DEF 14A 1 lightstonereit2_def14a.htm DEF 14A

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Filed by the Registrant
   
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

  Preliminary Proxy Statement
     
  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
     
  Definitive Proxy Statement
     
  Definitive Additional Materials
     
  Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REIT II, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

  No fee required.
     
  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
    (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
    (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
    (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
     
  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
    (1) Amount Previously Paid:
    (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
    (3) Filing Party:
    (4) Date Filed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REIT II, INC.
1985 Cedar Bridge Avenue, Suite 1
Lakewood, New Jersey 08701

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held December 8, 2022

 

To the Stockholders of Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc.:

 

I am pleased to invite our stockholders to the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc., a Maryland corporation. The annual meeting will be held at 460 Park Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, New York, 10022, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on December 8, 2022.

 

At the meeting, you will be asked to:

 

elect three individuals to serve on the Board of Directors until our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify;

 

approve an amendment and restatement of our charter;

 

permit the Board of Directors to adjourn the Annual Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in favor of the foregoing proposals if there are not sufficient votes for the proposals; and

 

conduct such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting.

 

Our Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on October 10, 2022 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Record holders of shares of our common stock at the close of business on the record date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting.

 

For further information regarding the matters to be acted upon at the annual meeting, I urge you to carefully read the accompanying proxy statement. If you have questions about these proposals or would like additional copies of the proxy statement, please contact: Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc., 1985 Cedar Bridge Avenue, Suite 1, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701.

 

Whether you plan to attend the annual meeting and vote or not, we urge you to have your vote recorded as early as possible. Stockholders have the following three options for submitting their votes by proxy: (1) via the Internet; (2) by telephone; or (3) by mail, using the enclosed proxy card.

 

YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT! Your immediate response will help avoid potential delays and may save us significant additional expenses associated with soliciting stockholder votes.

 

You are cordially invited to attend the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Your vote is important.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

/s/ Joseph Teichman
   
Joseph Teichman
General Counsel and Secretary

Lakewood, New Jersey
October 18, 2022

 

 

 

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REIT II, INC.

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

INTRODUCTION   1
INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING AND VOTING   1
PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS   5
PROPOSAL TWO: APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF CHARTER   8
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MATTERS ACTED UPON   14
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE   15
DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION   18
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS   19
STOCK OWNERSHIP BY DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS   20
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION   21
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS   22
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   25
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT   26
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS’ REPORT   27
OTHER MATTERS PRESENTED FOR ACTION AT 2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS   29
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS   30

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REIT II, INC.
1985 Cedar Bridge Avenue, Suite 1
Lakewood, New Jersey 08701

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The accompanying proxy, mailed together with this proxy statement, is solicited by and on behalf of the board of directors (the “Board of Directors”) of Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc., a Maryland corporation (which we refer to in this proxy statement as the “Company”), for use at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. References in this proxy statement to “we,” “us,” “our” or like terms also refer to the Company, and references in this proxy statement to “you” refer to the stockholders of the Company. The mailing address of our principal executive offices is 1985 Cedar Bridge Avenue, Suite 1, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701. This proxy statement, the accompanying proxy card and notice of annual meeting are first being mailed to our stockholders on or about October 21, 2022. The 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K was previously mailed to our stockholders on or about April 15, 2022.

 

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the exhibits thereto may be accessed online through the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) website at www.sec.gov. In addition, stockholders may request a copy of our 2021 Annual Report by writing or telephoning us at the following address: Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc., 1985 Cedar Bridge Avenue, Suite 1, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701, telephone (866) 792-8700.

 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING AND VOTING

 

What is the date of the annual meeting and where will it be held?

 

Our 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on December 8, 2022, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time. The meeting will be held at 460 Park Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, New York, 10022.

 

What will I be voting on at the meeting?

 

At the meeting, you will be asked to:

 

elect three individuals to serve on the Board of Directors until our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify;

 

approve an amendment and restatement of our charter;

 

permit the Board of Directors to adjourn the Annual Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in favor of the foregoing proposals if there are not sufficient votes for the proposals; and

 

conduct such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting.

 

The Board of Directors does not know of any matters that may be considered at the meeting other than the matters set forth in the items listed above.

 

Who can vote at the meeting?

 

Anyone who is a stockholder of record at the close of business on October 10, 2022, the record date, or holds a valid proxy for the annual meeting, is entitled to vote at the annual meeting.

 

Note that Lightstone Value Plus REIT II LLC (the “Advisor”), which is our external advisor, owned 20,000 shares of our common stock as of the record date, will abstain from voting any shares in any vote for the election of directors and the amendment and restatement of our Charter. The Lightstone Group, LLC (the “Sponsor”) and the Advisor are affiliated with David Lichtenstein, one of our directors. Any shares owned by the Sponsor, the Advisor or any of their affiliates will be excluded in determining the requisite percentage in interest of shares necessary to approve a matter on which they may not vote.

 

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How many votes do I have?

 

Each share of Common Stock has one vote on each matter considered at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

How can I vote?

 

You may vote in person at the meeting or by proxy. Stockholders have the following three options for submitting their votes by proxy:

 

via the Internet at www.proxy-direct.com;

 

by telephone, by calling toll free (800) 337-3503; or

 

by mail, using the pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope provided with this Proxy Statement.

 

For those stockholders with Internet access, we encourage you to authorize a proxy to vote your shares via the Internet, a convenient means of authorizing a proxy that also provides cost savings to us. In addition, when you authorize a proxy to vote your shares via the Internet or by telephone before the meeting date, your proxy authorization is recorded immediately and there is no risk that postal delays will cause your vote by proxy to arrive late and, therefore, not be counted. For further instructions on authorizing a proxy to vote your shares, see your proxy card enclosed with this proxy statement. You may also vote your shares at the meeting. If you attend the meeting, you may submit your vote in person, and any proxy that you authorized by mail, Internet or telephone will be superseded by the vote that you cast at the meeting.

 

How will proxies be voted?

 

Shares represented by valid proxies will be voted at the meeting in accordance with the directions given. If the enclosed proxy card is signed and returned without any directions given, the shares will be voted FOR the nominees for director, FOR the proposal to amend and restate our charter, and FOR the proposal to permit the board to adjourn the meeting, if necessary.

 

The Board of Directors does not intend to present, and has no information indicating that others will present, any business at the annual meeting other than as set forth in the attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. However, if other matters requiring the vote of our stockholders come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote the proxies held by them in their discretion.

 

How can I change my vote or revoke a proxy?

 

You have the unconditional right to revoke your proxy at any time prior to the voting thereof by (i) submitting a later-dated proxy either by telephone, via the Internet or in the mail to Computershare Fund Services (“CFS”), whom we have retained to aid in the solicitation of proxies, at the following address: Proxy Tabulator, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10104, (ii) attending the meeting and voting in person or (iii) providing written notice to CFS. No written revocation of your proxy shall be effective, however, unless and until it is received at or before the meeting. Your attendance at the meeting without voting will not be sufficient to revoke a previous proxy authorization.

 

What if I return my proxy but do not mark it to show how I am voting?

 

If your proxy card is signed and returned without specifying your choices, your shares will be voted as recommended by the Board of Directors.

 

What are the Board’s recommendations?

 

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR each of the three nominees for director named in this proxy statement for election as director, FOR the amendment and statement of our charter, and FOR permitting the Board of Directors to adjourn the meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in favor of the foregoing proposals if there are not sufficient votes for the proposals.

 

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What votes are required to elect directors and approve the proposals?

 

Proposal 1: To be elected, each nominee for director must receive a majority of the votes present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting, assuming a quorum is present. Withheld votes and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote against each nominee for director.

 

Proposal 2: Approval of the amendment and restatement of our charter requires the affirmative vote of a majority of all votes entitled to be cast at the Annual Meeting, assuming a quorum is present. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote against the proposal to amend and restate our charter.

 

Proposal 3: Approval of the proposal to permit the Board of Directors to adjourn the meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in favor of the foregoing proposals if there are not sufficient votes for the proposals, requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting, assuming a quorum is present. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote against the proposals to adjourn the meeting, if necessary.

 

What is a “broker non-vote”?

 

A “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker who holds shares for the beneficial owner is deemed present for purposes of establishing a quorum for the meeting but does not vote on a proposal because the broker does not have discretionary voting authority for that proposal and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares.

 

How many shares of common stock are outstanding?

 

As of the record date, 17.2 million shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting. However, as noted above, The Lightstone Group, LLC, our external advisor and their affiliates will abstain from voting their shares in any vote for the election of directors and the amendment and restatement of our Charter.

 

What constitutes a “quorum”?

 

A quorum consists of the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the annual meeting. There must be a quorum present in order for the annual meeting to be a duly held meeting at which business can be conducted. No business may be conducted at the annual meeting if a quorum is not present. If you submit your proxy, even if you abstain from voting, then you will still be considered part of the quorum.

 

If a quorum is not present at the annual meeting, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the annual meeting to another date, time or place, not later than 120 days after the original record date of October 10, 2022. Notice need not be given of the new date, time or place if announced at the annual meeting before an adjournment is taken.

 

Will you incur expenses in soliciting proxies?

 

We will bear all costs associated with soliciting proxies for the meeting. Solicitations may be made on behalf of the Board of Directors by mail, personal interview, telephone or other electronic means by our officers and other employees of the Advisor, who will receive no additional compensation. We will request banks, brokers, custodians, nominees, fiduciaries and other record holders to forward copies of this proxy statement to people on whose behalf they hold shares of Common Stock and to request authority for the exercise of proxies by the record holders on behalf of those people. In compliance with the regulations of the SEC, we will reimburse such persons for reasonable expenses incurred by them in forwarding proxy materials to the beneficial owners of shares of our Common Stock.

 

We have also retained CFS to aid in the solicitation of proxies. We will pay CFS a fee of approximately $57,000 in addition to reimbursement of its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. As the date of the meeting approaches, certain stockholders may receive a telephone call from a representative of CFS if their votes have not yet been received.

 

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What should I do if I receive more than one set of meeting materials for the annual meeting?

 

You may receive more than one set of voting materials for the annual meeting, including multiple copies of this proxy statement and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction forms. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one brokerage account, you will receive a separate voting instruction form for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a holder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card and voting instruction form. For each and every proxy card and voting instruction form that you receive, please authorize a proxy as soon as possible using one of the following methods:

 

via the Internet at www.proxy-direct.com;

 

by telephone, by calling toll free (800) 337-3503; or

 

by mail, using the pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope provided with this Proxy Statement.

 

If you hold your shares in registered form and wish to combine your stockholder accounts in the future, you should contact Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc., 1985 Cedar Bridge Avenue, Suite 1, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701, or call us at (866) 792-8700. Combining accounts reduces excess printing and mailing costs, resulting in cost savings to us that benefit you as a stockholder.

 

What if I receive only one set of proxy materials although there are multiple stockholders at my address?

 

The SEC has adopted a rule concerning the delivery of documents filed by us with the SEC, including proxy statements and annual reports. The rule allows us to, with the consent of affected stockholders, send a single set of any annual report, proxy statement, proxy statement combined with a prospectus, or information statement to any household at which two or more stockholders reside if they share the same last name or we reasonably believe they are members of the same family. This procedure is referred to as “Householding.” This rule benefits both you and us. It reduces the volume of duplicate information received at your household and helps us reduce expenses. Each stockholder subject to Householding will continue to receive a separate proxy card or voting instruction card.

 

We will promptly deliver, upon written or oral request, a separate copy of our annual report or proxy statement, as applicable, to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy was previously delivered. If you received a single set of disclosure documents for this year, but you would prefer to receive your own copy, you may direct requests for separate copies to Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc., 1985 Cedar Bridge Avenue, Suite 1, New Jersey 08701, or call us at (866) 792-8700. Likewise, if your household currently receives multiple copies of disclosure documents and you would like to receive one set, please contact us.

 

Who can help answer my questions?

 

If you have any questions about the annual meeting, the election of directors, the approval of the amendment and restatement of our Charter, or the adjournment proposal, how to submit your proxy, or if you need additional copies of this proxy statement or the paper proxy card or voting instructions, you should contact us or CFS:

 

Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc.   Proxy Tabulator
1985 Cedar Bridge Ave., Suite 1   P.O. Box 808001
Lakewood, New Jersey 08701   Louisville KY 40233-8001
(866) 792-8700   (866) 209-5914
Attn: Investor Services    

 

When are the director nominations and stockholder proposals for the next annual meeting of stockholders due?

 

Any proposals by stockholders for inclusion in proxy solicitation material for the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders must be received by our secretary, Joseph E. Teichman, at our executive offices during the period beginning on May 24, 2023, and ending at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on June 23, 2023. If you wish to present a proposal for inclusion in the proxy material for next year’s annual meeting, we must receive written notice of your proposal at our executive offices no later than June 23, 2023. However, if we hold the annual meeting before November 8, 2023 or after January 7, 2024, stockholders must submit proposals for inclusion in our 2023 proxy statement within a reasonable time before we begin to print our proxy materials. All proposals must contain the information specified in, and otherwise comply with, our bylaws. Proposals should be sent via registered, certified or express mail to: Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc., 1985 Cedar Bridge Avenue, Suite 1, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701, Attention: Joseph Teichman. For additional information, see the section in this proxy statement captioned “Stockholder Proposals for the 2023 Annual Meeting.”

 

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PROPOSAL ONE:

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

General

 

The Board of Directors ultimately is responsible for directing the management of our business and affairs. We have no employees and have retained the Advisor to manage our day-to-day operations, including the acquisition of our properties. The Advisor is an affiliate of our Sponsor. The Board of Directors, including our independent directors, is responsible for monitoring and supervising the Advisor’s conduct of our day-to-day operations.

 

Our bylaws provide for a Board of Directors with no fewer than three and no more than ten directors, a majority of whom must be independent. An “independent director” is defined under our charter (the “Charter”) and means a person who is not, and within the last two years has not been, directly or indirectly associated with the Company, the Sponsor, the Advisor or any of their affiliates by virtue of:

 

ownership of an interest in the Sponsor, the Advisor or any of their affiliates, other than the Company;

 

employment by the Company, the Sponsor, the Advisors or any of their affiliates;

 

service as an officer or director of the Sponsor, the Advisor or any of their affiliates, other than as a director of the Company;

 

performance of services, other than as a director of the Company;

 

service as a director of the Company or as a director of more than three real estate investment trusts organized by the Sponsor or advised by the Advisor; or

 

maintenance of a material business or professional relationship with the Sponsor, the Advisor or any of their affiliates.

 

An independent director cannot be associated with us, the Sponsor or the Advisor as set forth above either directly or indirectly. An indirect association with the Sponsor or the Advisor includes circumstances in which a director’s spouse, parent, child, sibling, mother- or father-in-law, son- or daughter-in-law or brother- or sister-in-law, is or has been associated with us, the Sponsor, the Advisor, or any of their affiliates.

 

A business or professional relationship is considered material if the aggregate gross revenue derived by the director from the Advisor or the Sponsor and their affiliates exceeds five percent of either the director’s annual gross income during either of the last two years or the director’s net worth on a fair market value basis.

 

We currently have three directors, two of whom are independent. Directors are elected annually by our stockholders, and there is no limit on the number of times a director may be elected to office. Each director serves until the next annual meeting of stockholders or (if longer) until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.

 

During 2021, the Board of Directors held four meetings. The entire Board of Directors was present at all of the meetings. The Board of Directors expects each director to attend annual meetings of stockholders when possible. We anticipate that all directors and nominees will attend our 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

Nominees for the Board of Directors

 

The Board of Directors has proposed the following nominees for election as directors, each to serve until our 2023 Annual Meeting of stockholders and until his successor is duly elected and qualifies: Messrs. David W. Lichtenstein, George R. Whittemore and Yehuda “Judah” L. Angster. Each nominee currently serves as a director.

 

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The proxy holder named on the enclosed proxy card intends to vote FOR the election of each of the three nominees for director. If you do not wish your shares to be voted for particular nominees, please identify the exceptions in the designated space provided on the proxy card or, if you are authorizing a proxy to vote your shares by telephone or the Internet, follow the instructions provided when you authorize a proxy.

 

We know of no reason why any nominee will be unable to serve if elected. If, at the time of the meeting, one or more of the nominees should become unable to serve, shares represented by proxies will be voted for the remaining nominees and for any substitute nominee or nominees designated by the Board of Directors. No proxy will be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees described in this proxy statement.

 

The principal occupation and certain other information about the nominees are set forth below.

 

Name   Age   Year First
Elected
  Business Experience and Principal Occupation; Directorships in Public Corporations and Investment Companies
David Lichtenstein   61   2008  

Mr. David Lichtenstein is the Chairman of our Board of Directors and our Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Lichtenstein founded both American Shelter Corporation and The Lightstone Group, LLC. From 1988 to the present, Mr. Lichtenstein has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of The Lightstone Group, LLC, directing all aspects of the acquisition, financing and management of a diverse portfolio of multi-family, lodging, retail and industrial properties located in 20 states and Puerto Rico. From June 2004 to the present, Mr. Lichtenstein has served as the Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer of Lightstone Value Plus REIT I, Inc. (“Lightstone REIT I”) and Lightstone Value Plus REIT LLC, its advisor. From October 2012 to the present, Mr. Lichtenstein has served as the Chairman of the board of directors of Lightstone Value Plus REIT III, Inc. (“Lightstone REIT III”) and from April 2013 to the present, as the Chief Executive Officer of Lightstone REIT III and of Lightstone Value Plus REIT III LLC. From September 2014 to the present, Mr. Lichtenstein has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Lightstone Value Plus REIT IV, Inc., (“Lightstone REIT IV”), and as Chief Executive Officer of Lightstone Real Estate Income LLC, its advisor. From October 2014 to the present, Mr. Lichtenstein has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Lightstone Enterprises Limited (“Lightstone Enterprises”). Mr. Lichtenstein was appointed Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of Lightstone Value Plus REIT V, Inc. (“Lightstone V”) on August 31, 2021 and is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of its advisor. Mr. Lichtenstein previously served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lightstone V from September 28, 2017 through August 30, 2021. From July 2015 to the present, Mr. Lichtenstein has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the New York City Economic Development Corporation. Mr. Lichtenstein is also a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc., an industry trade group, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of Touro College and New York Medical College.

 

Mr. Lichtenstein has been selected to serve as a director due to his extensive experience and networking relationships in the real estate industry, along with his experience in acquiring and financing real estate properties.

 

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Name   Age   Year First
Elected
  Business Experience and Principal Occupation; Directorships in Public Corporations and Investment Companies
George R. Whittemore   72   2008  

Mr. Whittemore is one of our independent directors and the Chairman of our Audit Committee. From July 2006 to the present, Mr. Whittemore has served as a member of the board of directors of Lightstone REIT I and from December 2013 to present, has served as a member of the board of directors of Lightstone REIT III. Mr. Whittemore also presently serves as a Director and member of the Audit Committee of Village Bank Financial Corporation in Richmond, Virginia, a publicly traded company. Mr. Whittemore previously served as a as a Director of Condor Hospitality, Inc. in Norfolk, Nebraska, a publicly traded company, from November 1994 to March 2016. Mr. Whittemore previously served as a Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Prime Group Realty Trust from July 2005 until December 2012. Mr. Whittemore previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Condor Hospitality Trust, Inc. from November 2001 until August 2004 and as Senior Vice President and Director of both Anderson & Strudwick, Incorporated, a brokerage firm based in Richmond, Virginia, and Anderson & Strudwick Investment Corporation, from October 1996 until October 2001. Mr. Whittemore has also served as a Director, President and Managing Officer of Pioneer Federal Savings Bank and its parent, Pioneer Financial Corporation, from September 1982 until August 1994, and as President of Mills Value Adviser, Inc., a registered investment advisor. Mr. Whittemore is a graduate of the University of Richmond.

 

Mr. Whittemore has been selected to serve as an independent director because of his extensive experience in accounting, banking, finance and real estate.

             
Yehuda “Judah” L. Angster   39   2021  

Mr. Angster is one of our independent directors. From August 2021 to the present, Mr. Angster has served as a member of the board of directors of Lightstone REIT III and from November 2015 through August 2021, Mr. Angster served as a member of the board of directors of Lightstone REIT I. Mr. Angster is currently the Chief Executive Officer of CastleRock Equity Group in Florham Park, NJ. Before joining CastleRock Equity Group in June of 2015, Mr. Angster was the Vice President of Global Development for PCS Wireless, LLC in Florham Park NJ beginning in September 2012. Mr. Angster was the Internal Counsel for Empire Bank from June 2009 to September 2012. Mr. Angster earned his J.D. from the Pace University School of Law in May 2009. Mr. Angster earned a Bachelor of Talmudic Law from Tanenbaum Educational Center, Rockland, NY.

 

Mr. Angster is licensed to practice law in New Jersey and New York. Mr. Angster has been selected to serve as an independent director due to his extensive experience in global business development and real estate transactions.

 

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH OF
THE NOMINEES TO BE ELECTED AS DIRECTORS

 

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PROPOSAL TWO:

 

APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF CHARTER

 

Background

 

We conducted an initial public offering of shares of our common stock from July 2014 to March 2017. Because shares of our common stock are not listed on a national securities exchange, and were not expected to be listed in connection with our public offerings of shares of our common stock, we were required to register our public offerings with the state securities administrators in each state in which we desired to offer securities for sale. In offerings that are subject to their regulation, most states hold real estate investment trusts to the standards set forth in the Statement of Policy Regarding Real Estate Investment Trusts promulgated by the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc. or the NASAA REIT Guidelines. Because we are a real estate investment trust or REIT, a number of states where we wished to offer securities for sale required us to comply with the NASAA REIT Guidelines. As a result, our current charter includes a number of limitations that are imposed by the NASAA REIT Guidelines. As we ceased raising capital in a primary public offering in March 2017 and do not intend to raise capital in such a manner in the future, our board of directors believes that it would be in the best interest of the Company to remove some of these NASAA-mandated limitations because they impose an administrative burden on the Company and could put us at a competitive disadvantage relative to our competitors whose charters do not contain these restrictions.

 

Principal Changes

 

The following discussion summarizes the principal changes we are asking our stockholders to approve in connection with the amendment and restatement of our charter. This summary description is qualified in its entirety by the complete text of the Second Articles of Amendment and Restatement (the “Second Articles”), which is attached as Exhibit A and which has been marked to show the proposed changes from our existing charter as Exhibit B. Following this summary discussion is a bullet-point discussion noting each specific change we expect to make to our charter if this proposal is approved by our stockholders.

 

Provisions Regarding Roll-ups

 

Article XIV of our charter imposes procedural protections relating to transactions in which our stockholders must exchange their shares for securities of another entity (a “roll-up transaction”). Among other protections, an appraisal of the Company’s assets as of a date immediately prior to the announcement of the proposed roll-up transaction and meeting certain other requirements must be obtained from an independent expert in connection with any roll-up transaction. Stockholders who vote against any proposed roll-up transaction must be given the choice of (a) accepting the securities of the roll-up entity or (b) either (i) remaining as stockholders of the Company and preserving their interests therein on the same terms and conditions as existed previously, or (ii) receiving cash in an amount equal to the their proportionate share of the appraised value of the Company. In addition, the Company is prohibited from participating in any roll-up transaction in which certain stockholder rights in the roll-up entity such as voting and access to records are less than those currently provided to stockholders of the Company. Further, if the roll-up transaction is not approved by the stockholders, the costs of the roll-up transaction may not be borne by the Company. If the Second Articles are approved and our stockholders vote to approve a roll-up transaction, our stockholders will no longer receive the benefit of these protections. However, stockholder approval will continue to be required for us to effect a roll-up transaction. We recommend this change to increase our flexibility to enter into a roll-up transaction that our board of directors and our stockholders may believe to be in our best interest.

 

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Provisions Regarding Exculpation and Indemnification

 

Our current charter provides for exculpation of our officers and directors, and provides for indemnification of our officers and directors and the Advisor and its affiliates, but contains certain limits on our ability to indemnify and exculpate consistent with the limitations set forth in the NASAA REIT Guidelines. In order to conform our charter more closely with those of our competitor REITs who are listed on an exchange, and to retain and recruit qualified and experienced officers and directors, we are proposing to remove these limitations and instead provide that we shall exculpate and indemnify our officers and directors to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law. Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from (1) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (2) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment and which is material to the cause of action. Maryland law also permits a Maryland corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. In addition, Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon receipt of (x) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification and (y) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met. These amended provisions will provide our directors and officers with broader and more comprehensive exculpation and indemnification rights. Consistent with these amendments, the Second Articles also remove the requirement that any director and officer insurance purchased by the Company be consistent with the restrictions on indemnification imposed by the NASAA REIT Guidelines.

 

Although we believe that this change will improve our ability to retain and attract qualified directors and officers, the proposed charter amendment does increase the risk that we and our stockholders will not be able to recover monetary damages from our directors if they fail to meet the statutory standard of conduct as a result of negligence or misconduct (as to our non-independent directors) and gross negligence or intentional misconduct (as to our independent directors) or from our officers if they fail to satisfy their duties under Maryland law. In addition, the proposed charter amendment would provide for indemnification of our directors and officers and permit indemnification of the Advisor and its affiliates in circumstances where indemnification is currently limited by our charter. The reduced ability to recover from directors and officers and the increased right to indemnification would be true not only for their future acts or omissions but also for acts or omissions prior to the date of the charter amendment. The proposed charter amendment also increases the risk that we will incur significant defense costs that would otherwise have to be borne by our directors or officers.

 

In addition to providing our directors and officers with additional rights with respect to exculpation and indemnification, removing these limitations from our charter will also permit us to indemnify our Advisor to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, including for acts or omissions prior to the date of the charter amendment. To date, we have not agreed to expand the indemnification of our Advisor beyond that permitted by the NASAA REIT Guidelines; however, the proposed charter amendment does increase the risk that we might agree (i) to indemnify the Advisor for certain losses that we would not be permitted to indemnify the Advisor for under our current charter and (ii) to advance and bear the Advisor’s defense costs in circumstances where our current charter would not permit such advancement.

 

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Provision Regarding Quorum

 

As required by the NASAA REIT Guidelines, our current charter provides that a quorum shall be the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast at least 50% of all of the votes entitled to be cast at a stockholder meeting. The Second Articles remove the quorum requirement from our charter. If the Second Articles are approved, we intend to include the quorum requirement only in our bylaws. However, as required under Maryland law, our quorum would remain at least 50% of all votes entitled to be cast at a stockholder requirement. Maryland law permits companies with at least three independent directors to reduce the quorum requirement to at least one-third of all votes entitled to be cast at a stockholder meeting. If the Second Articles are approved and we increase the size of our board to add a third independent director, we may amend our bylaws to lower the quorum to one-third of all the votes entitled to be cast at a stockholder meeting. A lower quorum threshold to transact business at a stockholder meeting will reduce the cost and administrative burden to the Company in connection with obtaining a quorum at stockholder meetings. We believe this change is in the best interest of the Company; however, by removing the quorum requirement from our charter and including it in our bylaws, our Board of Directors will have the exclusive power to change our quorum requirement. This will permit our Board of Directors to decrease our quorum requirement in order to counter someone who solicits proxies and then withholds them to try to defeat a quorum and prevent the transaction of company business.

 

Provisions Regarding Access to Reports and Stockholder List

 

The Second Articles remove provisions relating to stockholders’ ability to receive reports from the Company and access a stockholder list. Each of these provisions were included in our charter to meet requirements imposed by the NASAA REIT Guidelines and are not consistent with the charters of other Maryland corporations that generally rely on Maryland law and their bylaws to govern access to a stockholder list and reports to stockholders. If the Second Articles are approved, we will no longer be subject to a charter requirement to distribute an annual report with the following information specified by the NASAA REIT Guidelines: the ratio of the cost of raising capital during the period to the capital raised, the total operating expenses of the Company stated as a percentage of average invested assets and as a percentage of net income, and a report from the independent directors that the policies being followed by the Company are in the best interests of our stockholders and the basis for such determination. As a public reporting company, however, we will still continue to be subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC related to annual reports as well as the general provisions of Maryland law requiring us to prepare an annual statement of affairs. Thus, we expect to continue distributing an annual report to our stockholders with disclosure of the information required under the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

In addition, under the Second Articles, the rights of our stockholders to obtain a list of stockholders, will be limited to the rights provided for under Maryland law. These rights are more restrictive than those included in our current charter. Maryland law allows any stockholder of a corporation to inspect the corporation’s bylaws, minutes of stockholder proceedings, annual statements of affairs and voting trust agreements on file at the corporation’s principal office and to request a statement showing all stock and securities issued by the corporation during a specified period of not more than 12 months before the date of the request. However, Maryland law permits only stockholders who for at least six months have been stockholders of record of at least five percent of the outstanding stock of any class of the corporation to inspect the corporation’s books of account and stock ledger, to request a statement of the corporation’s affairs and to request a stockholder list. In addition, Maryland law does not provide for receipt of the telephone numbers of stockholders in connection with receipt of a stockholder list. Our current charter provides that any stockholder may request a copy of the stockholder list (which includes stockholders’ phone numbers) in connection with matters relating to stockholders’ voting rights, the exercise of stockholder rights under federal proxy laws or for any other proper and legitimate purpose. Our board of directors believes that these revisions increase the Company’s ability to protect the privacy of its stockholders and reduce the Company’s exposure to potentially exploitive mini-tender offers for shares of our stock by increasing the threshold at which stockholders may access information related to our stockholders. We believe the changes also enhance our anti-takeover defenses by making it more difficult for a potential acquirer to acquire shares or to contact stockholders for the purpose of trying to influence our management. Although we believe the changes are in the best interest of the Company, the proposed charter changes may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us, which may reduce your ability to liquidate your investment in us or to receive a control premium for your shares. The proposed changes may also make it more difficult for our stockholders to communicate with each other to influence our management, which could result in policies, actions or board composition that are not as favorable to you as they otherwise would be.

