.
If
we
fail to satisfy one or more of the asset tests for any quarter of a taxable
year, we nevertheless may qualify as a REIT for such year if we qualify for
relief under certain provisions of the Code. Those relief provisions generally
will be available (i) for failures of the 5% asset test and the 10% asset tests
if the failure is due to the ownership of assets that do not exceed the lesser
of 1% of our total assets or $10 million, and the failure is corrected within
6
months following the quarter in which it was discovered, or (ii) for the failure
of any asset test (including the failure to satisfy the 5% asset test or 10%
asset tests where the failure is due to ownership of assets that exceed the
amount in (i) above) if the failure is due to reasonable cause and not due
to
willful neglect, we file a schedule with a description of each asset causing
the
failure in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Treasury, the failure
is corrected within 6 months following the quarter in which it was discovered,
and we pay a tax consisting of the greater of $50,000 or a tax computed at
the
highest corporate rate on the amount of net income generated by the assets
causing the failure from the date of failure until the assets are disposed
of or
we otherwise return to compliance with the asset test. We may not qualify for
the relief provisions in all circumstances.
Annual
Distributions to Shareholders.
To
maintain our REIT status, we generally must distribute as a dividend to our
shareholders in each taxable year at least 90% of our net ordinary income.
Capital gain is not required to be distributed. More precisely, we must
distribute an amount equal to (1) 90% of the sum of (a) our “REIT Taxable
Income” before deduction of dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain
and (b) any net income from foreclosure property less the tax on such income,
minus (2) certain limited categories of “excess noncash income,” including
income attributable to leveled stepped rents, cancellation of indebtedness
and
original issue discount income. REIT Taxable Income is defined to be the taxable
income of the REIT, computed as if it were an ordinary corporation, with certain
modifications. For example, the deduction for dividends paid is allowed, but
neither net income from foreclosure property, nor net income from prohibited
transactions, is included. In addition, the REIT may carry over, but not carry
back, a net operating loss for 20 years following the year in which it was
incurred.
A
REIT
may satisfy the 90% distribution test with dividends paid during the taxable
year and with certain dividends paid after the end of the taxable
year.
Dividends
paid in January that were declared during the last calendar quarter of the
prior
year and were payable to shareholders of record on a date during the last
calendar quarter of that prior year are treated as paid on December 31 of the
prior year. Other dividends declared before the due date of our tax return
for
the taxable year, including extensions, also will be treated as paid in the
prior year if they are paid (1) within 12 months of the end of that taxable
year
and (2) no later than our next regular distribution payment. Dividends that
are
paid after the close of a taxable year that do not qualify under the rule
governing payments made in January (described above) will be taxable to the
shareholders in the year paid, even though we may take them into account for
a
prior year. A nondeductible excise tax equal to 4% will be imposed for each
calendar year to the extent that dividends declared and distributed or deemed
distributed on or before December 31 are less than the sum of (a) 85% of our
“ordinary income” plus (b) 95% of our capital gain net income plus (c) any
undistributed income from prior periods.
To
be
entitled to a dividends paid deduction, the amount distributed by a REIT must
not be preferential. For example, every shareholder of the class of shares
to
which a distribution is made must be treated the same as every other shareholder
of that class, and no class of shares may be treated otherwise than in
accordance with its dividend rights as a class.
We
will
be taxed at regular corporate rates to the extent that we retain any portion
of
our taxable income. For example, if we distribute only the required 90% of
our
taxable income, we would be taxed on the retained 10%. Under certain
circumstances we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet
the
distribution requirement. This could arise because of competing demands for
our
funds, or due to timing differences between tax reporting and cash receipts
and
disbursements (i.e., income may have to be reported before cash is received,
or
expenses may have to be paid before a deduction is allowed).
Although
we do not anticipate any difficulty in meeting this requirement, no assurance
can be given that necessary funds will be available. In the event these
circumstances do occur, then in order to meet the 90% distribution requirement,
we may have to arrange for short-term, or possibly long-term, borrowings to
permit the payment of required dividends.
If
we
fail to meet the 90% distribution requirement because of an adjustment to our
taxable income by the IRS, we may be able to cure the failure retroactively
by
paying a “deficiency dividend,” as well as applicable interest and penalties,
within a specified period.
Taxation
As a REIT
As
a
REIT, we generally will not be subject to corporate income tax to the extent
we
currently distribute our REIT taxable income to our shareholders. This treatment
effectively eliminates the “double taxation” imposed on investments in most
corporations. Double taxation refers to taxation that occurs once at the
corporate level when income is earned and once again at the shareholder level
when such income is distributed. We generally will be taxed only on the portion
of our taxable income that we retain, which will include any undistributed
net
capital gain, because we will be entitled to a deduction for dividends paid
to
shareholders during the taxable year. A dividends paid deduction is not
available for dividends that are considered preferential within any given class
of shares or as between classes except to the extent that class is entitled
to a
preference. We do not anticipate that we will pay any of those preferential
dividends. Because excess shares will represent a separate class of outstanding
shares, the fact that those shares will not be entitled to dividends should
not
adversely affect our ability to deduct our dividend payments.
