GUARANTY AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.3
GUARANTY AGREEMENT
THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT (this Guaranty) is executed as of July 18, 2014, by CITY OFFICE REIT, INC., a Maryland corporation, having an address at 1075 West Georgia Street, Suite 2600, Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3C9, Canada (together with its permitted successors and assigns, whether one or more, collectively referred to as Guarantor), for the benefit of SECURITY BENEFIT LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, a Kansas insurance company, having an address at One Security Benefit Place, Topeka, Kansas 66636 (together with its successors and assigns, Lender).
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Promissory Note, dated of as of the date hereof, executed by CIO Lake Vista, Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (Borrower), and payable to the order of Lender in the original principal amount of EIGHTEEN MILLION FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($18,460,000.00) (as the same may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the Note), Borrower has become indebted, and may from time to time be further indebted, to Lender with respect to a loan (Loan) made pursuant to that certain Loan Agreement, of even date herewith between Borrower and Lender (as the same may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the Loan Agreement), which Loan is secured by that certain Deed of Trust and Security Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, made by Borrower to Lender (as the same may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the Mortgage), and further evidenced, secured or governed by other instruments and documents executed in connection with the Loan (together with the Note, the Loan Agreement and the Mortgage, collectively, the Loan Documents);
WHEREAS, Lender is not willing to make the Loan, or otherwise extend credit, to Borrower unless Guarantor unconditionally guarantees payment and performance to Lender of the Guaranteed Obligations (as herein defined); and
WHEREAS, Guarantor is the owner of a direct or indirect interest in Borrower, and Guarantor will directly benefit from Lenders making the Loan to Borrower.
NOW, THEREFORE, as an inducement to Lender to make the Loan to Borrower, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and legal sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties do hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
NATURE AND SCOPE OF GUARANTY
1.1 Guaranty of Obligation. Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to Lender and its successors and assigns the payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations as and when the same shall be due and payable, whether by lapse of time, by acceleration of maturity or otherwise. Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally covenants and agrees that it is liable for the Guaranteed Obligations as a primary obligor.
1.2 Definition of Guaranteed Obligations. As used herein, the term Guaranteed Obligations means all obligations and liabilities of Borrower for which Borrower shall be liable pursuant to Section 9.4 of the Loan Agreement.
1.3 Nature of Guaranty. This Guaranty is an irrevocable, absolute, continuing guaranty of payment and performance and not a guaranty of collection. This Guaranty may not be revoked by Guarantor and shall continue to be effective with respect to any Guaranteed Obligations arising or created after any attempted revocation by Guarantor and after (if Guarantor is a natural person) Guarantors death (in which event this Guaranty shall be binding upon Guarantors estate and Guarantors legal representatives and heirs). The fact that at any time or from time to time the Guaranteed Obligations may be increased or reduced shall not release or discharge the obligation of Guarantor to Lender with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations. This Guaranty may be enforced by Lender and any subsequent holder of the Note and shall not be discharged by the assignment or negotiation of all or part of the Note. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, this Guaranty shall terminate and Guarantor shall be released from its obligations hereunder upon the payment in full of the Indebtedness, whether at maturity or as a result of acceleration, or upon prepayment of the Loan in accordance with the Loan Agreement.
1.4 Guaranteed Obligations Not Reduced by Offset. Subject to Section 2.10 hereof, the Guaranteed Obligations and the liabilities and obligations of Guarantor to Lender hereunder shall not be reduced, discharged or released because or by reason of any existing or future offset, claim or defense of Borrower, or any other party, against Lender or against payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, whether such offset, claim or defense arises in connection with the Guaranteed Obligations (or the transactions creating the Guaranteed Obligations) or otherwise.
1.5 Payment By Guarantor. If all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations shall not be punctually paid when due, whether at demand, maturity, acceleration or otherwise, Guarantor shall, immediately upon demand by Lender, and without presentment, protest, notice of protest, notice of non-payment, notice of intention to accelerate the maturity, notice of acceleration of the maturity, or any other notice whatsoever, pay in lawful money of the United States of America, the amount due on the Guaranteed Obligations to Lender at Lenders address as set forth herein. Such demand(s) may be made at any time coincident with or after the time for payment of all or part of the Guaranteed Obligations, and may be made from time to time with respect to the same or different items of Guaranteed Obligations. Such demand shall be deemed made, given and received in accordance with the notice provisions hereof.