 

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Provision Regarding Director Fiduciary Obligations

 

The Second Articles no longer provide that directors are fiduciaries of the Company and our stockholders. Instead, if the Second Articles are approved, our directors would be held to the standard of conduct imposed under Maryland law, which requires a director to perform his duties in good faith, in a manner he reasonably believes to be in our best interests and with the care than an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances. We are recommending this revision because we believe it will improve our ability to retain and recruit board candidates.

 

Provisions Regarding Investor Suitability

 

Our current charter imposes certain suitability and minimum investment requirements on investors in our common stock in accordance with the NASAA REIT Guidelines. Under the Second Articles, the provisions regarding suitability and minimum investment of stockholders would be deleted in their entirety. Removal of these provisions generally would provide stockholders with greater ability to sell shares, since prospective buyers would no longer be subject to the financial suitability standards imposed by the NASAA REIT Guidelines. In addition, the removal of these provisions would eliminate the minimum stockholding requirements, thus permitting transfers of shares in any amount. Furthermore, removal of these provisions eliminates the requirement that our sponsor or anyone selling shares on our behalf or on behalf of our sponsor make a determination that the purchase of our shares is a suitable and appropriate investment for the prospective stockholder. Rather, prospective stockholders or their financial advisers, or both, would determine for themselves whether an investment in the Company is a suitable and appropriate investment.

 

Provision Regarding the Duration of the Company

 

Our Charter states that in the event the Company does not list its common shares on a national stock exchange on or before the eight anniversary of the termination of the Company’s initial public offering, which is March 31, 2025, then the Board of Directors must either (a) adopt a resolution that sets forth a proposed amendment to the Charter extending or eliminating this deadline or (b) adopt a resolution to liquidate and dissolve the Company.

 

Our Board of Directors has determined that it is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders to amend the Charter to eliminate the deadline to liquidate and dissolve the Company (the “Elimination Amendment”) at this time. Doing so will allow us to engage in transactions that may be beneficial to us and our stockholders and will provide us more flexibility in pursuing various ways to provide liquidity to our stockholders. If the Elimination Amendment is approved, management will review the Company’s liquidity requirements on an ongoing basis, to seek out beneficial transactions, including acquisitions and sales, or dispositions, that could increase the liquidity used to pay dividends or otherwise (each a “Liquidity Event”).

 

However, this proposed amendment to our Charter is neither required for, nor a condition to, listing our Common Stock on a national securities exchange. We may choose to list or not to list our Common Stock regardless of whether the proposed charter amendment is approved or not approved, and this proposal should not be viewed as an indication that we will choose to list our Common Stock. There can be no assurance that, if we chose to list our Common Stock, that we would be able to do so.

 

Conforming Changes and Other Ministerial Modifications

 

The Second Articles reflect a number of changes and other modifications of a ministerial nature that are necessary in view of the changes being proposed. These changes and modifications include, among other things, deletion and revision of definitions, references and cross-references and other provisions which are no longer applicable to us or which need to be updated, and the necessary re-numbering and lettering of remaining provisions.

 

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Summary of Specific Changes

 

Listed below, in summary form, are the specific changes that will be made to our current charter if the Second Articles are approved by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting. This does not identify certain immaterial changes. Please see the marked version of the charter attached as Exhibit B, which reflects all the proposed changes to our charter.

 

Deletion of definitions in Article IV that are no longer applicable as a result of the removal of certain provisions in the Second Articles.

 

Deletion of Section 5.8 regarding suitability and minimum investment of stockholders.

 

Deletion of Section 6.5 regarding the directors’ fiduciary obligation to the Company and their fiduciary duty to supervise the relationship of the Company and the Advisor.

 

Deletion of Section 7.5 regarding the requirement for the board of directors to approve certain actions consistent with the NASAA REIT Guidelines.

 

Deletion of Section 7.7 regarding the requirement for the board of directors to approve certain actions consistent with the NASAA REIT Guidelines.

 

Deletion of language in Section 8.2 to remove the specific factors the board of directors must consider in connection with its supervision of the Advisor.

 

Deletion of language in Section 11.1 regarding the definition of a quorum.

 

Revisions to Section 11.6 regarding a stockholder’s ability to access the stockholder list to provide that the right of inspection will be governed by Maryland law.

 

Deletion of Section 11.7 regarding the Company’s requirement to mail specific reports to its stockholders at the end of the fiscal year.

 

Expansion of the Company’s exculpation and indemnification of its officers and directors to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

 

Expansion of the Company’s obligation to advance defense expenses to a director or officer to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

 

Elimination of limits (other than those imposed by Maryland law) on the Company’s ability to indemnify the Advisor or advance defenses expenses to the Advisor.

 

Deletion of Article XIV regarding limitations on roll-up transactions

 

Deletion of Article XV regarding the duration of the Company.

 

If approved by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting, the amendments reflected in the Second Articles will be effected by our filing of the Second Articles with the State Department of Assessment and Taxation of the State of Maryland (the “SDAT”), and will become effective upon filing and acceptance for record by the SDAT. If approved, we plan to file the Second Articles immediately following the stockholder vote on the Second Articles. The text of the proposed Second Articles is attached as Exhibit A and a marked version thereof against our existing charter, which shows the modifications proposed to be made, is attached as Exhibit B.

 

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS
A VOTE “FOR” THE AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF OUR CHARTER

 

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PROPOSAL 3

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

This third proposal is to permit our board to adjourn the Annual Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in favor of Proposals 1 and 2 if there are not sufficient votes for those proposals.

 

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INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MATTERS ACTED UPON

 

David Lichtenstein is the founder and majority owner of The Lightstone Group, LLC. Through The Lightstone Group, LLC, Mr. Lichtenstein controls and indirectly owns our Advisor, certain of our property managers, and their affiliates, except for us. Our Advisor does not advise any entity other than us. However, employees of our Advisor are also employed by the advisors to our sponsor’s other public programs. Mr. Lichtenstein is one of our directors and The Lightstone Group, LLC, or an affiliated entity controlled by Mr. Lichtenstein, employs each of our officers.

 

Other than the interests of the Advisor and our directors and executive officers in the approval of the amendment and statement of our charter described in the preceding paragraphs, there are no substantial interests, direct or indirect, by security holdings or otherwise, of each of the following persons in connection with any of the matters to be acted upon:

 

Each director or executive officer of the Company at any time since the beginning of the last fiscal year.

 

Each associate of any of the foregoing persons.

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

The only standing committee of the Board of Directors is the audit committee (the “Audit Committee”). The Audit Committee consists of two members composed entirely of our independent directors. The Board of Directors has determined that each of our independent directors is independent within the meaning of the applicable (i) provisions set forth in the Charter and (ii) requirements set forth in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act “), and the applicable SEC rules.

 

Interested parties may communicate matters they wish to raise with the directors by writing to our Secretary at: Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc., 1985 Cedar Bridge Avenue, Suite 1, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701, Attention: Joseph Teichman. Mr. Teichman will deliver all appropriate communications to the Board of Directors no later than the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

Audit Committee

 

The Board of Directors established an Audit Committee in December 2014. A copy of the charter of the Audit Committee is available on our website at www.lightstonecapitalmarkets.com or in print to any stockholder who requests it c/o Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc., 1985 Cedar Bridge Avenue, Suite 1, Lakewood, NJ 08701. Our Audit Committee consists of Messrs. George R. Whittemore and Yehuda “Judah” L. Angster. Mr. Whittemore is the chairman of our audit committee.

 

The Audit Committee, in performing its duties, monitors:

 

our financial reporting process;

 

the integrity of our financial statements;

 

compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

 

the independence and qualifications of our independent and internal auditors, as applicable; and

 

the performance of our independent and internal auditors, as applicable.

 

Each member of our Audit Committee is independent within the meaning of the applicable requirements set forth in or promulgated under the Exchange Act and within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) listing standards. In addition, the Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Whittemore and Mr. Angster are qualified as “audit committee financial experts” within the meaning of the applicable rules promulgated by the SEC. Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, no member of the Audit Committee may serve as a member of the audit committee of more than two other public companies.

 

During 2021, the Audit Committee held five meetings. Each of the Audit Committee members attended all of the meetings held by the Audit Committee, while he was a member of the Audit Committee, either in person or by telephone. The Audit Committee’s report on our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 is discussed below under the heading “Audit Committee Report.”

 

Nominating the Board of Directors

 

The Board of Directors does not have a standing nominating committee for the purpose of nominating individuals to serve as directors. All members of our Board of Directors participate in the consideration of director nominees. The primary functions of the members of the Board of Directors relating to the consideration of director nominees is to identify individuals qualified to serve on the Board of Directors. We have not adopted a specific policy regarding the consideration of director nominees recommended to us by stockholders.

 

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In determining the composition of the Board of Directors, our goals are to assemble a board that, as a whole, possesses the appropriate balance of professional and real estate industry knowledge, financial expertise and high-level management experience to bring a diverse set of skills and experiences to the board as a whole to oversee our business. The Board of Directors believes that diversity is an important attribute of the members of our Board of Directors and that the members should represent an array of backgrounds. To that end, our Board of Directors includes directors who complement and strengthen the skills of other members and who also exhibit integrity, collegiality, sound business judgment and other qualities that we view as critical to effective functioning of the board. The brief biographies in “Proposal One” include information, as of the date of this proxy, regarding the specific and particular experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of each director or nominee that led the board to believe that the director should serve on the board.

 

The Board of Directors annually reviews the appropriate experience, skills and characteristics required of directors in the context of our business. This review includes, in the context of the perceived needs of the board at that time, issues of knowledge, experience, judgment and skills relating to the understanding of the real estate industry, accounting or financial expertise. The Board of Directors gives consideration to the members of the Board of Directors having a diverse mix of background and skills. This review also includes the candidate’s ability to attend regular board meetings and to devote a sufficient amount of time and effort in preparation for such meetings.

 

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

The Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code of Ethics”), which is applicable to the directors, officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates. The Code of Ethics covers topics including, but not limited to, conflicts of interest, confidentiality of information, full and fair disclosure, reporting of violations and compliance with laws and regulations. The Code of Ethics is available, free of charge, on our website at www.lightstonecapitalmarkets.com. You may also obtain a copy of the Code of Ethics by writing to: Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc., 1985 Cedar Bridge Avenue, Suite 1, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701, Attention: Joseph Teichman. A waiver of the Code of Ethics for our Chief Executive Officer may be made only by the Board of Directors and will be promptly disclosed to the extent required by law. A waiver of the Code of Ethics for all other directors, officers and employees may be made only by our Chief Executive Officer or General Counsel, and shall be discussed with the Board of Directors as appropriate.

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

As noted above, our Board of Directors currently is comprised of two independent and one affiliated directors. Mr. Lichtenstein has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors since 2014 and serves as our Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Whittemore serves as the “presiding director” at any executive sessions of the independent directors, as defined under the rules of the NYSE. The Board of Directors believes that this provides an effective leadership model for the Company.

 

We recognize that different board leadership structures may be appropriate for companies in different situations, and that no one structure is suitable for all companies. We believe our current board leadership structure is optimal for us because it demonstrates to our investors and other stakeholders that the Company is under strong leadership, coordinated closely between Mr. Lichtenstein, who has over 20 years of real estate industry experience, and Mr. Whittemore, who has served various public and private entities as a key executive and officer over the past 20 years. In our judgment, the Company, like many U.S. companies, has been well-served by this leadership structure.

 

Board Role in Risk Oversight

 

Our Board of Directors is actively involved in overseeing our risk management through our Audit Committee. Under its charter, our Audit Committee is responsible for discussing guidelines and policies governing the process by which our senior management and our relevant departments assess and manage our exposure to risk, as well as our major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures.

 

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Director Independence

 

Our charter and bylaws provide for a Board of Directors with no fewer than three and no more than ten directors, a majority of whom must be independent. An “independent director” is defined under our Charter and means a person who is not, and within the last two years has not been, directly or indirectly associated with the Company, our Sponsor or our Advisor or any of their affiliates by virtue of:

 

ownership of an interest in our Sponsor, our Advisor or any of their affiliates, other than the Company;

 

employment by the Company, our Sponsor, our Advisor or any of their affiliates;

 

service as an officer of our Sponsor, our Advisor or any of their affiliates, other than as a director of the Company;

 

performance of services, other than as a director of the Company;

 

service as a director of more than three real estate investment trusts organized or controlled by our Sponsor or advised by our Advisor; or

 

maintenance of a material business or professional relationship with our Sponsor, our Advisor or any of their affiliates.

 

An independent director cannot be associated with us, our Sponsor or our Advisor as set forth above either directly or indirectly. An indirect association with our Sponsor or our Advisor includes circumstances in which a director’s spouse, parent, child, sibling, mother- or father-in-law, son- or daughter-in-law or brother- or sister-in-law, is or has been associated with us, our Sponsor, our Advisor, or any of their affiliates.

 

A business or professional relationship is considered material if the aggregate gross revenue derived by the director from our Advisor or our Sponsor and their affiliates exceeds five percent of either the director’s annual gross income during either of the last two years or the director’s net worth on a fair market value basis.

 

The Board of Directors has considered the independence of each director and nominee for election as a director in accordance with the elements of independence set forth in the listing standards of the NYSE. Based upon information solicited from each nominee, the Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that George R. Whittemore and Yehuda “Judah” L. Angster have no material relationship with the Company (either directly or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company) and are “independent” within the meaning of the NYSE’s director independence standards and Audit Committee independence standards, as currently in effect.

 

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DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Compensation of Our Directors

 

We have no standing compensation committee. Our entire Board of Directors determines matters relating to director and officer compensation. Our Board of Directors designs our director compensation with the goals of attracting and retaining highly qualified individuals to serve as independent directors and to fairly compensate them for their time and efforts. Because of our unique attributes as a REIT, service as an independent director on our Board of Directors requires broad expertise in the fields of real estate and real estate investment.

 

We pay our independent directors an annual fee of $40,000 (payable in quarterly installments) and are responsible for reimbursement of their out-of-pocket expenses, as incurred. We also pay our audit committee chair an additional aggregate annual fee of $10,000 (payable in quarterly installments).

 

Compensation of Our Executive Officers

 

We currently have no employees. Our Advisor performs our day-to-day management functions. Our executive officers are all employees of the Advisor. Our executive officers do not receive compensation from us for services rendered to us. Our executive officers are all employees of our Advisor and are compensated by our Advisor. As a result, our Board of Directors has determined that it is not necessary to establish a compensation committee. In addition, we do not have, and the Board of Directors has not considered, a compensation policy or program for our executive officers, and we have not included a “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” in this proxy statement. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” below for a discussion of the fees paid to and services provided by our Advisor and Property Managers.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

The Board of Directors in its entirety performs the duties typically delegated to a compensation committee. There are no interlocks or insider participation as to compensation decisions required to be disclosed pursuant to SEC regulations.

 

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DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

The following table presents certain information as of September 15, 2022 concerning each of our directors and officers serving in such capacity:

 

Name   Age   Principal Occupation and Positions Held   Served as a Director Since
David Lichtenstein   61   Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors   2008
George R. Whittemore   72   Director   2008
Yehuda “Judah” L. Angster   39   Director   2021
Mitchell Hochberg   70   President and Chief Operating Officer   N/A
Joseph Teichman   49   General Counsel   N/A
Seth Molod   58   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer   N/A

 

David Lichtenstein — for biographical information about Mr. Lichtenstein, see “Nominees for the Board of Directors.”

 

Yehuda “Judah” L. Angster — for biographical information about Mr. Angster, see “Nominees for the Board of Directors.”

 

George R. Whittemore — for biographical information about Mr. Whittemore, see “Nominees for the Board of Directors.”

 

Mitchell Hochberg is our President and Chief Operating Officer and also serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of Lightstone I, Lightstone III and Lightstone IV and their respective advisors. From October 2014 to the present, Mr. Hochberg has served as President of Lightstone Enterprises. Mr. Hochberg was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Behringer Harvard Opportunity REIT I, Inc. (“OP 1”) and Lightstone V effective as of September 28, 2017. Additionally, on August 31, 2021, Mr. Hochberg was appointed as a director and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lightstone V and will continue to serve as the Lightstone V’s Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining The Lightstone Group, LLC in August 2012, Mr. Hochberg served as principal of Madden Real Estate Ventures, a real estate investment, development and advisory firm specializing in hospitality and residential projects from 2007 to August 2012 when it combined with our sponsor. Mr. Hochberg held the position of President and Chief Operating Officer of Ian Schrager Company, a developer and manager of innovative luxury hotels and residential projects in the United States from early 2006 to early 2007 and prior to that Mr. Hochberg founded Spectrum Communities, a developer of luxury residential neighborhoods in the Northeast in 1985 where for 20 years he served as its President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Hochberg served a member of the board of directors of Belmond Ltd. from 2009 to April 2019. Additionally, Mr. Hochberg serves as Chairman of the board of directors of WMC Health. Mr. Hochberg received his law degree from Columbia University School of Law where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and graduated magna cum laude from New York University College of Business and Public Administration with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance.

 

Joseph E. Teichman is our General Counsel and Secretary and also serves as General Counsel and Secretary of Lightstone I, Lightstone III and Lightstone IV and their respective advisors. Mr. Teichman also serves as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of our Advisor and Sponsor. Prior to joining us in January 2007, Mr. Teichman practiced law at the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in New York, NY from September 2001 to January 2007. Mr. Teichman earned his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in May 2001. Mr. Teichman earned a B.A. from Beth Medrash Govoha, Lakewood, NJ. Mr. Teichman is licensed to practice law in New York and New Jersey. Mr. Teichman is also a member of the Board of Directors of Yeshiva Orchos Chaim, Lakewood, New Jersey and was appointed to the Ocean County College Board of Trustees in February 2016.

 

Seth Molod is our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and also serves as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Lightstone I, Lightstone III, Lightstone IV and Lightstone V. Mr. Molod also serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of our Sponsor and as the Chief Financial Officer of our Advisor and the advisors of Lightstone I, Lightstone III, Lightstone IV and Lightstone V. Prior to the joining the Lightstone Group, LLC in August of 2018, Mr. Molod served as an Audit Partner, Chair of Real Estate Services and on the Executive Committee of Berdon LLP, a full service accounting, tax, financial and management advisory firm (“Berdon”). Mr. Molod joined Berdon in 1989. He has extensive experience advising some of the nation’s most prominent real estate owners, developers, managers, and investors in both commercial and residential projects. Mr. Molod has worked with many privately held real estate companies as well as institutional investors, REITs, and other public companies. Mr. Molod is a licensed certified public accountant in New Jersey and New York and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Molod holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Muhlenberg College.

 

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STOCK OWNERSHIP BY DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND CERTAIN STOCKHOLDERS

 

The following table presents certain information as of September 15, 2022 concerning:

 

each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock based solely upon the amounts and percentages contained in the public filings of such persons;

 

each of our directors and executive officers serving in such capacity; and

 

all of our directors and executive officers as a group:

 

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)  Number of Shares of Common Stock of the Company   Percent of All Common Shares of the Company 
David Lichtenstein(2)   20,000    0.1%
George R. Whittemore        
Yehuda “Judah” L. Angster        
Mitchell Hochberg        
Seth Molod        
Joseph Teichman        
Our directors and officers as a group (6 persons)   20,000    0.1%

 

 

(1) The business address of each individual listed in the table is 1985 Cedar Bridge Avenue, Suite 1, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701.
(2) Includes 20,000 shares owned by our Advisor. Our Advisor is majority owned by David Lichtenstein.   The beneficial owner’s business address is 1985 Cedar Bridge Avenue, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701.

 

20

 

 

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

 

Employee and Director Incentive Restricted Share Plan

 

Our Employee and Director Incentive Restricted Share Plan:

 

 

furnishes incentives to individuals chosen to receive restricted shares because they are considered

capable of improving our operations and increasing profits;

     
  encourages selected persons to accept or continue employment with our advisor and its affiliates; and
     
 

increases the interest of our employees, officers and directors in our welfare through their participation

in the growth in the value of our common shares.

 

The Employee and Director Incentive Restricted Share Plan provides us with the ability to grant awards of restricted shares to our directors, officers and full-time employees (in the event we ever have employees), full-time employees of our Advisor and its affiliates, full-time employees of entities that provide services to us, directors of the Advisor or of entities that provide services to us, certain of our consultants and certain consultants to the advisor and its affiliates or to entities that provide services to us. The total number of common shares reserved for issuance under the Employee and Director Incentive Restricted Share Plan is equal to 0.5% of our outstanding shares on a fully diluted basis at any time, not to exceed 255,000 shares.

 

Restricted share awards entitle the recipient to common shares from us under terms that provide for vesting over a specified period of time or upon attainment of pre-established performance objectives. Such awards would typically be forfeited with respect to the unvested shares upon the termination of the recipient’s employment or other relationship with us. Restricted shares may not, in general, be sold or otherwise transferred until restrictions are removed and the shares have vested. Holders of restricted shares may receive cash dividends prior to the time that the restrictions on the restricted shares have lapsed. Any dividends payable in common shares shall be subject to the same restrictions as the underlying restricted shares.

 

The guidance under Section 409A of the Code provides that there is no deferral of compensation merely because the value of property (received in connection with the performance of services) is not includible in income by reason of the property being substantially nonvested (as defined in Section 83 of the Code). Accordingly, it is intended that the restricted share grants will not be considered “nonqualified deferral compensation.”

 

We have not yet granted any awards of restricted shares.

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires each director, officer and individual beneficially owning more than 10% of our Common Stock to file initial statements of beneficial ownership (Form 3) and statements of changes in beneficial ownership (Forms 4 and 5) of our Common Stock with the SEC. Officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners are required by SEC rules to furnish us with copies of all such forms they file. Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms furnished to us during and with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, or written representations that no additional forms were required, we believe that all of our officers and directors and persons that beneficially own more than 10% of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock complied with these filing requirements in 2021.

 

21

 

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Related Party Transactions

 

On July 16, 2014, the Advisor contributed $2,000 to the Operating Partnership in exchange for 200 limited partner units in the Operating Partnership. Our Advisor also owns 20,000 shares of common stock (“Common Shares”) which were issued on May 20, 2008 for $200,000, or $10.00 per share. Mr. Lichtenstein also is the majority owner of the equity interests of The Lightstone Group, LLC. The Lightstone Group, LLC served as the sponsor during our initial public offering and follow-on offering (the “Follow-On Offering”, and collectively, the “Offerings”), which terminated on August 15, 2012 and September 27, 2014, respectively. Our Advisor, together with our board of directors (the “Board of Directors”), is primarily responsible for making investment decisions on our behalf and managing our day-to-day operations. Through his ownership and control of The Lightstone Group, LLC, Mr. Lichtenstein is the indirect owner and manager of Lightstone SLP II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Associate General Partner”), which owns 177.0 subordinated profits interests (“Subordinated Profits Interests”) in the Operating Partnership which were acquired for aggregate consideration of $17.7 million in connection with our Offerings. Mr. Lichtenstein also acts as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. As a result, he exerts influence over but does not control Lightstone REIT II or the Operating Partnership.

 

On February 17, 2009, we entered into agreements with our Advisor and its affiliates to pay certain fees, as described below, in exchange for services performed by them and/or other related party entities. As the indirect owner of those entities, Mr. Lichtenstein benefits from fees and other compensation that they receive pursuant to these agreements.

 

Property Managers

 

Our Advisor has affiliates which may manage certain of the properties we acquire. However, we also contract with other unaffiliated third-party property managers, principally for the management of our hospitality properties.

 

We have agreed to pay our property managers a monthly management fee of up to 5% of the gross revenues from our residential, lodging and retail properties. In addition, for the management and leasing of our office and industrial properties, we will pay, to our property managers, property management and leasing fees of up to 4.5% of gross revenues from our office and industrial properties. We may pay our property managers a separate fee for the one-time initial rent-up or leasing-up of newly constructed office and industrial properties in an amount not to exceed the fee customarily charged in arm’s length transactions by others rendering similar services in the same geographic area for similar properties as determined by a survey of brokers and agents in such area.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, our property managers may be entitled to receive higher fees in the event they demonstrate to the satisfaction of a majority of the directors (including a majority of the independent directors) that a higher competitive fee is justified for the services rendered. Our property managers will also be paid a monthly fee for any extra services equal to no more than that which would be payable to an unrelated party providing the services. The actual amounts of these fees are dependent upon results of operations and, therefore, cannot be determined at the present time.

 

We did not incur any fees to affiliates of our Advisor for property management services during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

 

Advisor

 

We pay our Advisor an acquisition fee equal to 0.95% of the gross contractual purchase price (including any mortgage assumed) of each property purchased and will reimburse our Advisor for expenses that it incurs in connection with the purchase of a property. Acquisition fees and expenses are capped at 5% of the gross contractual purchase price of a property. The Advisor is also paid an advisor asset management fee of 0.95% of our average invested assets and we reimburse some expenses of the Advisor. Total fees paid to the Advisor for each of the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $2.9 million.

 

22

 

 

Lightstone SLP II, LLC

 

In connection with our Offerings which concluded on September 27, 2014, Lightstone SLP II, LLC acquired 177.0 Subordinated Profits Interests in the Operating Partnership for aggregate consideration of $17.7 million. These Subordinated Profits Interests, for which the aggregate consideration of $17.7 million will only be repaid after stockholders receive a stated preferred return and their net investment, entitle Lightstone SLP II, LLC to a portion of any regular distributions made by the Operating Partnership.

 

There were no distributions declared on the Subordinated Profits Interests during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. From our inception through December 31, 2021, the cumulative distributions declared and paid on the Subordinated Profits Interests were $7.9 million. Any future distributions on the Subordinated Profits Interests will always be subordinated until stockholders receive a stated preferred return, as described above.

 

The Subordinated Profits Interests may also entitle Lightstone SLP II, LLC to a portion of any liquidating distributions made by the Operating Partnership. The value of such distributions will depend upon the net sale proceeds upon the liquidation of the Company and, therefore, cannot be determined at the present time. Liquidating distributions to Lightstone SLP II, LLC will always be subordinated until stockholders receive a distribution equal to their initial investment plus a stated preferred return.

 

Acquisitions and Investments in Entities Affiliated with Sponsor

 

Brownmill Joint Venture

 

In connection with our Offerings, which concluded on September 27, 2014, we entered into various contribution agreements with Lightstone Holdings LLC (“LGH”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Sponsor, pursuant to which LGH contributed to us an approximate aggregate 48.6% membership interest in Brownmill LLC (“the Brownmill Joint Venture”) in exchange for us issuing an aggregate of 48 units of Subordinated Profits Interests, at $100,000 per unit (at an aggregate total value of $4.8 million), to Lightstone SLP II LLC.

 

As of December 31, 2021, we owned a 48.6% membership interest in the Brownmill Joint Venture, which is a non-managing interest. An affiliate of our Sponsor is the majority owner and manager of the Brownmill Joint Venture. Profit and cash distributions are allocated in accordance with each investor’s ownership percentage. We account for our investment in the Brownmill Joint Venture in accordance with the equity method of accounting. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we made aggregate capital contributions of $2.0 million and received distributions from the Brownmill Joint Venture aggregating $0.3 million. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we made a capital contribution of $0.3 million and received distributions from the Brownmill Joint Venture aggregating $0.1 million.

 

The Brownmill Joint Venture owns two retail properties known as Browntown Shopping Center, located in Old Bridge, New Jersey, and Millburn Mall, located in Vauxhall, New Jersey.

 

Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture

 

On March 27, 2018, we and Lightstone III, a related party real estate investment trust also sponsored by our Sponsor, acquired, through LVP LIC Hotel JV LLC (the “Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture”), a 183-room, limited-service hotel located at 29-21 41st Avenue, Long Island City, New York (the “Hilton Garden Inn — Long Island City”) from an unrelated third party, for aggregate consideration of $60.0 million, which consisted of $25.0 million of cash and $35.0 million of proceeds from a loan from a financial institution (the “Hilton Garden Inn Mortgage”), excluding closing and other related transaction costs. We and Lightstone III each have a 50.0% membership interest in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture.

 

We paid $12.9 million for a 50.0% membership interest in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture. Our membership interest in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture is a co-managing interest. We account for our membership interest in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture in accordance with the equity method of accounting because we exert significant influence over but do not control the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture. All capital contributions and distributions of earnings from the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture are made on a pro rata basis in proportion to each member’s equity interest percentage. Any distributions in excess of earnings from the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture are made to the members pursuant to the terms of the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture’s operating agreement. We commenced recording our allocated portion of profit/loss and cash distributions beginning as of March 27, 2018 with respect to our membership interest of 50.0% in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture.

 

23

 

 

In light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the operating results of the Hilton Garden Inn – Long Island City, the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture has entered into certain amendments with respect to the Hilton Garden Inn Mortgage as discussed below.

 

On June 2, 2020, the Hilton Garden Inn Mortgage was amended to provide for (i) the deferral of the six monthly debt service payments aggregating $0.9 million for the period from April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020 until March 27, 2023; (ii) a 100 bps reduction in the interest rate spread to LIBOR plus 2.15%, subject to a 4.03% floor, for the six-month period from September 1, 2020 through February 28, 2021; (iii) the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture pre-funding $1.2 million into a cash collateral reserve account to cover the six monthly debt service payments due from October 1, 2020 through March 1, 2021; and (iv) waiver of all financial covenants for quarter-end periods before June 30, 2021.

 

Additionally, on April 7, 2021, the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture and the lender further amended the terms of the Hilton Garden Inn Mortgage to provide for (i) the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture to make a principal paydown of $1.7 million; (ii) the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture to fund an additional $0.7 million into the cash collateral reserve account; (iii) a waiver of all financial covenants for quarter-end periods through September 30, 2021 with a phased-in gradual return to the full financial covenant requirements over the quarter-end periods beginning December 31, 2021 through December 31, 2022; (iv) a 11-month interest-only payment period from May 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022; and (v) certain restrictions on distributions to the members of the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture during the interest-only payment period.

 

The Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture is currently in compliance with respect to all of its financial debt covenants.