Even
as a
REIT, we will be subject to tax in certain circumstances as
follows:
· |
we
would be subject to tax on any income or gain from foreclosure property
at
the highest corporate rate;
|
· |
a
confiscatory tax of 100% applies to any net income from prohibited
transactions;
|
· |
if
we fail to meet either the 75% or 95% source of income tests described
above, but still qualify for REIT status under the reasonable cause
exception to those tests, a tax would be imposed equal to the amount
obtained by multiplying (a) the greater of the amount, if any, by
which we
failed either the 75% income test or the 95% income test, times (b)
a
fraction intended to reflect our
profitability;
|
· |
if
we fail the 5% asset test or either of the 10% asset tests (and do
not
qualify for a de minimis safe harbor) or fail to satisfy one or more
of
the other asset tests for any quarter of a taxable year, but nonetheless
continue to qualify as a REIT because we qualify under certain relief
provisions, we may be required to pay a tax of the greater of $50,000
or a
tax computed at the highest corporate rate on the amount of net income
generated by the assets causing the failure from the date of failure
until
the assets are disposed of or we otherwise return to compliance with
the
asset test;
|
· |
if
we fail to satisfy one or more of the requirements for REIT qualification
(other than the income tests or the rules providing relief from asset
test
failures, described above), we nevertheless may avoid termination
of our
REIT election in such year if the failure is due to reasonable cause
and
not due to willful neglect and we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each
failure to satisfy the REIT qualification
requirements;
|
· |
under
some circumstances, we may be subject to the alternative minimum
tax on
items of tax preference;
|
· |
if
we should fail to distribute with respect to each calendar year at
least
the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for that year, (b)
95% of
our REIT capital gain net income for that year (other than certain
long-term capital gain for which we make a capital gain designation
and
pay the applicable income tax), and (c) any undistributed taxable
income
from prior years, we would be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess
of
the required distribution over the amounts actually
distributed;
|
· |
we
also will be taxed at the highest regular corporate tax rate on any
built-in gain attributable to assets that we acquire from a C corporation
in certain tax-free corporate transactions, to the extent the gain
is
recognized during the first ten years after we acquire those assets.
Built-in gain is the excess of (a) the fair market value of the asset
over
(b) our adjusted basis in the asset, in each case determined as of
the
beginning of the ten-year recognition period; and
|
· |
we
will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed REIT
taxable
income, including undistributed net capital
gains.
|
In
addition, a tax is imposed on a REIT equal to 100% of redetermined rents,
redetermined deductions and excess interest. Redetermined rents are generally
rents from real property which would otherwise be reduced on distribution,
apportionment or allocation to clearly reflect income as a result of services
furnished or rendered by a taxable REIT subsidiary to tenants of the REIT.
There
are a number of exceptions with regard to redetermined rents, which are
summarized below.
· |
Redetermined
rents do not include de minimis payments received by the REIT with
respect
to non-customary services rendered to the tenants of a property owned
by
the REIT that do not exceed 1% of all amounts received by the REIT
with
respect to the property.
|
· |
The
redetermined rent provisions do not apply with respect to any services
rendered by a taxable REIT subsidiary to the tenants of the REIT,
as long
as the taxable REIT subsidiary renders a significant amount of similar
services to persons other than the REIT and to tenants who are unrelated
to the REIT or the taxable REIT subsidiary or the REIT tenants, and
the
charge for these services is substantially comparable to the charge
for
similar services rendered to such unrelated
persons.
|
· |
The
redetermined rent provisions do not apply to any services rendered
by a
taxable REIT subsidiary to a tenant of a REIT if the rents paid by
tenants
leasing at least 25% of the net leasable space in the REIT’s property who
are not receiving such services are substantially comparable to the
rents
paid by tenants leasing comparable space who are receiving the services
and the charge for the services is separately
stated.
|
· |
The
redetermined rent provisions do not apply to any services rendered
by a
taxable REIT subsidiary to tenants of a REIT if the gross income
of the
taxable REIT subsidiary from these services is at least 150% of the
taxable REIT subsidiary’s direct cost of rendering the
service.
|
· |
The
Secretary of the Treasury has the power to waive the tax that would
otherwise be imposed on redetermined rents if the REIT establishes
to the
satisfaction of the Secretary that rents charged to tenants were
established on an arm’s length basis even though a taxable REIT subsidiary
provided services to the tenants.
|
Redetermined
deductions are deductions, other than redetermined rents, of a taxable REIT
subsidiary if the amount of these deductions would be decreased on distribution,
apportionment or allocation to clearly reflect income between the taxable REIT
subsidiary and the REIT. Excess interest means any deductions for interest
payments made by a taxable REIT subsidiary to the REIT to the extent that the
interest payments exceed a commercially reasonable rate of
interest.
