CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT WORLD KITCHEN PROPERTY

EX-10.1 2 dex101.htm CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT Contribution Agreement

Exhibit 10.1

CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

WORLD KITCHEN PROPERTY

THIS CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of June 4, 2010 by and among The GC Net Lease REIT Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), Will Partners REIT, LLC (the “OP Sub”), Will Partners, LLC, Will Partners Investor 1, LLC, Will Partners Investor 2, LLC, Will Partners Investor 3, LLC (each of Will Partners Investor 1, LLC, Will Partners Investor 2, LLC and Will Partners Investor 3, LLC shall be referred to herein as a “Contributor” and, collectively with Will Partners, LLC, as the “Contributors”), Will Partners Member 1, LLC, PLM&B, Inc. and Westridge Partners (each of Will Partners Member 1, LLC, PLM&B, Inc. and Westridge Partners shall be referred to herein as a “Unit Recipient” and, collectively with Will Partners, LLC, as the “Unit Recipients”) (Will Partners, LLC shall be referred to herein as both a “Contributor” and a “Unit Recipient” and, collectively with the other such entities, as the “Contributors” and the “Unit Recipients”).

WHEREAS, the Operating Partnership is considering engaging in various related transactions pursuant to which, among other things, the Operating Partnership would acquire that certain net leased real estate property located at 5800 Industrial Drive, Monee, Illinois 60449 (the “World Kitchen Property”);

WHEREAS, each Contributor currently owns directly and, at the Closing, will own directly the percentage undivided co-tenancy interest in the World Kitchen Property listed opposite the Contributor’s name on Exhibit A hereto (each, an “Interest” and, collectively, the “Interests”); and

WHEREAS, the Operating Partnership desires to acquire from each Contributor, and each Contributor desires to transfer to the Operating Partnership, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, all of such Contributor’s Interest in the World Kitchen Property.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and conditions set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Operating Partnership, the OP Sub, the Contributors and the Unit Recipients agree as follows:

ARTICLE I: CONTRIBUTION OF INTERESTS

1.1 Contribution of Interests. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Contributor agrees to contribute or otherwise transfer to the OP Sub (or its designee), and the OP Sub (or its designee) agrees to acquire and accept from such Contributor, on the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined), all of such Contributor’s right, title and interest in and to the Interest listed as owned by such Contributor on Exhibit A hereto.

1.2 Contributor Exchange Amount.

(a) Units Delivered at Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in exchange for the contribution of all of the Interests listed on Exhibit A as being owned by the Contributors, the Operating Partnership shall transfer to each Unit Recipient, and upon execution and delivery of an acceptance of the Partnership Agreement (as defined below) by such Unit Recipient, such Unit Recipient shall receive, at the Closing, the number of units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership (“Units”) listed opposite the Unit Recipient’s name on Exhibit B hereto, in a transaction intended to qualify for non-recognition of


gain to such Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient pursuant to Section 721 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The rights of each Unit Recipient as a holder of Units as of the Closing are set forth in the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of The GC Net Lease REIT Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Partnership Agreement”), subject to the provisions of this Agreement. With respect to the Interest in the World Kitchen Property owned by each Contributor as listed on Exhibit A hereto, each such Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient acknowledge and agree that receipt by such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient of the Units in exchange for such Interest shall constitute receipt of fair value (which aggregate value for all of the Interests has been determined by the parties to be $8,130,440, the “Agreed Value”) in exchange for such Contributor’s Interest in the World Kitchen Property as of the Closing Date, and the ratable portion of the Agreed Value, as listed next to each Unit Recipient’s name on Exhibit B hereto, deemed contributed to the OP Sub by each Contributor will be recorded on the Operating Partnership’s books and records.

(b) Distribution of Units. At the Closing, the Operating Partnership shall issue the Units to each Unit Recipient (as determined pursuant to Section 1.2(a) above). The name of each Unit Recipient and the number of Units issued to such Unit Recipient at the Closing shall be recorded in the books and records of the Operating Partnership.