 

Subsequent to our acquisition of our 50.0% membership interest in the Hilton Garden Joint Venture through December 31, 2021, we have made an aggregate of $2.8 million of additional capital contributions (of which $1.3 million was made in 2021) and received aggregate distributions of $2.0 million (of which $0.5 million was received in 2021).

 

The Joint Venture

 

As of December 31, 2021, seven of our consolidated limited service hotels are held in a joint venture (the “Joint Venture”) formed between us and Lightstone I, a related party REIT also sponsored by our Sponsor. We and Lightstone I have 97.5% and 2.5% membership interests in the Joint Venture, respectively.

 

Review, Approval, or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons

 

Our Charter generally requires that any transactions between us and our Sponsor, our Advisor, our directors, or their affiliates must be approved by a majority of our directors (including a majority of Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction. In addition, our Board of Directors has adopted a policy relating to the review, approval and ratification of transactions with related persons. This policy applies to any transaction, the amount of which exceeds $120,000, between us and any person who is a director, executive officer or the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities. Any such related person transaction is subject to approval by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will decide whether or not to approve a related party transaction and will generally approve only those transactions that do not create a conflict of interest. The Board of Directors (including a majority of the Independent Directors) has approved the transactions disclosed in this section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

 

24

 

 

RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

EisnerAmper LLP audited our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. EisnerAmper LLP reports directly to our Audit Committee. The Audit Committee reviewed the audit and nonaudit services performed by EisnerAmper LLP, as well as the fees charged by EisnerAmper LLP for such services. In its review of the nonaudit service fees, the Audit Committee considered whether the provision of such services is compatible with maintaining the independence of EisnerAmper LLP.

 

One or more representatives of EisnerAmper LLP have been invited and are expected to be present at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

 

The following table presents the aggregate fees billed to the Company for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 by the Company’s principal accounting firm:

 

   2021   2020 
Audit Fees(a)  $297,000   $296,000 
Tax Fees(b)   167,000    191,000 
Total Fees  $464,000   $487,000 

 

 

(a)Fees for audit services consisted of the audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and interim reviews, including services normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings including registration statement consents.

(b)Fees for tax services.

 

Our Audit Committee considers the provision of these services to be compatible with maintaining the independence of our independent registered accounting firms.

 

Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

 

The Audit Committee must approve any fee for services to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm in advance of the services being performed. In considering the nature of the services provided by the independent auditor, the Audit Committee determined that such services are compatible with the provision of independent audit services. The Audit Committee discussed these services with the independent auditor and the Company’s management to determine that they are permitted under the rules and regulations concerning auditor independence promulgated by the SEC to implement the related requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

 

All services rendered by EisnerAmper LLP for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were approved by the Audit Committee.

 

25

 

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

 

To the Directors of Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc.:

 

We have reviewed and discussed with management Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc.’s audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

We have discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 16, “Communication with Audit Committees,” as amended, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

 

We have received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence and have discussed with the auditors the auditors’ independence.

 

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, we recommend to the board of directors that the financial statements referred to above be included in Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

Audit Committee

 

George R. Whittemore

Yehuda “Judah” L. Angster

 

26

 

 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS’ REPORT

 

To the Stockholders of Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc.:

 

We have reviewed the Company’s policies and determined that they are in the best interest of the Company’s stockholders. Set forth below is a discussion of the basis for that determination.

 

General

 

The Company’s primary objective is to achieve capital appreciation with a secondary objective of income without subjecting principal to undue risk. The Company intends to achieve this goal primarily through investments in real estate properties.

 

The Company has and intends to continue to primarily acquire full-service or select-service hotels, including extended-stay hotels. Even though the Company has and intends to continue primarily to acquire hotels, it has and may continue to purchase other types of real estate.

 

Assets other than hotels may include, without limitation, office buildings, shopping centers, business and industrial parks, manufacturing facilities, single-tenant properties, multifamily properties, student housing properties, warehouses and distribution facilities and medical office properties. The Company has and expects to invest mainly in direct real estate investments and other equity interests; however, it may also invest in debt interests, which may include bridge or mezzanine loans, including in furtherance of a loan-to-own strategy. We have not established any limits on the percentage of our portfolio that may be comprised of various categories of assets which present differing levels of risk.

 

The Company expects that its portfolio will provide consistent current income and may also provide capital appreciation resulting from its expectation that in certain circumstances it has or will be able to acquire properties at a discount to replacement cost or otherwise at less than what we perceive as the market value or to reposition or redevelop a property so as to increase its value over the amount of capital we deployed to acquire and rehabilitate the property. The Company has and may continue to acquire properties that it believes would benefit from a change in management strategy, or that have incurred substantial deferred maintenance. The Company has and plans to continue to diversify its portfolio by geographic region, investment size and investment risk with the goal of owning a portfolio of hotels and other income-producing real estate properties and real estate-related assets that provide attractive returns for its investors.

 

Financing Policies

 

The Company has and intends to continue to utilize leverage to acquire its properties. The number of different properties the Company will acquire will be affected by numerous factors, including, the amount of funds available to us. When interest rates on mortgage loans are high or financing is otherwise unavailable on terms that are satisfactory to the Company, the Company may purchase certain properties for cash with the intention of obtaining a mortgage loan for a portion of the purchase price at a later time. There is no limitation on the amount the Company may invest in any single property or on the amount the Company can borrow for the purchase of any property.

 

The Company has and intends to continue to limit its aggregate long-term permanent borrowings to 75% of the aggregate fair market value of all properties unless any excess borrowing is approved by a majority of the independent directors and is disclosed to the Company’s stockholders. The Company may also incur short-term indebtedness, having a maturity of two years or less. By operating on a leveraged basis, the Company may have more funds available for investment in properties. This may allow the Company to make more investments than would otherwise be possible, resulting in a more diversified portfolio. Although the Company’s liability for the repayment of indebtedness is expected to be limited to the value of the property securing the liability and the rents or profits derived therefrom, the Company’s use of leveraging increases the risk of default on the mortgage payments and a resulting foreclosure of a particular property. To the extent that the Company does not obtain mortgage loans on the Company’s properties, the Company’s ability to acquire additional properties will be restricted. The Company will endeavor to obtain financing on the most favorable terms available.

 

27

 

 

Policy on Sale or Disposition of Properties

 

The Company’s Board will determine whether a particular property should be sold or otherwise disposed of after considering the relevant factors, including performance or projected performance of the property and market conditions, with a view toward achieving its principal investment objectives.

 

The Company currently intends to hold its properties until its investment objectives are met or it is likely they will not be met. After seven to ten years, the Company’s Board may decide to liquidate the Company, list its shares on a national stock exchange, sell its properties individually, merge or otherwise consolidate the Company with a publicly-traded REIT, or seek stockholder approval to amend its charter to remove the requirement that the Company must either list its stock on a national securities exchange or seek stockholder approval to adopt a plan of liquidation of the corporation on or before September 27, 2024. Alternatively, the Company may merge with, or otherwise be acquired by, the Sponsor or its affiliates. The Company may, however, sell properties prior to such time and if so, may invest the proceeds from any sale, financing, refinancing or other disposition of its properties into additional properties. Alternatively, the Company may use these proceeds to fund maintenance or repair of existing properties or to increase reserves for such purposes. The Company may choose to reinvest the proceeds from the sale, financing and refinancing of its properties to increase its real estate assets and its net income. Notwithstanding this policy, the Board, in its discretion, may distribute all or part of the proceeds from the sale, financing, refinancing or other disposition of all or any of the Company’s properties to the Company’s stockholders. In determining whether to distribute these proceeds to stockholders, the Board will consider, among other factors, the desirability of properties available for purchase, real estate market conditions, the likelihood of the listing of the Company’s shares on a national securities exchange and compliance with the applicable requirements under federal income tax laws.

 

When the Company sells a property, it intends to obtain an all-cash sale price. However, the Company may take a purchase money obligation secured by a mortgage on the property as partial payment, and there are no limitations or restrictions on the Company’s ability to take such purchase money obligations. The terms of payment to the Company will be affected by custom in the area in which the property being sold is located and the then prevailing economic conditions. If the Company receives notes and other property instead of cash from sales, these proceeds, other than any interest payable on these proceeds, will not be available for distributions until and to the extent the notes or other property are actually paid, sold, refinanced or otherwise disposed. Therefore, the distribution of the proceeds of a sale to the stockholders may be delayed until that time. In these cases, the Company will receive payments in cash and other property in the year of sale in an amount less than the selling price and subsequent payments will be spread over a number of years.

 

Independent Directors

 

George R. Whittemore

Yehuda “Judah” L. Angster

 

28

 

 

OTHER MATTERS PRESENTED FOR ACTION
AT THE 2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Our Board of Directors does not intend to present for consideration at the 2022 Annual Meeting of stockholders any matter other than those specifically set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. If any other matter is properly presented for consideration at the meeting, the persons named in the proxy will vote thereon pursuant to the discretionary authority conferred by the proxy.

 

29

 

 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING

 

Stockholder Proposals in the Proxy Statement

 

Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act addresses when a company must include a stockholder’s proposal in its proxy statement and identify the proposal in its form of proxy when the company holds an annual or special meeting of stockholders. Under Rule 14a-8, in order for a stockholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and proxy card relating to our 2023 Annual Meeting of stockholders, the proposal must be received at our principal executive offices no later than June 23, 2023.

 

Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for Directors to Be Presented at Meeting

 

For any proposal that is not submitted for inclusion in our proxy material for the 2023 Annual Meeting of stockholders but is instead sought to be presented directly at that meeting, Rule 14a-4(c) under the Exchange Act permits our management to exercise discretionary voting authority under proxies it solicits unless we receive timely notice of the proposal in accordance with the procedures set forth in our bylaws. Under our current bylaws, for a stockholder proposal to be properly submitted for presentation at our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, our Secretary must receive written notice of the proposal at our principal executive offices during the period beginning on May 24, 2023 and ending at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on June 23, 2023 and must contain information specified in our bylaws, including:

 

1.as to each director nominee,

 

  the name, age, business address, and residence address of the nominee;

 

  the class, series and number of any shares of stock of the Company beneficially owned by the nominee;

 

  the date such shares were acquired and the investment intent of such acquisitions;

 

  all other information relating to the nominee that is required under Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved) or is otherwise required; and

 

2.as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting,

 

  a description of the business to be brought before the meeting;

 

  the reasons for proposing such business at the meeting;

 

  any material interest in such business that the proposing stockholder (and certain persons, which we refer to as “Stockholder Associated Persons” (as defined below), if any) may have, including any anticipated benefit to the proposing stockholder (and the Stockholder Associated Persons, if any); and

 

3.as to the proposing stockholder (and the Stockholder Associated Persons, if any),

 

  the class, series and number of all shares of stock of the Company owned by the proposing stockholder (and the Stockholder Associated Persons, if any), and the nominee holder for, and number of, shares owned beneficially but not of record by the proposing stockholder (and the Stockholder Associated Persons, if any); and

 

4.as to the proposing stockholder (and the Stockholder Associated Persons, if any) covered by clauses (2) or (3) above,

 

  the name and address of the proposing stockholder (and the Stockholder Associated Persons, if any) as they appear on the Company’s stock ledger, and current name and address, if different; and

 

5.to the extent known by the proposing stockholder, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the director nominee or the proposal of other business on the date of the proposing stockholder’s notice.

 

30

 

 

A “Stockholder Associated Person” means (i) any person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, the proposing stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Company owned by the proposing stockholder and (iii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Stockholder Associated Person.

 

All nominations must also comply with the Charter. All proposals should be sent via registered, certified or express mail to our Secretary at our principal executive offices at: Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc., 1985 Cedar Bridge Avenue, Suite 1, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701, Attention: Joseph Teichman (telephone: (866) 792-8700).

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

/s/ Joseph Teichman
   
Joseph Teichman
General Counsel and Secretary
Lakewood, New Jersey
October 18, 2022

 

31

 

 

Exhibit A

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REIT II, INC.

SECOND ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

 

FIRST: Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc., a Maryland corporation, desires to amend and restate its charter as currently in effect and as hereinafter amended.

 

SECOND: The following provisions are all the provisions of the charter currently in effect and as hereinafter amended:

 

ARTICLE I

 

NAME

 

The name of the corporation is Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc. (the “Company”). So far as may be practicable, the business of the Company shall be conducted and transacted under that name. Under circumstances in which the Company’s Board of Directors determines that the use of the name “Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc.” is not practicable, it may use any other designation or name for the Company.

 

ARTICLE II

 

PURPOSES AND POWERS

 

The purposes for which the Company is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity (including, without limitation or obligation, qualifying and engaging in business as a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860, or any successor sections, of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)), for which corporations may be organized under the Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time (the “MGCL”) and the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force.

 

ARTICLE III

 

RESIDENT AGENT AND PRINCIPAL OFFICE

 

The name and address of the resident agent for service of process of the Company in the State of Maryland is CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 820, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The address of the Company’s principal office in the State of Maryland is c/o CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 820, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The Company may have such other offices and places of business within or outside the State of Maryland as the Board may from time to time determine.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

DEFINITIONS

 

As used in the Charter, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context otherwise requires:

 

ACQUISITION EXPENSES” means any and all expenses incurred by the Company, the Advisor, or any Affiliate of either in connection with the selection, acquisition or development of any Asset, whether or not acquired, including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses, travel and communications expenses, costs of appraisals, nonrefundable option payments on property not acquired, accounting fees and expenses, and title insurance premiums.

 

1

 

 

ACQUISITION FEE” means any and all fees and commissions, exclusive of Acquisition Expenses, paid by any Person to any other Person (including any fees or commissions paid by or to any Affiliate of the Company or the Advisor) in connection with making or investing in Mortgages or the purchase, development or construction of a Property, including real estate commissions, selection fees, development fees, construction fees, nonrecurring management fees, loan fees, points or any other fees of a similar nature. Excluded shall be development fees and construction fees paid to any Person not affiliated with the Sponsor in connection with the development and construction of a project.

 

ADVISOR” or “ADVISORS” means the Person or Persons, if any, appointed, employed or contracted with by the Company pursuant to Section 8.1 hereof and responsible for directing or performing the day-to-day business affairs of the Company, including any Person to whom the Advisor subcontracts all or substantially all of such functions.

 

ADVISORY AGREEMENT” means the agreement between the Company and the Advisor pursuant to which the Advisor will direct or perform the day-to-day business affairs of the Company.

 

AFFILIATE” or “AFFILIATED” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any Person directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding, with the power to vote, ten percent or more of the outstanding voting securities of such other Person; (ii) any Person ten percent or more of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned, controlled or held, with the power to vote, by such other Person; (iii) any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such other Person; (iv) any executive officer, director, trustee or general partner of such other Person; and (v) any legal entity for which such Person acts as an executive officer, director, trustee or general partner.

 

ASSET” means any Property, Mortgage or other investment (other than investments in bank accounts, money market funds or other current assets) owned by the Company, directly or indirectly through one or more of its Affiliates, and any other investment made by the Company, directly or indirectly through one or more of its Affiliates.

 

AVERAGE INVESTED ASSETS” means, for a specified period, the average of the aggregate book value of the assets of the Company and the Operating Partnership invested, directly or indirectly in equity interests in and loans secured by real estate, before deducting depreciation, bad debts or other non-cash reserves, computed by taking the average of such values at the end of each month during such period.

 

BOARD” means, collectively, the individuals named in Section 6.1 of the Charter and such other individuals who may be duly elected and qualified to serve as Directors thereafter to replace any such person or fill a vacancy caused by the death, removal or resignation of any such person or caused by an increase in the number of Directors.

 

BYLAWS” means the Bylaws of the Company, as amended from time to time.

 

CHARTER” means these Articles of Amendment and Restatement and any Articles of Amendment, Articles Supplementary or other modification or amendment thereto.

 

CODE” shall have the meaning as provided in Article II herein.

 

COMMENCEMENT OF THE INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING” shall mean the date that the Securities and Exchange Commission declares effective the registration statement filed under the Securities Act for the Initial Public Offering.

 

COMMON SHARES” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 5.1 herein.

 

COMPANY” shall have the meaning as provided in Article I herein.

 

COMPETITIVE REAL ESTATE COMMISSION,” if used herein, means the real estate or brokerage commission paid for the purchase or sale of a Property, which is reasonable, customary and competitive in light of the size, type and location of such Property.

 

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CONTRACT PURCHASE PRICE” means the amount actually paid or allocated in respect of the purchase, development, construction or improvement of a Property or the amount of funds advanced with respect to a Mortgage, or the amount actually paid or allocated in respect of the purchase of other Assets, in each case exclusive of Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses, but in each case including any indebtedness assumed or incurred in respect of such Property.

 

DEALER MANAGER” means Lightstone Securities, LLC, an Affiliate of the Company, or such other Person selected by the Board to act as the dealer manager for an Offering.

 

DIRECTOR” means a member of the Company’s Board.

 

DISTRIBUTIONS” means any distributions of money or other property, pursuant to Section 5.2(iii) hereof, by the Company to owners of Shares, including distributions that may constitute a return of capital for federal income tax purposes.

 

EXCESS AMOUNT” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.12 herein.

 

GROSS PROCEEDS” means the aggregate purchase price of all Shares sold for the account of the Company through an Offering, without deduction for Selling Commissions, volume discounts, any marketing support and due diligence expense reimbursement or Organization and Offering Expenses. For the purpose of computing Gross Proceeds, the purchase price of any Share purchased by the Company’s Advisor for a discount, or for which reduced Selling Commissions are paid to the Dealer Manager or a Soliciting Dealer (where net proceeds to the Company are not reduced) shall be deemed to be the full amount of the offering price per Share pursuant to the Prospectus for such Offering without reduction.

 

INDEMNITEE” has the meaning provided in Section 12.2 herein.

 

INDEPENDENT APPRAISER” means a Person with no material current or prior business or personal relationship with the Advisor or the Directors and who is engaged to a substantial extent in the business of rendering opinions regarding the value of Real Property and/or other Assets of the type held by the Company. Membership in a nationally recognized appraisal society such as the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers or the Society of Real Estate Appraisers shall be conclusive evidence of being engaged to a substantial extent in the business of rendering opinions regarding the value of Real Property.

 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR” means a Director who is not on the date of determination, and within the last two years from the date of determination has not been, directly or indirectly associated with the Sponsor or the Advisor by virtue of (i) ownership of an interest in the Sponsor, the Advisor or any of their Affiliates, other than the Company, (ii) employment by the Sponsor, Advisor or any of their Affiliates, (iii) service as an officer of the Sponsor, the Advisor or any of their Affiliates, other than as a Director of the Company, (iv) performance of services, other than as a Director of the Company, (v) service as a director or trustee of more than three real estate investment trusts organized or controlled by the Sponsor or advised by the Advisor, or (vi) maintenance of a material business or professional relationship with the Sponsor, the Advisor or any of their Affiliates. A business or professional relationship is considered “material” if the aggregate gross revenue derived by the Director from the Sponsor, the Advisor and their Affiliates exceeds five percent of either the Director’s annual gross income during either of the last two years or the Director’s net worth on a fair market value basis. An indirect association with the Sponsor or the Advisor shall include circumstances in which a Director’s spouse, parent, child, sibling, mother- or father-in-law, son- or daughter-in-law or brother- or sister-in-law is or has been associated with the Sponsor, the Advisor, any of their Affiliates or the Company.

 

INITIAL INVESTMENT” means that portion of the initial capitalization of the Company contributed by the Sponsor or its Affiliates pursuant to Section 8.1 below.

 

INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING” means the first Offering.

 

INVESTED CAPITAL” means the amount calculated by multiplying the total number of Shares purchased by Stockholders by the issue price at the time of such purchase, reduced by the portion of any Distribution that is attributable to Net Sales Proceeds and by any amounts paid by the Company to repurchase Shares pursuant to the Company’s plan for the repurchase of Shares.

 

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JOINT VENTURES” means those joint venture or partnership arrangements in which the Company or the Operating Partnership is a co-venturer, limited liability company member, limited partner or general partner established to acquire or hold Assets.

 

LEVERAGE” means the aggregate amount of indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed (including purchase money mortgage loans) outstanding at any time, both secured and unsecured.

 

LISTING” means the listing of the Common Shares on a National Stock Exchange or the trading of the Common Shares in the over-the-counter market. Upon such Listing, the Common Shares shall be deemed Listed.

 

MERGER” means a merger to be effected pursuant to Section 3-105 of the MGCL.

 

MGCL” shall have the meaning as provided in Article II herein.

 

MORTGAGES” means, in connection with mortgage financing provided, invested in, participated in or purchased by the Company, all of the notes, deeds of trust, security interests or other evidences of indebtedness or obligations, which are secured or collateralized by Real Property owned by the borrowers under such notes, deeds of trust, security interests or other evidences of indebtedness or obligations.

 

NATIONAL STOCK EXCHANGE” means either NYSE or NASDAQ.

 

NET ASSETS” means the total Assets of the Company and the Operating Partnership (other than intangibles) at cost, before deducting depreciation, reserves for bad debts or other non-cash reserves, less total liabilities, calculated quarterly by the Company on a basis consistently applied.

 

NET INCOME” means for any period, the Company’s and the Operating Partnership’s total revenues applicable to such period, less the total expenses applicable to such period other than additions to reserves for depreciation, bad debts or other similar non-cash reserves and excluding any gain from the sale of the Assets.

 

NET SALES PROCEEDS” means in the case of a transaction described in clause (i) (A) of the definition of Sale, the proceeds of any such transaction less the amount of selling expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Company, including all real estate commissions, closing costs and legal fees and expenses. In the case of a transaction described in clause (i) (B) of such definition, Net Sales Proceeds means the proceeds of any such transaction less the amount of selling expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Company, including any legal fees and expenses and other selling expenses incurred in connection with such transaction. In the case of a transaction described in clause (i) (C) of such definition, Net Sales Proceeds means the proceeds of any such transaction actually distributed to the Company or the Operating Partnership from the Joint Venture less the amount of any selling expenses, including legal fees and expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Company (other than those paid by the Joint Venture). In the case of a transaction or series of transactions described in clause (i) (D) of the definition of Sale, Net Sales Proceeds means the proceeds of any such transaction (including the aggregate of all payments under a Mortgage on or in satisfaction thereof other than regularly scheduled interest payments) less the amount of selling expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Company, including all commissions, closing costs and legal fees and expenses. In the case of a transaction described in clause (i) (E) of such definition, Net Sales Proceeds means the proceeds of any such transaction less the amount of selling expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Company, including any legal fees and expenses and other selling expenses incurred in connection with such transaction. In the case of a transaction described in clause (ii) of the definition of Sale, Net Sales Proceeds means the proceeds of such transaction or series of transactions less all amounts generated thereby which are reinvested in one or more Assets within 180 days thereafter and less the amount of any real estate commissions, closing costs, and legal fees and expenses and other selling expenses incurred by or allocated to the Company or the Operating Partnership in connection with such transaction or series of transactions. Net Sales Proceeds shall also include any amounts that the Company determines, in its discretion, to be economically equivalent to proceeds of a Sale. Net Sales Proceeds shall not include any reserves established by the Company in its sole discretion.

 

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OFFERING” means any public offering and sale of Shares pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act.

 

OPERATING PARTNERSHIP” means Lightstone Value Plus REIT II LP, an Affiliate of the Company through which the Company may own Assets.

 

ORGANIZATION and OFFERING EXPENSES” means any and all costs and expenses incurred by and to be paid from the assets of the Company in connection with the formation, qualification and registration of the Company, and the marketing and distribution of Shares, including, without limitation, total underwriting and brokerage discounts and commissions (including fees of the underwriters’ attorneys), expenses for printing, engraving, amending, supplementing, mailing and distributing costs, salaries of employees while engaged in sales activity, telephone and other telecommunications costs, all advertising and marketing expenses (including the costs related to investor and broker-dealer sales meetings), charges of transfer agents, registrars, trustees, escrow holders, depositories, experts, fees, expenses and taxes related to the filing, registration and qualification of the sale of the Shares under federal and state laws, including taxes and fees, and accountants’ and attorneys’ fees.

 

PERSON” means an individual, corporation, partnership, estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Sections 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other legal entity and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and a group to which an Excepted Holder Limit applies.

 

PREFERRED SHARES” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 5.1 herein.

 

PROPERTY” or “PROPERTIES” means, as the context requires, any, or all, respectively, of the Real Property acquired by the Company, directly or indirectly through joint venture arrangements or other partnership or investment interests.

 

PROSPECTUS” means the same as that term is defined in Section 2(10) of the Securities Act, including a preliminary prospectus and an offering circular as described in Rule 256 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act, or, in the case of an intrastate offering, any document by whatever name known, utilized for the purpose of offering and selling Securities to the public.

 

REAL PROPERTY” or “REAL ESTATE” means land, rights in land (including leasehold interests), and any buildings, structures, improvements, furnishings, fixtures and equipment located on or used in connection with land and rights or interests in land.

 

REINVESTMENT PLAN” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 5.15 herein.

 

REIT” means a corporation, trust, association or other legal entity (other than a real estate syndication) that is engaged primarily in investing in equity interests in real estate (including fee ownership and leasehold interests) or in loans secured by real estate or both as defined pursuant to the REIT Provisions of the Code.

 

REIT PROVISIONS OF THE CODE” means Sections 856 through 860 of the Code and any successor or other provisions of the Code relating to real estate investment trusts (including provisions as to the attribution of ownership of beneficial interests therein) and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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SALE” or “SALES” means (i) any transaction or series of transactions whereby: (A) the Company or the Operating Partnership directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of any Property or portion thereof, including the lease of any Property consisting of a building only, and including any event with respect to any Property which gives rise to a significant amount of insurance proceeds or condemnation awards; (B) the Company or the Operating Partnership directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of all or substantially all of the interest of the Company or the Operating Partnership in any Joint Venture in which it is a co-venturer or partner; (C) any Joint Venture in which the Company or the Operating Partnership as a co-venturer or partner directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of any Property or portion thereof, including any event with respect to any Property which gives rise to insurance claims or condemnation awards; (D) the Company or the Operating Partnership directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) sells, grants, conveys or relinquishes its interest in any Mortgage or portion thereof (including with respect to any Mortgage, all payments thereunder or in satisfaction thereof other than regularly scheduled interest payments) of amounts owed pursuant to such Mortgage and any event which gives rise to a significant amount of insurance proceeds or similar awards; or (E) the Company or the Operating Partnership directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of any other Asset not previously described in this definition or any portion thereof, but (ii) not including any transaction or series of transactions specified in clause (i) (A) through (E) above in which the proceeds of such transaction or series of transactions are reinvested by the Company in one or more Assets within 180 days thereafter.

 

SDAT” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 5.4 herein.

 

SECURITIES” means any of the following issued by the Company, as the text requires: Shares, any other stock, shares or other evidences of equity or beneficial or other interests, voting trust certificates, bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in, temporary or interim certificates for, receipts for, guarantees of, or warrants, options or rights to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

 

SECURITIES ACT” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto. Reference to any provision of the Securities Act shall mean such provision as in effect from time to time, as the same may be amended, and any successor provision thereto, as interpreted by any applicable regulations as in effect from time to time.

 

SELLING COMMISSIONS” means any and all commissions payable to underwriters, dealer managers or other broker-dealers in connection with the sale of Shares, including, without limitation, commissions payable to the Dealer Manager.

 

SHARES” means shares of stock of the Company of any class or series, including Common Shares or Preferred Shares.

 

SOLICITING DEALERS” means those broker-dealers that are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or that are exempt from broker-dealer registration, and that, in either case, enter into participating broker or other agreements with the Dealer Manager to sell Shares.

 

SPONSOR” means any Person which (i) is directly or indirectly instrumental in organizing, wholly or in part, the Company, (ii) will control, manage or participate in the management of the Company, and any Affiliate of any such Person, (iii) takes the initiative, directly or indirectly, in founding or organizing the Company, either alone or in conjunction with one or more other Persons, (iv) receives a material participation in the Company in connection with the founding or organizing of the business of the Company, in consideration of services or property, or both services and property, (v) has a substantial number of relationships and contacts with the Company, (vi) possesses significant rights to control Properties, (vii) receives fees for providing services to the Company which are paid on a basis that is not customary in the industry, or (viii) provides goods or services to the Company on a basis which was not negotiated at arm’s-length with the Company. The term “Sponsor” does not include any Person whose only relationship with the Company is that of an independent property manager and whose only compensation is as such, wholly independent of third parties such as attorneys, accountants and underwriters whose only compensation is for professional services.

 

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STOCKHOLDER LIST” has the meaning provided in Section 11.6 herein.

 

STOCKHOLDERS” means the holders of record of the Shares as maintained in the books and records of the Company or its transfer agent.

 

TERMINATION DATE” means the date of termination of the Advisory Agreement.

 

“TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES” means all costs and expenses paid or incurred by the Company, as determined under generally accepted accounting principles, that are in any way related to the operation of the Company or to Company business, including advisory fees, but excluding (i) the expenses of raising capital such as Organization and Offering Expenses, legal, audit, accounting, underwriting, brokerage, listing, registration, and other fees, printing and other such expenses and tax incurred in connection with the issuance, distribution, transfer, registration and Listing of the Shares, (ii) interest payments, (iii) taxes, (iv) non-cash expenditures such as depreciation, amortization and bad debt reserves, (v) incentive fees paid in compliance with the NASAA REIT Guidelines; (vi) Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses, (vii) real estate commissions on the resale of Property, and (viii) other fees and expenses connected with the acquisition, disposition, management and ownership of real estate interests, mortgage loans or other property (including the costs of foreclosure, insurance premiums, legal services, maintenance, repair, and improvement of property).

 

UNIMPROVED REAL PROPERTY” means Property in which the Company has an equity interest that was not acquired for the purpose of producing rental or other operating income, that has no development or construction in process and for which no development or construction is planned, in good faith, to commence within one year.

 

2%/25% GUIDELINES” has the meaning provided in Section 8.12 herein.