Relief
From Certain Failures of the REIT Qualification Provisions
If
we
fail to satisfy one or more of the requirements for REIT qualification (other
than the income tests or the rules providing relief from asset test failures,
described above), we nevertheless may avoid termination of our REIT election
in
such year if the failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful
neglect and we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each failure to satisfy the REIT
qualification requirements. We may not qualify for this relief provision in
all
circumstances.
Failure
To Qualify As a REIT
For
any
taxable year in which we fail to qualify as a REIT and certain relief provisions
do not apply, we would be taxed at regular corporate rates, including
alternative minimum tax rates on all of our taxable income.
Distributions
to our shareholders would not be deductible in computing that taxable income,
and distributions would no longer be required to be made. Any corporate level
taxes generally would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution
to
our shareholders and, because the shareholders would continue to be taxed on
the
distributions they receive, the net after tax yield to the shareholders from
their investment likely would be reduced substantially. As a result, failure
to
qualify as a REIT during any taxable year could have a material adverse effect
on an investment in our common shares. If we lose our REIT status, unless
certain relief provisions apply, we would not be eligible to elect REIT status
again for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification
is lost. It is not possible to state whether in all circumstances we would
be
entitled to this statutory relief.
Taxation
Of Taxable U.S. Shareholders
As
used
herein, the term "taxable U.S. shareholder" means a holder of our shares that
for U.S. federal income tax purposes is
· |
a
citizen or resident of the United
States;
|
· |
a
corporation, partnership, or other entity created or organized in
or under
the laws of the United States, any of its states or the District
of
Columbia;
|
· |
an
estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless
of its source; or
|
· |
any
trust with respect to which (A) a U.S. court is able to exercise
primary
supervision over the administration of such trust and (B) one or
more U.S.
persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of
the
trust. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, to the extent provided
in
the Treasury Regulations, some trusts in existence on August 20,
1996, and
treated as United States persons prior to this date that elect to
continue
to be treated as United States persons, shall be considered taxable
U.S.
shareholders.
|
· |
If
a partnership, including an entity that is treated as a partnership
for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a beneficial owner of our stock,
the
treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on
the
status of the partner and the activities of the
partnership.
|
Except
as
discussed below, distributions generally will be taxable to taxable U.S.
shareholders as ordinary income to the extent of our current or accumulated
earnings and profits. We may generate cash in excess of our net earnings. If
we
distribute cash to shareholders in excess of our current and accumulated
earnings and profits (other than as a capital gain dividend), the excess cash
will be deemed to be a return of capital to each shareholder to the extent
of
the adjusted tax basis of the shareholder’s shares. Distributions in excess of
the adjusted tax basis will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of
the
shares. A shareholder who has received a distribution in excess of our current
and accumulated earnings and profits may, upon the sale of the shares, realize
a
higher taxable gain or a smaller loss because the basis of the shares as reduced
will be used for purposes of computing the amount of the gain or loss.
Distributions we make, whether characterized as ordinary income or as capital
gains, are not eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations.
For purposes of determining whether distributions to holders of common shares
are out of current or accumulated earnings and profits, our earnings and profits
will be allocated first to the outstanding preferred shares, if any, and then
to
the common shares.
Dividends
we declare in October, November or December of any year and payable to a
shareholder of record on a specified date in any of these months shall be
treated as both paid by us and received by the shareholder on December 31 of
that year, provided we actually pay the dividend on or before January 31 of
the
following calendar year. Shareholders may not include in their own income tax
returns any of our net operating losses or capital losses.
Because
we generally are not subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of our
REIT taxable income distribution to our shareholders, our ordinary dividends
generally are not eligible for the reduced 15% rate available to most non
corporate taxpayers through 2010 under the Tax Increase Prevention and
Reconciliation Act of 2006, and will continue to be taxed at the higher tax
rates applicable to ordinary income. However, the reduced 15% rate does apply
to
our distributions designated as long term capital gain dividends (except to
the
extent attributable to real estate depreciation, in which case such
distributions continue to be subject to tax at a 25% rate); to the extent
attributable to dividends received by us from non REIT corporations or taxable
REIT subsidiaries; and to the extent attributable to income upon which we paid
corporate income tax (for example, if we distribute taxable income that we
retained and paid tax on in the prior year).
Distributions
that we properly designate as capital gain dividends will be taxable to taxable
U.S. shareholders as gains from the sale or disposition of a capital asset
to
the extent that they do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable
year. Depending on the period of time the tax characteristics of the assets
which produced these gains, and on certain designations, if any, which we may
make, these gains may be taxable to non-corporate U.S. shareholders at a 15%
or
25% rate. U.S. shareholders that are corporations may, however, be required
to
treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary
income.