(c) Admission as a Limited Partner. Upon execution and delivery of an acceptance of the Partnership Agreement by each Unit Recipient at the Closing, and subject to the completion of the Closing, including execution of such acceptance by the Operating Partnership, such Unit Recipient shall be admitted to the Operating Partnership as a limited partner of the Operating Partnership and, as such, shall be subject to, and bound by, the Partnership Agreement, including all the terms and conditions thereof, and the power of attorney granted therein, as well as the terms set forth in Section 1.3 of this Agreement that hereby modify the terms of the Partnership Agreement with respect to the Exchange Right (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) of each Unit Recipient admitted as a limited partner of the Operating Partnership pursuant to this Section 1.2(c).

1.3 Modified Exchange Right.

(a) Discounted Cash Amount for Redemption by the Operating Partnership and Discounted Cash Amount and REIT Share Amount for Purchase by the General Partner of the Operating Partnership. With respect to the Units issued to each Unit Recipient pursuant to Section 1.2(b) above, each Unit Recipient shall have the right to require the Operating Partnership to redeem all or a portion of the Units held by such Unit Recipient pursuant to Section 8.4(a) of the Partnership Agreement or may have such Units purchased by The GC Net Lease REIT, Inc. (the “REIT”), as general partner of the Operating Partnership, pursuant to Section 8.4(b) of the Partnership Agreement, provided that such Units shall have been outstanding for at least one year, at an exchange price equal ninety-two percent (92%) of the Cash Amount to which such Unit Recipient would otherwise be entitled upon a redemption of such Units by the Operating Partnership and ninety-two percent (92%) of the Cash Amount or the REIT Share Amount, as applicable, to which such Unit Recipient would otherwise be entitled upon a purchase of such Units by the REIT.

(b) Limitation on Right of the General Partner of the Operating Partnership to Purchase Units. With respect to a purchase of Units by the REIT, as general partner of the Operating Partnership, pursuant to Section 1.3(a) above and Section 8.4(b) of the Partnership Agreement, the REIT may only pay the Cash Amount (as defined in the Partnership Agreement

 

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and modified by Section 1.3(a) above) and may not purchase such Units by payment of the REIT Share Amount (as defined in the Partnership Agreement and modified by Section 1.3(a) above) prior to the listing of the REIT Shares (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) on a national securities exchange.

ARTICLE 2: REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF

CONTRIBUTORS AND UNIT RECIPIENTS

As a material inducement to the Operating Partnership and the OP Sub to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, each Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient hereby make to the Operating Partnership and the OP Sub each of the representations and warranties set forth in this Article 2, severally and jointly with respect to an individual Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient, and severally but not jointly with respect to the other Contributors and Unit Recipients, which representations and warranties are true and correct as of the date hereof.

2.1 Title to the Interests. Contributor owns, directly, and at the Closing will own directly, free and clear of any claim, lien (including tax liens), option, charge, security interest, mortgage, deed of trust, encumbrance, rights of assignment, purchase rights or other rights of any nature whatsoever of any third party (collectively, “Encumbrances”), and has or will have at the Closing full power and authority to convey free and clear of any Encumbrances, the Interest listed on Exhibit A hereto as being owned by such Contributor and, upon delivery of an assignment by Contributor conveying such Interest and consideration for such Interest as herein provided, the OP Sub (or its designee) will acquire good and valid title thereto, free and clear of any Encumbrance, in each case, except (i) Encumbrances created in favor of the Operating Partnership or OP Sub by the transactions contemplated hereby, or (ii) Encumbrances that will be extinguished with respect to such Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient at or prior to Closing, including, but not limited to the Amended and Restated Lease dated as of April 26, 2000 between Will Partners, LLC and World Kitchen, LLC, to which the World Kitchen Property is subject, which lease was partially assumed by all Contributors in addition to Will Partners, LLC on July 7, 2005 (the “Current Lease”), and the loan made on April 27, 2000 in the original amount of $18,240,000 to Will Partners, Inc., secured by a nonrecourse deed of trust in favor of LaSalle Bank National Association, as Trustee for the Registered Holders of Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc., Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2000-WF2, its successors and assigns (as successor to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association), to which the World Kitchen Property is subject, which loan was assumed by all other Contributors in addition to Will Partners, LLC on July 7, 2005 (the “Current Loan”) (collectively, “Permitted Encumbrances”).