 

ARTICLE V

STOCK

 

SECTION 5.1 AUTHORIZED SHARES. The total number of Shares that the Company shall have authority to issue is 110,000,000 Shares, of which (i) 100,000,000 shall be designated as common stock, $0.01 par value per Share (the “Common Shares”); and (ii) 10,000,000 shall be designated as preferred stock, $0.01 par value per Share (the “Preferred Shares”). All shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable when issued. The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $1,100,000. If Shares of one class of stock are classified or reclassified into Shares of another class of stock pursuant to Article V, the number of authorized Shares of the former class shall be automatically decreased and the number of Shares of the latter class shall be automatically increased, in each case by the number of Shares so classified or reclassified so that the aggregate number of Shares of all classes that the Company has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of Shares set forth in the first sentence of this Section 5.1. The Board, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board and without any action by the Stockholders, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of Shares or the number of Shares of any class or series that the Company has authority to issue.

 

SECTION 5.2 COMMON SHARES.

 

(i) COMMON SHARES SUBJECT TO TERMS OF PREFERRED SHARES. The Common Shares shall be subject to the express terms of any series of Preferred Shares.

 

(ii) DESCRIPTION. Subject to Section 5.9 of this Article V and except as may otherwise be specified in the terms of any class or series of Common Shares, each Common Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote per share on all matters upon which Stockholders are entitled to vote pursuant to Section 11.2 hereof. The Board may classify or reclassify any unissued Common Shares from time to time in one or more classes or series of Shares; provided, however, that the voting rights per Share (other than any publicly held Share) sold in a private offering shall not exceed the voting rights which bear the same relationship to the voting rights of a publicly held Share as the consideration paid to the Company for each privately offered Share bears to the book value of each outstanding publicly held Share.

 

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(iii) DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS. The Board from time to time may authorize the Company to declare and pay to Stockholders such dividends or other Distributions in cash or other assets of the Company or in securities of the Company, or from any other source, as the Board in its discretion shall determine. The Board shall endeavor to authorize the Company to declare and pay such dividends and Distributions as shall be necessary for the Company to qualify as a REIT under the Code unless the Board has determined, in its sole discretion, that qualification as a REIT is not in the best interests of the Company; provided, however, Stockholders shall have no right to any dividend or Distribution unless and until authorized by the Board and declared by the Company. The exercise of the powers and rights of the Board pursuant to this section shall be subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares at the time outstanding. The receipt by any Person in whose name any Shares are registered on the records of the Company or by his or her duly authorized agent shall be a sufficient discharge for all dividends or Distributions payable or deliverable in respect of such Shares and from all liability to see to the application thereof. Distributions in kind shall not be permitted, except for distributions of readily marketable securities, distributions of beneficial interests in a liquidating trust established for the dissolution of the Company and the liquidation of its assets in accordance with the terms of the Charter or distributions in which (i) the Board advises each Stockholder of the risks associated with direct ownership of the property, (ii) the Board offers each Stockholder the election of receiving such in-kind distributions, and (iii) in-kind distributions are made only to those Stockholders that accept such offer.

 

(iv) RIGHTS UPON LIQUIDATION. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or any Distribution of the assets of the Company, the aggregate assets available for Distribution to holders of the Common Shares shall be determined in accordance with applicable law. Each holder of Common Shares shall be entitled to receive, ratably with each other holder of Common Shares, that portion of such aggregate assets available for Distribution as the number of outstanding Common Shares held by such holder bears to the total number of outstanding Common Shares then outstanding.

 

(v) VOTING RIGHTS. Except as may be provided otherwise in the Charter, and subject to the express terms of any series of Preferred Shares, the holders of the Common Shares shall have the exclusive right to vote on all matters (as to which a common stockholder shall be entitled to vote pursuant to applicable law) at all meetings of the Stockholders.

 

SECTION 5.3 PREFERRED SHARES. The Board may classify any unissued Preferred Shares and reclassify any previously classified but unissued Preferred Shares of any series from time to time, in one or more classes or series of Shares; provided, however, that the voting rights per Share (other than any publicly held Share) sold in a private offering shall not exceed the voting rights that bear the same relationship to the voting rights of a publicly held Share as the consideration paid to the Company for each privately offered Share bears to the book value of each outstanding publicly held Share.

 

SECTION 5.4 CLASSIFIED OR RECLASSIFIED SHARES. Prior to issuance of classified or reclassified Shares of any class or series, the Board by resolution shall: (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of Shares; (b) specify the number of Shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set or change, subject to the provisions of Section 5.9 and subject to the express terms of any class or series of Shares outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (d) cause the Company to file articles supplementary with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (“SDAT”). Any of the terms of any class or series of Shares set or changed pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 5.4 may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the Charter (including determinations by the Board or other facts or events within the control of the Company) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of Shares is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary or other charter document.

 

SECTION 5.5 STOCKHOLDERS’ CONSENT IN LIEU OF MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Stockholders may be taken without a meeting by consent, in writing or by electronic transmission, in any manner permitted by the MGCL and set forth in the Bylaws.

 

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SECTION 5.6 CHARTER AND BYLAWS. The rights of all Stockholders and the terms of all Shares are subject to the provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws.

 

SECTION 5.7 NO ISSUANCE OF SHARE CERTIFICATES. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, the Company shall not issue stock certificates. A Stockholder’s investment shall be recorded on the books of the Company. To transfer his or her Shares, a Stockholder shall submit an executed form to the Company, which form shall be provided by the Company upon request. Such transfer will also be recorded on the books of the Company. Upon issuance or transfer of Shares, the Company will provide the Stockholder with information concerning his or her rights with regard to such Shares, as required by the Bylaws and the MGCL or other applicable law.

 

SECTION 5.8 [RESERVED]

 

SECTION 5.9 RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER.

 

(i) DEFINITIONS. For purposes of Section 5.9, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

AGGREGATE SHARE OWNERSHIP LIMIT” means not more than 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding Shares and not more than 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of any class or series of Shares.

 

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP” means ownership of Shares by a Person, whether the interest in the Shares is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h)(1)(B) of the Code. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

BUSINESS DAY” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

 

CHARITABLE BENEFICIARY” means one or more beneficiaries of the Trust as determined pursuant to Section 5.9(iii)(f), provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

 

CONSTRUCTIVE OWNERSHIP” means ownership of Shares by a Person, whether the interest in the Shares is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms “Constructive Owner,” “Constructively Owns” and “Constructively Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

EQUITY SHARES” means shares of stock of all classes or series, including, without limitation, Common Shares and Preferred Shares.

 

EXCEPTED HOLDER” means a Stockholder for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by this Charter or by the Board pursuant to Section 5.9(ii)(g).

 

EXCEPTED HOLDER LIMIT” means, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the Board pursuant to Section 5.9(ii)(g), and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 5.9(ii)(h), the percentage limit established by the Board pursuant to Section 5.9(ii)(g).

 

INITIAL DATE” means the date on which Shares are first issued in the Company’s first Offering.

 

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MARKET PRICE” on any date means, with respect to any class or series of outstanding Shares, the Closing Price for such Shares on such date. The “Closing Price” on any date shall mean the last sale price for such Shares, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Shares, in either case as reported on the principal national securities exchange on which such Shares are Listed or admitted to trading or, if such Shares are not Listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or, if such system is no longer in use, the principal other automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Shares are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Shares selected by the Board or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Shares, the fair market value of the Shares, as determined in good faith by the Board.

 

NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.

 

PROHIBITED OWNER” means, with respect to any purported Transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 5.9(ii)(a), would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares, and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the Shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

 

RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE” means the first day after the Commencement of the Initial Public Offering on which the Company determines pursuant to Section 7.3 of the Charter that it is no longer in the best interests of the Company to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of Shares set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Company to qualify as a REIT.

 

TRANSFER” means any issuance, sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event that causes any Person to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, of Shares or the right to vote or receive dividends on Shares, including (a) the granting or exercise of any option (or any disposition of any option), (b) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Shares or any interest in Shares or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and (c) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of Shares; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, Constructively Owned or Beneficially Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms “Transferring” and “Transferred” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

TRUST” means any trust provided for in Section 5.9(iii)(a).

 

TRUSTEE” means the Person unaffiliated with the Company and a Prohibited Owner, that is appointed by the Company to serve as trustee of the Trust.

 

(ii) SHARES.

 

(a) OWNERSHIP LIMITATIONS. During the period commencing on the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, but subject to Section 5.10:

 

(I) BASIC RESTRICTIONS.

 

(A) (1) No Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares in excess of the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit and (2) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.

 

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(B) No Person shall Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares to the extent that such Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of Shares would result in the Company being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT (including, but not limited to, Beneficial or Constructive Ownership that would result in the Company owning (actually or Constructively) an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Company from such tenant would cause the Company to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code).

 

(C) Any Transfer of Shares that, if effective, would result in Shares being beneficially owned by less than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Shares.

 

(II) TRANSFER IN TRUST. If any Transfer of Shares (whether or not such Transfer is the result of a transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system) occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning Shares in violation of Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I)(A) or (B),

 

(A) then that number of Shares the Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I)(A) or (B) (rounded to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically Transferred to a Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 5.9(iii), effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such Shares; or

 

(B) if the Transfer to the Trust described in clause (A) of this sentence would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I)(A) or (B) then the Transfer of that number of Shares that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I)(A) or (B) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Shares.

 

(b) REMEDIES FOR BREACH. If the Board or its designee (including any duly authorized committee of the Board) shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 5.9(ii)(a) or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of any Shares in violation of Section 5.9(ii)(a) (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board or its designee shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, causing the Company to redeem Shares, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Company or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided, however, that any Transfer or attempted Transfer or other event in violation of Section 5.9(ii)(a) shall automatically result in the Transfer to the Trust described above, and, where applicable, such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board or its designee.

 

(c) NOTICE OF RESTRICTED TRANSFER. Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Shares that will or may violate Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I)(A) or (B) or any Person who would have owned Shares that resulted in a Transfer to the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.9(ii)(a)(II) shall immediately give written notice to the Company of such event, or in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Company such other information as the Company may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Company’s status as a REIT.

 

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(d) OWNERS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION. From the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:

 

(I) every owner of more than five percent (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) of the outstanding Shares, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Company stating the name and address of such owner, the number of Shares and other Shares Beneficially Owned and a description of the manner in which such Shares are held. Each such owner shall provide to the Company such additional information as the Company may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the Company’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit; and

 

(II) each Person who is a Beneficial or Constructive Owner of Shares and each Person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding Shares for a Beneficial or Constructive Owner shall provide to the Company such information as the Company may request, in good faith, in order to determine the Company’s status as a REIT and to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.

 

(e) REMEDIES NOT LIMITED. Subject to Section 7.3 of the Charter, nothing contained in this Section 5.9(ii)(e) shall limit the authority of the Board to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Company and the interests of its stockholders in preserving the Company’s status as a REIT.

 

(f) AMBIGUITY. In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Section 5.9(ii), Section 5.9(iii), or any definition contained in Section 5.9(i), the Board shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Section 5.9(ii) or Section 5.9(iii) or any such definition with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Section 5.9(ii) or (iii) requires an action by the Board and the Charter fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Section 5.9. Absent a decision to the contrary by the Board (which the Board may make in its sole and absolute discretion), if a Person would have (but for the remedies set forth in Section 5.9(ii)(b)) acquired Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of Shares in violation of Section 5.9(ii)(a), such remedies (as applicable) shall apply first to the Shares which, but for such remedies, would have been Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned (but not actually owned) by such Person, pro rata among the Persons who actually own such Shares based upon the relative number of the Shares held by each such Person.

 

(g) EXCEPTIONS.

 

(I) Subject to Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I)(B), the Board, in its sole discretion, may (prospectively or retroactively) exempt a Person from the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit and may establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person if:

 

(A) the Board obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person as are reasonably necessary to ascertain that no individual’s Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of such Shares will violate Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I)(B);

 

(B) such Person does not and represents that it will not own, actually or Constructively, an interest in a tenant of the Company (or a tenant of any entity owned or controlled by the Company) that would cause the Company to own, actually or Constructively, more than a 9.9% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in such tenant and the Board obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person as are reasonably necessary to ascertain this fact (for this purpose, a tenant from whom the Company (or an entity owned or controlled by the Company) derives (and is expected to continue to derive) a sufficiently small amount of revenue such that, in the opinion of the Board, rent from such tenant would not adversely affect the Company’s ability to qualify as a REIT, shall not be treated as a tenant of the Company); and

 

(C) such Person agrees that any violation or attempted violation of such representations or undertakings (or other action which is contrary to the restrictions contained in Section 5.9(ii)(a) through Section 5.9(ii)(f)) will result in such Shares being automatically Transferred to a Trust in accordance with Section 5.9(ii)(A)(II) and Section 5.9(iii).

 

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(II) Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 5.9(ii)(g)(I), the Board may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board in its sole discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Company’s status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exception.

 

(III) Subject to Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I)(B), an underwriter which participates in an Offering or a private placement of Shares (or Securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares (or Securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) in excess of the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such Offering or private placement.

 

(IV) The Board may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder: (1) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at any time, or (2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit.

 

(h) INCREASE IN AGGREGATE SHARE OWNERSHIP LIMIT. Subject to Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I)(B), the Board may from time to time increase the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit for one or more Persons and decrease the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit for all other Persons; provided, however, that the decreased Aggregate Share Ownership Limit will not be effective for any Person whose percentage ownership of Shares is in excess of such decreased Aggregate Share Ownership Limit until such time as such Person’s percentage of Shares equals or falls below the decreased Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, but any further acquisition of Shares in excess of such percentage ownership of Shares will be in violation of the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit and, provided further, that the new Aggregate Share Ownership Limit would not allow five or fewer Persons to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own more than 49.9% in value of the outstanding Shares.

 

(i) NOTICE TO STOCKHOLDERS UPON ISSUANCE OR TRANSFER. Upon issuance or transfer of Shares prior to the Restriction Termination Date, the Company shall provide the recipient with a notice containing information about the Shares purchased or otherwise transferred, in lieu of issuance of a share certificate, in a form substantially similar to the following:

 

The securities of Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc. (the “Company”) are subject to restrictions on Beneficial and Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose, among others, of the Company’s maintenance of its status as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Subject to certain further restrictions and except as expressly provided in the Charter, (i) no Person may Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares in excess of 9.8% of the value of the total outstanding Shares unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (ii) no Person may Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares that would result in the Company being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the Company to fail to qualify as a REIT; and (iii) no Person may Transfer Shares if such Transfer would result in the Shares of the Company being owned by fewer than 100 Persons. Any Person who Beneficially or Constructively Owns or attempts to Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares which causes or will cause a Person to Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Company. If any of the restrictions on transfer or ownership are violated, the Shares represented hereby will be automatically transferred to a Trustee of a Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. In addition, the Company may redeem shares upon the terms and conditions specified by the Board in its sole discretion if the Board determines that ownership or a Transfer or other event may violate the restrictions described above. Furthermore, upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described above may be void ab initio. All capitalized terms in this notice have the meanings defined in the Charter, as the same may be amended from time to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on transfer and ownership, will be furnished to each holder of Shares of the Company on request and without charge. Requests for such a copy may be directed to the Secretary of the Company at its principal office.

 

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(iii) TRANSFER OF SHARES IN TRUST.

 

(a) OWNERSHIP IN TRUST. Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 5.9(ii)(a)(III) that would result in a Transfer of Shares to a Trust, such Shares shall be deemed to have been Transferred to the Trustee as trustee of a Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such Transfer to the Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in the Transfer to the Trust pursuant to Section 5.9(ii)(a)(III). The Trustee shall be appointed by the Company and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Company and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Company as provided in Section 5.9(iii)(f).

 

(b) STATUS OF SHARES HELD BY THE TRUSTEE. Shares held by the Trustee shall continue to be issued and outstanding Shares of the Company. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the Shares held by the Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any Shares held in trust by the Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends or other Distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the Shares held in the Trust.

 

(c) DIVIDEND AND VOTING RIGHTS. The Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other Distributions with respect to Shares held in the Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other Distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Company that Shares have been Transferred to the Trustee shall be paid by the recipient of such dividend or Distribution to the Trustee upon demand and any dividends or other Distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any dividend or Distribution so paid to the Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to Shares held in the Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that Shares have been Transferred to the Trustee, the Trustee shall have the authority (at the Trustee’s sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Company that Shares have been Transferred to the Trustee and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided, however, that if the Company has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5.9, until the Company has received notification that Shares have been Transferred into a Trust, the Company shall be entitled to rely on its share transfer and other stockholder records for purposes of preparing lists of Stockholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of Stockholders.

 

(d) SALE OF SHARES BY TRUSTEE. Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Company that Shares have been Transferred to the Trust, the Trustee shall sell the Shares held in the Trust to a person, designated by the Trustee, whose ownership of the Shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I) or (II). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the Shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 5.9(iii)(d). The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the Shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the Shares in connection with the event causing the Shares to be held in the Trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the Shares on the day of the event causing the Shares to be held in the Trust and (2) the price per Share received by the Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the Shares held in the Trust. The Trustee may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and Distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 5.9(c). Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Company that Shares have been Transferred to the Trustee, such Shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such Shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such Shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 5.9, such excess shall be paid to the Trustee upon demand.

 

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(e) PURCHASE RIGHT IN STOCK TRANSFERRED TO THE TRUSTEE. Shares Transferred to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Company, or its designee, at a price per Share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per Share in the transaction that resulted in such Transfer to the Trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the Market Price at the time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the Company, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Company may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and Distributions which has been paid to the Prohibited Owner and is owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 5.9(c). The Company may pay the amount of such reduction to the Trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. The Company shall have the right to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold the shares held in the Trust pursuant to Section 5.9(iii)(d). Upon such a sale to the Company, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the Shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner.

 

(f) DESIGNATION OF CHARITABLE BENEFICIARIES. By written notice to the Trustee, the Company shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Trust such that (i) the Shares held in the Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I) or (II) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary and (ii) each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

 

SECTION 5.10 SETTLEMENTS. Nothing in Section 5.9 shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of Section 5.9, and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in Section 5.9.

 

SECTION 5.11 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of Section 5.9 or any application of any such provision is determined to be void, invalid or unenforceable by any court having jurisdiction over the issue, the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of Section 5.9 shall not be affected and other applications of such provision shall be affected only to the extent necessary to comply with the determination of such court.

 

SECTION 5.12 ENFORCEMENT. The Company is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of Section 5.9.

 

SECTION 5.13 NON-WAIVER. No delay or failure on the part of the Company or the Board in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Company or the Board, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.

 

SECTION 5.14 REPURCHASE OF SHARES. The Board may establish, from time to time, a program or programs by which the Company voluntarily repurchases Shares from its Stockholders; provided, however, that such repurchase does not impair the capital or operations of the Company. The Sponsor, Advisor, members of the Board or any Affiliates thereof may not receive any fees arising out of the repurchase of Shares by the Company.

 

SECTION 5.15 DISTRIBUTION REINVESTMENT PLANS. The Board may establish, from time to time, a Distribution reinvestment plan or plans (each, a “Reinvestment Plan”). Under any such Reinvestment Plan, (i) all material information regarding Distributions to the Stockholders and the effect of reinvesting such Distributions, including the tax consequences thereof, shall be provided to the Stockholders not less often than annually, and (ii) each Stockholder participating in such Reinvestment Plan shall have a reasonable opportunity to withdraw from the Reinvestment Plan not less often than annually after receipt of the information required in clause (i) above.

 

SECTION 5.16 PREEMPTIVE AND APPRAISAL RIGHTS. Except as may be provided by the Board in setting the terms of classified or reclassified Shares pursuant to Section 5.4 or as may otherwise be provided by contract approved by the Board, no holder of Shares shall, as such holder, have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional Shares or any other security of the Company which it may issue or sell. Holders of Shares shall not be entitled to exercise any rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor statute unless the Board, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board, shall determine that such rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of Shares, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such Shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights.

 

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ARTICLE VI

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

SECTION 6.1 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS. The number of Directors of the Company shall be five, which number may be increased or decreased from time to time pursuant to the Bylaws; provided, however, that the total number of Directors shall be not fewer than three. A majority of the Board will be Independent Directors except for a period of up to 60 days after the death, removal or resignation of an Independent Director pending the election of such Independent Director’s Successor. The Company elects, at such time as it becomes eligible to make the election provided for under Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL, that, except as may be provided by the Board in setting the terms of any class or series of Shares, any and all vacancies on the Board may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors in office, even if the remaining Directors do not constitute a quorum, and any Director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, Independent Directors shall nominate replacements for vacancies among the Independent Directors’ positions. No reduction in the number of Directors shall cause the removal of any Director from office prior to the expiration of his term, except as may otherwise be provided in the terms of any Preferred Shares. For the purposes of voting for Directors, each Share may be voted for as many individuals as there are Directors to be elected and for whose election the Share is entitled to be voted. Cumulative voting for Directors is prohibited.

 

The names of the three Directors who shall serve on the Board until the next annual meeting of the Stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify are:

 

David Lichtenstein
George R. Whittemore
Yehuda “Judah” L. Angster

 

These Directors may increase the number of Directors and fill any vacancy, whether resulting from an increase in the number of Directors or otherwise, on the Board prior to the first annual meeting of Stockholders in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

 

SECTION 6.2 EXPERIENCE. Each Director shall have at least three years of relevant experience demonstrating the knowledge and experience required to successfully acquire and manage the type of assets being acquired by the Company. At least one of the Independent Directors shall have three years of relevant real estate experience, and at least one of the Independent Directors shall be a financial expert with at least three years of relevant finance experience.

 

SECTION 6.3 COMMITTEES. Subject to the MGCL, the Board may establish such committees as it deems appropriate, in its discretion, provided that the majority of the members of each committee are Independent Directors. Any Audit Committee established by the Board shall be composed solely of Independent Directors.

 

SECTION 6.4 TERM. Except as may otherwise be provided in the terms of any Preferred Shares issued by the Company, each Director shall hold office for one year, until the next annual meeting of Stockholders and until his successor is duly elected and qualifies. Directors may be elected to an unlimited number of successive terms.

 

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SECTION 6.5 [RESERVED]

 

SECTION 6.6 RESIGNATION, REMOVAL OR DEATH. Any Director may resign by written notice to the Board, effective upon execution and delivery to the Company of such written notice or upon any future date specified in the notice. Any Director or the entire Board may be removed from office, with our without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of Directors, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Shares to elect or remove one or more of the Directors.

 

ARTICLE VII

POWERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

SECTION 7.1 GENERAL. The business and affairs of the Company shall be managed under the direction of the Board, and the Board shall have full, exclusive and absolute power, control and authority over the Company’s assets and over the business of the Company as if it, in its own right, was the sole owner thereof, except as otherwise limited by the Charter. In accordance with the policies on investments and borrowing set forth in this Article VII and Article IX hereof, the Board shall monitor the administrative procedures, investment operations and performance of the Company and the Advisor to assure that such policies are carried out. The Board may take any action that, in its sole judgment and discretion, is necessary or desirable to conduct the business of the Company. The Charter shall be construed with a presumption in favor of the grant of power and authority to the Board. Any construction of the Charter or determination made in good faith by the Board concerning its powers and authority hereunder shall be conclusive. The enumeration and definition of particular powers of the Board included in this Article VII shall in no way be limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of this or any other provision of the Charter or construed or deemed by inference or otherwise in any manner to exclude or limit the powers conferred upon the Board under the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force.

 

SECTION 7.2 AUTHORIZATION BY BOARD OF STOCK ISSUANCE. The Board may authorize the issuance from time to time of Shares of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into Shares of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a stock split or stock dividend), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Charter or the Bylaws. The issuance of Preferred Shares shall also be approved by a majority of Independent Directors not otherwise interested in the transaction, who shall have access at the Company’s expense to the Company’s legal counsel or to independent legal counsel.

 

SECTION 7.3 FINANCINGS. The Board shall have the power and authority to borrow or, in any other manner, raise money for the purposes and on the terms it determines, which terms may (i) include evidencing the same by issuance of Securities of the Company and (ii) have such provisions as the Board may determine (a) to reacquire such Securities; (b) to enter into other contracts or obligations on behalf of the Company; (c) to guarantee, indemnify or act as surety with respect to payment or performance of obligations of any Person and (d) to mortgage, pledge, assign, grant security interests in or otherwise encumber the Company’s assets to secure any such Securities of the Company, contracts or obligations (including guarantees, indemnifications and suretyships); and to renew, modify, release, compromise, extend, consolidate or cancel, in whole or in part, any obligation to or of the Company or participate in any reorganization of obligors to the Company.

 

SECTION 7.4 REIT QUALIFICATION. If the Company elects to qualify for federal income tax treatment as a REIT, the Board shall use its reasonable best efforts to take such actions as are necessary or appropriate to preserve the status of the Company as a REIT; however, if the Board determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Company to continue to be qualified as a REIT, the Board may revoke or otherwise terminate the Company’s REIT election pursuant to Section 856(g) of the Code. The Board also may determine that compliance with any restriction or limitation on stock ownership and Transfers set forth in Section 5.9 of Article V is no longer required for REIT qualification.

 

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SECTION 7.5 DETERMINATIONS BY BOARD. The determination as to any of the following matters, made in good faith by or pursuant to the direction of the Board consistent with the Charter, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Company and every holder of Shares: the amount of the net income of the Company for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, redemption of Shares or the payment of other Distributions on Shares; the amount of paid in surplus, net assets, other surplus, annual or other cash flow, funds from operations, net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); any interpretation of the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or Distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any class or series of Shares; the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any Asset owned or held by the Company or of any Shares; the number of Shares of any class of the Company; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Company or required or permitted by applicable law, the Charter or Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board; provided, however, that any determination by the Board as to any of the preceding matters shall not render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior to such determination and no Director shall be liable for making or failing to make such a determination.

 

SECTION 7.6 STOCKHOLDER CONCURRENCE REQUIRED. Notwithstanding the foregoing, without concurrence of a majority of the outstanding Shares, the Board may not (i) amend the Charter, except for amendments that do not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of Stockholders (including amendments to provisions relating to Director qualifications, fiduciary duty, liability and indemnification, conflicts of interest, investment policies or investment restrictions), (ii) sell all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than in the ordinary course of the Company’s business or in connection with liquidation and dissolution, (iii) cause the merger or other reorganization of the Company or (iv) dissolve or liquidate the Company, other than before the Company’s initial investment in property.

 

SECTION 7.7 [RESERVED]

 

ARTICLE VIII

ADVISOR

 

SECTION 8.1 APPOINTMENT AND INITIAL INVESTMENT OF ADVISOR. The Board is responsible for setting the general policies of the Company and for the general supervision of its business conducted by officers, agents, employees, advisors or independent contractors of the Company. However, the Board is not required personally to conduct the business of the Company, and it may (but need not) appoint, employ or contract with any Person (including a Person Affiliated with any Director) as an Advisor and may grant or delegate such authority to the Advisor as the Board may, in its sole discretion, deem necessary or desirable. The term of retention of any Advisor shall not exceed one (1) year, although there is no limit to the number of times that a particular Advisor may be retained. The Advisor or its Affiliates have made an initial investment of $200,000 in the Company. The Advisor or any such Affiliate may not sell this initial investment while the Advisor remains a Sponsor but may transfer the initial investment to other Affiliates.

 

SECTION 8.2 SUPERVISION OF ADVISOR. The Board shall evaluate the performance of the Advisor before entering into or renewing an Advisory Agreement, and the criteria used in such evaluation shall be reflected in the minutes of the meetings of the Board. The Board may exercise broad discretion in allowing the Advisor to administer and regulate the operations of the Company, to act as agent for the Company, to execute documents on behalf of the Company and to make executive decisions that conform to general policies and principles established by the Board. The Board shall monitor the Advisor to assure that the administrative procedures, operations and programs of the Company are in the best interests of the Stockholders and are fulfilled. The Independent Directors are responsible for reviewing the total fees and expenses of the Company at least annually or with sufficient frequency to determine that the expenses incurred are reasonable in light of the investment performance of the Company, its Net Assets, its Net Income and the fees and expenses of other comparable unaffiliated REITs. Each such determination shall be reflected in the minutes of the meetings of the Board. In addition, from time to time, but not less often than annually, a majority of the Independent Directors and a majority of Directors not otherwise interested in the transaction must approve each transaction with the Advisor or its Affiliates. The Independent Directors also will be responsible for reviewing, from time to time and at least annually, the performance of the Advisor and determining that compensation to be paid to the Advisor is reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of services performed and the investment performance of the Company and that the provisions of the Advisory Agreement are being carried out. The Independent Directors shall consider all factors that it deems relevant, and the findings of the Independent Directors on each of the factors considered shall be recorded in the minutes of the Board. The Board shall determine whether any successor Advisor possesses sufficient qualifications to perform the advisory function for the Company and whether the compensation provided for in its contract with the Company is justified.

 

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SECTION 8.3 FIDUCIARY OBLIGATIONS. The Advisor shall have a fiduciary responsibility and duty to the Company and to the Stockholders.

 

SECTION 8.4 AFFILIATION AND FUNCTIONS. The Board, by resolution or in the Bylaws, may provide guidelines, provisions or requirements concerning the affiliation and functions of the Advisor.

 

SECTION 8.5 TERMINATION. Either a majority of the Independent Directors or the Advisor may terminate the Advisory Agreement on sixty days’ written notice without cause or penalty, and, in such event, the Advisor will cooperate with the Company and the Board in making an orderly transition of the advisory function.

 

SECTION 8.6 [RESERVED]

 

SECTION 8.7 ORGANIZATION AND OFFERING EXPENSES LIMITATION. Unless otherwise provided in any resolution adopted by the Board, the Company shall reimburse the Advisor and its Affiliates for Organization and Offering Expenses incurred by the Advisor or its Affiliates; provided, however, that the total amount of all Organization and Offering Expenses shall be reasonable and shall in no event exceed 15% of the Gross Proceeds of each Offering.

