Prospectus excerpt: We are offering 5,000,000 shares of our 7.125% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, which we refer to in this prospectus supplement as the Series A Preferred Stock. We will pay cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock from the date of original issue at a rate of 7.125% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share (equivalent to an annual rate of $1.78125 per share). Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock will be payable quarterly in arrears on or about the last day of February, May, August and November of each year, beginning on May 31, 2013. This is our original issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock, and we have no other preferred stock outstanding. With respect to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, the Series A Preferred Stock will rank on parity with any other class or series of our subsequently issued stock expressly designated as ranking on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock and senior to our common stock, $0.01 par value per share, which we refer to in this prospectus supplement as our common stock.
Generally, we are not allowed to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock prior to March 21, 2018, except in limited circumstances to preserve our status as a real estate investment trust (ÙREITˆ) and pursuant to the special optional redemption provision described below. On or after March 21, 2018, we may, at our option, redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends on such Series A Preferred Stock up to, but not including, the redemption date. In addition, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined herein) we may, at our option, redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred, by paying $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the date of redemption. If we exercise any of our redemption rights relating to the Series A Preferred Stock, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock will not have the conversion right described below. The Series A Preferred Stock has no stated maturity and is not subject to mandatory redemption or any sinking fund. Holders of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock will generally have no voting rights except for limited voting rights if we fail to pay dividends for six or more quarterly periods (whether or not consecutive) and in certain other circumstances.