1.6 No Duty To Pursue Others. It shall not be necessary for Lender (and Guarantor hereby waives any rights which Guarantor may have to require Lender), in order to enforce the obligations of Guarantor hereunder, first to (a) institute suit or exhaust its remedies against Borrower or others liable on the Loan or the Guaranteed Obligations or any other person, (b) enforce Lenders rights against any collateral which shall ever have been given to secure the Loan, (c) enforce Lenders rights against any other guarantors of the Guaranteed Obligations, (d)
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join Borrower or any others liable on the Guaranteed Obligations in any action seeking to enforce this Guaranty, (e) exhaust any remedies available to Lender against any collateral which shall ever have been given to secure the Loan, or (f) resort to any other means of obtaining payment of the Guaranteed Obligations. Lender shall not be required to mitigate damages or take any other action to reduce, collect or enforce the Guaranteed Obligations.
1.7 Waivers. Guarantor agrees to the provisions of the Loan Documents, and hereby waives to the fullest extent now or hereafter not prohibited by applicable law notice of, and any rights of consent to: (a) any loans or advances made by Lender to Borrower, (b) acceptance of this Guaranty, (c) any amendment or extension of the Note, the Loan Agreement or of any other Loan Documents, (d) the execution and delivery by Borrower and Lender of any other loan or credit agreement or of Borrowers execution and delivery of any promissory notes or other documents arising under the Loan Documents or in connection with the Property, (e) the occurrence of any breach by Borrower of any of the terms or conditions of the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document or an Event of Default, (f) Lenders transfer or disposition of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any part thereof, (g) sale or foreclosure (or posting or advertising for sale or foreclosure) of any collateral for the Guaranteed Obligations, (h) protest, proof of non-payment or default by Borrower, and (i) any other action at any time taken or omitted by Lender, and, generally, all demands and notices of every kind in connection with this Guaranty, the Loan Documents, any documents or agreements evidencing, securing or relating to any of the Guaranteed Obligations.
1.8 Payment of Expenses. In the event that Guarantor should breach or fail to timely perform any provisions of this Guaranty, Guarantor shall, immediately upon demand by Lender, pay Lender all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including court costs and attorneys fees) actually incurred by Lender in the enforcement hereof or the preservation of Lenders rights hereunder. The covenant contained in this Section 1.8 shall survive the payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations.
1.9 Effect of Bankruptcy. In the event that, pursuant to any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership or other debtor relief law, or any judgment, order or decision thereunder, Lender must rescind or restore any payment, or any part thereof, received by Lender in satisfaction of the Guaranteed Obligations, as set forth herein, any prior release or discharge from the terms of this Guaranty given to Guarantor by Lender shall be without effect, and this Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect. It is the intention of Borrower and Guarantor that Guarantors obligations hereunder shall not be discharged except by Guarantors performance of such obligations and then only to the extent of such performance.
1.10 Waiver of Subrogation, Reimbursement and Contribution. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Guaranty, until the Guaranteed Obligations are repaid in full, Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives, releases and abrogates any and all rights it may now or hereafter have under any agreement, at law or in equity (including, without limitation, any law subrogating the Guarantor to the rights of Lender), to assert any claim against or seek contribution, indemnification or any other form of reimbursement from Borrower or any other party liable for payment of any or all of the Guaranteed Obligations for any payment made by Guarantor under or in connection with this Guaranty or otherwise.
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1.11 Borrower. The term Borrower as used herein shall include any new or successor corporation, association, partnership (general or limited), joint venture, trust or other individual or organization formed as a result of any merger, reorganization, sale, transfer, devise, gift or bequest of Borrower or any interest in Borrower.
ARTICLE II
EVENTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES NOT REDUCING
OR DISCHARGING GUARANTORS OBLIGATIONS
Guarantor hereby consents and agrees to each of the following, and agrees that Guarantors obligations under this Guaranty shall not be released, diminished, impaired, reduced or adversely affected by any of the following, and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, waives any common law, equitable, statutory or other rights (including without limitation rights to notice) which Guarantor might otherwise have as a result of or in connection with any of the following:
2.1 Modifications. Any renewal, extension, increase, modification, alteration or rearrangement of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, the Note, the Loan Agreement, the other Loan Documents, or any other document, instrument, contract or understanding between Borrower and Lender, or any other parties, pertaining to the Guaranteed Obligations or any failure of Lender to notify Guarantor of any such action.