We
may
elect to retain, rather than distribute as a capital gain dividend, our net
long-term capital gains. If we make this election, we would pay tax on our
retained net long-term capital gains. In addition, to the extent we designate,
a
U.S. shareholder generally would:
· |
include
its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term 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;
|
· |
be
deemed to have paid the capital gains tax imposed on us on the designated
amounts included in the U.S. shareholder’s long-term capital
gains;
|
· |
receive
a credit or refund for the amount of tax deemed paid by
it;
|
· |
increase
the adjusted basis of its common shares 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. shareholder that is a corporation,
appropriately adjust its earnings and profits for the retained capital
gains in accordance with Treasury Regulations to be prescribed by
the
IRS.
|
Distributions
we make and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. shareholder of
our
shares will not be treated as income from a passive activity, within the meaning
of Section 469 of the Internal Revenue Code, since income from a passive
activity generally does not include dividends and gain attributable to the
disposition of property that produces dividends. As a result, U.S. shareholders
subject to the passive activity rules will generally be unable to apply any
“passive losses” against this income or gain.
Distributions
we make, 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. Gain arising from the sale or other disposition of our
shares, however, will be treated as investment income if a shareholder so
elects, in which case the capital gain is taxed at ordinary income
rates.
U.S.
shareholders who sell or exchange our shares will generally recognize gain
or
loss for U.S. 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 exchange and the holder's adjusted basis in the shares for tax
purposes. If the shares were held as a capital asset, then the gain or loss
realized by a shareholder upon the sale of shares will be reportable as capital
gain or loss. If a shareholder receives a long-term capital gain dividend from
us and has held the shares for six months or less, any loss incurred on the
sale
or exchange of the shares is treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent
of the corresponding long-term capital gain dividend received.
In
any
year in which we fail to qualify as a REIT, the shareholders generally will
continue to be treated in the same fashion described above, except that none
of
our dividends will be eligible for treatment as capital gains dividends,
corporate shareholders may qualify for the dividends received deduction and
the
shareholders will not be required to report any share of our tax preference
items. Also, dividend distributions would be “qualified dividend income,” which
in the hands of individual shareholders is taxable at the long-term capital
gain
rates for individuals.
The
tax
rate on both dividends and long-term capital gains for most non-corporate
taxpayers is 15% until 2010. This reduced maximum tax rate generally does not
apply to ordinary REIT dividends, which continue to be subject to tax at the
higher tax rates applicable to ordinary income. The 15% maximum tax rate,
however, does apply to (1) long-term capital gains recognized on the disposition
of REIT shares; (2) REIT capital gain distributions (except to the extent
attributable to real estate depreciation, in which case such distributions
continue to be subject to a 25% tax rate), (3) REIT dividends attributable
to
dividends received by the REIT from non-REIT corporations, such as taxable
REIT
subsidiaries, and (4) REIT dividends attributable to income that was subject
to
corporate income tax at the REIT level (e.g., when the REIT distributes taxable
income that had been retained and taxed at the REIT level in the prior taxable
year).
Backup
Withholding
We
will
report to our shareholders and the IRS the amount of dividends paid during
each
calendar year and the amount of tax withheld, if any. If a shareholder is
subject to backup withholding, we will be required to deduct and withhold a
tax
from any dividends payable to that shareholder. These rules may apply (1) when
a
shareholder fails to supply a correct taxpayer identification number, (2) when
the IRS notifies us that the shareholder is subject to the rules or has
furnished an incorrect taxpayer identification number, or (3) in the case of
corporations or others within certain exempt categories, when they fail to
demonstrate that fact when required. A shareholder that does not provide a
correct taxpayer identification number may also be subject to penalties imposed
by the IRS. Any amount withheld as backup withholding may be credited against
the shareholder’s federal income tax liability. We also may be required to
withhold a portion of capital gain distributions made to shareholders who fail
to certify their non-foreign status.
Taxation
of Tax-Exempt Entities
In
general, a tax-exempt entity that is a shareholder will not be subject to tax
on
distributions or gain realized on the sale of shares. The IRS has confirmed
that
a REIT’s distributions to a tax-exempt employees’ pension trust do not
constitute unrelated business taxable income. A tax-exempt entity may be subject
to unrelated business taxable income, however, to the extent that it has
financed the acquisition of its shares with “acquisition indebtedness” within
the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code. In determining the number of
shareholders a REIT has for purposes of the 5/50 rule described above under
“—REIT Qualification,” generally, any shares held by tax-exempt employees’
pension and profit sharing trusts which qualify under Section 401(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code and are exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code will be treated as held directly by its beneficiaries
in
proportion to their interests in the trust and will not be treated as held
by
the trust.
One
of
these trusts owning more than 10% of a REIT may be required to treat a
percentage of dividends from the REIT as UBTI. The percentage is determined
by
dividing the REIT’s gross income (less direct expenses related thereto) derived
from an unrelated trade or business for the year (determined as if the REIT
were
a qualified trust) by the gross income of the REIT for the year in which the
dividends are paid. However, if this percentage is less than 5%, dividends
are
not treated as UBTI. These UBTI rules apply only if the REIT qualifies as a
REIT
because of the “look-thru” rule with respect to the 5/50 rule discussed above
and if the trust is “predominantly held” by qualified trusts. A REIT is
predominantly held by qualified trusts if at least one pension trust owns more
than 25% of the value of the REIT or a group of pension trusts each owning
more
than 10% of the value of the REIT collectively own more than 50% of the value
of
the REIT. We do not currently meet either of these requirements.