2.2 Authority. Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient have full right, authority, power and capacity (a) to enter into this Agreement and each agreement, document and instrument to be executed and delivered by or on behalf of such Contributor or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient, respectively, pursuant to this Agreement and (b) to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and Contributor has full right, authority, power and capacity to transfer, sell and deliver all of the Interest listed on Exhibit A hereto as being owned by such Contributor to the OP Sub (or its designee) in accordance with this Agreement. This Agreement and each agreement, document and instrument executed and delivered by or on behalf of Contributor or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient pursuant to this Agreement, constitutes, or when executed and delivered will constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Contributor or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient, respectively, each enforceable in accordance with its respective terms. The execution, delivery

 

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and performance of this Agreement and each such agreement, document and instrument by or on behalf of Contributor or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient (i) does not and will not violate any foreign, federal, state, local or other laws applicable to such Contributor or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient or require such Contributor or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient to obtain any approval, consent or waiver of, or make any filing with, any person or authority (governmental or otherwise) that will not be obtained or made at or prior to the Closing, and (ii) if such Contributor or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient is not an individual, does not and will not violate such Contributor’s or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient’s partnership agreement, operating agreement or other organizational documents, (iii) does not and will not violate any term, condition or provision of, or constitute a default under, any bond, note or other evidence of indebtedness or any contract, lease or other instrument to which such Contributor or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient is a party or by which the Interest of such Contributor is bound or affected, and (iv) does not and will not result in the creation of any Encumbrance on the World Kitchen Property.

2.3 Litigation. There is no litigation or proceeding, either judicial or administrative, pending or, to Contributor’s or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient’s knowledge, threatened, affecting all or any portion of such Contributor’s Interest, the World Kitchen Property or such Contributor’s or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. There is no outstanding order, writ, injunction or decree of any court, government, governmental entity or authority or arbitration against or affecting all or any portion of Contributor’s Interest or the World Kitchen Property, which in any such case would impair such Contributor’s or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient’s ability to enter into and perform all the respective obligations of such Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient respective obligations under this Agreement.

2.4 No Agreements to Sell. Except to the extent contemplated herein, neither Contributor nor such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient are currently a party to any agreement to sell, transfer or otherwise encumber or dispose of such Contributor’s Interest.

2.5 Status as a United States Person. Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient represent and warrant that neither such Contributor nor such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient are a foreign person within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Code (“Section 1445”). Each of Contributor’s and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient’s U.S. social security number (in the case of an individual) or U.S. taxpayer identification number (in the case of an entity) that has previously been provided to Griffin Capital Corporation is correct. Each of Contributor’s and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient’s home address (in the case of an individual) or office address (in the case of an entity) is the most recent addresses previously provided to Griffin Capital Corporation. Upon request by the Operating Partnership or the OP Sub, Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient, as applicable, agree to complete and provide to the Operating Partnership or the OP Sub, as applicable prior to the Closing a certificate of non-foreign status substantially in the form provided in Section 1.1445-5(b)(3)(D) of the Treasury regulations.

2.6 No Insolvency Proceedings. No attachments, execution proceedings, assignments for the benefit of creditors, insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other proceedings are pending or, to Contributor’s or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient’s knowledge, threatened against such Contributor or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient, such Contributor’s Interest or the World Kitchen Property, nor are any such proceedings contemplated by such Contributor or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient.

 

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2.7 No Brokers. Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient represent that neither has entered into, and covenant that neither will enter into, any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or firm which will result in the obligation of the Operating Partnership or the OP Sub to pay any brokerage commission in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

2.8 Conditional Nature of Transaction. Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient acknowledge and understand that it is a condition to the obligations of the Operating Partnership and the OP Sub to close the transactions contemplated hereby that the refinancing and lease amendment more fully described in Sections 3.1(a) and (b), respectively, shall have occurred (or will occur simultaneously with the Closing), that the occurrence of the contribution of the World Kitchen Property is wholly within the sole and absolute discretion of the REIT, the Operating Partnership, the OP Sub and their affiliates, and that neither such Contributor nor such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient has a right to force the contribution of the World Kitchen Property to occur, on any terms.

