UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 


 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  February 10, 2017

 


 

Behringer Harvard Opportunity REIT I, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant specified in its Charter)

 


 

Maryland

 

000-51961

 

20-1862323

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

14675 Dallas Parkway, Suite 600

Dallas, Texas 75254

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (866) 655-3600

 

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o                                    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o                                    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o                                    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o                                    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 1.01.                                        Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On February 10, 2017, Behringer Harvard Opportunity REIT I, Inc. (the “Company”) terminated its relationship with its external advisor and property manager, each affiliates of Stratera Holdings, LLC (f/k/a Behringer Harvard Holdings, LLC) (“Stratera”), and engaged affiliates of the Lightstone Group (“Lightstone”) to act as its new external advisor and property manager pursuant to the agreements described below.  Information about Lightstone is included under Item 8.01 below.

 

Termination of Behringer Advisory Agreement

 

The Company entered into the Termination of Advisory Management Agreement (the “Advisory Termination Agreement”) with Behringer Harvard Opportunity Advisors I, LLC (the “Behringer Advisor”), and (solely with respect to certain sections) Stratera. The Advisory Termination Agreement, among other things, terminated the Fourth Amended and Restated Advisory Management Agreement between the Company and the Behringer Advisor entered into on May 31, 2016 (the “Behringer Advisory Agreement”) as of the close of business on February 10, 2017.

 

The Advisory Termination Agreement also provides that the Company and its affiliates are permitted to continue use of the name “Behringer Harvard” until dissolution of the Company and the Company will maintain the coverage provided to the Behringer Advisor under its current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies until the termination of the policies.  Finally, the Advisory Termination Agreement also provides that Stratera and its subsidiaries, including the Behringer Advisor, agree not to sue the Company for claims arising under or pursuant to the Behringer Advisory Agreement, except with respect to third-party claims.  In addition, any rights of the Behringer Advisor to indemnification from the Company with respect to third-party claims are preserved.

 

Termination of Behringer Management Agreement

 

The Company, Behringer Harvard Opportunity OP I, LP (the “Operating Partnership”), and several special purpose entities formed to directly own the properties in which the Company has invested (each individually an “SPE” and collectively, the “SPEs”), entered into the Termination of Property Management and Leasing Agreement (the “Property Management Termination Agreement”) with Behringer Harvard Opportunity Management Services, LLC, and Behringer Harvard Real Estate Services, LLC (collectively, the “Behringer Manager”), and (solely with respect to certain sections) Stratera.

 

The Property Management Termination Agreement, among other things, terminated the Amended and Restated Property Management and Leasing Agreement between the Company, the Operating Partnership, the SPEs, and the Manager dated as of May 31, 2016 (the “Behringer Management Agreement”) as of the close of business on February 10, 2017 with respect to the Company, the Operating Partnership, and those SPEs that own properties that do not require consent by a lender to change the property manager.  For SPEs that own properties that secure loans that require lender consent to change the property manager (the “Lender SPEs”), the termination of the Behringer Management Agreement will occur for each Lender SPE as of the close of business on the date following receipt of any required lender consent.

 

The Property Management Termination Agreement also provides that Stratera and its subsidiaries, including the Behringer Manager, agree not to sue the Company for claims arising under or pursuant to the Behringer Management Agreement, except with respect to third-party claims and certain other limited exceptions.  In addition, any rights of the Behringer Manager to indemnification from the Company with respect to third-party claims are preserved.

 

Entry into Lightstone Advisory Agreement

 

The Company and the Operating Partnership entered into an Advisory Management Agreement (the “Lighstone Advisory Agreement”) with LSG-BH I Advisor LLC (the “Lightstone Advisor”) pursuant to which the Lightstone Advisor agreed to provide advisory services to the Company.

 

The Lightstone Advisory Agreement is substantially similar to the Behringer Advisory Agreement except for the changes described below and certain other immaterial changes.  The parties have agreed to review the limits on expense reimbursements upon the following events: (i) a sale of Chase Park Plaza (ii) a sale of Frisco Square, and (iii) relief from certain SEC reporting obligations; provided that if none of these events have occurred by August 1, 2017, the parties will review the expense limits by September 1, 2017 and negotiate in good faith to reduce the limits as appropriate.  The term of the Lightstone Advisory Agreement is one year, but may be renewed for successive one-year terms upon the mutual consent of parties to the agreement.