For
social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment
benefit trusts and qualified group legal services plans exempt from federal
income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the
Internal Revenue Code, respectively, income from an investment in our capital
shares will constitute UBTI unless the organization is able to deduct an amount
properly set aside or placed in reserve for certain purposes so as to offset
the
UBTI generated by the investment in our capital shares. These prospective
investors should consult their own tax advisors concerning the “set aside” and
reserve requirements.
Taxation
of Foreign Investors
The
rules
governing federal income taxation of nonresident alien individuals, foreign
corporations, foreign partnerships and other foreign shareholders are complex
and no attempt will be made herein to provide more than a summary of such rules.
Prospective non-U.S. shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors
to
determine the impact of federal, state and local income tax laws with regard
to
an investment in common shares, including any reporting requirements, as well
as
the tax treatment of such an investment under the laws of their home
country.
Dividends
that are not attributable to gain from any sales or exchanges we make of United
States real property interests and which we do not designate as capital gain
dividends will be treated as dividends of ordinary income to the extent that
they are made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. Those
dividends ordinarily will be subject to a withholding tax equal to 30% of the
gross amount of the dividend unless an applicable tax treaty reduces or
eliminates that tax. However, if income from the investment in the common shares
is treated as effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholder’s conduct of a
United States trade or business, the non-U.S. shareholder generally will be
subject to a tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. shareholders
are
taxed with respect to those dividends, and may also be subject to the 30% branch
profits tax in the case of a shareholder that is a foreign corporation. For
withholding tax purposes, we are currently required to treat all distributions
as if made out of our current and accumulated earnings and profits and thus
we
intend to withhold at the rate of 30%, or a reduced treaty rate if applicable,
on the amount of any distribution (other than distributions designated as
capital gain dividends) made to a non-U.S. shareholder unless (1) the non-U.S.
shareholder files on IRS Form W-8BEN claiming that a lower treaty rate applies
or (2) the non-U.S. shareholder files an IRS Form W-8ECI claiming that the
dividend is effectively connected income.
Under
certain Treasury Regulations, we would not be required to withhold at the 30%
rate on distributions we reasonably estimate to be in excess of our current
and
accumulated earnings and profits. Dividends in excess of our current and
accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a shareholder to the
extent that they do not exceed the adjusted basis of the shareholder’s shares,
but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of those shares. To the extent that
those dividends exceed the adjusted basis of a non-U.S. shareholder’s shares,
they will give rise to tax liability if the non-U.S. shareholder would otherwise
be subject to tax on any gain from the sale or disposition of his shares, as
described below. If it cannot be determined at the time a dividend is paid
whether or not a dividend will be in excess of current and accumulated earnings
and profits, the dividend will be subject to such withholding. We do not intend
to make quarterly estimates of that portion of dividends that are in excess
of
earnings and profits, and, as a result, all dividends will be subject to such
withholding. However, the non-U.S. shareholder may seek a refund of those
amounts from the IRS.
For
periods through the 2004 taxable year in which we qualified as a REIT,
distributions that were attributable to gain from our sales or exchanges of
United States real property interests were taxed to a non-U.S. shareholder
under
the provisions of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980,
commonly known as “FIRPTA.” Under FIRPTA, those dividends were taxed to a
non-U.S. shareholder as if the gain were effectively connected with a United
States business. Non-U.S. shareholders were thus taxed at the normal capital
gain rates applicable to U.S. shareholders subject to applicable alternative
minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident
alien individuals. Also, dividends subject to FIRPTA may have been subject
to a
30% branch profits tax in the hands of a corporate non-U.S. shareholder not
entitled to treaty exemption. We were required by the Internal Revenue Code
and
applicable Treasury Regulations to withhold 35% of any dividend that could
be
designated as a capital gain dividend. This amount was creditable against the
non-U.S. shareholder’s FIRPTA tax liability.
Beginning
in
the 2005 taxable year, the above taxation under FIRPTA of distributions
attributable to gains from our sales or exchanges of United States real property
interests (or such gains that are retained and deemed to be distributed) will
not apply, provided our common shares are “regularly traded” on an established
securities market in the United States, and the non-U.S. shareholder does not
own more than 5% of the common stock at any time during the one-year period
ending on the date of distribution. Instead, such amounts will be taxable as
a
dividend of ordinary income not effectively connected to a U.S. trade or
business, as described earlier. A non-U.S. shareholder owning more than 5%
of
our common stock could be subject to the prior rules.
Gain
recognized by a non-U.S. shareholder upon a sale of shares generally will not
be
taxed under FIRPTA if we are a “domestically controlled REIT,” defined generally
as a REIT in which at all times during a specified testing period less than
50%
in value of the shares was held directly or indirectly by foreign persons.
It is
currently anticipated that we will be a “domestically controlled REIT,” and
therefore the sale of shares will not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA.