2.2 Adjustment. Any adjustment, indulgence, forbearance or compromise that might be granted or given by Lender to Borrower or any Guarantor.
2.3 Condition of Borrower or Guarantor. The insolvency, bankruptcy, arrangement, adjustment, composition, liquidation, disability, dissolution or lack of power of Borrower, Guarantor or any other party at any time liable for the payment of all or part of the Guaranteed Obligations; or any dissolution of Borrower or Guarantor, or any sale, lease or transfer of any or all of the assets of Borrower or Guarantor, or any changes in the shareholders, partners or members of Borrower or Guarantor; or any reorganization of Borrower or Guarantor.
2.4 Invalidity of Guaranteed Obligations. The invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any document or agreement executed in connection with the Guaranteed Obligations, for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation the fact that (a) the Guaranteed Obligations, or any part thereof, exceeds the amount permitted by law, (b) the act of creating the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof is ultra vires, (c) the officers or representatives executing the Note, the Loan Agreement or the other Loan Documents or otherwise creating the Guaranteed Obligations acted in excess of their authority, (d) the Guaranteed Obligations violate applicable usury laws, (e) the Borrower has valid defenses, claims or offsets (whether at law, in equity or by agreement) which render the Guaranteed Obligations wholly or partially uncollectible from Borrower (other than the payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations), (f) the creation, performance or repayment of the Guaranteed Obligations (or the execution, delivery and performance of any document or instrument representing part of the Guaranteed Obligations or executed in connection with the Guaranteed Obligations, or given to secure the repayment of the Guaranteed Obligations) is
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illegal, uncollectible or unenforceable, or (g) the Note, the Loan Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents have been forged or otherwise are irregular or not genuine or authentic, it being agreed that Guarantor shall remain liable hereon regardless of whether Borrower or any other Person be found not liable on the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof for any reason (other than the payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations).
2.5 Release of Obligors. Any full or partial release of the liability of Borrower on the Guaranteed Obligations, or any part thereof, or of any co-guarantors, or any other person or entity now or hereafter liable, whether directly or indirectly, jointly, severally, or jointly and severally, to pay, perform, guarantee or assure the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any part thereof, it being recognized, acknowledged and agreed by Guarantor that Guarantor may be required to pay the Guaranteed Obligations in full without assistance or support of any other party, and Guarantor has not been induced to enter into this Guaranty on the basis of a contemplation, belief, understanding or agreement that other Persons will be liable to pay or perform the Guaranteed Obligations, or that Lender will look to other Persons to pay or perform the Guaranteed Obligations.
2.6 Other Collateral. The taking or accepting of any other security, collateral or guaranty, or other assurance of payment, for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations.
2.7 Release of Collateral. Any release, surrender, exchange, subordination, deterioration, waste, loss or impairment (including without limitation negligent, willful, unreasonable or unjustifiable impairment) of any collateral, property or security at any time existing in connection with, or assuring or securing payment of, all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations.
2.8 Care and Diligence. The failure of Lender or any other party to exercise diligence or reasonable care in the preservation, protection, enforcement, sale or other handling or treatment of all or any part of such collateral, property or security, including but not limited to any neglect, delay, omission, failure or refusal of Lender (a) to take or prosecute any action for the collection of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or (b) to foreclose, or initiate any action to foreclose, or, once commenced, prosecute to completion any action to foreclose upon any security therefor, or (c) to take or prosecute any action in connection with any instrument or agreement evidencing or securing all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations.
2.9 Unenforceability. The fact that any collateral, security, security interest or lien contemplated or intended to be given, created or granted as security for the repayment of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any part thereof, shall not be properly perfected or created, or shall prove to be unenforceable or subordinate to any other security interest or lien, it being recognized and agreed by Guarantor that Guarantor is not entering into this Guaranty in reliance on, or in contemplation of the benefits of, the validity, enforceability, collectibility or value of any of the collateral for the Guaranteed Obligations.
2.10 Offset. Any existing or future right of offset, claim or defense of Borrower or Guarantor against Lender, or any other Person, or against payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, whether such right of offset, claim or defense arises in connection with
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the Guaranteed Obligations (or the transactions creating the Guaranteed Obligations) or otherwise, other than a good faith claim or defense of payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations or that the alleged breach of the Guaranteed Obligation giving rise to the payment obligation hereunder did not occur or did not constitute a breach of the Guaranteed Obligation.