 

SECTION 8.8 ACQUISITION FEES. Unless otherwise provided in any resolution adopted by the Board, the Company may pay the Advisor and its Affiliates fees for the review and evaluation of potential investments in Assets; provided, however, that the total of all Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses shall be reasonable and shall not exceed an amount equal to five percent of the Contract Purchase Price or, in the case of a Mortgage, five percent of the funds advanced; provided, however, that a majority of the Directors (including a majority of the Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction may approve fees and expenses in excess of this limit if they determine the transaction to be commercially competitive, fair and reasonable to the Company.

 

SECTION 8.9 ASSET MANAGEMENT FEE. The Company may pay the Advisor and its Affiliates quarterly fees for the Advisor’s management of the Company’s Assets; provided, however, that the total of all such asset management fees shall not exceed 0.2375% of the average, as of the last day of the immediately preceding quarter, of the aggregate book value of the Company’s Assets invested in equity interests and loans secured by real estate, before reserves for depreciation or bad debt or other similar non-cash reserves.

 

SECTION 8.10 FEES UPON TERMINATION OF ADVISOR. Upon the termination of the Advisor by reason of a change of control of the Company, by the Company without cause, or by the Advisor for good reason (as such terms may be defined in the definitive agreement memorializing the engagement of the Advisor by the Company), or upon liquidation of the Company, the Company shall pay the Advisor payment of any earned but unpaid compensation and expense reimbursements accrued as of the date of termination. In addition, the Advisor may require that its subordinated profits interests be converted into cash in an amount equal to the purchase price of the subordinated profits interests, or may otherwise continue to hold such subordinated profits interests after the termination of the advisory agreement.

 

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SECTION 8.11 REIMBURSEMENT FOR TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES. Unless otherwise provided in any resolution adopted by the Board, the Company may reimburse the Advisor, at the end of each fiscal quarter, for Total Operating Expenses incurred by the Advisor; provided, however that the Company shall not reimburse the Advisor at the end of any fiscal quarter for Total Operating Expenses that, in the four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended, exceed the greater of two percent of Average Invested Assets or 25% of Net Income (the “2%/25% Guidelines”) for such year. The Independent Directors shall have the responsibility of limiting Total Operating Expenses to amounts that do not exceed the 2%/25% Guidelines unless they have made a finding that, based on such unusual and non-recurring factors that they deem sufficient, a higher level of expenses (an “Excess Amount”) is justified. Within 60 days after the end of any fiscal quarter of the Company for which there is an Excess Amount which the Independent Directors conclude was justified and reimbursable to the Advisor, there shall be sent to the Stockholders a written disclosure of such fact, together with an explanation of the factors the Independent Directors considered in determining that such Excess Amount was justified. In the event the Independent Directors do not determine that such Excess Amount is justified, the Advisor shall reimburse the Company, within 60 days after the end of the twelve month period during which such Excess Amount was incurred, the amount by which the Total Operating Expenses paid or incurred by the Company during such period exceeds the 2%/25% Guidelines. Any such finding and the reasons in support thereof shall be reflected in the minutes of the meetings of the Board. In the event that the Independent Directors do not determine that excess expenses are justified, the Advisor shall reimburse the Company the amount by which the expenses exceeded the 2%/25% Guidelines.

 

SECTION 8.12 LIMITATIONS ON COMPENSATION. In no event will the Acquisition Fees, Acquisition Expenses and Asset Management Fee paid to the Advisor, plus the subordinated payments payable by the Operating Partnership to the Sponsor (Program Structure) exceed the sum of (i) an amount equal to 6 percent of the gross Contract Purchase Price of all Properties acquired by the Company; (ii) an amount determined annually (“Asset Management Amount”) equal in the aggregate to the greater of 2 percent of the Average Invested Assets or 25 percent of the Net Income of the Company after reducing such Asset Management Amount by those Total Operating Expenses as defined in the Guidelines that exclude the Asset Management Amount; (iii) an amount equal to the Disposition Fees, if any, but not to exceed 3 percent of the contract sales price of all Properties sold by the Company; and (iv) an amount equal to 15 percent of the Net Sales Proceeds, if any, remaining after the payment to the shareholders in the aggregate of an amount equal to 100 percent of the original issue price of their Shares plus an amount equal to 6 percent of the original issue price of the Company’s Shares per annum, cumulative (Guideline Structure).

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this undertaking, the comparison between the Program Structure and the Guideline Structure shall be determined on an annual basis at the end of each fiscal year of the Company (“Comparison Date”). To the extent that at the Comparison Date the Program Structure amount exceeds the Guideline Structure amount on a cumulative basis, the Sponsor shall return such excess to the shareholders within 30 days after the Comparison Date.

 

SECTION 8.13 REIMBURSEMENT LIMITATION. The Company shall not reimburse the Advisor or its Affiliates for services for which the Advisor or its Affiliates are entitled to compensation in the form of a separate fee.

 

ARTICLE IX

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND LIMITATIONS

 

SECTION 9.1 REVIEW OF OBJECTIVES. The Independent Directors shall review the investment objectives and policies of the Company with sufficient frequency (not less often than annually) to determine that the objectives and policies being followed by the Company are in the best interests of its Stockholders. Each such determination and the basis therefor shall be set forth in the minutes of the meetings of the Board.

 

SECTION 9.2 CERTAIN PERMITTED INVESTMENTS. Until such time as the Common Shares are Listed the following investment limitations shall apply:

 

(i) The Company may invest in Assets.

 

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(ii) The Company may invest in Joint Ventures with the Sponsor, Advisor, one or more Directors or any of their Affiliates only if a majority of Directors (including a majority of Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction, approve such investment as being fair and reasonable to the Company and on substantially the same terms and conditions as those received by the other joint venturers.

 

(iii) Subject to any limitations in Section 9.3, the Company may invest in equity securities only if a majority of Directors (including a majority of Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction approve such investment as being fair, competitive and commercially reasonable.

 

SECTION 9.3 INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS. Until such time as the Common Shares are Listed, the following investment limitations shall apply. In addition to other investment restrictions imposed by the Board from time to time, consistent with the Company’s objective of qualifying as a REIT, the following shall apply to the Company’s investments:

 

(i) Not more than ten percent of the Company’s total assets shall be invested in Unimproved Real Property or mortgage loans on Unimproved Real Property.

 

(ii) The Company shall not invest in commodities or commodity future contracts. This limitation is not intended to apply to futures contracts, when used solely for hedging purposes in connection with the Company’s ordinary business of investing in real estate assets and Mortgages.

 

(iii) The Company shall not invest in or make any Mortgage, including a mezzanine loan, unless an appraisal is obtained concerning the underlying property except for those loans insured or guaranteed by a government or government agency. In cases in which a majority of Independent Directors so determine, and in all cases in which the transaction is with the Advisor, the Sponsor, any Director or any Affiliates thereof, such appraisal of the underlying property must be obtained from an Independent Appraiser. Such appraisal shall be maintained in the Company’s records for at least five years and shall be available for inspection and duplication by any Stockholder for a reasonable charge. In addition to the appraisal, a mortgagee’s or owner’s title insurance policy or commitment as to the priority of the mortgage or condition of the title must be obtained.

 

(iv) The Company shall not make or invest in any Mortgage, including a construction loan, on any one property if the aggregate amount of all mortgage loans outstanding on the property, including the loans of the Company, would exceed an amount equal to 85% of the appraised value of the property as determined by appraisal unless substantial justification exists because of the presence of other underwriting criteria. For purposes of this subsection, the “aggregate amount of all mortgage loans outstanding on the property, including the loans of the Company” shall include all interest (excluding contingent participation in income and/or appreciation in value of the mortgaged property), the current payment of which may be deferred pursuant to the terms of such loans, to the extent that deferred interest on each loan exceeds five percent per annum of the principal balance of the loan.

 

(v) The Company shall not invest in indebtedness secured by a mortgage on real property which is subordinate to the lien or other indebtedness of the Advisor, the Sponsor, any Director or any Affiliate of the Company.

 

(vi) The Company shall not issue (A) equity Securities redeemable solely at the option of the holder (except that Stockholders may offer their Common Shares to the Company pursuant to any repurchase plan adopted by the Board on terms outlined in the Prospectus relating to any Offering, as such plan is thereafter amended in accordance with its terms); (B) debt Securities unless the historical debt service coverage (in the most recently completed fiscal year) as adjusted for known changes is sufficient to properly service that higher level of debt; (C) equity Securities on a deferred payment basis or under similar arrangements; or (D) options or warrants to purchase Shares to the Advisor, Sponsor or any Affiliate thereof except on the same terms as such options or warrants are sold to the general public. Options or warrants may be issued to persons other than the Advisor, Sponsor or any Affiliate thereof, but not at exercise prices less than the fair market value of the underlying Securities on the date of grant and not for consideration (which may include services) that in the judgment of the Independent Directors has a market value less than the value of such option or warrant on the date of grant. Options or warrants issuable to the Advisor, Directors, Sponsor or any Affiliate thereof shall not exceed ten percent of the outstanding Shares on the date of grant. The voting rights per Share (other than any publicly held Share) sold in a private offering shall not exceed the voting rights which bear the same relationship to the voting rights of a publicly held Share as the consideration paid to the Company for each privately offered Share bears to the book value of each outstanding publicly held Share.

 

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(vii) A majority of the Directors or a majority of a duly authorized committee of the Board shall authorize the consideration to be paid for each Asset, ordinarily based on the fair market value of the Asset. If a majority of the Independent Directors on the Board or such duly authorized committee determine, or if the Asset is acquired from the Advisor, a Director, the Sponsor or their Affiliates, such fair market value shall be determined by a qualified Independent Appraiser selected by such Independent Directors. The Advisor may purchase an Asset on behalf of the Company without seeking the prior written consent of the Board if and to the extent that:

 

(a) The aggregate purchase price of such Asset (other than an Asset acquired from the Advisor, a Director, the Sponsor or their Affiliates, in which case the approval of the Independent Directors will be required) is less than $15,000,000;

 

(b) The acquisition of such Asset would not, if consummated, violate or conflict with the investment guidelines of the Company as set forth in the Company’s Prospectus as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission;

 

(c) The acquisition of such Asset would not, if consummated, violate the limitations on Leverage contained in Section 9.3(viii) below; and

 

(d) The consideration to be paid for such Asset does not exceed the fair market value of such Asset, as determined by an Independent Appraiser selected in good faith by the Advisor and acceptable to the Independent Directors.

 

(viii) The aggregate Leverage of the Company shall be reasonable in relation to the Net Assets of the Company and shall be reviewed by the Board at least quarterly. Subject to the immediately following sentence, the maximum amount of such Leverage shall not exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the aggregate fair market value of the Company’s assets as of the date of any borrowing, provided, that Leverage on any individual Asset may exceed such limit. Any excess in borrowing over such 75% level shall be approved by a majority of the Independent Directors and disclosed to Stockholders in the next quarterly report of the Company, along with justification for such excess.

 

(ix) The Company will continually review its investment activity to attempt to ensure that it is not classified as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

(x) The Company will not make any investment that the Company believes will be inconsistent with its objectives of qualifying and remaining qualified as a REIT unless and until the Board determines, in its sole discretion, that REIT qualification is not in the best interests of the Company.

 

(xi) The Company shall not invest in real estate contracts of sale unless such contracts of sale are in recordable form and appropriately recorded in the chain of title.

 

(xii) The Company will not, directly or indirectly, including through any subsidiary, extend or maintain credit, arrange for the extension of credit, or renew an extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan to or for any of the Company’s directors or executive officers.

 

(xiii) The Company will not invest in any equity securities unless a majority of disinterested directors, including a majority of disinterested Independent Directors, approves the transaction as being fair, competitive and commercially reasonable. Investments in entities affiliated with the Advisor, the Sponsor, any director, or any of their Affiliates shall be subject to the restrictions on joint venture investments set forth in Section 9.2(ii) of the Charter.

 

(xiv) The Company shall not engage in any short sale.

 

(xv) The value of all investments in debt secured by a mortgage on real property that is subordinate to the lien of other debt shall not exceed 25% of the Company’s tangible assets.

 

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(xvi) The Company shall not engage in trading, as opposed to investment activities.

 

(xvii) The Company shall not engage in underwriting activities or distribute, as agent, securities issued by others.

 

(xviii) The Company shall not invest in foreign currency or bullion.

 

(xix) The aggregate amount of long-term permanent borrowing shall not exceed 300% of the Company’s and the Operating Partnership’s net assets as of the date of the borrowing unless the excess is approved by a majority of the Independent Directors and disclosed to the stockholders in the Company’s next quarterly report to stockholders following such borrowing along with justification for such excess.

 

The Company shall not acquire securities in any entity holding investments or engaging in activities prohibited by the restrictions on investments set forth in the foregoing clauses (i) through (xvi) of this Section 9.3.

 

ARTICLE X

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

SECTION 10.1 SALES AND LEASES TO COMPANY. The Company may not purchase or lease an Asset or Assets from the Sponsor, the Advisor, a Director, or any Affiliate thereof.

 

SECTION 10.2 SALES AND LEASES TO THE SPONSOR, ADVISOR, DIRECTORS OR AFFILIATES. An Advisor, Sponsor, Director or any Affiliate thereof may not purchase or lease Assets from the Company.

 

SECTION 10.3 OTHER TRANSACTIONS.

 

(a) Except pursuant to the Advisory Agreement or the Management Agreement, the Company shall not engage in any other transaction with the Sponsor, Advisor, a Director or any Affiliates thereof unless a majority of the Directors (including a majority of the Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in such transaction approve such transaction as fair and reasonable to the Company and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Company than those available from unaffiliated third parties.

 

(b) The Company shall not make loans to the Sponsor, Advisor, a Director or any Affiliates thereof except Mortgages pursuant to Section 9.3(iii) hereof or loans to wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. The Sponsor, Advisor, Directors and any Affiliates thereof shall not make loans to the Company, or to joint ventures in which the Company is a co-venturer, unless approved by a majority of the Directors (including a majority of the Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in such transaction as fair, competitive, and commercially reasonable, and no less favorable to the Company than comparable loans between unaffiliated parties.

 

(c) The Company may enter into joint ventures with the Sponsor or its Affiliates provided that (i) a majority of Directors (including a majority of Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction approves the transaction as being fair and reasonable to the Company and (ii) the investment by the Company is on substantially the same terms as those received by other joint venturers.

 

SECTION 10.4 CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROCEDURES.

 

(a) Before the Advisor may take advantage of an investment opportunity for its own account or recommend it to others, the Advisor is obligated to present such opportunity to the Company if (i) such opportunity is compatible with the Company’s investment objectives and policies, (ii) such opportunity is of a character which could be taken by the Company, and (iii) the Company has the financial resources to take advantage of such opportunity.

 

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(b) In the event that an investment opportunity becomes available that is suitable for both the Company and a public or private entity with which the Advisor or its Affiliates are affiliated for which both entities have sufficient uninvested funds, and the requirements of Section 10.4(i) above have been satisfied, then the entity that has had uninvested funds for the longest period of time will first be offered the investment opportunity. An investment opportunity will not be considered suitable for an entity if the 2%/25% Guidelines could not be satisfied if the entity were to make the investment. In determining whether or not an investment opportunity is suitable for more than one entity, the Board and the Advisor will examine such factors, among others, as the cash requirements of each entity, the effect of the acquisition both on diversification of each entity’s investments by type of property and geographic area and on diversification of the tenants of its properties, the policy of each entity relating to leverage of properties, the anticipated cash flow of each entity, the income tax effects of the purchase to each entity, the size of the investment and the amount of funds available to each program and the length of time such funds have been available for investment. If a subsequent development, such as a delay in the closing of the acquisition of such investment or a delay in the construction of a property, causes any such investment, in the opinion of the Board and the Advisor, to be more appropriate for an entity other than the entity that committed to make the investment, the Advisor may determine that the other entity affiliated with the Advisors or its Affiliates will make the investment. It shall be the duty of the Board, including the Independent Directors, to ensure that the method used by the Advisor for the allocation of the acquisition of investments by two or more affiliated programs seeking to acquire similar types of Assets is applied fairly to the Company.

 

ARTICLE XI

STOCKHOLDERS

 

SECTION 11.1 MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS. There shall be an annual meeting of the Stockholders, to be held on such date and at such time and place as shall be determined by or in the manner prescribed in the Bylaws, at which the Directors shall be elected and any other proper business may be conducted; provided that such annual meeting will be held upon reasonable notice and within a reasonable period (not less than 30 days) following delivery of the annual report. The holders of a majority of Shares entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at an annual meeting at which a quorum is present may, without the necessity for concurrence by the Board, vote to elect the Directors. Special meetings of Stockholders may be called in the manner provided in the Bylaws, including by the president, the chairman of the Board, the chief executive officer or by a majority of the Directors or a majority of the Independent Directors, and shall be called by the secretary of the Company upon the written request of the holders of shares entitled to cast not less than ten percent of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting. Notice of any special meeting of Stockholders shall be given as provided in the Bylaws, and the special meeting shall be held not less than 15 days nor more than 60 days after the delivery of such notice. If the meeting is called by written request of Stockholders as described in this Section 11.1, the special meeting shall be held at the time and place specified in the Stockholder request; provided, however, that if none is so specified, at such time and place convenient to the Stockholders. If there are no Directors, the officers of the Company shall promptly call a special meeting of the Stockholders entitled to vote for the election of successor Directors. Any meeting may be adjourned and reconvened as the Board may determine or as otherwise provided in the Bylaws. Without the approval of a majority of the Shares entitled to vote on the matter, the Board may not (i) amend the Charter to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Stockholders; (ii) amend provisions of the Charter relating to director qualifications, fiduciary duties, liability and indemnification, conflicts of interest, investment policies or investment restrictions; (iii) liquidate or dissolve the Company other than before the initial investment in Property; (iv) sell all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise permitted by law; or (v) cause the merger or reorganization of the Company except as permitted by law.

 

SECTION 11.2 VOTING RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS. Subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares then outstanding, and subject to the mandatory provisions of any applicable laws or regulations, the Stockholders shall be entitled to vote only on the following matters: (a) election or removal of Directors, without the necessity for concurrence by the Board, as provided in Sections 11.1, 6.4 and 6.6 hereof; (b) amendment of the Charter as provided in Article XIII hereof without the necessity for concurrence by the Board; (c) dissolution of the Company without the necessity for concurrence by the Board; (d) Merger or consolidation of the Company or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets without the necessity for concurrence by the Board; and (e) such other matters with respect to which the Board has adopted a resolution declaring that a proposed action is advisable and directing that the matter be submitted to the Stockholders for approval or ratification. Except with respect to the foregoing matters, no action taken by the Stockholders at any meeting shall in any way bind the Board. Without the approval of a majority of the Shares entitled to vote on the matter, the Board may not (i) amend the Charter to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Stockholders; (ii) amend provisions of the Charter relating to director qualifications, fiduciary duties, liability and indemnification, conflicts of interest, investment policies or investment restrictions; (iii) liquidate or dissolve the Company other than before the initial investment in property; (iv) sell all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than in the ordinary course of business; or (v) cause the merger or reorganization of the Company.

 

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SECTION 11.3 EXTRAORDINARY ACTIONS. Notwithstanding any provision of law permitting or requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of Shares entitled to cast a greater number of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by the Board and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of holders of Shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

 

SECTION 11.4 VOTING LIMITATIONS ON SHARES HELD BY THE ADVISOR, DIRECTORS AND AFFILIATES. With respect to Shares owned by the Advisor, any Director, or any of their Affiliates, neither the Advisor, nor such Director(s), nor any of their Affiliates may vote or consent on matters submitted to the Stockholders regarding the removal of the Advisor, such Director(s) or any of their Affiliates or any transaction between the Company and any of them. In determining the requisite percentage in interest of Shares necessary to approve a matter on which the Advisor, such Director(s) and any of their Affiliates may not vote or consent, any Shares owned by any of them shall not be included.

 

SECTION 11.5 RIGHT OF INSPECTION. Any Stockholder and any designated representative thereof shall be permitted access to the records of the Company to which it is entitled under applicable law at all reasonable times, and may inspect and copy any of them for a reasonable charge. Inspection of the Company books and records by the office or agency administering the securities laws of a jurisdiction shall be provided upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours.

 

SECTION 11.6 ACCESS TO STOCKHOLDER LIST. An alphabetical list of the names and addresses of the Stockholders, along with the number of shares of stock held by each of them (the “Stockholder List”), shall be maintained as part of the books and records of the Company and shall be available for inspection by any Stockholder or the Stockholder’s designated agent at the home office of the Company in accordance with Maryland law. Each Stockholder who receives a copy of the Stockholder List shall keep such list confidential and share such list only with its employees, representatives or agents who agree in writing maintain the confidentiality of the Stockholder List.

 

SECTION 11.7 [RESERVED]

 

SECTION 11.8 TENDER OFFERS. If any Person makes a tender offer, including, without limitation, a “mini-tender” offer, such Person must comply with all of the provisions set forth in Regulation 14D of the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, disclosure and notice requirements, that would be applicable if the tender offer was for more than five percent of the outstanding Shares; provided, however, that, unless otherwise required by the Exchange Act, such documents are not required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, any such Person must provide notice to the Company at least ten business days prior to initiating any such tender offer. If any Person initiates a tender offer without complying with the provisions set forth above (a “Non-Compliant Tender Offer”), the Company, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to redeem such non-compliant Person’s Shares and any Shares acquired in such tender offer (collectively, the “Tendered Shares”) at the lesser of (i) the price then being paid per Share of Common Stock purchased in the Company’s latest Offering at full purchase price (not discounted for commission reductions or for reductions in sale price permitted pursuant to the Reinvestment Plan), (ii) the fair market value of the Shares as determined by an independent valuation obtained by the Company or (iii) the lowest tender offer price offered in such Non-Compliant Tender Offer. The Company may purchase such Tendered Shares upon delivery of the purchase price to the Person initiating such Non-Compliant Tender Offer and, upon such delivery, the Company may instruct any transfer agent to transfer such purchased Shares to the Company. In addition, any Person who makes a Non-Compliant Tender Offer shall be responsible for all expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the enforcement of the provisions of this Section 11.8, including, without limitation, expenses incurred in connection with the review of all documents related to such tender offer and expenses incurred in connection with any purchase of Tendered Shares by the Company. The Company maintains the right to offset any such expenses against the dollar amount to be paid by the Company for the purchase of Tendered Shares pursuant to this Section 11.8. In addition to the remedies provided herein, the Company may seek injunctive relief, including, without limitation, a temporary or permanent restraining order, in connection with any Non-Compliant Tender Offer. This Section 11.8 shall be of no force or effect with respect to any Shares that are then Listed.

 

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ARTICLE XII

LIABILITY LIMITATION AND INDEMNIFICATION

 

SECTION 12.1 LIMITATION OF STOCKHOLDER LIABILITY. No Stockholder shall be liable for any debt, claim, demand, judgment or obligation of any kind of, against or with respect to the Company by reason of his being a Stockholder, nor shall any Stockholder be subject to any personal liability whatsoever, in tort, contract or otherwise, to any Person in connection with the Company’s assets or the affairs of the Company by reason of his being a Stockholder. . The Common Shares shall be non-assessable by the Company upon receipt by the Company of the consideration for which the Board authorized their issuance.

 

SECTION 12.2 LIMITATION OF DIRECTOR AND OFFICER LIABILITY.

 

To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of he liability of the director and officers of a corporation,, no Director or officer of the Company shall be liable to the Company or its Stockholders for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Section 12.2, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or Bylaws inconsistent with this Section 12.2, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

 

SECTION 12.3 INDEMNIFICATION

 

(a) The Company shall indemnify, to the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time, its present and former Directors and officers, whether serving or having served or at its request any other entity, for any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative) relating to any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity as a director or officer. The Company shall pay or reimburse all reasonable expenses incurred by a present or former Director or officer, whether serving or having served, the Company or at its request any other entity, in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative) in which the present or former Director or officer is a party, in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding, to the fullest extent permitted by, and in accordance with the applicable requirements of, Maryland law, as applicable from time to time. The Company may indemnify any other persons, including a person who served a predecessor of the Company as an officer or director, permitted but not required to be indemnified by Maryland law as applicable from time to time, if and to extent indemnification is authorized and determined to be appropriate, in each case in accordance with applicable law. No amendment of the Charter of the Company or repeal of any of its provisions shall limit or eliminate any of the benefits provided to directors and officers under this Section 12.2(b) in respect of any act or omission that occurred prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

SECTION 12.4 [RESERVED]

 

SECTION 12.5 EXPRESS EXCULPATORY CLAUSES IN INSTRUMENTS. Neither the Stockholders nor the Directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company shall be liable under any written instrument creating an obligation of the Company by reason of their being Stockholders, Directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company, and all Persons shall look solely to the Company’s assets for the payment of any claim under or for the performance of that instrument. The omission of the foregoing exculpatory language from any instrument shall not affect the validity or enforceability of such instrument and shall not render any Stockholder, Director, officer, employee or agent liable thereunder to any third party, nor shall the Directors or any officer, employee or agent of the Company be liable to anyone as a result of such omission.

 

26

 

 

ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENTS

 

The Company reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment to the Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of any Shares. All rights and powers conferred by the Charter on Stockholders, Directors and officers are granted subject to this reservation. Except for those amendments permitted to be made without Stockholder approval under Maryland law or by specific provision in the Charter, any amendment to the Charter shall be valid only if approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter, including, without limitation, (i) any amendment which would adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Stockholders and (ii) any amendment to Sections 6.2 and 6.6 of Article VI, Article IX, Article X, Article XII, and this Article XIII (or any other amendment of the Charter that would have the effect of amending such sections).

 

THIRD: The amendment to and restatement of the charter as hereinabove set forth have been duly advised by the Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders of the Company as required by law.

 

FOURTH: The current address of the principal office of the Company is as set forth in Article III of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

 

FIFTH: The name and address of the Company’s current resident agent is as set forth in Article III of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

 

SIXTH: The number of directors of the Company and the names of those currently in office are as set forth in Section 6.1 of Article VI of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

 

SEVENTH: The undersigned Chief Executive Officer acknowledges these Second Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be the corporate act of the Company and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned Chief Executive Officer acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

 

[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

27

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Lightstone Value Plus REIT III, Inc. has caused these Second Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Chief Executive Officer, and attested by its General Counsel and Secretary, on this ___ day of December, 2022.

 

ATTEST:    
     
By: /s/ Joseph Teichman   By: /s/ David Lichtenstein
Name: Joseph Teichman   Name: David Lichtenstein
Title: General Counsel and Secretary   Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

28

 

 

Exhibit B

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTREIT II, INC.

 

CONFORMEDSECOND ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

 

FIRST: Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment TrustREIT II, Inc., a Maryland corporation, desires to amend and restate its charter as currently in effect and as hereinafter amended.

 

SECOND: The following provisions are all the provisions of the charter currently in effect and as hereinafter amended:

 

ARTICLE I

 

NAME

 

The name of the corporation is Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment TrustREIT II, Inc. (the “Company”). So far as may be practicable, the business of the Company shall be conducted and transacted under that name. Under circumstances in which the Company’s Board of Directors determines that the use of the name “Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment TrustREIT II, Inc.” is not practicable, it may use any other designation or name for the Company.

 

ARTICLE II

 

PURPOSES AND POWERS

 

The purposes for which the Company is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity (including, without limitation or obligation, qualifying and engaging in business as a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860, or any successor sections, of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)), for which corporations may be organized under the Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time (the “MGCL”) and the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force.

 

ARTICLE III

 

RESIDENT AGENT AND PRINCIPAL OFFICE

 

The name and address of the resident agent for service of process of the Company in the State of Maryland is CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 820, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The address of the Company’s principal office in the State of Maryland is c/o CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 820, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The Company may have such other offices and places of business within or outside the State of Maryland as the Board may from time to time determine.The name and address of the resident agent for service of process of the Company in the State of Maryland is The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. The resident agent is a Maryland corporation. The address of the Company’s principal office in the State of Maryland is c/o The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. The Company may have such other offices and places of business within or outside the State of Maryland as the Board may from time to time determine.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

DEFINITIONS

 

As used in the Charter, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context otherwise requires:

 

1

 

 

ACQUISITION EXPENSES” means any and all expenses incurred by the Company, the Advisor, or any Affiliate of either in connection with the selection, acquisition or development of any Asset, whether or not acquired, including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses, travel and communications expenses, costs of appraisals, nonrefundable option payments on property not acquired, accounting fees and expenses, and title insurance premiums.

 

ACQUISITION FEE” means any and all fees and commissions, exclusive of Acquisition Expenses, paid by any Person to any other Person (including any fees or commissions paid by or to any Affiliate of the Company or the Advisor) in connection with making or investing in Mortgages or the purchase, development or construction of a Property, including real estate commissions, selection fees, development fees, construction fees, nonrecurring management fees, loan fees, points or any other fees of a similar nature. Excluded shall be development fees and construction fees paid to any Person not affiliated with the Sponsor in connection with the development and construction of a project.

 

ADVISOR” or “ADVISORS” means the Person or Persons, if any, appointed, employed or contracted with by the Company pursuant to Section 8.1 hereof and responsible for directing or performing the day-to-day business affairs of the Company, including any Person to whom the Advisor subcontracts all or substantially all of such functions.

 

ADVISORY AGREEMENT” means the agreement between the Company and the Advisor pursuant to which the Advisor will direct or perform the day-to-day business affairs of the Company.

 

AFFILIATE” or “AFFILIATED” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any Person directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding, with the power to vote, ten percent or more of the outstanding voting securities of such other Person; (ii) any Person ten percent or more of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned, controlled or held, with the power to vote, by such other Person; (iii) any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such other Person; (iv) any executive officer, director, trustee or general partner of such other Person; and (v) any legal entity for which such Person acts as an executive officer, director, trustee or general partner.