2.9 Securities Law Matters; Transfer Restrictions.

(a) Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient acknowledge that the Operating Partnership intends the offer and issuance of the Units to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and applicable state securities laws by virtue of (i) the status of such Unit Recipient as an “accredited investor” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, and (ii) Regulation D promulgated under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act (“Regulation D”), and that the Operating Partnership will rely in part upon the representations and warranties made by such Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient in this Agreement in making the determination that the offer and issuance of the Units qualify for exemption under Rule 506 of Regulation D as an offer and sale only to “accredited investors.”

(b) Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of the federal securities laws.

(c) Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient will acquire the Units for his or its own account and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act. Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient does not intend or anticipate that such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient will rely on this investment as a principal source of income.

(d) Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial, tax, and business matters to enable it to evaluate the merits and risks of investment in the Units. Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient has the ability to bear the economic risk of acquiring the Units. Contributor and Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient acknowledge that (i) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement involve complex tax consequences for such Contributor and Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient, and Contributor and Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient are relying solely on the advice of such Contributor’s or Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient’s own tax advisors, as applicable, in evaluating such consequences, (ii) the Operating Partnership has not made (nor shall it be deemed to have made) any representations or warranties as to the tax consequences of such transaction to such Contributor or Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient, and (iii) references in this Agreement to the intended tax effect of the transactions contemplated hereby shall not be deemed to imply any representation by the Operating Partnership as to a particular tax effect that may be obtained by

 

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such Contributor or Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient. Contributor and Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient remain solely responsible for all tax matters relating to such Contributor and Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient, respectively.

(e) Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient has been supplied with, or had access to, information to which a reasonable investor would attach significance in making an investment decision to acquire the Units and any other information such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient has requested. Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient has had an opportunity to ask questions of, and receive information and answers from, the Operating Partnership, the OP Sub and the REIT concerning the Operating Partnership, the REIT, the Units, the contribution of the World Kitchen Property and the REIT common shares into which the Units may be redeemed, and to assess and evaluate any information supplied to such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient by the Operating Partnership, the OP Sub or the REIT, and all such questions have been answered, and all such information has been provided to the full satisfaction of such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient.

(f) Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient acknowledges that such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient is aware that there are substantial restrictions on the transferability of the Units and that the Units will not be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient has no right to require that they be so registered. Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient agrees that any Units it acquires will not be sold in the absence of registration unless such sale is exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient acknowledges that such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient shall be responsible for compliance with all conditions on transfer imposed by any securities authority and for any expenses incurred by the Operating Partnership for legal or accounting services in connection with reviewing such a proposed transfer or issuing opinions in connection therewith.

(g) Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient understands that no federal agency (including the Securities and Exchange Commission) or state agency has made or will make any finding or determination as to the fairness of an investment in the Units (including, as to Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient, the Agreed Value determined pursuant to Section 1.2(a)).

(h) Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient understands that there is no established public, private or other market for the Units acquired by such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient hereunder and it is not anticipated that there will be any public, private or other market for such Units in the foreseeable future.

(i) Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient understands that Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act is not currently available with respect to the sale of Units.

2.10 Reliance. Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient acknowledge that Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient understand the meaning and legal consequences of the representations and warranties in this Article 2, and that the Operating Partnership and the OP Sub may rely upon such representations and warranties in determining whether to enter into this Agreement. Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Operating Partnership, the OP Sub, the REIT, and the officers, directors and affiliates thereof, and any employees or agents of any of the foregoing, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage or expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all expenses, including attorneys’ fees, reasonably incurred

 

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in investigating, preparing or defending against any claim or litigation commenced or threatened) due to or arising out of a breach of any such representations or warranties.

2.11 Nature of Contribution. Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient acknowledge that, due to the nature of the transactions contemplated hereby, upon Closing, Contributor will make a contribution to a partnership, the Operating Partnership, pursuant to Section 721 of the Internal Revenue Code; therefore, Contributor will no longer be able to rely upon Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code for tax treatment of Contributor’s Interest subsequent to the Closing.

2.12 No Legal Representation. Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient acknowledge that the legal counsel representing the Operating Partnership, the OP Sub, the REIT and their affiliates does not represent, and will not be deemed under the applicable codes of professional responsibility to have represented or to be representing, any or all of the Contributors and Unit Recipients. Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient acknowledge that, due to the complex nature of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Operating Partnership has encouraged such Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient to consult their own legal, financial and tax advisors.

ARTICLE 3: CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

3.1 Conditions to the Obligations of the Operating Partnership and the OP Sub to Close. The obligations of the Operating Partnership and the OP Sub to consummate the Closing with respect to each Contributor’s Interest is subject to the fulfillment, at or prior to the Closing, of the following conditions (unless such conditions are waived in writing by the Operating Partnership):

(a) Refinancing of the Current Loan. At or prior to the Closing, the Current Loan shall be refinanced on terms acceptable to the Operating Partnership in its sole discretion.

(b) Amendment to the Current Lease. At or prior to the Closing, the Current Lease shall be amended on terms acceptable to the Operating Partnership in its sole discretion.

(c) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties made by such Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient pursuant to this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects when made, and on and as of the Closing Date, as though such representations and warranties were made on the Closing Date.

(d) Performance. Such Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient shall have performed and complied with all agreements and covenants that such Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient are required to perform or comply with pursuant to this Agreement prior to the Closing.

(e) Legal Proceedings. No action or proceeding by or before any governmental authority shall have been instituted that is reasonably expected to restrain, prohibit or invalidate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, other than an action or proceeding instituted by such Contributor or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient.

(f) Consents and Approvals. All necessary consents of governmental and private parties to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (as they relate to such Contributor or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient) shall have been obtained.

 

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(g) Reliance on Regulation D. The Operating Partnership shall, based on advice of its counsel, be reasonably satisfied that the issuance and the contemplated distribution of Units to such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient may be made without registration under the Securities Act in reliance upon Regulation D.

3.2 Conditions to the Obligations of Each Contributor and Such Contributor’s Respective Unit Recipient to Close. The obligations of each Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient to consummate the Closing are subject to the fulfillment, at or prior to the Closing, of the following conditions (unless such conditions are waived in writing by such Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient):

(a) Performance. The Operating Partnership and the OP Sub shall have performed and complied with all agreements and covenants (as they relate to such Contributor or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient) that the Operating Partnership or the OP Sub are required to perform or comply with pursuant to this Agreement prior to the Closing.

(b) Tax Protection Agreement. The REIT, the Operating Partnership, the Contributors and the Unit Recipients shall have entered into that certain Tax Protection Agreement evidencing their agreement regarding amounts that may be payable to the Unit Recipients as a result of certain actions being taken by the Operating Partnership relating to the disposition of the World Kitchen Property.

(c) Legal Proceedings. No action or proceeding by or before any governmental authority shall have been instituted that is reasonably expected to restrain, prohibit or invalidate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (as they relate to such Contributor or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient), other than an action or proceeding instituted by the Operating Partnership; provided, that the foregoing condition shall be deemed to have been satisfied if the Operating Partnership shall have fully indemnified such Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient from any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense arising out of such Contributor’s and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient’s proceeding to close under this Agreement in the face of any such action or proceeding.

(d) Consents and Approvals. All necessary consents of governmental and private parties to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (as they relate to such Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient), including, without limitation, consents of any other members or partners of any of the selling entities or lenders, shall have been obtained; provided, that the foregoing condition shall be deemed to have been satisfied if the Operating Partnership shall have fully indemnified such Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient from any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense arising out of such Contributor’s and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient’s proceeding to close under this Agreement without having obtained a necessary consent.

ARTICLE 4: CLOSING

4.1 Closing. The closing hereunder (the “Closing”) shall occur, at the election of the Operating Partnership, and which date and location the Operating Partnership shall designate in writing to each Contributor and Unit Recipient at least one business day prior to such date, provided that the conditions for the Closing as set forth in Article 3 hereof applicable to the transaction with such Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient shall have occurred (or have been waived by the party that benefits from such conditions), and this

 

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Agreement shall not have been terminated as to such Contributor pursuant to Article 5 hereof. The date on which a Closing occurs is referred to herein as the “Closing Date.”

4.2 Closing Deliveries by Each Contributor and Such Contributor’s Unit Recipient. At the Closing, each Contributor or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient, as applicable, shall execute and deliver to the Operating Partnership or the OP Sub, as applicable, the following:

(a) a duly executed Assignment Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (“Assignment Agreement”), pursuant to which such Contributor shall convey to the OP Sub (or its designee) title to such Contributor’s Interest in the World Kitchen Property, free and clear of Encumbrances, except Permitted Encumbrances;

(b) a duly executed grant deed, limited warranty deed or other appropriate transfer document conveying title to the OP Sub.

(c) a duly executed acceptance of the Partnership Agreement executed by such Unit Recipient;

(d) a duly executed signature page to the Tax Protection Agreement executed by such Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient; and

(e) such documents and certificates as the Operating Partnership or the OP Sub may reasonably request (i) to establish the authority of the parties executing any documents in connection with the Closing, or (ii) to reflect the parties’ intentions regarding the transfer of the Interests.

4.3 Closing Deliveries by the Operating Partnership. At the Closing, the Operating Partnership shall execute and deliver to each Unit Recipient the following:

(a) a certificate evidencing ownership of the applicable number of Units calculated in accordance with Section 1.2(a) hereof;

(b) a duly executed acceptance of the Partnership Agreement; and

(c) a duly executed signature page to the Tax Protection Agreement.

ARTICLE 5: TERMINATION

5.1 Termination by the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time prior to the Closing following the occurrence of either of the following events:

(a) as to any Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient, the determination that any representation or warranty of such Contributor or such Contributor’s Unit Recipient contained herein is no longer true or correct, and that such representation or warranty cannot reasonably be expected to be true and correct at the Closing; or

(b) as to all the Contributors and Unit Recipients, at any time for any reason.

5.2 Effect of Termination. Upon the termination of this Agreement as to a Contributor and such Contributor’s Unit Recipient pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, neither the

 

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Operating Partnership, the OP Sub, such Contributor nor such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient shall have any liability to any other party hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, or as a result of the termination of this Agreement; provided, that the foregoing shall not relieve the Operating Partnership, the OP Sub, such Contributor or such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient of any liability as a result of a breach of any of the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the termination of this Agreement as to any one or more Contributor and such Contributor’s respective Unit Recipient shall not affect the effectiveness or continuing validity of this Agreement as to all other Contributors and Unit Recipients, and this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect as to all such other Contributors and Unit Recipients unless terminated as to such other Contributors and Unit Recipients in accordance with Section 5.1 hereof.

ARTICLE 6: COVENANTS AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

6.1 Consent to Transfer of Other Contributors’ Interests. Each Contributor hereby consents to the transfer of the Interests of the other Contributors in the World Kitchen Property to the OP Sub (or its designee), and waives any rights under that certain Tenants in Common Agreement dated January 8, 2005 by and among the Contributors, and related documents, in connection therewith or in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, any restrictions on transfer, buy/sell rights, rights of appraisal, piggyback rights or rights of first offer or first refusal and any notice requirements in connection therewith or otherwise.

6.2 Further Assurances. Each Contributor and Unit Recipient shall execute and deliver to the Operating Partnership or the OP Sub, as applicable, all such other and further instruments and documents and take or cause to be taken all such other and further actions as the Operating Partnership or the OP Sub, as applicable, may reasonably request in order to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including instruments or documents deemed necessary or desirable by the Operating Partnership or the OP Sub to effect and evidence the conveyance of the Interests in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 7: MISCELLANEOUS

7.1 Amendment; Waiver. Any amendment hereto shall be effective only if signed by all parties hereto. No waiver of any provisions of this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought.