2.11 Merger. The reorganization, merger or consolidation of Borrower into or with any other corporation or entity.
2.12 Preference. Any payment by Borrower to Lender is held to constitute a preference under bankruptcy laws, or for any reason Lender is required to refund such payment or pay such amount to Borrower or someone else.
2.13 Other Actions Taken or Omitted. It is the unambiguous and unequivocal intention of Guarantor that Guarantor shall be obligated to pay the Guaranteed Obligations when due, notwithstanding any occurrence, circumstance, event, action, or omission whatsoever, including, without limitation, any action taken or omitted to be taken with respect to the Loan Documents, the Guaranteed Obligations, or the security and collateral therefor, whether contemplated or uncontemplated, whether or not such action or omission prejudices Guarantor or increases the likelihood that Guarantor will be required to pay the Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to the terms hereof, and whether or not otherwise or particularly described herein. The obligation of Guarantor hereunder shall be deemed satisfied only upon the full and final payment and satisfaction of the Guaranteed Obligations.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
To induce Lender to enter into the Loan Documents and extend credit to Borrower, Guarantor represents and warrants to Lender as follows:
3.1 Benefit. Guarantor is an Affiliate of Borrower, is the owner of a direct or indirect interest in Borrower, and has received, or will receive, direct or indirect benefit from the making of this Guaranty with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations.
3.2 Familiarity and Reliance. Guarantor is familiar with, and has independently reviewed books and records regarding, the financial condition of Borrower and is familiar with the value of any and all collateral intended to be created as security for the payment of the Note or Guaranteed Obligations; however, Guarantor is not relying on such financial condition or the collateral as an inducement to enter into this Guaranty.
3.3 No Representation By Lender. Neither Lender nor any other party has made any representation, warranty or statement to Guarantor in order to induce the Guarantor to execute this Guaranty.
3.4 Guarantors Financial Condition.
(a) As of the date hereof, and after giving effect to this Guaranty and the contingent obligation evidenced hereby, Guarantor is, and intends to remain, solvent, and has
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and intends to maintain assets which, fairly valued, exceed its obligations, liabilities (including contingent liabilities) and debts, and has and intends to maintain property and assets sufficient to satisfy and repay its obligations and liabilities.
(b) Guarantor shall, at all times while the Debt remains unsatisfied, maintain a net worth of not less than $20,000,000.00. For the purposes hereof, Guarantors net worth and liquidity shall be determined by Lender in its reasonable discretion, at any time and from time to time, and Guarantors net worth shall exclude any equity attributable to the Property but shall include the value of the investment units of Guarantor that may be exchanged for cash.
3.5 Legality. The execution, delivery and performance by Guarantor of this Guaranty and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder do not, and will not, contravene or conflict with any law, statute or regulation whatsoever to which Guarantor is subject or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default) under, or result in the breach of, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, charge, lien, or any contract, agreement or other instrument to which Guarantor is a party or which may be applicable to Guarantor. This Guaranty is a legal and binding obligation of Guarantor and is enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws of general application relating to the enforcement of creditors rights. Guarantor has been duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing with requisite power and authority to (a) transact the businesses in which it is now engaged, (b) execute and delivery this Guaranty and (c) perform the Guaranteed Obligations of Borrower. Guarantor is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where it is required to be so qualified in connection with its businesses and operations, including without limitation, in its state of formation or organization, as applicable and Guarantor has paid in full all franchise taxes that may be payable to the state of its formation or organization, as applicable.
3.6 Taxes. Guarantor has filed all federal, state, county, municipal, and city income and other tax returns required to have been filed by it and has paid all taxes and related liabilities which have become due pursuant to such returns or pursuant to any assessments received by it. Guarantor has no knowledge of any basis for any additional assessment in respect of any such taxes and related liabilities for prior years.