 

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In addition, the Lightstone Advisor and its affiliates, and the directors, officers, employees, partners, members, stockholders, other equity holders, agents and representatives of the Lightstone Advisor and its affiliates, are entitled to indemnification from the Company except for acts or omissions constituting bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of their duties under the Lightstone Advisory Agreement.  Also, the Company agreed to indemnify the Lightstone Advisor for any losses incurred by the Lightstone Advisor due to any matter, act, or omission that occurred before February 10, 2017.  Finally, the Lightstone Advisor agreed to indemnify the Company from losses incurred as a result of the Lightstone Advisor’s bad faith, fraud, misfeasance, willful misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its duties under the Lightstone Advisory Agreement.

 

Entry into Lightstone Property Management Agreement

 

The Company, the Operating Partnership, and the SPEs entered into the Property Management and Leasing Agreement (the “Lightstone Property Management Agreement”) with LSG-BH I Property Manager LLC (the “Lightstone Manager”).  Under the Lightstone Property Management Agreement, the Lightstone Manager agreed to provide property management and leasing services to the Company, the Operating Partnership, and the SPEs.  The Lightstone Property Management Agreement is effective immediately for the Company, the Operating Partnership, and all SPEs other than the Lender SPEs.  For the Lender SPEs, the Lightstone Property Management Agreement will be effective for each Lender SPE as of the date following receipt or waiver of any required lender consent.

 

The Lightstone Property Management Agreement is substantially similar to the terminated Behringer Management Agreement except for the changes described below and certain immaterial changes.  The term of the agreement is five years, subject to successive five-year renewal periods unless notice of termination is provided on or before 90 days prior to the expiration date.  Under the Lightstone Property Management Agreement, the Manager must use commercially reasonable efforts to perform its duties.

 

In addition, the Lightstone Manager and its affiliates, and the directors, officers, employees, managers, stockholders, agents and representatives of the Lightstone Manager and its affiliates, are entitled to indemnification and in certain places the standard for indemnification has been reduced from misconduct and negligence to willful misconduct and gross negligence.  In addition, the Company agreed to indemnify the Lightstone Manager for any losses incurred by the Lightstone Manager for any matter, act, or omission that occurred before February 10, 2017.  Finally, the Lightstone Manager agreed to indemnify the Company from losses incurred due to the Lightstone Manager’s willful misconduct, gross negligence or unlawful acts.

 

Item 1.02                                           Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement

 

The information in this Report set forth under Item 1.01 regarding the termination of the Behringer Advisory Agreement and the Behringer Management Agreement is incorporated by reference.

 

Item 8.01                                           Other Events.

 

Lightstone, which is majority-owned and controlled by David Lichtenstein, is one of the largest private residential and commercial real estate owners and operators in the United States today. As of February 15, 2017, Lightstone directly or indirectly advises or has equity interest in a diversified portfolio of over 120 properties containing approximately 10,000 multifamily units, 0.3 million square feet of office space, 1.5 million square feet of industrial space, 31 hotels and 4.6 million square feet of retail space. These residential, office, industrial, hospitality and retail properties are located in 26 states.  Lightstone is based in New York and supported by a regional office in New Jersey. Lightstone employs approximately 397 staff and professionals. Lightstone has experience in the areas of investment selection, underwriting, due diligence, development, portfolio management, asset management, property management, leasing, disposition, finance, accounting and investor relations. In addition, Lightstone, along with its affiliates, has been one of the largest developers of outlet shopping centers in the United States over the last 10 years, having owned, managed and developed 25 outlet centers totaling more than 8.0 million leasable square feet, and is an active residential developer in New York City.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

BEHRINGER HARVARD OPPORTUNITY REIT I, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Dated: February 16, 2017

By:

/s/ Terri Warren Reynolds

 

 

Terri Warren Reynolds

 

 

Senior Vice President — Legal, General Counsel, & Secretary

 

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