7.2 Entire Agreement; Counterparts; Applicable Law. This Agreement shall (a) constitute the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, (b) may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument, and (c) shall be governed in all respects, including validity, interpretation and effect, by the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflict of law provisions thereof.

7.3 Assignability. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall be enforceable by and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement may not be assigned (except by operation of law) by any party without the prior written consent of the other parties, and any attempted assignment without such consent shall be void and of no effect; provided, further, however, that the Operating Partnership or the OP Sub may assign this Agreement and any

 

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agreement contemplated hereunder or thereunder to a respective subsidiary, or to any entity into which the Operating Partnership or the OP Sub, as applicable, is reorganized, or to the REIT, without the consent of the Contributors or the Unit Recipients.

7.4 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof, is for any reason held to any extent to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement and application of such provision to other persons or circumstances will be interpreted so as reasonably to effect the intent of the parties hereto. The parties further agree to replace such void or unenforceable provision of this Agreement with a valid and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of the void or unenforceable provision and to execute any amendment, consent or agreement deemed necessary or desirable by the Operating Partnership or the OP Sub to effect such replacement.

7.5 Equitable Remedies. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement was not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any federal or state court located in the State of California (as to which the parties agree to submit to jurisdiction for the purposes of such action), this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

7.6 Attorneys’ Fees. In connection with any litigation or a court proceeding arising out of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover all costs incurred, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and legal assistants’ fees and costs whether incurred prior to trial, at trial, or on appeal.

7.7 Survival. It is the express intention and agreement of the parties hereto that the representations, warranties and covenants of the Contributors and the Unit Recipients set forth in this Agreement shall survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

7.8 Time of the Essence. Time is of the essence with respect to each Contributor’s and Unit Recipient’s obligations under this Agreement.

[Signature pages to follow.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has executed and delivered this Agreement, or caused the Agreement to be duly executed and delivered on its behalf, as of the date first set forth above.

 

THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP:
The GC Net Lease REIT Operating Partnership, L.P.
By:   The GC Net Lease REIT, Inc., Its General Partner
By:   /s/ Kevin A. Shields
  Kevin A. Shields, President
THE OP SUB:
Will Partners REIT, LLC
By:   The GC Net Lease REIT Operating Partnership, L.P.,
Its Sole Member
By:   The GC Net Lease REIT, Inc., Its General Partner
By:   /s/ Kevin A. Shields
  Kevin A. Shields, President
THE CONTRIBUTORS:
Will Partners, LLC
By:   Will Acquisitions, Inc., Its Managing Member
By:   /s/ Kevin A. Shields
  Kevin A. Shields, President
Will Partners Investor 1, LLC
By:   Will Partners Member 1, LLC, Its Sole Member
By:   /s/ LaVerne Wilkening
  LaVerne Wilkening, Member
By:   /s/ Mary Lou Wilkening
  Mary Lou Wilkening, Member
Will Partners Investor 2, LLC
By:   PLM&B, Inc., Its Sole Member
By:   /s/ LaVerne Wilkening
  LaVerne Wilkening, President

 

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Will Partners Investor 3, LLC
By:   Westridge Partners, Its Sole Member
By:   MNK Corp.
By:   /s/ David Gellerman
  David Gellerman, President
THE UNIT RECIPIENTS:
Will Partners, LLC
By:   Will Acquisitions, Inc., Its Managing Member
By:   /s/ Kevin A. Shields
  Kevin A. Shields, President
Will Partners Member 1, LLC
By:   /s/ LaVerne Wilkening
  LaVerne Wilkening, Member
By:   /s/ Mary Lou Wilkening
  Mary Lou Wilkening, Member
PLM&B, Inc.
By:   /s/ LaVerne Wilkening
  LaVerne Wilkening, President
Westridge Partners
By:   MNK Corp.
By:   /s/ David Gellerman
  David Gellerman, President

 

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