3.7 Survival. All representations and warranties made by Guarantor herein shall survive the execution hereof.
ARTICLE IV
SUBORDINATION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS
4.1 Subordination of All Guarantor Claims. As used herein, the term Guarantor Claims shall mean all debts and liabilities of Borrower to Guarantor, whether such debts and liabilities now exist or are hereafter incurred or arise, or whether the obligations of Borrower thereon be direct, contingent, primary, secondary, several, joint and several, or otherwise, and irrespective of whether such debts or liabilities be evidenced by note, contract, open account, or otherwise, and irrespective of the Person in whose favor such debts or liabilities may, at their inception, have been, or may hereafter be created, or the manner in which they have
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been or may hereafter be acquired by Guarantor. The Guarantor Claims shall include without limitation all rights and claims of Guarantor against Borrower (arising as a result of subrogation or otherwise) as a result of Guarantors payment of all or a portion of the Guaranteed Obligations. Until payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations, Guarantor shall not receive or collect, directly or indirectly, from Borrower or any other party any amount upon the Guarantor Claims.
4.2 Claims in Bankruptcy. In the event of receivership, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, debtors relief, or other insolvency proceedings involving Guarantor as debtor, Lender, until the Guaranteed Obligations are repaid in full, shall have the right to prove its claim in any such proceeding so as to establish its rights hereunder and receive directly from the receiver, trustee or other court custodian dividends and payments which would otherwise be payable upon Guarantor Claims. Guarantor hereby assigns such dividends and payments to Lender. Should Lender receive, for application upon the Guaranteed Obligations, any such dividend or payment which is otherwise payable to Guarantor, and which, as between Borrower and Guarantor, shall constitute a credit upon the Guarantor Claims, then upon payment to Lender in full of the Guaranteed Obligations, Guarantor shall become subrogated to the rights of Lender to the extent that such payments to Lender on the Guarantor Claims have contributed toward the liquidation of the Guaranteed Obligations, and such subrogation shall be with respect to that proportion of the Guaranteed Obligations which would have been unpaid if Lender had not received dividends or payments upon the Guarantor Claims.
4.3 Payments Held in Trust. In the event that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Guaranty, Guarantor should receive any funds, payment, claim or distribution which is prohibited by this Guaranty, Guarantor agrees to hold in trust for Lender an amount equal to the amount of all funds, payments, claims or distributions so received, and agrees that it shall have absolutely no dominion over the amount of such funds, payments, claims or distributions so received except to pay them promptly to Lender, and Guarantor covenants promptly to pay the same to Lender.
4.4 Liens Subordinate. Guarantor agrees that any liens, security interests, judgment liens, charges or other encumbrances upon Borrowers assets securing payment of the Guarantor Claims shall be and remain inferior and subordinate to any liens, security interests, judgment liens, charges or other encumbrances upon Borrowers assets securing payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, regardless of whether such encumbrances in favor of Guarantor or Lender presently exist or are hereafter created or attach. Until the payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations, without the prior written consent of Lender, neither Guarantor nor any of its Affiliates shall (a) exercise or enforce any creditors right it may have against Borrower (b) create any Liens encumbering the Property, Borrower or any interest in either of the foregoing, other than Permitted Encumbrances, or (c) foreclose, repossess, sequester or otherwise take steps or institute any action or proceedings (judicial or otherwise, including without limitation the commencement of, or joinder in, any liquidation, bankruptcy, rearrangement, debtors relief or insolvency proceeding) to enforce any liens, mortgages, deeds of trust, security interests, collateral rights, judgments or other encumbrances on assets of Borrower held by Guarantor.
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ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 Waiver. No failure to exercise, and no delay in exercising, on the part of Lender, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. The rights of Lender hereunder shall be in addition to all other rights provided by law. No modification or waiver of any provision of this Guaranty, nor consent to departure therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing and no such consent or waiver shall extend beyond the particular case and purpose involved. No notice or demand given in any case shall constitute a waiver of the right to take other action in the same, similar or other instances without such notice or demand.
5.2 Notices. Any notice, demand, statement, request or consent made hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be received by the addressee on the third day following the day such notice is deposited with the United States Postal Service first class certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the address, as set forth below, of the party to whom such notice is to be given, or to such other address as either party shall in like manner designate in writing. The addresses of the parties hereto are as follows:
Guarantor:
City Office REIT, Inc.
1075 West Georgia Street, Suite 2600
Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3C9, Canada
Attention: Jamie Farrar
Facsimile No.: 604 ###-###-####
with a copy to:
Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, P.L.C
101 North Main Street, 7th Floor
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Attention: Joseph M. Fazio, Esq.