Because the common shares will be publicly traded, however, no assurance can
be
given that we will remain a “domestically controlled REIT.” However, gain not
subject to FIRPTA will be taxable to a non-U.S. shareholder if (1) investment
in
the common shares is effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholder’s
United States trade or business, in which case the non-U.S. shareholder will
be
subject to the same treatment as U.S. shareholders with respect to that gain,
and may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a corporate
non-U.S. shareholder, or (2) the non-U.S. shareholder is a nonresident alien
individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during
the
taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States, in which case the
nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% withholding tax on the
individual’s capital gains. If we were not a domestically controlled REIT,
whether or not a non-U.S. shareholder’s sale of shares would be subject to tax
under FIRPTA would depend on whether or not the common shares were regularly
traded on an established securities market (such as the NYSE) and on the size
of
selling non-U.S. shareholder’s interest in our capital shares. If the gain on
the sale of shares were to be subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S.
shareholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. shareholders with
respect to that gain (subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a
special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals
and
the possible application of the 30% branch profits tax in the case of foreign
corporations) and the purchaser of our common shares may be required to withhold
10% of the gross purchase price.
State
And Local Taxes
We,
and
our shareholders, may be subject to state or local taxation in various state
or
local jurisdictions, including those in which it or they transact business
or
reside. Consequently, Unit holders should consult their own tax advisors
regarding the effect of state and local tax laws on an investment in our capital
shares.
LEGAL
MATTERS
Unless
otherwise noted in a prospectus supplement, Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP,
Dallas, Texas, will pass on the legality of the securities offered through
this
prospectus.
EXPERTS
The
consolidated financial statements, the related financial statement schedules,
and management's report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Weingarten Realty
Investors’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 have
been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public
accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein
by
reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such
firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We
are
subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy
statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any
document we file at the SEC's public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these documents by writing
to
the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the public reference
room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC's web site
at
http://www.sec.gov.
In
addition, you may read and copy our SEC filings at the offices of the New York
Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. Our website address
is http://www.weingarten.com.
This
prospectus is only part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and therefore omits certain information
contained in the registration statement. We have also filed exhibits and
schedules to the registration statement that we have excluded from this
prospectus, and you should refer to the applicable exhibit or schedule for
a
complete description of any statement referring to any contract or document.
You
may inspect or obtain a copy of the registration statement, including exhibits
and schedules, as described in the previous paragraph.
INCORPORATION
OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The
SEC
allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it. This
means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to
those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to
be
part of this prospectus and the information we file later with the SEC will
automatically update and supersede this information.
We
incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings
we
make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 until this offering is completed:
· |
Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2006.
|
· |
The
description of our common shares of beneficial interest contained
in our
registration statement on Form 8-A filed March 17,
1988.
|
You
may
request copies of these filings at no cost by writing or telephoning our
Investor Relations Department at the following address and telephone
number:
Weingarten
Realty Investors
2600
Citadel Plaza Drive Suite 300
Houston,
Texas 77008
(713)
866-6000.
PART
II
INFORMATION
NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
ITEM
14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
The
following table sets forth the estimated expenses in connection with the
offering contemplated by this Registration Statement:
SEC
Registration Fee
|
|
$
|
80.05
|
|
Accounting
Fees and Expenses
|
|
|
25,000.00*
|
|
Legal
Fees and Expenses
|
|
|
35,000.00*
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
|
25,000.00*
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
85,080.05*
|
|
_________
*Estimated
|
|
|
|
|
ITEM
15. INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUST MANAGERS AND OFFICERS.
Section
9.20 of the Texas REIT Act empowers a real estate investment trust to indemnify
any person who was, is, or is threatened to be made a named defendant or
respondent in any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, or investigative, any
appeal in such an action, suit, or proceeding, or any inquiry or investigation
that can lead to such an action, suit or proceeding because the person is or
was
a trust manager, officer, employee or agent of the real estate investment trust
or is or was serving at the request of the real estate investment trust as
a
trust manager, director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee,
employee, agent, or similar functionary of another real estate investment trust,
corporation, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, employee
benefit plan, or other enterprise against expenses (including court costs and
attorney fees), judgments, penalties, fines and settlements if he conducted
himself in good faith and reasonably believed his conduct was in or not opposed
to the best interests of the real estate investment trust and, in the case
of
any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct
was
unlawful.
The
Texas
REIT Act further provides that, except to the extent otherwise permitted
therein, a trust manager may not be indemnified in respect of a proceeding
in
which the person is found liable on the basis that a personal benefit was
improperly received by him or in which the person is found liable to the real
estate investment trust. Indemnification pursuant to Subsection (B) of Section
9.20 of the Texas REIT Act is limited to reasonable expenses actually incurred
and may not be made in respect of any proceeding in which the person has been
found liable for willful or intentional misconduct in the performance of his
duty to the real estate investment trust.
