Behringer Harvard Opportunity REIT I,Inc. (OTCMKTS:BHOR) Files An 8-K Entry into a Material Definitive AgreementItem 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 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 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 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”) 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.