Facsimile No.: 734 ###-###-####
Lender:
Security Benefit Life Insurance Company
One Security Benefit Place
Topeka, Kansas 66636
Attention: Investment Accounting Department
Facsimile No.: 785 ###-###-####
with a copy to:
Security Benefit Life Insurance Company
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c/o Guggenheim Commercial Real Estate Finance, LLC
3414 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 975
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Attention: Eugene Ansley, Jr.
Facsimile No.: 404 ###-###-####
and to:
Venable LLP
1270 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
Attention: Michael Peskowitz, Esq.
Facsimile No.: 212 ###-###-####
5.3 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Service of Process. (a) THIS GUARANTY WAS NEGOTIATED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AND MADE BY GUARANTOR AND ACCEPTED BY LENDER IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AND THE PROCEEDS OF THE NOTE WERE DISBURSED FROM THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WHICH STATE THE PARTIES AGREE HAS A SUBSTANTIAL RELATIONSHIP TO THE PARTIES AND TO THE UNDERLYING TRANSACTION RELATED HERETO, AND IN ALL RESPECTS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, MATTERS OF CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY AND PERFORMANCE, THIS GUARANTY AND THE OBLIGATIONS ARISING HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE (WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS) AND ANY APPLICABLE LAW OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, GUARANTOR HEREBY UNCONDITIONALLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY CLAIM TO ASSERT THAT THE LAW OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION GOVERNS THIS GUARANTY AND/OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, AND THIS GUARANTY AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK PURSUANT TO SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW.
(b) ANY LEGAL SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST LENDER OR GUARANTOR ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY MAY, AT LENDERS OPTION, BE INSTITUTED IN ANY FEDERAL OR STATE COURT IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NEW YORK, PURSUANT TO SECTION 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW, AND GUARANTOR WAIVES ANY OBJECTIONS WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE BASED ON VENUE AND/OR FORUM NON CONVENIENS OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, AND GUARANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING. GUARANTOR DOES HEREBY DESIGNATE AND APPOINT:
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C T CORPORATE SYSTEM
111 EIGHTH AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10011
AS ITS AUTHORIZED AGENT TO RECEIVE ON ITS BEHALF SERVICE OF ANY AND ALL PROCESS WHICH MAY BE SERVED IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY FEDERAL OR STATE COURT IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK, AND GUARANTOR AGREES THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON SAID AGENT AT SAID ADDRESS AND WRITTEN NOTICE OF SAID SERVICE MAILED OR DELIVERED TO GUARANTOR IN THE MANNER PROVIDED HEREIN SHALL BE DEEMED IN EVERY RESPECT EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON GUARANTOR IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. GUARANTOR (I) SHALL GIVE PROMPT NOTICE TO LENDER OF ANY CHANGED ADDRESS OF ITS AUTHORIZED AGENT HEREUNDER, (II) MAY AT ANY TIME AND FROM TIME TO TIME DESIGNATE A SUBSTITUTE AUTHORIZED AGENT WITH AN OFFICE IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK (WHICH SUBSTITUTE AGENT AND OFFICE SHALL BE DESIGNATED AS THE PERSON AND ADDRESS FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS AND WHICH SUBSITUTE AGENT SHALL BE THE SAME AGENT DESIGNATED BY BORROWER UNDER THE LOAN AGREEMENT), AND (III) SHALL PROMPTLY DESIGNATE SUCH A SUBSTITUTE IF ITS AUTHORIZED AGENT CEASES TO HAVE AN OFFICE IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK OR IS DISSOLVED WITHOUT LEAVING A SUCCESSOR. NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF LENDER TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST GUARANTOR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
5.4 Invalid Provisions. If any provision of this Guaranty is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the term of this Guaranty, such provision shall be fully severable and this Guaranty shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of this Guaranty, and the remaining provisions of this Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Guaranty, unless such continued effectiveness of this Guaranty, as modified, would be contrary to the basic understandings and intentions of the parties as expressed herein.
5.5 Amendments. This Guaranty may be amended only by an instrument in writing executed by an authorized representative of the Lender and the party against whom such amendment is sought to be enforced.
5.6 Parties Bound; Assignment; Joint and Several. This Guaranty shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns and legal representatives; provided, however, that Guarantor may not, without the prior written consent of Lender, assign any of its rights, powers, duties or obligations hereunder. If Guarantor consists of more than one person or party, the obligations and liabilities of each such person or party shall be joint and several. Lender has the right to sell, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of its rights, obligations and/or interest in the Loan and the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, this Guaranty, pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Loan Agreement.