 

ASSET” means any Property, Mortgage or other investment (other than investments in bank accounts, money market funds or other current assets) owned by the Company, directly or indirectly through one or more of its Affiliates, and any other investment made by the Company, directly or indirectly through one or more of its Affiliates.

 

AVERAGE INVESTED ASSETS” means, for a specified period, the average of the aggregate book value of the assets of the Company and the Operating Partnership invested, directly or indirectly in equity interests in and loans secured by real estate, before deducting depreciation, bad debts or other non-cash reserves, computed by taking the average of such values at the end of each month during such period.

 

BOARD” means, collectively, the individuals named in Section 6.1 of the Charter and such other individuals who may be duly elected and qualified to serve as Directors thereafter to replace any such person or fill a vacancy caused by the death, removal or resignation of any such person or caused by an increase in the number of Directors.

 

BYLAWS” means the Bylaws of the Company, as amended from time to time.

 

CHARTER” means these Articles of Amendment and Restatement and any Articles of Amendment, Articles Supplementary or other modification or amendment thereto.

 

CODE” shall have the meaning as provided in Article II herein.

 

COMMENCEMENT OF THE INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING” shall mean the date that the Securities and Exchange Commission declares effective the registration statement filed under the Securities Act for the Initial Public Offering.

 

2

 

 

COMMON SHARES” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 5.1 herein. “COMPANY” shall have the meaning as provided in Article I herein.

 

COMPETITIVE REAL ESTATE COMMISSION,” if used herein, means the real estate or brokerage commission paid for the purchase or sale of a Property, which is reasonable, customary and competitive in light of the size, type and location of such Property.

 

CONTRACT PURCHASE PRICE” means the amount actually paid or allocated in respect of the purchase, development, construction or improvement of a Property or the amount of funds advanced with respect to a Mortgage, or the amount actually paid or allocated in respect of the purchase of other Assets, in each case exclusive of Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses, but in each case including any indebtedness assumed or incurred in respect of such Property.

 

DEALER MANAGER” means Lightstone Securities, LLC, an Affiliate of the Company, or such other Person selected by the Board to act as the dealer manager for an Offering.

 

DIRECTOR” means a member of the Company’s Board.

 

DISTRIBUTIONS” means any distributions of money or other property, pursuant to Section 5.2(iii) hereof, by the Company to owners of Shares, including distributions that may constitute a return of capital for federal income tax purposes.

 

EXCESS AMOUNT” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.12 herein.

 

EXTENSION AMENDMENT” has the meaning as provided in Article XV herein.

 

GROSS PROCEEDS” means the aggregate purchase price of all Shares sold for the account of the Company through an Offering, without deduction for Selling Commissions, volume discounts, any marketing support and due diligence expense reimbursement or Organization and Offering Expenses. For the purpose of computing Gross Proceeds, the purchase price of any Share purchased by the Company’s Advisor for a discount, or for which reduced Selling Commissions are paid to the Dealer Manager or a Soliciting Dealer (where net proceeds to the Company are not reduced) shall be deemed to be the full amount of the offering price per Share pursuant to the Prospectus for such Offering without reduction.

 

INDEMNITEE” has the meaning provided in Section 12.2 herein.

 

INDEPENDENT APPRAISER” means a Person with no material current or prior business or personal relationship with the Advisor or the Directors and who is engaged to a substantial extent in the business of rendering opinions regarding the value of Real Property and/or other Assets of the type held by the Company. Membership in a nationally recognized appraisal society such as the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers or the Society of Real Estate Appraisers shall be conclusive evidence of being engaged to a substantial extent in the business of rendering opinions regarding the value of Real Property.

 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR” means a Director who is not on the date of determination, and within the last two years from the date of determination has not been, directly or indirectly associated with the Sponsor or the Advisor by virtue of (i) ownership of an interest in the Sponsor, the Advisor or any of their Affiliates, other than the Company, (ii) employment by the Sponsor, Advisor or any of their Affiliates, (iii) service as an officer of the Sponsor, the Advisor or any of their Affiliates, other than as a Director of the Company, (iv) performance of services, other than as a Director of the Company, (v) service as a director or trustee of more than three real estate investment trusts organized or controlled by the Sponsor or advised by the Advisor, or (vi) maintenance of a material business or professional relationship with the Sponsor, the Advisor or any of their Affiliates. A business or professional relationship is considered “material” if the aggregate gross revenue derived by the Director from the Sponsor, the Advisor and their Affiliates exceeds five percent of either the Director’s annual gross income during either of the last two years or the Director’s net worth on a fair market value basis. An indirect association with the Sponsor or the Advisor shall include circumstances in which a Director’s spouse, parent, child, sibling, mother- or father-in-law, son- or daughter-in-law or brother- or sister-in-law is or has been associated with the Sponsor, the Advisor, any of their Affiliates or the Company.

 

3

 

 

INITIAL INVESTMENT” means that portion of the initial capitalization of the Company contributed by the Sponsor or its Affiliates pursuant to Section II.A. of the NASAA REIT Guidelines8.1 below.

 

INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING” means the first Offering.

 

INVESTED CAPITAL” means the amount calculated by multiplying the total number of Shares purchased by Stockholders by the issue price at the time of such purchase, reduced by the portion of any Distribution that is attributable to Net Sales Proceeds and by any amounts paid by the Company to repurchase Shares pursuant to the Company’s plan for the repurchase of Shares.

 

JOINT VENTURES” means those joint venture or partnership arrangements in which the Company or the Operating Partnership is a co-venturer, limited liability company member, limited partner or general partner established to acquire or hold Assets.

 

LEVERAGE” means the aggregate amount of indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed (including purchase money mortgage loans) outstanding at any time, both secured and unsecured.

 

LISTING” means the listing of the Common Shares on a National Stock Exchange or the trading of the Common Shares in the over-the-counter market. Upon such Listing, the Common Shares shall be deemed Listed.

 

MERGER” means a merger to be effected pursuant to Section 3-105 of the MGCL.

 

MGCL” shall have the meaning as provided in Article II herein.

 

MORTGAGES” means, in connection with mortgage financing provided, invested in, participated in or purchased by the Company, all of the notes, deeds of trust, security interests or other evidences of indebtedness or obligations, which are secured or collateralized by Real Property owned by the borrowers under such notes, deeds of trust, security interests or other evidences of indebtedness or obligations.

 

NATIONAL STOCK EXCHANGE” means either NYSE or NASDAQ.

 

NASAA REIT GUIDELINES” means the Statement of Policy Regarding Real Estate Investment Trusts published by the North American Securities Administrators Association on May 7, 2007.

 

NET ASSETS” means the total Assets of the Company and the Operating Partnership (other than intangibles) at cost, before deducting depreciation, reserves for bad debts or other non-cash reserves, less total liabilities, calculated quarterly by the Company on a basis consistently applied.

 

NET INCOME” means for any period, the Company’s and the Operating Partnership’s total revenues applicable to such period, less the total expenses applicable to such period other than additions to reserves for depreciation, bad debts or other similar non-cash reserves and excluding any gain from the sale of the Assets.

 

4

 

 

NET SALES PROCEEDS” means in the case of a transaction described in clause (i) (A) of the definition of Sale, the proceeds of any such transaction less the amount of selling expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Company, including all real estate commissions, closing costs and legal fees and expenses. In the case of a transaction described in clause (i) (B) of such definition, Net Sales Proceeds means the proceeds of any such transaction less the amount of selling expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Company, including any legal fees and expenses and other selling expenses incurred in connection with such transaction. In the case of a transaction described in clause (i) (C) of such definition, Net Sales Proceeds means the proceeds of any such transaction actually distributed to the Company or the Operating Partnership from the Joint Venture less the amount of any selling expenses, including legal fees and expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Company (other than those paid by the Joint Venture). In the case of a transaction or series of transactions described in clause (i) (D) of the definition of Sale, Net Sales Proceeds means the proceeds of any such transaction (including the aggregate of all payments under a Mortgage on or in satisfaction thereof other than regularly scheduled interest payments) less the amount of selling expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Company, including all commissions, closing costs and legal fees and expenses. In the case of a transaction described in clause (i) (E) of such definition, Net Sales Proceeds means the proceeds of any such transaction less the amount of selling expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Company, including any legal fees and expenses and other selling expenses incurred in connection with such transaction. In the case of a transaction described in clause (ii) of the definition of Sale, Net Sales Proceeds means the proceeds of such transaction or series of transactions less all amounts generated thereby which are reinvested in one or more Assets within 180 days thereafter and less the amount of any real estate commissions, closing costs, and legal fees and expenses and other selling expenses incurred by or allocated to the Company or the Operating Partnership in connection with such transaction or series of transactions. Net Sales Proceeds shall also include any amounts that the Company determines, in its discretion, to be economically equivalent to proceeds of a Sale. Net Sales Proceeds shall not include any reserves established by the Company in its sole discretion.

 

OFFERING” means any public offering and sale of Shares pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act.

 

OPERATING PARTNERSHIP” means Lightstone Value Plus REIT II LP, an Affiliate of the Company through which the Company may own Assets.

 

ORGANIZATION and OFFERING EXPENSES” means any and all costs and expenses incurred by and to be paid from the assets of the Company in connection with the formation, qualification and registration of the Company, and the marketing and distribution of Shares, including, without limitation, total underwriting and brokerage discounts and commissions (including fees of the underwriters’ attorneys), expenses for printing, engraving, amending, supplementing, mailing and distributing costs, salaries of employees while engaged in sales activity, telephone and other telecommunications costs, all advertising and marketing expenses (including the costs related to investor and broker-dealer sales meetings), charges of transfer agents, registrars, trustees, escrow holders, depositories, experts, fees, expenses and taxes related to the filing, registration and qualification of the sale of the Shares under federal and state laws, including taxes and fees, and accountants’ and attorneys’ fees.

 

PERSON” means an individual, corporation, partnership, estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Sections 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other legal entity and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and a group to which an Excepted Holder Limit applies.

 

PREFERRED SHARES” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 5.1 herein.

 

PROPERTY” or “PROPERTIES” means, as the context requires, any, or all, respectively, of the Real Property acquired by the Company, directly or indirectly through joint venture arrangements or other partnership or investment interests.

 

PROSPECTUS” means the same as that term is defined in Section 2(10) of the Securities Act, including a preliminary prospectus and an offering circular as described in Rule 256 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act, or, in the case of an intrastate offering, any document by whatever name known, utilized for the purpose of offering and selling Securities to the public.

 

REAL PROPERTY” or “REAL ESTATE” means land, rights in land (including leasehold interests), and any buildings, structures, improvements, furnishings, fixtures and equipment located on or used in connection with land and rights or interests in land.

 

REINVESTMENT PLAN” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 5.15 herein.

 

5

 

 

REIT” means a corporation, trust, association or other legal entity (other than a real estate syndication) that is engaged primarily in investing in equity interests in real estate (including fee ownership and leasehold interests) or in loans secured by real estate or both as defined pursuant to the REIT Provisions of the Code.

 

REIT PROVISIONS OF THE CODE” means Sections 856 through 860 of the Code and any successor or other provisions of the Code relating to real estate investment trusts (including provisions as to the attribution of ownership of beneficial interests therein) and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

ROLL-UP ENTITY” means a partnership, real estate investment trust, corporation, trust or similar entity that would be created or would survive after the successful completion of a proposed Roll-Up Transaction.

 

ROLL-UP TRANSACTION” means a transaction involving the acquisition , merger, conversion or consolidation either directly or indirectly of the Company and the issuance of securities of a Roll-Up Entity to the Stockholders. Such term does not include:

 

(a) a transaction involving securities of the Company that have been for at least twelve months listed on a national securities exchange or traded through Nasdaq’s National Market System; or

 

(b) a transaction involving the conversion to corporate, trust or association form of only the Company, if, as a consequence of the transaction, there will be no significant adverse change in any of the following:

 

(i) Stockholders’ voting rights;

 

(ii) the term of existence of the Company;

 

(iii) Sponsor or Advisor compensation; or

 

(iv) the Company’s investment objectives.

 

SALE” or “SALES” means (i) any transaction or series of transactions whereby: (A) the Company or the Operating Partnership directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of any Property or portion thereof, including the lease of any Property consisting of a building only, and including any event with respect to any Property which gives rise to a significant amount of insurance proceeds or condemnation awards; (B) the Company or the Operating Partnership directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of all or substantially all of the interest of the Company or the Operating Partnership in any Joint Venture in which it is a co-venturer or partner; (C) any Joint Venture in which the Company or the Operating Partnership as a co-venturer or partner directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of any Property or portion thereof, including any event with respect to any Property which gives rise to insurance claims or condemnation awards; (D) the Company or the Operating Partnership directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) sells, grants, conveys or relinquishes its interest in any Mortgage or portion thereof (including with respect to any Mortgage, all payments thereunder or in satisfaction thereof other than regularly scheduled interest payments) of amounts owed pursuant to such Mortgage and any event which gives rise to a significant amount of insurance proceeds or similar awards; or (E) the Company or the Operating Partnership directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of any other Asset not previously described in this definition or any portion thereof, but (ii) not including any transaction or series of transactions specified in clause (i) (A) through (E) above in which the proceeds of such transaction or series of transactions are reinvested by the Company in one or more Assets within 180 days thereafter.

 

SDAT” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 5.4 herein.

 

SECURITIES” means any of the following issued by the Company, as the text requires: Shares, any other stock, shares or other evidences of equity or beneficial or other interests, voting trust certificates, bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in, temporary or interim certificates for, receipts for, guarantees of, or warrants, options or rights to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

 

6

 

 

SECURITIES ACT” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto. Reference to any provision of the Securities Act shall mean such provision as in effect from time to time, as the same may be amended, and any successor provision thereto, as interpreted by any applicable regulations as in effect from time to time.

 

SELLING COMMISSIONS” means any and all commissions payable to underwriters, dealer managers or other broker-dealers in connection with the sale of Shares, including, without limitation, commissions payable to the Dealer Manager.

 

SHARES” means shares of stock of the Company of any class or series, including Common Shares or Preferred Shares.

 

SOLICITING DEALERS” means those broker-dealers that are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or that are exempt from broker-dealer registration, and that, in either case, enter into participating broker or other agreements with the Dealer Manager to sell Shares.

 

SPONSOR” means any Person which (i) is directly or indirectly instrumental in organizing, wholly or in part, the Company, (ii) will control, manage or participate in the management of the Company, and any Affiliate of any such Person, (iii) takes the initiative, directly or indirectly, in founding or organizing the Company, either alone or in conjunction with one or more other Persons, (iv) receives a material participation in the Company in connection with the founding or organizing of the business of the Company, in consideration of services or property, or both services and property, (v) has a substantial number of relationships and contacts with the Company, (vi) possesses significant rights to control Properties, (vii) receives fees for providing services to the Company which are paid on a basis that is not customary in the industry, or (viii) provides goods or services to the Company on a basis which was not negotiated at arm’s-length with the Company. The term “Sponsor” does not include any Person whose only relationship with the Company is that of an independent property manager and whose only compensation is as such, wholly independent of third parties such as attorneys, accountants and underwriters whose only compensation is for professional services.

 

STOCKHOLDER LIST” has the meaning provided in Section 11.6 herein.

 

STOCKHOLDERS” means the holders of record of the Shares as maintained in the books and records of the Company or its transfer agent.

 

TERMINATION DATE” means the date of termination of the Advisory Agreement.

 

TERMINATION OF THE INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING” shall mean the earlier of (i) the date on which the Initial Public Offering expires or is terminated by the Company or (ii) the date on which all Shares offered in the Initial Public Offering are sold, excluding warrants, if any, and offered thereunder and Shares that may be acquired pursuant to the Reinvestment Plan.

 

“TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES” means all costs and expenses paid or incurred by the Company, as determined under generally accepted accounting principles, that are in any way related to the operation of the Company or to Company business, including advisory fees, but excluding (i) the expenses of raising capital such as Organization and Offering Expenses, legal, audit, accounting, underwriting, brokerage, listing, registration, and other fees, printing and other such expenses and tax incurred in connection with the issuance, distribution, transfer, registration and Listing of the Shares, (ii) interest payments, (iii) taxes, (iv) non-cash expenditures such as depreciation, amortization and bad debt reserves, (v) incentive fees paid in compliance with the NASAA REIT Guidelines; (vi) Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses, (vii) real estate commissions on the resale of Property, and (viii) other fees and expenses connected with the acquisition, disposition, management and ownership of real estate interests, mortgage loans or other property (including the costs of foreclosure, insurance premiums, legal services, maintenance, repair, and improvement of property).

 

7

 

 

UNIMPROVED REAL PROPERTY” means Property in which the Company has an equity interest that was not acquired for the purpose of producing rental or other operating income, that has no development or construction in process and for which no development or construction is planned, in good faith, to commence within one year.

 

2%/25% GUIDELINES” has the meaning provided in Section 8.12 herein.

 

ARTICLE V

 

STOCK

 

SECTION 5.1 AUTHORIZED SHARES. The total number of Shares that the Company shall have authority to issue is 110,000,000 Shares, of which (i) 100,000,000 shall be designated as common stock, $0.01 par value per Share (the “Common Shares”); and (ii) 10,000,000 shall be designated as preferred stock, $0.01 par value per Share (the “Preferred Shares”). All shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable when issued. The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $1,100,000. If Shares of one class of stock are classified or reclassified into Shares of another class of stock pursuant to Article V, the number of authorized Shares of the former class shall be automatically decreased and the number of Shares of the latter class shall be automatically increased, in each case by the number of Shares so classified or reclassified so that the aggregate number of Shares of all classes that the Company has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of Shares set forth in the first sentence of this Section 5.1. The Board, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board and without any action by the Stockholders, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of Shares or the number of Shares of any class or series that the Company has authority to issue.

 

SECTION 5.2 COMMON SHARES.

 

(i) COMMON SHARES SUBJECT TO TERMS OF PREFERRED SHARES. The Common Shares shall be subject to the express terms of any series of Preferred Shares.

 

(ii) DESCRIPTION. Subject to Section 5.9 of this Article V and except as may otherwise be specified in the terms of any class or series of Common Shares, each Common Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote per share on all matters upon which Stockholders are entitled to vote pursuant to Section 11.2 hereof. The Board may classify or reclassify any unissued Common Shares from time to time in one or more classes or series of Shares; provided, however, that the voting rights per Share (other than any publicly held Share) sold in a private offering shall not exceed the voting rights which bear the same relationship to the voting rights of a publicly held Share as the consideration paid to the Company for each privately offered Share bears to the book value of each outstanding publicly held Share.

 

(iii) DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS. The Board from time to time may authorize the Company to declare and pay to Stockholders such dividends or other Distributions in cash or other assets of the Company or in securities of the Company, or from any other source, as the Board in its discretion shall determine. The Board shall endeavor to authorize the Company to declare and pay such dividends and Distributions as shall be necessary for the Company to qualify as a REIT under the Code unless the Board has determined, in its sole discretion, that qualification as a REIT is not in the best interests of the Company; provided, however, Stockholders shall have no right to any dividend or Distribution unless and until authorized by the Board and declared by the Company. The exercise of the powers and rights of the Board pursuant to this section shall be subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares at the time outstanding. The receipt by any Person in whose name any Shares are registered on the records of the Company or by his or her duly authorized agent shall be a sufficient discharge for all dividends or Distributions payable or deliverable in respect of such Shares and from all liability to see to the application thereof. Distributions in kind shall not be permitted, except for distributions of readily marketable securities, distributions of beneficial interests in a liquidating trust established for the dissolution of the Company and the liquidation of its assets in accordance with the terms of the Charter or distributions in which (i) the Board advises each Stockholder of the risks associated with direct ownership of the property, (ii) the Board offers each Stockholder the election of receiving such in-kind distributions, and (iii) in-kind distributions are made only to those Stockholders that accept such offer.

 

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(iv) RIGHTS UPON LIQUIDATION. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or any Distribution of the assets of the Company, the aggregate assets available for Distribution to holders of the Common Shares shall be determined in accordance with applicable law. Each holder of Common Shares shall be entitled to receive, ratably with each other holder of Common Shares, that portion of such aggregate assets available for Distribution as the number of outstanding Common Shares held by such holder bears to the total number of outstanding Common Shares then outstanding.

 

(v) VOTING RIGHTS. Except as may be provided otherwise in the Charter, and subject to the express terms of any series of Preferred Shares, the holders of the Common Shares shall have the exclusive right to vote on all matters (as to which a common stockholder shall be entitled to vote pursuant to applicable law) at all meetings of the Stockholders.

 

SECTION 5.3 PREFERRED SHARES. The Board may classify any unissued Preferred Shares and reclassify any previously classified but unissued Preferred Shares of any series from time to time, in one or more classes or series of Shares; provided, however, that the voting rights per Share (other than any publicly held Share) sold in a private offering shall not exceed the voting rights that bear the same relationship to the voting rights of a publicly held Share as the consideration paid to the Company for each privately offered Share bears to the book value of each outstanding publicly held Share.

 

SECTION 5.4 CLASSIFIED OR RECLASSIFIED SHARES. Prior to issuance of classified or reclassified Shares of any class or series, the Board by resolution shall: (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of Shares; (b) specify the number of Shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set or change, subject to the provisions of Section 5.9 and subject to the express terms of any class or series of Shares outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (d) cause the Company to file articles supplementary with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (“SDAT”). Any of the terms of any class or series of Shares set or changed pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 5.4 may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the Charter (including determinations by the Board or other facts or events within the control of the Company) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of Shares is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary or other charter document.

 

SECTION 5.5 STOCKHOLDERS’ CONSENT IN LIEU OF MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Stockholders may be taken without a meeting by consent, in writing or by electronic transmission, in any manner permitted by the MGCL and set forth in the Bylaws.

 

SECTION 5.6 CHARTER AND BYLAWS. The rights of all Stockholders and the terms of all Shares are subject to the provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws.

 

SECTION 5.7 NO ISSUANCE OF SHARE CERTIFICATES. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, the Company shall not issue stock certificates. A Stockholder’s investment shall be recorded on the books of the Company. To transfer his or her Shares, a Stockholder shall submit an executed form to the Company, which form shall be provided by the Company upon request. Such transfer will also be recorded on the books of the Company. Upon issuance or transfer of Shares, the Company will provide the Stockholder with information concerning his or her rights with regard to such Shares, as required by the Bylaws and the MGCL or other applicable law.

 

SECTION 5.8 SUITABILITY OF STOCKHOLDERS.[RESERVED]

 

Until Listing, the following provisions shall apply:

 

(i) INVESTOR SUITABILITY STANDARDS. Subject to suitability standards established by individual states, to become a Stockholder in the Company, if such prospective Stockholder is an individual (including an individual beneficiary of a purchasing Individual Retirement Account), or if the prospective Stockholder is a fiduciary (such as a trustee of a trust or corporate pension or profit sharing plan, or other tax-exempt organization, or a custodian under a Uniform Gifts to Minors Act), such individual or fiduciary, as the case may be, must represent to the Company, among other requirements as the Company may require from time to time:

 

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(a) that such individual (or, in the case of a fiduciary, that the fiduciary account or the donor who directly or indirectly supplies the funds to purchase the Shares) has a minimum annual gross income of $70,000 and a net worth (excluding home, home furnishings and automobiles) of not less than $70,000; or

 

(b) that such individual (or, in the case of a fiduciary, that the fiduciary account or the donor who directly or indirectly supplies the funds to purchase the Shares) has a net worth (excluding home, furnishings and automobiles) of not less than $250,000.

 

(ii) DETERMINATION OF SUITABILITY OF SALE. The Sponsor and each Person selling Shares on behalf of the Sponsor or the Company shall make every reasonable effort to determine that the purchase of Shares by Stockholders is a suitable and appropriate investment for such Stockholder. In making this determination, each Person selling Shares on behalf of the Company shall ascertain that the prospective Stockholder: (a) meets the minimum income and net worth standards established for the Company; (b) can reasonably benefit from the Company based on the prospective Stockholder’s overall investment objectives and portfolio structure; (c) is able to bear the economic risk of the investment based on the prospective Stockholder’s overall financial situation; and (d) has apparent understanding of (1) the fundamental risks of the investment; (2) the risk that the Stockholder may lose the entire investment; (3) the lack of liquidity of the Shares; (4) the restrictions on transferability of the Shares; and (5) the tax consequences of the investment.

 

The Sponsor or each Person selling Shares on behalf of the Sponsor or the Company shall make this determination on the basis of information it has obtained from a prospective Stockholder. Relevant information for this purpose will include at least the age, investment objectives, investment experiences, income, net worth, financial situation, and other investments of the prospective Stockholder, as well as any other pertinent factors.

 

The Sponsor or each Person selling Shares on behalf of the Sponsor or the Company shall maintain records of the information used to determine that an investment in Shares is suitable and appropriate for a Stockholder. The Sponsor or each Person selling Shares on behalf of the Sponsor or the Company shall maintain these records for at least six years.

 

(iii) MINIMUM INVESTMENT. Subject to certain individual state requirements and the issuance of Shares under the Reinvestment Plan, the Company will sell shares of its common stock only to investors who initially purchase a minimum of 100 shares for an aggregate price of $1,000, including tax-exempt entities.

 

SECTION 5.9 RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER.

 

(i) DEFINITIONS. For purposes of Section 5.9, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

AGGREGATE SHARE OWNERSHIP LIMIT” means not more than 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding Shares and not more than 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of any class or series of Shares.

 

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP” means ownership of Shares by a Person, whether the interest in the Shares is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h)(1)(B) of the Code. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

BUSINESS DAY” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

 

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CHARITABLE BENEFICIARY” means one or more beneficiaries of the Trust as determined pursuant to Section 5.9(iii)(f), provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

 

CONSTRUCTIVE OWNERSHIP” means ownership of Shares by a Person, whether the interest in the Shares is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms “Constructive Owner,” “Constructively Owns” and “Constructively Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

EQUITY SHARES” means shares of stock of all classes or series, including, without limitation, Common Shares and Preferred Shares.

 

EXCEPTED HOLDER” means a Stockholder for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by this Charter or by the Board pursuant to Section 5.9(ii)(g).

 

EXCEPTED HOLDER LIMIT” means, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the Board pursuant to Section 5.9(ii)(g), and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 5.9(ii)(h), the percentage limit established by the Board pursuant to Section 5.9(ii)(g).

 

INITIAL DATE” means the date on which Shares are first issued in the Company’s first Offering.

 

MARKET PRICE” on any date means, with respect to any class or series of outstanding Shares, the Closing Price for such Shares on such date. The “Closing Price” on any date shall mean the last sale price for such Shares, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Shares, in either case as reported on the principal national securities exchange on which such Shares are Listed or admitted to trading or, if such Shares are not Listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or, if such system is no longer in use, the principal other automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Shares are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Shares selected by the Board or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Shares, the fair market value of the Shares, as determined in good faith by the Board.

 

NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.

 

PROHIBITED OWNER” means, with respect to any purported Transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 5.9(ii)(a), would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares, and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the Shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

 

RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE” means the first day after the Commencement of the Initial Public Offering on which the Company determines pursuant to Section 7.3 of the Charter that it is no longer in the best interests of the Company to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of Shares set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Company to qualify as a REIT.

 

TRANSFER” means any issuance, sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event that causes any Person to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, of Shares or the right to vote or receive dividends on Shares, including (a) the granting or exercise of any option (or any disposition of any option), (b) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Shares or any interest in Shares or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and (c) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of Shares; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, Constructively Owned or Beneficially Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms “Transferring” and “Transferred” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

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TRUST” means any trust provided for in Section 5.9(iii)(a).

 

TRUSTEE” means the Person unaffiliated with the Company and a Prohibited Owner, that is appointed by the Company to serve as trustee of the Trust.

 

(ii) SHARES.

 

(a) OWNERSHIP LIMITATIONS. During the period commencing on the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, but subject to Section 5.10:

 

(I) BASIC RESTRICTIONS.

 

(A) (1) No Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares in excess of the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit and (2) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.

 

(B) No Person shall Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares to the extent that such Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of Shares would result in the Company being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT (including, but not limited to, Beneficial or Constructive Ownership that would result in the Company owning (actually or Constructively) an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Company from such tenant would cause the Company to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code).

 

(C) Any Transfer of Shares that, if effective, would result in Shares being beneficially owned by less than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Shares.

 

(II) TRANSFER IN TRUST. If any Transfer of Shares (whether or not such Transfer is the result of a transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system) occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning Shares in violation of Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I)(A) or (B),

 

(A) then that number of Shares the Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I)(A) or (B) (rounded to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically Transferred to a Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 5.9(iii), effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such Shares; or

 

(B) if the Transfer to the Trust described in clause (A) of this sentence would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I)(A) or (B) then the Transfer of that number of Shares that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I)(A) or (B) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Shares.

 

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(b) REMEDIES FOR BREACH. If the Board or its designee (including any duly authorized committee of the Board) shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 5.9(ii)(a) or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of any Shares in violation of Section 5.9(ii)(a) (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board or its designee shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, causing the Company to redeem Shares, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Company or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided, however, that any Transfer or attempted Transfer or other event in violation of Section 5.9(ii)(a) shall automatically result in the Transfer to the Trust described above, and, where applicable, such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board or its designee.

 

(c) NOTICE OF RESTRICTED TRANSFER. Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Shares that will or may violate Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I)(A) or (B) or any Person who would have owned Shares that resulted in a Transfer to the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.9(ii)(a)(II) shall immediately give written notice to the Company of such event, or in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Company such other information as the Company may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Company’s status as a REIT.

 

(d) OWNERS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION. From the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:

 

(I) every owner of more than five percent (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) of the outstanding Shares, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Company stating the name and address of such owner, the number of Shares and other Shares Beneficially Owned and a description of the manner in which such Shares are held. Each such owner shall provide to the Company such additional information as the Company may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the Company’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit; and

 

(II) each Person who is a Beneficial or Constructive Owner of Shares and each Person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding Shares for a Beneficial or Constructive Owner shall provide to the Company such information as the Company may request, in good faith, in order to determine the Company’s status as a REIT and to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.

 

(e) REMEDIES NOT LIMITED. Subject to Section 7.3 of the Charter, nothing contained in this Section 5.9(ii)(e) shall limit the authority of the Board to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Company and the interests of its stockholders in preserving the Company’s status as a REIT.

 

(f) AMBIGUITY. In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Section 5.9(ii), Section 5.9(iii), or any definition contained in Section 5.9(i), the Board shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Section 5.9(ii) or Section 5.9(iii) or any such definition with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Section 5.9(ii) or (iii) requires an action by the Board and the Charter fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Section 5.9. Absent a decision to the contrary by the Board (which the Board may make in its sole and absolute discretion), if a Person would have (but for the remedies set forth in Section 5.9(ii)(b)) acquired Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of Shares in violation of Section 5.9(ii)(a), such remedies (as applicable) shall apply first to the Shares which, but for such remedies, would have been Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned (but not actually owned) by such Person, pro rata among the Persons who actually own such Shares based upon the relative number of the Shares held by each such Person.

 

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(g) EXCEPTIONS.

 

(I) Subject to Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I)(B), the Board, in its sole discretion, may (prospectively or retroactively) exempt a Person from the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit and may establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person if:

 

(A) the Board obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person as are reasonably necessary to ascertain that no individual’s Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of such Shares will violate Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I)(B);

 

(B) such Person does not and represents that it will not own, actually or Constructively, an interest in a tenant of the Company (or a tenant of any entity owned or controlled by the Company) that would cause the Company to own, actually or Constructively, more than a 9.9% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in such tenant and the Board obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person as are reasonably necessary to ascertain this fact (for this purpose, a tenant from whom the Company (or an entity owned or controlled by the Company) derives (and is expected to continue to derive) a sufficiently small amount of revenue such that, in the opinion of the Board, rent from such tenant would not adversely affect the Company’s ability to qualify as a REIT, shall not be treated as a tenant of the Company); and

 

(C) such Person agrees that any violation or attempted violation of such representations or undertakings (or other action which is contrary to the restrictions contained in Section 5.9(ii)(a) through Section 5.9(ii)(f)) will result in such Shares being automatically Transferred to a Trust in accordance with Section 5.9(ii)(A)(II) and Section 5.9(iii).

 

(II) Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 5.9(ii)(g)(I), the Board may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board in its sole discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Company’s status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exception.

 

(III) Subject to Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I)(B), an underwriter which participates in an Offering or a private placement of Shares (or Securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares (or Securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) in excess of the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such Offering or private placement.

 

(IV) The Board may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder: (1) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at any time, or (2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit.

 

(h) INCREASE IN AGGREGATE SHARE OWNERSHIP LIMIT. Subject to Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I)(B), the Board may from time to time increase the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit for one or more Persons and decrease the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit for all other Persons; provided, however, that the decreased Aggregate Share Ownership Limit will not be effective for any Person whose percentage ownership of Shares is in excess of such decreased Aggregate Share Ownership Limit until such time as such Person’s percentage of Shares equals or falls below the decreased Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, but any further acquisition of Shares in excess of such percentage ownership of Shares will be in violation of the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit and, provided further, that the new Aggregate Share Ownership Limit would not allow five or fewer Persons to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own more than 49.9% in value of the outstanding Shares.

 

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(i) NOTICE TO STOCKHOLDERS UPON ISSUANCE OR TRANSFER. Upon issuance or transfer of Shares prior to the Restriction Termination Date, the Company shall provide the recipient with a notice containing information about the Shares purchased or otherwise transferred, in lieu of issuance of a share certificate, in a form substantially similar to the following:

 

The securities of Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment TrustREIT II, Inc. (the “Company”) are subject to restrictions on Beneficial and Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose, among others, of the Company’s maintenance of its status as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Subject to certain further restrictions and except as expressly provided in the Charter, (i) no Person may Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares in excess of 9.8% of the value of the total outstanding Shares unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (ii) no Person may Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares that would result in the Company being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the Company to fail to qualify as a REIT; and (iii) no Person may Transfer Shares if such Transfer would result in the Shares of the Company being owned by fewer than 100 Persons. Any Person who Beneficially or Constructively Owns or attempts to Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares which causes or will cause a Person to Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Company. If any of the restrictions on transfer or ownership are violated, the Shares represented hereby will be automatically transferred to a Trustee of a Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. In addition, the Company may redeem shares upon the terms and conditions specified by the Board in its sole discretion if the Board determines that ownership or a Transfer or other event may violate the restrictions described above. Furthermore, upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described above may be void ab initio. All capitalized terms in this notice have the meanings defined in the Charter, as the same may be amended from time to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on transfer and ownership, will be furnished to each holder of Shares of the Company on request and without charge. Requests for such a copy may be directed to the Secretary of the Company at its principal office.

 

(iii) TRANSFER OF SHARES IN TRUST.

 

(a) OWNERSHIP IN TRUST. Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 5.9(ii)(a)(III) that would result in a Transfer of Shares to a Trust, such Shares shall be deemed to have been Transferred to the Trustee as trustee of a Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such Transfer to the Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in the Transfer to the Trust pursuant to Section 5.9(ii)(a)(III). The Trustee shall be appointed by the Company and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Company and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Company as provided in Section 5.9(iii)(f).

 

(b) STATUS OF SHARES HELD BY THE TRUSTEE. Shares held by the Trustee shall continue to be issued and outstanding Shares of the Company. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the Shares held by the Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any Shares held in trust by the Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends or other Distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the Shares held in the Trust.

 

(c) DIVIDEND AND VOTING RIGHTS. The Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other Distributions with respect to Shares held in the Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other Distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Company that Shares have been Transferred to the Trustee shall be paid by the recipient of such dividend or Distribution to the Trustee upon demand and any dividends or other Distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any dividend or Distribution so paid to the Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to Shares held in the Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that Shares have been Transferred to the Trustee, the Trustee shall have the authority (at the Trustee’s sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Company that Shares have been Transferred to the Trustee and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided, however, that if the Company has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5.9, until the Company has received notification that Shares have been Transferred into a Trust, the Company shall be entitled to rely on its share transfer and other stockholder records for purposes of preparing lists of Stockholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of Stockholders.

 

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(d) SALE OF SHARES BY TRUSTEE. Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Company that Shares have been Transferred to the Trust, the Trustee shall sell the Shares held in the Trust to a person, designated by the Trustee, whose ownership of the Shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I) or (II). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the Shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 5.9(iii)(d). The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the Shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the Shares in connection with the event causing the Shares to be held in the Trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the Shares on the day of the event causing the Shares to be held in the Trust and (2) the price per Share received by the Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the Shares held in the Trust. The Trustee may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and Distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 5.9(c). Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Company that Shares have been Transferred to the Trustee, such Shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such Shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such Shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 5.9, such excess shall be paid to the Trustee upon demand.

 

(e) PURCHASE RIGHT IN STOCK TRANSFERRED TO THE TRUSTEE. Shares Transferred to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Company, or its designee, at a price per Share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per Share in the transaction that resulted in such Transfer to the Trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the Market Price at the time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the Company, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Company may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and Distributions which has been paid to the Prohibited Owner and is owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 5.9(c). The Company may pay the amount of such reduction to the Trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. The Company shall have the right to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold the shares held in the Trust pursuant to Section 5.9(iii)(d). Upon such a sale to the Company, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the Shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner.

 

(f) DESIGNATION OF CHARITABLE BENEFICIARIES. By written notice to the Trustee, the Company shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Trust such that (i) the Shares held in the Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 5.9(ii)(a)(I) or (II) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary and (ii) each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

 

SECTION 5.10 SETTLEMENTS. Nothing in Section 5.9 shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of Section 5.9, and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in Section 5.9.

 

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SECTION 5.11 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of Section 5.9 or any application of any such provision is determined to be void, invalid or unenforceable by any court having jurisdiction over the issue, the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of Section 5.9 shall not be affected and other applications of such provision shall be affected only to the extent necessary to comply with the determination of such court.

 

SECTION 5.12 ENFORCEMENT. The Company is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of Section 5.9.

 

SECTION 5.13 NON-WAIVER. No delay or failure on the part of the Company or the Board in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Company or the Board, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.

 

SECTION 5.14 REPURCHASE OF SHARES. The Board may establish, from time to time, a program or programs by which the Company voluntarily repurchases Shares from its Stockholders; provided, however, that such repurchase does not impair the capital or operations of the Company. The Sponsor, Advisor, members of the Board or any Affiliates thereof may not receive any fees arising out of the repurchase of Shares by the Company.

 

SECTION 5.15 DISTRIBUTION REINVESTMENT PLANS. The Board may establish, from time to time, a Distribution reinvestment plan or plans (each, a “Reinvestment Plan”). Under any such Reinvestment Plan, (i) all material information regarding Distributions to the Stockholders and the effect of reinvesting such Distributions, including the tax consequences thereof, shall be provided to the Stockholders not less often than annually, and (ii) each Stockholder participating in such Reinvestment Plan shall have a reasonable opportunity to withdraw from the Reinvestment Plan not less often than annually after receipt of the information required in clause (i) above.

 

SECTION 5.16 PREEMPTIVE AND APPRAISAL RIGHTS. Except as may be provided by the Board in setting the terms of classified or reclassified Shares pursuant to Section 5.4 or as may otherwise be provided by contract approved by the Board, no holder of Shares shall, as such holder, have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional Shares or any other security of the Company which it may issue or sell. Holders of Shares shall not be entitled to exercise any rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor statute unless the Board, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board, shall determine that such rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of Shares, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such Shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

SECTION 6.1 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS. The number of Directors of the Company shall be five, which number may be increased or decreased from time to time pursuant to the Bylaws; provided, however, that the total number of Directors shall be not fewer than three. A majority of the Board will be Independent Directors except for a period of up to 60 days after the death, removal or resignation of an Independent Director pending the election of such Independent Director’s Successor. The Company elects, at such time as it becomes eligible to make the election provided for under Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL, that, except as may be provided by the Board in setting the terms of any class or series of Shares, any and all vacancies on the Board may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors in office, even if the remaining Directors do not constitute a quorum, and any Director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, Independent Directors shall nominate replacements for vacancies among the Independent Directors’ positions. No reduction in the number of Directors shall cause the removal of any Director from office prior to the expiration of his term, except as may otherwise be provided in the terms of any Preferred Shares. For the purposes of voting for Directors, each Share may be voted for as many individuals as there are Directors to be elected and for whose election the Share is entitled to be voted. Cumulative voting for Directors is prohibited.

 

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The names of the three Directors who shall serve on the Board until the next annual meeting of the Stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify are:

 

David Lichtenstein

Edwin J. GlickmanGeorge R. Whittemore

Yehuda “Judah” L. Angster Shawn R. Tominus

Bruno de Vinck

 

These Directors may increase the number of Directors and fill any vacancy, whether resulting from an increase in the number of Directors or otherwise, on the Board prior to the first annual meeting of Stockholders in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

 

SECTION 6.2 EXPERIENCE. Each Director shall have at least three years of relevant experience demonstrating the knowledge and experience required to successfully acquire and manage the type of assets being acquired by the Company. At least one of the Independent Directors shall have three years of relevant real estate experience, and at least one of the Independent Directors shall be a financial expert with at least three years of relevant finance experience.

 

SECTION 6.3 COMMITTEES. Subject to the MGCL, the Board may establish such committees as it deems appropriate, in its discretion, provided that the majority of the members of each committee are Independent Directors. Any Audit Committee established by the Board shall be composed solely of Independent Directors.

 

SECTION 6.4 TERM. Except as may otherwise be provided in the terms of any Preferred Shares issued by the Company, each Director shall hold office for one year, until the next annual meeting of Stockholders and until his successor is duly elected and qualifies. Directors may be elected to an unlimited number of successive terms.

 

SECTION 6.5 FIDUCIARY OBLIGATIONS[RESERVED]. The Directors and the Advisor serve in a fiduciary capacity to the Company and have a fiduciary duty to the Stockholders of the Company, including, with respect to the Directors, a specific fiduciary duty to supervise the relationship of the Company with the Advisor.

 

SECTION 6.6 RESIGNATION, REMOVAL OR DEATH. Any Director may resign by written notice to the Board, effective upon execution and delivery to the Company of such written notice or upon any future date specified in the notice. Any Director or the entire Board may be removed from office, with our without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority oif votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of Directors, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Shares to elect or remove one or more of the Directors.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

POWERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

SECTION 7.1 GENERAL. The business and affairs of the Company shall be managed under the direction of the Board, and the Board shall have full, exclusive and absolute power, control and authority over the Company’s assets and over the business of the Company as if it, in its own right, was the sole owner thereof, except as otherwise limited by the Charter. In accordance with the policies on investments and borrowing set forth in this Article VII and Article IX hereof, the Board shall monitor the administrative procedures, investment operations and performance of the Company and the Advisor to assure that such policies are carried out. The Board may take any action that, in its sole judgment and discretion, is necessary or desirable to conduct the business of the Company. The Charter shall be construed with a presumption in favor of the grant of power and authority to the Board. Any construction of the Charter or determination made in good faith by the Board concerning its powers and authority hereunder shall be conclusive. The enumeration and definition of particular powers of the Board included in this Article VII shall in no way be limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of this or any other provision of the Charter or construed or deemed by inference or otherwise in any manner to exclude or limit the powers conferred upon the Board under the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force.

 

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SECTION 7.2 AUTHORIZATION BY BOARD OF STOCK ISSUANCE. The Board may authorize the issuance from time to time of Shares of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into Shares of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a stock split or stock dividend), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Charter or the Bylaws. The issuance of Preferred Shares shall also be approved by a majority of Independent Directors not otherwise interested in the transaction, who shall have access at the Company’s expense to the Company’s legal counsel or to independent legal counsel.

 

SECTION 7.3 FINANCINGS. The Board shall have the power and authority to borrow or, in any other manner, raise money for the purposes and on the terms it determines, which terms may (i) include evidencing the same by issuance of Securities of the Company and (ii) have such provisions as the Board may determine (a) to reacquire such Securities; (b) to enter into other contracts or obligations on behalf of the Company; (c) to guarantee, indemnify or act as surety with respect to payment or performance of obligations of any Person and (d) to mortgage, pledge, assign, grant security interests in or otherwise encumber the Company’s assets to secure any such Securities of the Company, contracts or obligations (including guarantees, indemnifications and suretyships); and to renew, modify, release, compromise, extend, consolidate or cancel, in whole or in part, any obligation to or of the Company or participate in any reorganization of obligors to the Company.

 

SECTION 7.4 REIT QUALIFICATION. If the Company elects to qualify for federal income tax treatment as a REIT, the Board shall use its reasonable best efforts to take such actions as are necessary or appropriate to preserve the status of the Company as a REIT; however, if the Board determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Company to continue to be qualified as a REIT, the Board may revoke or otherwise terminate the Company’s REIT election pursuant to Section 856(g) of the Code. The Board also may determine that compliance with any restriction or limitation on stock ownership and Transfers set forth in Section 5.9 of Article V is no longer required for REIT qualification.

 

SECTION 7.5 DETERMINATIONS BY BOARD. The determination as to any of the following matters, made in good faith by or pursuant to the direction of the Board consistent with the Charter, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Company and every holder of Shares: the amount of the net income of the Company for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, redemption of Shares or the payment of other Distributions on Shares; the amount of paid in surplus, net assets, other surplus, annual or other cash flow, funds from operations, net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); any interpretation of the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or Distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any class or series of Shares; the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any Asset owned or held by the Company or of any Shares; the number of Shares of any class of the Company; any conflict between the MGCL and the provisions set forth in the NASAA REIT Guidelines or any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any Assets by the Company; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Company or required or permitted by applicable law, the Charter or Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board; provided, however, that any determination by the Board as to any of the preceding matters shall not render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior to such determination and no Director shall be liable for making or failing to make such a determination; and provided, further, that to the extent the Board determines that the MGCL conflicts with the provisions set forth in the NASAA REIT Guidelines, the NASAA REIT Guidelines control to the extent any provisions of the MGCL are not mandatory.

 

SECTION 7.6 STOCKHOLDER CONCURRENCE REQUIRED. Notwithstanding the foregoing, without concurrence of a majority of the outstanding Shares, the Board may not (i) amend the Charter, except for amendments that do not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of Stockholders (including amendments to provisions relating to Director qualifications, fiduciary duty, liability and indemnification, conflicts of interest, investment policies or investment restrictions), (ii) sell all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than in the ordinary course of the Company’s business or in connection with liquidation and dissolution, (iii) cause the merger or other reorganization of the Company or (iv) dissolve or liquidate the Company, other than before the Company’s initial investment in property.

 

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SECTION 7.7 [RESERVED] VOTE OF MAJORITY OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS REQUIRED. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Directors and Independent Directors are bound by, and a majority of the Independent Directors must approve matters relating to, the following restrictions on and obligations of the Directors and the Independent Directors: (i) the requirement that a majority of Directors and of Independent Directors review and ratify the Charter at or before the first meeting of the Board; (ii) the duty of the Board to establish written policies on investments and borrowing and to monitor the administrative procedures, investment operations and performance of the Company and the Advisor to assure that such policies are carried out; (iii) the Company’s minimum capitalization ; (iv) the Advisory Agreement; (v) liability and indemnification; (vi) reasonableness of the Company’s fees and expenses; (vii) limitations on Organization and Offering Expenses; (viii) limitations on Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses; (viii) limitations on Total Operating Expenses; (ix) limitations on Real Estate commissions on resale of property; (x) limitations on incentive fees; (xi) Advisor compensation ; (xii) the Independent Directors’ periodic duty to review the Company’s investment policies; (xiii) the authority of a majority of the Independent Directors to select an Independent Appraiser to determine the fair market value that the Company pays for Real Estate that it acquires both (a) when a majority of the Independent Directors determine to appoint an Independent Appraiser to determine fair market value in connection with any acquisition by the Company and (b) whenever the Company acquires property from the Advisor, Directors, the Sponsor or their Affiliates; (xiv) the restrictions and procedures contained herein relating to meetings of Stockholders; (xv) the authority of a majority of Stockholders present in person or by proxy at an annual meeting at which a quorum is present, without the necessity for concurrence by the Board, to vote to elect the Directors; (xvi) those requirements of any Reinvestment Plan that the Board establishes, contained herein, relating to periodic distribution of certain material information to Stockholders and opportunity for participating Stockholders to withdraw; and (xvii) the requirement that a majority of Independent Directors must approve matters relating to the duties and restrictions enumerated in this Section 7.7.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

ADVISOR

 

SECTION 8.1 APPOINTMENT AND INITIAL INVESTMENT OF ADVISOR. The Board is responsible for setting the general policies of the Company and for the general supervision of its business conducted by officers, agents, employees, advisors or independent contractors of the Company. However, the Board is not required personally to conduct the business of the Company, and it may (but need not) appoint, employ or contract with any Person (including a Person Affiliated with any Director) as an Advisor and may grant or delegate such authority to the Advisor as the Board may, in its sole discretion, deem necessary or desirable. The term of retention of any Advisor shall not exceed one (1) year, although there is no limit to the number of times that a particular Advisor may be retained. The Advisor or its Affiliates have made an initial investment of $200,000 in the Company. The Advisor or any such Affiliate may not sell this initial investment while the Advisor remains a Sponsor but may transfer the initial investment to other Affiliates.

 

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SECTION 8.2 SUPERVISION OF ADVISOR. The Board shall evaluate the performance of the Advisor before entering into or renewing an Advisory Agreement, and the criteria used in such evaluation shall be reflected in the minutes of the meetings of the Board. The Board may exercise broad discretion in allowing the Advisor to administer and regulate the operations of the Company, to act as agent for the Company, to execute documents on behalf of the Company and to make executive decisions that conform to general policies and principles established by the Board. The Board shall monitor the Advisor to assure that the administrative procedures, operations and programs of the Company are in the best interests of the Stockholders and are fulfilled. The Independent Directors are responsible for reviewing the total fees and expenses of the Company at least annually or with sufficient frequency to determine that the expenses incurred are reasonable in light of the investment performance of the Company, its Net Assets, its Net Income and the fees and expenses of other comparable unaffiliated REITs. Each such determination shall be reflected in the minutes of the meetings of the Board. In addition, from time to time, but not less often than annually, a majority of the Independent Directors and a majority of Directors not otherwise interested in the transaction must approve each transaction with the Advisor or its Affiliates. The Independent Directors also will be responsible for reviewing, from time to time and at least annually, the performance of the Advisor and determining that compensation to be paid to the Advisor is reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of services performed and the investment performance of the Company and that the provisions of the Advisory Agreement are being carried out. Specifically, the Independent Directors will consider factors such as (i) the amount of the fee paid to the Advisor in relation to the size, composition and performance of the Assets, (ii) the success of the Advisor in generating opportunities that meet the investment objectives of the Company, (iii) rates charged to other REITs and to investors other than REITs by advisors performing the same or similar services, (iv) additional revenues realized by the Advisor and its Affiliates through their relationship with the Company, including loan administration, underwriting or broker commissions, servicing, engineering, inspection and other fees, whether paid by the Company or by others with whom the Company does business, (v) the quality and extent of service and advice furnished by the Advisor, (vi) the performance of the Assets, including income, conservation or appreciation of capital, frequency of problem investments and competence in dealing with distress situations, and (vii) the quality of the Assets relative to the investments generated by the Advisor for its own account. The Independent Directors may alsoshall consider all other factors that it deems relevant, and the findings of the Independent Directors on each of the factors considered shall be recorded in the minutes of the Board. The Board shall determine whether any successor Advisor possesses sufficient qualifications to perform the advisory function for the Company and whether the compensation provided for in its contract with the Company is justified.

 

SECTION 8.3 FIDUCIARY OBLIGATIONS. The Advisor shall have a fiduciary responsibility and duty to the Company and to the Stockholders.

 

SECTION 8.4 AFFILIATION AND FUNCTIONS. The Board, by resolution or in the Bylaws, may provide guidelines, provisions or requirements concerning the affiliation and functions of the Advisor.

 

SECTION 8.5 TERMINATION. Either a majority of the Independent Directors or the Advisor may terminate the Advisory Agreement on sixty days’ written notice without cause or penalty, and, in such event, the Advisor will cooperate with the Company and the Board in making an orderly transition of the advisory function.

 

SECTION 8.6 [RESERVED]

 

SECTION 8.7 ORGANIZATION AND OFFERING EXPENSES LIMITATION. Unless otherwise provided in any resolution adopted by the Board, the Company shall reimburse the Advisor and its Affiliates for Organization and Offering Expenses incurred by the Advisor or its Affiliates; provided, however, that the total amount of all Organization and Offering Expenses shall be reasonable and shall in no event exceed 15% of the Gross Proceeds of each Offering.

 

SECTION 8.8 ACQUISITION FEES. Unless otherwise provided in any resolution adopted by the Board, the Company may pay the Advisor and its Affiliates fees for the review and evaluation of potential investments in Assets; provided, however, that the total of all Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses shall be reasonable and shall not exceed an amount equal to five percent of the Contract Purchase Price or, in the case of a Mortgage, five percent of the funds advanced; provided, however, that a majority of the Directors (including a majority of the Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction may approve fees and expenses in excess of this limit if they determine the transaction to be commercially competitive, fair and reasonable to the Company.

 

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SECTION 8.9 ASSET MANAGEMENT FEE. The Company may pay the Advisor and its Affiliates quarterly fees for the Advisor’s management of the Company’s Assets; provided, however, that the total of all such asset management fees shall not exceed 0.2375% of the average, as of the last day of the immediately preceding quarter, of the aggregate book value of the Company’s Assets invested in equity interests and loans secured by real estate, before reserves for depreciation or bad debt or other similar non-cash reserves.

 

SECTION 8.10 FEES UPON TERMINATION OF ADVISOR. Upon the termination of the Advisor by reason of a change of control of the Company, by the Company without cause, or by the Advisor for good reason (as such terms may be defined in the definitive agreement memorializing the engagement of the Advisor by the Company), or upon liquidation of the Company, the Company shall pay the Advisor payment of any earned but unpaid compensation and expense reimbursements accrued as of the date of termination. In addition, the Advisor may require that its subordinated profits interests be converted into cash in an amount equal to the purchase price of the subordinated profits interests, or may otherwise continue to hold such subordinated profits interests after the termination of the advisory agreement.

 

SECTION 8.11 REIMBURSEMENT FOR TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES. Unless otherwise provided in any resolution adopted by the Board, the Company may reimburse the Advisor, at the end of each fiscal quarter, for Total Operating Expenses incurred by the Advisor; provided, however that the Company shall not reimburse the Advisor at the end of any fiscal quarter for Total Operating Expenses that, in the four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended, exceed the greater of two percent of Average Invested Assets or 25% of Net Income (the “2%/25% Guidelines”) for such year. The Independent Directors shall have the responsibility of limiting Total Operating Expenses to amounts that do not exceed the 2%/25% Guidelines unless they have made a finding that, based on such unusual and non-recurring factors that they deem sufficient, a higher level of expenses (an “Excess Amount”) is justified. Within 60 days after the end of any fiscal quarter of the Company for which there is an Excess Amount which the Independent Directors conclude was justified and reimbursable to the Advisor, there shall be sent to the Stockholders a written disclosure of such fact, together with an explanation of the factors the Independent Directors considered in determining that such Excess Amount was justified. In the event the Independent Directors do not determine that such Excess Amount is justified, the Advisor shall reimburse the Company, within 60 days after the end of the twelve month period during which such Excess Amount was incurred, the amount by which the Total Operating Expenses paid or incurred by the Company during such period exceeds the 2%/25% Guidelines. Any such finding and the reasons in support thereof shall be reflected in the minutes of the meetings of the Board. In the event that the Independent Directors do not determine that excess expenses are justified, the Advisor shall reimburse the Company the amount by which the expenses exceeded the 2%/25% Guidelines.

 

SECTION 8.12 LIMITATIONS ON COMPENSATION. In no event will the Acquisition Fees, Acquisition Expenses and Asset Management Fee paid to the Advisor, plus the subordinated payments payable by the Operating Partnership to the Sponsor (Program Structure) exceed the sum of (i) an amount equal to 6 percent of the gross Contract Purchase Price of all Properties acquired by the Company; (ii) an amount determined annually (“Asset Management Amount”) equal in the aggregate to the greater of 2 percent of the Average Invested Assets or 25 percent of the Net Income of the Company after reducing such Asset Management Amount by those Total Operating Expenses as defined in the Guidelines that exclude the Asset Management Amount; (iii) an amount equal to the Disposition Fees, if any, but not to exceed 3 percent of the contract sales price of all Properties sold by the Company; and (iv) an amount equal to 15 percent of the Net Sales Proceeds, if any, remaining after the payment to the shareholders in the aggregate of an amount equal to 100 percent of the original issue price of their Shares plus an amount equal to 6 percent of the original issue price of the Company’s Shares per annum, cumulative (Guideline Structure).

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this undertaking, the comparison between the Program Structure and the Guideline Structure shall be determined on an annual basis at the end of each fiscal year of the Company (“Comparison Date”). To the extent that at the Comparison Date the Program Structure amount exceeds the Guideline Structure amount on a cumulative basis, the Sponsor shall return such excess to the shareholders within 30 days after the Comparison Date.

 

SECTION 8.13 REIMBURSEMENT LIMITATION. The Company shall not reimburse the Advisor or its Affiliates for services for which the Advisor or its Affiliates are entitled to compensation in the form of a separate fee.

 

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ARTICLE IX

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND LIMITATIONS

 

SECTION 9.1 REVIEW OF OBJECTIVES. The Independent Directors shall review the investment objectives and policies of the Company with sufficient frequency (not less often than annually) to determine that the objectives and policies being followed by the Company are in the best interests of its Stockholders. Each such determination and the basis therefor shall be set forth in the minutes of the meetings of the Board.

 

SECTION 9.2 CERTAIN PERMITTED INVESTMENTS. Until such time as the Common Shares are Listed the following investment limitations shall apply:

 

(i) The Company may invest in Assets.

 

(ii) The Company may invest in Joint Ventures with the Sponsor, Advisor, one or more Directors or any of their Affiliates only if a majority of Directors (including a majority of Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction, approve such investment as being fair and reasonable to the Company and on substantially the same terms and conditions as those received by the other joint venturers.

 

(iii) Subject to any limitations in Section 9.3, the Company may invest in equity securities only if a majority of Directors (including a majority of Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction approve such investment as being fair, competitive and commercially reasonable.

 

SECTION 9.3 INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS. Until such time as the Common Shares are Listed, the following investment limitations shall apply. In addition to other investment restrictions imposed by the Board from time to time, consistent with the Company’s objective of qualifying as a REIT, the following shall apply to the Company’s investments:

 

(i) Not more than ten percent of the Company’s total assets shall be invested in Unimproved Real Property or mortgage loans on Unimproved Real Property.

 

(ii) The Company shall not invest in commodities or commodity future contracts. This limitation is not intended to apply to futures contracts, when used solely for hedging purposes in connection with the Company’s ordinary business of investing in real estate assets and Mortgages.

 

(iii) The Company shall not invest in or make any Mortgage, including a mezzanine loan, unless an appraisal is obtained concerning the underlying property except for those loans insured or guaranteed by a government or government agency. In cases in which a majority of Independent Directors so determine, and in all cases in which the transaction is with the Advisor, the Sponsor, any Director or any Affiliates thereof, such appraisal of the underlying property must be obtained from an Independent Appraiser. Such appraisal shall be maintained in the Company’s records for at least five years and shall be available for inspection and duplication by any Stockholder for a reasonable charge. In addition to the appraisal, a mortgagee’s or owner’s title insurance policy or commitment as to the priority of the mortgage or condition of the title must be obtained.