Subsection
(C) of Section 15.10 of the Texas REIT Act provides that a trust manager shall
not be liable for any claims or damages that may result from his acts in the
discharge of any duty imposed or power conferred upon him by the real estate
investment trust, if, in the exercise of ordinary care, he acted in good faith
and in reliance upon information, opinions, reports or statements, including
financial statements and other financial data, concerning the real estate
investment trust or another person, that were prepared or presented by officers
or employees of the real estate investment trust, legal counsel, public
accountants, investment bankers, or certain other professionals, or a committee
of trust managers of which the trust manager is not a member. In addition,
no
trust manager shall be liable to the real estate investment trust for any act,
omission, loss, damage, or expense arising from the performance of his duty
to a
real estate investment trust, save only for his own willful misfeasance, willful
malfeasance or gross negligence.
Article
Sixteen of our amended and restated declaration of trust provides that we shall
indemnify officers and trust managers, as set forth below:
(a) We
shall
indemnify, to the extent provided in our bylaws, every person who is or was
serving as our or our corporate predecessor's director, trust manager or officer
and any person who is or was serving at our request as a director, officer,
partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent or similar functionary
of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, sole
proprietorship, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise with respect
to
all costs and expenses incurred by such person in connection with any proceeding
in which he was, is, or is threatened to be named as a defendant or respondent,
or in which he was or is a witness without being made a defendant or respondent,
by reason, in whole or in part, of his holding or having held a position named
above in this paragraph.
(b) If
the
indemnification provided in paragraph (a) is either (i) insufficient to cover
all costs and expenses incurred by any person named in such paragraph as a
result of such person being made or threatened to be made a defendant or
respondent in a proceeding by reason of his holding or having held a position
named in such paragraph or (ii) not permitted by Texas law, we shall indemnify,
to the fullest extent that indemnification is permitted by Texas law, every
person who is or was serving as our or our corporate predecessor's director,
trust manager or officer and any person who is or was serving at our request
as
a director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent
or
similar functionary of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership,
joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise with respect to all costs and expenses incurred by such person in
connection with any proceeding in which he was, is or is threatened to be named
as a defendant or respondent, or in which he was or is a witness without being
made a defendant or respondent, by reason, in whole or in part, of his holding
or having held a position named above in this paragraph.
Our
bylaws provide that we may indemnify any trust manager or officer who was,
is or
is threatened to be made a party to any suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative, because the person
is or
was serving as our trust manager, officer, employee or agent, or is or was
serving at our request in the same or another capacity in another corporation
or
business association, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and
reasonable expenses actually incurred if it is determined that the person:
(1)
conducted himself in good faith; (2) reasonably believed that, in the case
of
conduct in his official capacity, his conduct was in our best interests, and
that, in all other cases, his conduct was at least not opposed to our best
interests; and (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable
cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; provided that, if the person is
found
liable to us, or is found liable on the basis that personal benefit was
improperly received by the person, the indemnification (A) is limited to
reasonable expenses actually incurred by the person in connection with the
proceeding and (B) will not be made in respect of any proceeding in which the
person shall have been found liable to us for willful or intentional misconduct
in the performance of his duty.
ITEM
16. EXHIBITS.
3.1
|
Amended
and Restated Declaration of Trust, as amended (filed as Exhibit 3.1
to our
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 33-49206) and incorporated
herein
by reference).
|
3.2
|
Amendment
to the Restated Declaration of Trust (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed January 19, 1999 and incorporated
herein by reference).
|
3.3
|
Second
Amendment to the Restated Declaration of Trust (filed as Exhibit
3.3 to
our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed January 19, 1999 and
incorporated herein by reference).
|
3.4
|
Third
Amendment to the Restated Declaration of Trust (filed as Exhibit
3.4 to
our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed January 19, 1999 and
incorporated herein by reference).
|
3.5
|
Fourth
Amendment of the Restated Declaration of Trust dated April 28, 1999
(filed
as Exhibit 3.5 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2001 and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
3.6
|
Fifth
Amendment of the Restated Declaration of Trust dated April 20, 2001
(filed
as Exhibit 3.6 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2001 and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
3.7
|
Amended
and Restated Bylaws (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our Registration Statement
on
Form S-3 (No. 33-49206) and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
4.1
|
Form
of common share certificate (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-104559) and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
*5.1
|
Opinion
of Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP as to the legality of the securities being
registered.
|
*8.1
|
Form
of opinion of Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP as to certain tax
matters.
|
*23.1
|
Consent
of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
|
23.2
|
Consent
of Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1
hereto).
|
23.3
|
Consent
of Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1
hereto).
|
24.1
|
Power
of Attorney (included on signature
page).
|
______
*
Field
herewith.
ITEM
17. UNDERTAKINGS.
(a)
|
The
undersigned registrant hereby
undertakes:
|
(1) To
file,
during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act");
(ii) To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change
in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding
the
foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the
Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume
and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate
offering price set forth in the "Calculation
of Registration Fee"
table
in the effective Registration Statement; and
(iii) To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to
such information in the Registration Statement;
provided,
however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the Registration
Statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed
with
or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or
Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"),
that
are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, or is contained
in
a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the
registration statement.
(2) That,
for
the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
(3) To
remove
from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
(4) That,
for
the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any
purchaser:
(i)(A)
Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be
deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed
prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B)
Each
prospectus required to be filed to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part
of a
registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made
pursuant to Rule 415(a)(l)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the
information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed
to
be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of
the
date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date
of
the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in
prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer
and
any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to
be
a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities
in
the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering
of
such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration
statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made
in a
document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration
statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as
to a
purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date,
supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement
or
prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such
document immediately prior to such effective date; and
(5) That,
for
the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under Securities Act
to
any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, in a primary
offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this
registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell
the
securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such
purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned
registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer
or
sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i)
Any
preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating
to
the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii)
Any
free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of
the
undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned
registrant;
(iii)
The
portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing
material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided
by or on behalf of an undersigned registrant; and
(iv)
Any
other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned
registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining
any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual
report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where
applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant
to
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
(c) Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to trust managers, officers and controlling persons of the registrant
pursuant to the provisions described in Item 15 of this Registration Statement
or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
in
payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trust manager,
director, officer or controlling person in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted against the registrant by such trust manager,
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies
that
it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements
for
filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Houston, State of Texas, on the 26 day of April, 2007.
WEINGARTEN
REALTY INVESTORS
By: /s/
Andrew M. Alexander
Andrew
M.
Alexander
Chief
Executive Officer and President
POWER
OF ATTORNEY
KNOW
ALL
MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby
constitutes and appoints Stanford Alexander, Stephen C. Richter and Andrew
M.
Alexander, and each of them, with the full power to act without the other,
such
person’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead,
in
any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file this Registration Statement,
and any or all amendments thereto (including, without limitation, post-effective
amendments), any subsequent Registration Statements pursuant to Rule 462 of
the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any amendments thereto and to fill
the
same, with all exhibits and schedules thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to
do
and perform each and every act and thing necessary or desirable to be done
in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
Signature
|
Title
|
Date
|
By: /s/
Stanford Alexander
Stanford Alexander
|
Chairman
of the Board,
Trust
Manager
|
April
26, 2007
|
By:
/s/
Andrew M. Alexander
Andrew M. Alexander
|
President,
Chief Executive Officer,
and
Trust Manager
|
April
26, 2007
|
By:
/s/
J. Murry Bowden
J. Murry Bowden
|
Trust
Manager
|
April
26, 2007
|
By:
/s/
James W. Crownover
James W. Crownover
|
Trust
Manager
|
April
26, 2007
|
By:
/s/
Robert J. Cruikshank
Robert
J.
Cruikshank
|
Trust
Manager
|
April
26, 2007
|
By:
/s/
Melvin A. Dow
Melvin
A.
Dow
|
Trust
Manager
|
April
26, 2007
|
By:
/s/ Stephen A. Lasher
Stephen
A.
Lasher
|
Trust
Manager
|
April
26, 2007
|
By:
/s/
Stephen C. Richter
Stephen
C.
Richter
|
Executive
Vice President and
Chief
Financial Officer
|
April
26, 2007
|
By:
/s/
Douglas W. Schnitzer
Douglas
W.
Schnitzer
|
Trust
Manager
|
April
26, 2007
|
By:
/s/
Marc J. Shapiro
Marc
J.
Shapiro
|
Trust
Manager
|
April
26, 2007
|
By:
/s/
Joe D. Shafer
Joe
D.
Shafer
|
Vice
President/Controller
(Principal
Accounting Officer)
|
April
26, 2007
|
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit
Number
3.1
|
Amended
and Restated Declaration of Trust, as amended (filed as Exhibit 3.1
to our
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 33-49206) and incorporated
herein
by reference).
|
3.2
|
Amendment
to the Restated Declaration of Trust (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed January 19, 1999 and incorporated
herein by reference).
|
3.3
|
Second
Amendment to the Restated Declaration of Trust (filed as Exhibit
3.3 to
our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed January 19, 1999 and
incorporated herein by reference).
|
3.4
|
Third
Amendment to the Restated Declaration of Trust (filed as Exhibit
3.4 to
our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed January 19, 1999 and
incorporated herein by reference).
|
3.5
|
Fourth
Amendment of the Restated Declaration of Trust dated April 28, 1999
(filed
as Exhibit 3.5 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2001 and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
3.6
|
Fifth
Amendment of the Restated Declaration of Trust dated April 20, 2001
(filed
as Exhibit 3.6 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2001 and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
3.7
|
Amended
and Restated Bylaws (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our Registration Statement
on
Form S-3 (No. 33-49206) and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
4.1
|
Form
of common share certificate (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-104559) and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
*5.1
|
Opinion
of Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP as to the legality of the securities being
registered.
|
*8.1
|
Form
of opinion of Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP as to certain tax
matters.
|
*23.1
|
Consent
of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
|
23.2
|
Consent
of Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1
hereto).
|
23.3
|
Consent
of Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1
hereto).
|
24.1
|
Power
of Attorney (included on signature
page).
|
______
*
Filed
herewith.
DALLAS:
009656.00000: 1577021v3