COLUMBIA, Md. - (Business Wire) Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT) (NYSE:OFC) announced today that the Company closed on a $225 million construction loan facility that will be utilized to fund most of the Company
’s construction costs over the next several years. The facility has a three year term with a one year extension option, and requires interest only payments throughout the term. The interest rate is based on a pricing grid that is dependent on the Company
’s leverage, with the initial interest rate on the facility of Libor plus 160 basis points. The $225 million facility has an accordion feature that allows for a potential increase up to $325 million at a future date.
The three lead banks on the transaction were KeyBank National Association, Bank of America, N.A. and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company.
“This new construction facility is a significant accomplishment in a difficult capital environment. The facility will provide the capital to execute our wholly owned development pipeline for the next several years,” stated Randall M. Griffin, President and Chief Executive Officer for Corporate Office Properties Trust.
Company Information
Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT) (NYSE:OFC) is a specialty office real estate investment trust (REIT) that focuses on strategic customer relationships and specialized tenant requirements in the U.S. Government, Defense Information Technology and Data sectors. The Company acquires, develops, manages and leases properties which are typically concentrated in large office parks primarily located adjacent to government demand drivers and/or in growth corridors. As of December 31, 2007, the Company owned 246 office and data properties totaling 18.6 million rentable square feet, which includes 18 properties totaling 806,000 square feet held through joint ventures. The Company’s portfolio primarily consists of technically sophisticated buildings in visually appealing settings that are environmentally sensitive, sustainable and meet unique customer requirements. More information on COPT can be found at www.copt.com.
Forward-Looking Information
This press release may contain “forward-looking” statements, as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that are based on the Company’s current expectations, estimates and projections about future events and financial trends affecting the Company. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “estimate” or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which the Company cannot predict with accuracy and some of which the Company might not even anticipate. Accordingly, the Company can give no assurance that these expectations, estimates and projections will be achieved. Future events and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements.
Important factors that may affect these expectations, estimates, and projections include, but are not limited to:
- the Company’s ability to borrow on favorable terms;
- general economic and business conditions, which will, among other things, affect office property demand and rents, tenant creditworthiness, interest rates and financing availability;
- adverse changes in the real estate markets including, among other things, increased competition with other companies;
- risk of real estate acquisition and development, including, among other things, risks that development projects may not be completed on schedule, that tenants may not take occupancy or pay rent or that development or operating costs may be greater than anticipated;
- risks of investing through joint venture structures, including risks that the Company’s joint venture partners may not fulfill their financial obligations as investors or may take actions that are inconsistent with the Company’s objectives;
- our ability to satisfy and operate effectively under federal income tax rules relating to real estate investment trusts and partnerships;
- governmental actions and initiatives; and
- environmental requirements.
The Company undertakes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements. For further information, please refer to the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Item 1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT)
Mary Ellen Fowler
Vice President and Treasurer
443-285-5450
maryellen.fowler@copt.com