 

(iv) The Company shall not make or invest in any Mortgage, including a construction loan, on any one property if the aggregate amount of all mortgage loans outstanding on the property, including the loans of the Company, would exceed an amount equal to 85% of the appraised value of the property as determined by appraisal unless substantial justification exists because of the presence of other underwriting criteria. For purposes of this subsection, the “aggregate amount of all mortgage loans outstanding on the property, including the loans of the Company” shall include all interest (excluding contingent participation in income and/or appreciation in value of the mortgaged property), the current payment of which may be deferred pursuant to the terms of such loans, to the extent that deferred interest on each loan exceeds five percent per annum of the principal balance of the loan.

 

(v) The Company shall not invest in indebtedness secured by a mortgage on real property which is subordinate to the lien or other indebtedness of the Advisor, the Sponsor, any Director or any Affiliate of the Company.

 

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(vi) The Company shall not issue (A) equity Securities redeemable solely at the option of the holder (except that Stockholders may offer their Common Shares to the Company pursuant to any repurchase plan adopted by the Board on terms outlined in the Prospectus relating to any Offering, as such plan is thereafter amended in accordance with its terms); (B) debt Securities unless the historical debt service coverage (in the most recently completed fiscal year) as adjusted for known changes is sufficient to properly service that higher level of debt; (C) equity Securities on a deferred payment basis or under similar arrangements; or (D) options or warrants to purchase Shares to the Advisor, Sponsor or any Affiliate thereof except on the same terms as such options or warrants are sold to the general public. Options or warrants may be issued to persons other than the Advisor, Sponsor or any Affiliate thereof, but not at exercise prices less than the fair market value of the underlying Securities on the date of grant and not for consideration (which may include services) that in the judgment of the Independent Directors has a market value less than the value of such option or warrant on the date of grant. Options or warrants issuable to the Advisor, Directors, Sponsor or any Affiliate thereof shall not exceed ten percent of the outstanding Shares on the date of grant. The voting rights per Share (other than any publicly held Share) sold in a private offering shall not exceed the voting rights which bear the same relationship to the voting rights of a publicly held Share as the consideration paid to the Company for each privately offered Share bears to the book value of each outstanding publicly held Share.

 

(vii) A majority of the Directors or a majority of a duly authorized committee of the Board shall authorize the consideration to be paid for each Asset, ordinarily based on the fair market value of the Asset. If a majority of the Independent Directors on the Board or such duly authorized committee determine, or if the Asset is acquired from the Advisor, a Director, the Sponsor or their Affiliates, such fair market value shall be determined by a qualified Independent Appraiser selected by such Independent Directors. The Advisor may purchase an Asset on behalf of the Company without seeking the prior written consent of the Board if and to the extent that:

 

(a) The aggregate purchase price of such Asset (other than an Asset acquired from the Advisor, a Director, the Sponsor or their Affiliates, in which case the approval of the Independent Directors will be required) is less than $15,000,000;

 

(b) The acquisition of such Asset would not, if consummated, violate or conflict with the investment guidelines of the Company as set forth in the Company’s Prospectus as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission;

 

(c) The acquisition of such Asset would not, if consummated, violate the limitations on Leverage contained in Section 9.3(viii) below; and

 

(d) The consideration to be paid for such Asset does not exceed the fair market value of such Asset, as determined by an Independent Appraiser selected in good faith by the Advisor and acceptable to the Independent Directors.

 

(viii) The aggregate Leverage of the Company shall be reasonable in relation to the Net Assets of the Company and shall be reviewed by the Board at least quarterly. Subject to the immediately following sentence, the maximum amount of such Leverage shall not exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the aggregate fair market value of the Company’s assets as of the date of any borrowing, provided, that Leverage on any individual Asset may exceed such limit. Any excess in borrowing over such 75% level shall be approved by a majority of the Independent Directors and disclosed to Stockholders in the next quarterly report of the Company, along with justification for such excess.

 

(ix) The Company will continually review its investment activity to attempt to ensure that it is not classified as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

(x) The Company will not make any investment that the Company believes will be inconsistent with its objectives of qualifying and remaining qualified as a REIT unless and until the Board determines, in its sole discretion, that REIT qualification is not in the best interests of the Company.

 

(xi) The Company shall not invest in real estate contracts of sale unless such contracts of sale are in recordable form and appropriately recorded in the chain of title.

 

(xii) The Company will not, directly or indirectly, including through any subsidiary, extend or maintain credit, arrange for the extension of credit, or renew an extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan to or for any of the Company’s directors or executive officers.

 

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(xiii) The Company will not invest in any equity securities unless a majority of disinterested directors, including a majority of disinterested Independent Directors, approves the transaction as being fair, competitive and commercially reasonable. Investments in entities affiliated with the Advisor, the Sponsor, any director, or any of their Affiliates shall be subject to the restrictions on joint venture investments set forth in Section 9.2(ii) of the Charter.

 

(xiv) The Company shall not engage in any short sale.

 

(xv) The value of all investments in debt secured by a mortgage on real property that is subordinate to the lien of other debt shall not exceed 25% of the Company’s tangible assets.

 

(xvi) The Company shall not engage in trading, as opposed to investment activities.

 

(xvii) The Company shall not engage in underwriting activities or distribute, as agent, securities issued by others.

 

(xviii) The Company shall not invest in foreign currency or bullion.

 

(xix) The aggregate amount of long-term permanent borrowing shall not exceed 300% of the Company’s and the Operating Partnership’s net assets as of the date of the borrowing unless the excess is approved by a majority of the Independent Directors and disclosed to the stockholders in the Company’s next quarterly report to stockholders following such borrowing along with justification for such excess.

 

The Company shall not acquire securities in any entity holding investments or engaging in activities prohibited by the restrictions on investments set forth in the foregoing clauses (i) through (xvi) of this Section 9.3.

 

ARTICLE X

 

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

SECTION 10.1 SALES AND LEASES TO COMPANY. The Company may not purchase or lease an Asset or Assets from the Sponsor, the Advisor, a Director, or any Affiliate thereof.

 

SECTION 10.2 SALES AND LEASES TO THE SPONSOR, ADVISOR, DIRECTORS OR AFFILIATES. An Advisor, Sponsor, Director or any Affiliate thereof may not purchase or lease Assets from the Company.

 

SECTION 10.3 OTHER TRANSACTIONS.

 

(a) Except pursuant to the Advisory Agreement or the Management Agreement, the Company shall not engage in any other transaction with the Sponsor, Advisor, a Director or any Affiliates thereof unless a majority of the Directors (including a majority of the Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in such transaction approve such transaction as fair and reasonable to the Company and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Company than those available from unaffiliated third parties.

 

(b) The Company shall not make loans to the Sponsor, Advisor, a Director or any Affiliates thereof except Mortgages pursuant to Section 9.3(iii) hereof or loans to wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. The Sponsor, Advisor, Directors and any Affiliates thereof shall not make loans to the Company, or to joint ventures in which the Company is a co-venturer, unless approved by a majority of the Directors (including a majority of the Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in such transaction as fair, competitive, and commercially reasonable, and no less favorable to the Company than comparable loans between unaffiliated parties.

 

(c) The Company may enter into joint ventures with the Sponsor or its Affiliates provided that (i) a majority of Directors (including a majority of Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction approves the transaction as being fair and reasonable to the Company and (ii) the investment by the Company is on substantially the same terms as those received by other joint venturers.

 

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SECTION 10.4 CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROCEDURES.

 

(a) Before the Advisor may take advantage of an investment opportunity for its own account or recommend it to others, the Advisor is obligated to present such opportunity to the Company if (i) such opportunity is compatible with the Company’s investment objectives and policies, (ii) such opportunity is of a character which could be taken by the Company, and (iii) the Company has the financial resources to take advantage of such opportunity.

 

(b) In the event that an investment opportunity becomes available that is suitable for both the Company and a public or private entity with which the Advisor or its Affiliates are affiliated for which both entities have sufficient uninvested funds, and the requirements of Section 10.4(i) above have been satisfied, then the entity that has had uninvested funds for the longest period of time will first be offered the investment opportunity. An investment opportunity will not be considered suitable for an entity if the 2%/25% Guidelines could not be satisfied if the entity were to make the investment. In determining whether or not an investment opportunity is suitable for more than one entity, the Board and the Advisor will examine such factors, among others, as the cash requirements of each entity, the effect of the acquisition both on diversification of each entity’s investments by type of property and geographic area and on diversification of the tenants of its properties, the policy of each entity relating to leverage of properties, the anticipated cash flow of each entity, the income tax effects of the purchase to each entity, the size of the investment and the amount of funds available to each program and the length of time such funds have been available for investment. If a subsequent development, such as a delay in the closing of the acquisition of such investment or a delay in the construction of a property, causes any such investment, in the opinion of the Board and the Advisor, to be more appropriate for an entity other than the entity that committed to make the investment, the Advisor may determine that the other entity affiliated with the Advisors or its Affiliates will make the investment. It shall be the duty of the Board, including the Independent Directors, to ensure that the method used by the Advisor for the allocation of the acquisition of investments by two or more affiliated programs seeking to acquire similar types of Assets is applied fairly to the Company.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

STOCKHOLDERS

 

SECTION 11.1 MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS. There shall be an annual meeting of the Stockholders, to be held on such date and at such time and place as shall be determined by or in the manner prescribed in the Bylaws, at which the Directors shall be elected and any other proper business may be conducted; provided that such annual meeting will be held upon reasonable notice and within a reasonable period (not less than 30 days) following delivery of the annual report. The holders of a majority of Shares entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at an annual meeting at which a quorum is present may, without the necessity for concurrence by the Board, vote to elect the Directors. A quorum shall be the presence in person or by proxy of Stockholders entitled to cast at least 50% of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting on any matter. Special meetings of Stockholders may be called in the manner provided in the Bylaws, including by the president, the chairman of the Board, the chief executive officer or by a majority of the Directors or a majority of the Independent Directors, and shall be called by the secretary of the Company upon the written request of the holders of shares entitled to cast not less than ten percent of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting. Notice of any special meeting of Stockholders shall be given as provided in the Bylaws, and the special meeting shall be held not less than 15 days nor more than 60 days after the delivery of such notice. If the meeting is called by written request of Stockholders as described in this Section 11.1, the special meeting shall be held at the time and place specified in the Stockholder request; provided, however, that if none is so specified, at such time and place convenient to the Stockholders. If there are no Directors, the officers of the Company shall promptly call a special meeting of the Stockholders entitled to vote for the election of successor Directors. Any meeting may be adjourned and reconvened as the Board may determine or as otherwise provided in the Bylaws. Without the approval of a majority of the Shares entitled to vote on the matter, the Board may not (i) amend the Charter to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Stockholders; (ii) amend provisions of the Charter relating to director qualifications, fiduciary duties, liability and indemnification, conflicts of interest, investment policies or investment restrictions; (iii) liquidate or dissolve the Company other than before the initial investment in Property; (iv) sell all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise permitted by law; or (v) cause the merger or reorganization of the Company except as permitted by law.

 

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SECTION 11.2 VOTING RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS. Subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares then outstanding, and subject to the mandatory provisions of any applicable laws or regulations, the Stockholders shall be entitled to vote only on the following matters: (a) election or removal of Directors, without the necessity for concurrence by the Board, as provided in Sections 11.1, 6.4 and 6.6 hereof; (b) amendment of the Charter as provided in Article XIII hereof without the necessity for concurrence by the Board; (c) dissolution of the Company without the necessity for concurrence by the Board; (d) Merger or consolidation of the Company or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets without the necessity for concurrence by the Board; and (e) such other matters with respect to which the Board has adopted a resolution declaring that a proposed action is advisable and directing that the matter be submitted to the Stockholders for approval or ratification. Except with respect to the foregoing matters, no action taken by the Stockholders at any meeting shall in any way bind the Board. Without the approval of a majority of the Shares entitled to vote on the matter, the Board may not (i) amend the Charter to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Stockholders; (ii) amend provisions of the Charter relating to director qualifications, fiduciary duties, liability and indemnification, conflicts of interest, investment policies or investment restrictions; (iii) liquidate or dissolve the Company other than before the initial investment in property; (iv) sell all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than in the ordinary course of business; or (v) cause the merger or reorganization of the Company.

 

SECTION 11.3 EXTRAORDINARY ACTIONS. Notwithstanding any provision of law permitting or requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of Shares entitled to cast a greater number of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by the Board and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of holders of Shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

 

SECTION 11.4 VOTING LIMITATIONS ON SHARES HELD BY THE ADVISOR, DIRECTORS AND AFFILIATES. With respect to Shares owned by the Advisor, any Director, or any of their Affiliates, neither the Advisor, nor such Director(s), nor any of their Affiliates may vote or consent on matters submitted to the Stockholders regarding the removal of the Advisor, such Director(s) or any of their Affiliates or any transaction between the Company and any of them. In determining the requisite percentage in interest of Shares necessary to approve a matter on which the Advisor, such Director(s) and any of their Affiliates may not vote or consent, any Shares owned by any of them shall not be included.

 

SECTION 11.5 RIGHT OF INSPECTION. Any Stockholder and any designated representative thereof shall be permitted access to the records of the Company to which it is entitled under applicable law at all reasonable times, and may inspect and copy any of them for a reasonable charge. Inspection of the Company books and records by the office or agency administering the securities laws of a jurisdiction shall be provided upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours.

 

SECTION 11.6 ACCESS TO STOCKHOLDER LIST. An alphabetical list of the names and addresses of the Stockholders, along with the number of shares of stock held by each of them ( the “Stockholder List”), shall be maintained as part of the books and records of the Company and shall be available for inspection by any Stockholder or the Stockholder’s designated agent at the home office of the Company in accordance with Maryland law. Each Stockholder who receives a copy of the Stockholder List shall keep such list confidential and share such list only with its employees, representatives or agents who agree in writing maintain the confidentiality of the Stockholder List.

 

An alphabetical list of the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the Stockholders of the Company, along with the number of Shares held by each of them ( the “Stockholder List”), shall be maintained as part of the books and records of the Company and shall be available for inspection by any Stockholder or the Stockholder’s designated agent at the home office of the Company upon the request of the Stockholder. The Stockholder List shall be updated at least quarterly to reflect changes in the information contained therein. A copy of the Stockholder List shall be mailed to any Stockholder so requesting within ten days of receipt by the Company of the request. The copy of the Stockholder List shall be printed in alphabetical order, on white paper, and in a readily readable type size (in no event smaller than 10-point type). The Company may impose a reasonable charge for expenses incurred in reproduction pursuant to the Stockholder request. A Stockholder may request a copy of the Stockholder List in connection with matters including, but not limited to, Stockholders’ voting rights, and the exercise of Stockholder rights under federal proxy laws.

 

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If the Advisor or the Board neglects or refuses to exhibit, produce or mail a copy of the Stockholder List as requested, the Advisor and/or the Board, as the case may be, shall be liable to any Stockholder requesting the Stockholder List for the costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by that Stockholder for compelling the production of the Stockholder List, and for actual damages suffered by any Stockholder by reason of such refusal or neglect. It shall be a defense that the actual purpose and reason for the requests for inspection or for a copy of the Stockholder List is to secure the Stockholder List or other information for the purpose of selling the Stockholder List or copies thereof, or of using the same for a commercial purpose other than in the interest of the applicant as a Stockholder relative to the affairs of the Company. The Company may require the Stockholder requesting the Stockholder List to represent that the Stockholder List is not requested for a commercial purpose unrelated to the  Stockholder’s interest in the Company. The remedies provided hereunder to Stockholders requesting copies of the Stockholder List are in addition, to and shall not in any way limit, other remedies available to Stockholders under federal law, or the laws of any state.

 

SECTION 11.7 [RESERVED]REPORTS. The Directors, including the Independent Directors, shall take reasonable steps to insure that the Company shall cause to be prepared and mailed or delivered to each Stockholder as of a record date after the end of the fiscal year and each holder of other publicly held Securities within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which it relates an annual report for each fiscal year ending after the Commencement of the Initial Public Offering that shall include: (i) financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles which are audited and reported on by independent certified public accountants; (ii) the ratio of the costs of raising capital during the period to the capital raised; (iii) the aggregate amount of advisory fees and the aggregate amount of other fees paid to the Advisor and any Affiliate of the Advisor by the Company and including fees or charges paid to the Advisor and any Affiliate of the Advisor by third parties doing business with the Company; (iv) the Total Operating Expenses of the Company, stated as a percentage of Average Invested Assets and as a percentage of its Net Income; (v) a report from the Independent Directors that the policies being followed by the Company are in the best interests of its Stockholders and the basis for such determination; and (vi) separately stated, full disclosure of all material terms, factors and circumstances surrounding any and all transactions involving the Company, Directors, Advisors, Sponsors and any Affiliate thereof occurring in the year for which the annual report is made, and the Independent Directors shall be specifically charged with a duty to examine and comment in the report on the fairness of such transactions.

 

SECTION 11.8 TENDER OFFERS. If any Person makes a tender offer, including, without limitation, a “mini-tender” offer, such Person must comply with all of the provisions set forth in Regulation 14D of the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, disclosure and notice requirements, that would be applicable if the tender offer was for more than five percent of the outstanding Shares; provided, however, that, unless otherwise required by the Exchange Act, such documents are not required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, any such Person must provide notice to the Company at least ten business days prior to initiating any such tender offer. If any Person initiates a tender offer without complying with the provisions set forth above (a “Non-Compliant Tender Offer”), the Company, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to redeem such non-compliant Person’s Shares and any Shares acquired in such tender offer (collectively, the “Tendered Shares”) at the lesser of (i) the price then being paid per Share of Common Stock purchased in the Company’s latest Offering at full purchase price (not discounted for commission reductions or for reductions in sale price permitted pursuant to the Reinvestment Plan), (ii) the fair market value of the Shares as determined by an independent valuation obtained by the Company or (iii) the lowest tender offer price offered in such Non-Compliant Tender Offer. The Company may purchase such Tendered Shares upon delivery of the purchase price to the Person initiating such Non- Compliant Tender Offer and, upon such delivery, the Company may instruct any transfer agent to transfer such purchased Shares to the Company. In addition, any Person who makes a Non-Compliant Tender Offer shall be responsible for all expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the enforcement of the provisions of this Section 11.8, including, without limitation, expenses incurred in connection with the review of all documents related to such tender offer and expenses incurred in connection with any purchase of Tendered Shares by the Company. The Company maintains the right to offset any such expenses against the dollar amount to be paid by the Company for the purchase of Tendered Shares pursuant to this Section 11.8. In addition to the remedies provided herein, the Company may seek injunctive relief, including, without limitation, a temporary or permanent restraining order, in connection with any Non-Compliant Tender Offer. This Section 11.8 shall be of no force or effect with respect to any Shares that are then Listed.

 

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ARTICLE XII

 

LIABILITY LIMITATION AND INDEMNIFICATION

 

SECTION 12.1 LIMITATION OF STOCKHOLDER LIABILITY. No Stockholder shall be liable for any debt, claim, demand, judgment or obligation of any kind of, against or with respect to the Company by reason of his being a Stockholder, nor shall any Stockholder be subject to any personal liability whatsoever, in tort, contract or otherwise, to any Person in connection with the Company’s assets or the affairs of the Company by reason of his being a Stockholder. The Common Shares shall be non-assessable by the Company upon receipt by the Company of the consideration for which the Board authorized their issuance.

 

SECTION 12.2 LIMITATION OF DIRECTOR AND OFFICER LIABILITY.

 

(a) To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of he liability of the director and officers of a corporation,Subject to any limitations set forth under Maryland law or in paragraph (b), no Director or officer of the Company shall be liable to the Company or its Stockholders for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Section 12.2(a), nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or Bylaws inconsistent with this Section 12.2(a), shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

 

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in paragraph (a) above, the Company shall not provide that a Director , the Advisor or any Affiliate of the Advisor (the “Indemnitee”) be held harmless for any loss or liability suffered by the Company, unless all of the following conditions are met:

 

(i) The Indemnitee has determined, in good faith, that the course of conduct that caused the loss or liability was in the best interests of the Company.

 

(ii) The Indemnitee was acting on behalf of or performing services for the Company.

 

(iii) Such liability or loss was not the result of (A) negligence or misconduct, in the case that the Indemnitee is a Director (other than an Independent Director), the Advisor or an Affiliate of the Advisor or (B) gross negligence or willful misconduct, in the case that the Indemnitee is an Independent Director.

 

(iv) Such agreement to hold harmless is recoverable only out of Net Assets and not from the Stockholders.

 

SECTION 12.3 INDEMNIFICATION

 

(a) The Company shall indemnify, to the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time, its present and former Directors and officers, whether serving or having served or at its request any other entity, for any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative) relating to any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity as a director or officer. The Company shall pay or reimburse all reasonable expenses incurred by a present or former Director or officer, whether serving or having served, the Company or at its request any other entity, in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative) in which the present or former Director or officer is a party, in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding, to the fullest extent permitted by, and in accordance with the applicable requirements of, Maryland law, as applicable from time to time. The Company may indemnify any other persons, including a person who served a predecessor of the Company as an officer or director, permitted but not required to be indemnified by Maryland law as applicable from time to time, if and to extent indemnification is authorized and determined to be appropriate, in each case in accordance with applicable law. No amendment of the Charter of the Company or repeal of any of its provisions shall limit or eliminate any of the benefits provided to directors and officers under this Section 12.2(b) in respect of any act or omission that occurred prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

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Subject to any limitations set forth under Maryland law or in paragraph (b) or (c) below, the Company shall indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (i) any individual who is a present or former Director or officer of the Company and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity, (ii) any individual who, while a Director or officer of the Company and at the request of the Company, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner or trustee of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (iii) the Advisor of any of its Affiliates acting as an agent of the Company. The Company may, with the approval of the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee thereof, provide such indemnification and advance for expenses to a Person who served a predecessor of the Company in any of the capacities described in (i) or (ii) above and to any employee or agent of the Company or a predecessor of the Company. The Board may take such action as is necessary to carry out this Section 12.3(a). No amendment of the Charter or repeal of any of its provisions shall limit or eliminate the right of indemnification provided hereunder with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in paragraph (a) above, the Company shall not provide for indemnification of an Indemnitee for any loss or liability suffered by such Indemnitee, unless all of the following conditions are met:

 

(i) The Indemnitee has determined, in good faith, that the course of conduct that caused the loss or liability was in the best interests of the Company.

 

(ii) The Indemnitee was acting on behalf of or performing services for the Company.

 

(iii) Such liability or loss was not the result of (A) negligence or misconduct, in the case that the Indemnitee is a Director (other than an Independent Director), the Advisor or an Affiliate of the Advisor or (B) gross negligence or willful misconduct, in the case that the Indemnitee is an Independent Director.

 

(iv) Such indemnification or agreement to hold harmless is recoverable only out of Net Assets and not from the Stockholders.

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in paragraph (a) above, the Company shall not provide indemnification for any loss, liability or expense arising from or out of an alleged violation of federal or state securities laws by such party unless one or more of the following conditions are met: (i) there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged securities law violations as to the Indemnitee; (ii) such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction as to the Indemnitee; or (iii) a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the claims against the Indemnitee and finds that indemnification of the settlement and the related costs should be made, and the court considering the request for indemnification has been advised of the position of the Securities and Exchange Commission and of the published position of any state securities regulatory authority in which Securities were offered or sold as to indemnification for violations of securities laws.

 

SECTION 12.4 PAYMENT OF EXPENSES[RESERVED. The Company may pay or reimburse reasonable legal expenses and other costs incurred by an Indemnitee in advance of final disposition of a proceeding only if all of the following are satisfied: (i) the proceeding relates to acts or omissions with respect to the performance of duties or services on behalf of the Company, (ii) the Indemnitee provides the Company with a written affirmation of the Indemnitee’s good faith belief that the Indemnitee has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Company as authorized by Section 12.3 hereof, (iii) the legal proceeding was initiated by a third party who is not a Stockholder or, if by a Stockholder acting in his or her capacity as such, a court of competent jurisdiction approves such advancement, and (iv) the Indemnitee provides the Company with a written undertaking to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the Company, together with the applicable legal rate of interest thereon, if it is ultimately determined that the Indemnitee did not comply with the requisite standard of conduct and is not entitled to indemnification.

 

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SECTION 12.5 EXPRESS EXCULPATORY CLAUSES IN INSTRUMENTS. Neither the Stockholders nor the Directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company shall be liable under any written instrument creating an obligation of the Company by reason of their being Stockholders, Directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company, and all Persons shall look solely to the Company’s assets for the payment of any claim under or for the performance of that instrument. The omission of the foregoing exculpatory language from any instrument shall not affect the validity or enforceability of such instrument and shall not render any Stockholder, Director, officer, employee or agent liable thereunder to any third party, nor shall the Directors or any officer, employee or agent of the Company be liable to anyone as a result of such omission.

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

AMENDMENTS

 

The Company reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment to the Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of any Shares. All rights and powers conferred by the Charter on Stockholders, Directors and officers are granted subject to this reservation. Except for those amendments permitted to be made without Stockholder approval under Maryland law or by specific provision in the Charter, any amendment to the Charter shall be valid only if approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter, including, without limitation, (i) any amendment which would adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Stockholders and (ii) any amendment to Sections 6.2, 6.5 and 6.6 of Article VI, Article IX, Article X, Article XII, Article XIV, Article XV hereof and this Article XIII (or any other amendment of the Charter that would have the effect of amending such sections).

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

ROLL-UP TRANSACTIONS

 

(xix) In connection with any proposed Roll-Up Transaction, an appraisal of all of the Company’s assets shall be obtained from a competent Independent Appraiser. The Company’s assets shall be appraised on a consistent basis, and the appraisal shall be based on the evaluation of all relevant information and shall indicate the value of the assets as of a date immediately prior to the announcement of the proposed Roll-Up Transaction. The appraisal shall assume an orderly liquidation of the assets over a 12-month period. If the appraisal will be included in a prospectus used to offer the securities of a roll-up entity, the appraisal shall be filed with the SEC and the states as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement for the offering. Accordingly, an issuer using the appraisal shall be subject to liability for violation of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and comparable provisions under state laws for any material misrepresentations or material omissions in the appraisal. The terms of the engagement of the Independent Appraiser shall clearly state that the engagement is for the benefit of the Company and the Stockholders. A summary of the appraisal, indicating all material assumptions underlying the appraisal, shall be included in a report to Stockholders in connection with a proposed Roll-Up Transaction. In connection with a proposed Roll-Up Transaction, the Person sponsoring the Roll-Up Transaction shall offer to Stockholders who vote against the proposed Roll-Up Transaction the choice of:

 

(a) accepting the securities of a Roll-Up Entity offered in the proposed Roll-Up Transaction; or

 

(b) one of the following:

 

(I) remaining as Stockholders of the Company and preserving their interests therein on the same terms and conditions as existed previously; or

 

(II) receiving cash in an amount equal to the Stockholder’s pro rata share of the appraised value of the net assets of the Company.

 

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(xx) The Company is prohibited from participating in any proposed Roll-Up Transaction:

 

(a) that would result in the Stockholders having voting rights in a Roll-Up Entity that are less than the rights provided for in Article XI hereof;

 

(b) that includes provisions that would operate as a material impediment to, or frustration of, the accumulation of Shares by any purchaser of the securities of the Roll-Up Entity (except to the minimum extent necessary to preserve the tax status of the Roll-Up Entity), or which would limit the ability of an investor to exercise the voting rights of its securities of the Roll-Up Entity on the basis of the number of Shares held by that investor;

 

(c) in which investor’s rights to access of records of the Roll-Up Entity will be less than those described in Sections 11.5 and 11.6 hereof; or

 

(d) in which any of the costs of the Roll-Up Transaction would be borne by the Company if the Roll-Up Transaction is rejected by the Stockholders.

 

ARTICLE XV

 

DURATION

 

In the event that Listing does not occur on or before the tenth anniversary of the Termination of the Initial Public Offering, then the Board must either (a) adopt a resolution that sets forth a proposed amendment to the Charter extending or eliminating this deadline (the “Extension Amendment”), declaring that the Extension Amendment is advisable and directing that the proposed Extension Amendment be submitted for consideration at either an annual or special meeting of the Stockholders, or (b) adopt a resolution that declares that a proposed liquidation of the Company is advisable on substantially the terms and conditions set forth in, or referred to, in the resolution (the “ Plan of Liquidation”). If the Board seeks the Extension Amendment as described above and the Stockholders do not approve such amendment, then the Board shall adopt a Plan of Liquidation and commence an orderly liquidation of the assets of the Company pursuant to such Plan of Liquidation. In the event that Listing occurs on or before the tenth anniversary of the Termination of the Initial Public Offering, the Company shall continue perpetually unless dissolved pursuant to any applicable provision of the MGCL.

 

THIRD: The amendment to and restatement of the charter as hereinabove set forth have been duly advised by the Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders of the Company as required by law.

 

FOURTH: The current address of the principal office of the Company is as set forth in Article III of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

 

FIFTH: The name and address of the Company’s current resident agent is as set forth in Article III of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

 

SIXTH: The number of directors of the Company and the names of those currently in office are as set forth in Section 6.1 of Article VI of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

 

SEVENTH: The total number of shares of stock which the Company had authority to issue immediately prior to this amendment was 20,000, consisting of 20,000 shares of Common Shares, $0.01 par value per share. The aggregate par value of all shares of stock having par value was $200.

 

EIGHTH: The total number of shares of stock which the Company has authority to issue pursuant to the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter of the Company is 110,000,000, consisting of 100,000,000 Common Shares, $0.01 par value per share, and 10,000,000 Preferred Shares, $0.01 par value per share. The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $1,100,000.

 

NINTH: The undersigned Chief Executive Officer acknowledges these Second Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be the corporate act of the Company and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned Chief Executive Officer acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

 

[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Lightstone Value Plus REIT III, Inc. has caused these Second Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Chief Executive Officer, and attested by its General Counsel and Secretary, on this___ day of December, 2022.

 

ATTEST:

 

By: /s/ Joseph Teichman   By: /s/ David Lichtenstein
Name: Joseph Teichman   Name: David Lichtenstein
Title: General Counsel and Secretary   Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

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