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5.7 Headings. Section headings are for convenience of reference only and shall in no way affect the interpretation of this Guaranty.
5.8 Recitals. The recital and introductory paragraphs hereof are a part hereof, form a basis for this Guaranty and shall be considered prima facie evidence of the facts and documents referred to therein.
5.9 Counterparts. To facilitate execution, this Guaranty may be executed in as many counterparts as may be convenient or required. It shall not be necessary that the signature of, or on behalf of, each party, or that the signature of all Persons required to bind any party, appear on each counterpart. All counterparts shall collectively constitute a single instrument. It shall not be necessary in making proof of this Guaranty to produce or account for more than a single counterpart containing the respective signatures of, or on behalf of, each of the parties hereto. Any signature page to any counterpart may be detached from such counterpart without impairing the legal effect of the signatures thereon and thereafter attached to another counterpart identical thereto except having attached to it additional signature pages.
5.10 Rights and Remedies. If Guarantor becomes liable for any indebtedness owing by Borrower to Lender, by endorsement or otherwise, other than under this Guaranty, such liability shall not be in any manner impaired or affected hereby and the rights of Lender hereunder shall be cumulative of any and all other rights that Lender may ever have against Guarantor. The exercise by Lender of any right or remedy hereunder or under any other instrument, or at law or in equity, shall not preclude the concurrent or subsequent exercise of any other right or remedy.
5.11 Other Defined Terms. Any capitalized term utilized herein shall have the meaning as specified in the Loan Agreement, unless such term is otherwise specifically defined herein.
5.12 Entirety. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 1.2 HEREOF AND SECTION 9.4 OF THE LOAN AGREEMENT, THIS GUARANTY EMBODIES THE FINAL AND ENTIRE AGREEMENT OF GUARANTOR AND LENDER WITH RESPECT TO GUARANTORS GUARANTY OF THE GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS AND SUPERSEDES ANY AND ALL PRIOR COMMITMENTS, AGREEMENTS, REPRESENTATIONS, AND UNDERSTANDINGS, WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL, RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF. THIS GUARANTY IS INTENDED BY GUARANTOR AND LENDER AS A FINAL AND COMPLETE EXPRESSION OF THE TERMS OF THIS GUARANTY, AND NO COURSE OF DEALING BETWEEN GUARANTOR AND LENDER, NO COURSE OF PERFORMANCE, NO TRADE PRACTICES, AND NO EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OR DISCUSSIONS OR OTHER EXTRINSIC EVIDENCE OF ANY NATURE SHALL BE USED TO CONTRADICT, VARY, SUPPLEMENT OR MODIFY ANY TERM OF THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT. THERE ARE NO ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN GUARANTOR AND LENDER.
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5.13 Waiver of Right To Trial By Jury. GUARANTOR HEREBY AGREES NOT TO ELECT A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY ISSUE TRIABLE OF RIGHT BY JURY, AND WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY FULLY TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY SUCH RIGHT SHALL NOW OR HEREAFTER EXIST WITH REGARD TO THIS GUARANTY, THE NOTE, THE LOAN AGREEMENT, THE MORTGAGE, OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, OR ANY CLAIM, COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHER ACTION ARISING IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. THIS WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IS GIVEN KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY BY GUARANTOR, AND IS INTENDED TO ENCOMPASS INDIVIDUALLY EACH INSTANCE AND EACH ISSUE AS TO WHICH THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY WOULD OTHERWISE ACCRUE. LENDER IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO FILE A COPY OF THIS PARAGRAPH IN ANY PROCEEDING AS CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF THIS WAIVER BY GUARANTOR.
5.14 Reinstatement in Certain Circumstances. If at any time any payment of the principal of or interest under the Note or any other amount payable by Borrower under the Loan Documents is rescinded or must be otherwise restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of Borrower or otherwise, the Guarantors obligations hereunder with respect to such payment shall be reinstated as though such payment has been due but not made at such time.
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EXECUTED as of the day and year first above written.
GUARANTOR: | ||
CITY OFFICE REIT, INC., | ||
a Maryland corporation | ||
By: | /s/ James Farrar | |
Name: James Farrar | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer |