As filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration Statement No. 333-157794

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated March 9, 2009)

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 
Title of each class of securities to be registered
  Amount to be
registered

  Maximum
offering price
per share

  Maximum
aggregate
offering price

  Amount of
registration fee

 
   

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share

    23,000,000 (1) $ 50.00   $ 1,150,000,000   $ 64,170.00 (2)

 

 

(1)
Includes 3,000,000 shares that the underwriters may purchase to cover overallotments, if any.

(2)
Calculated in accordance with Rule 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act of 1933.

Table of Contents

P R OS P E C T U S  S U P P L E M E N T
(To Prospectus dated March 9, 2009)

20,000,000 Shares

GRAPHIC

Simon Property Group, Inc.

Common Stock



        We are offering for sale 20,000,000 shares of our common stock to be sold in this offering. We will receive all of the net proceeds from the sale of such common stock.

        Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under the symbol "SPG." On May 6, 2009, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE was $54.84 per share.

        Investing in our common stock involves risks that are described in the "Risk Factors" section beginning on page S-3 of this prospectus supplement and on page 8 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.



 
 
Per Share
 
Total
 
Public offering price     $50.00     $1,000,000,000  
Underwriting discount     $1.625     $32,500,000  
Proceeds, before expenses, to us     $48.375     $967,500,000  

        The underwriters may purchase up to an additional 3,000,000 shares of common stock from us at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement to cover any overallotments.

        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

        The shares will be ready for delivery on or about May 12, 2009.



Joint Book-Running Managers

Merrill Lynch & Co.   J.P.Morgan   Morgan Stanley



Joint Lead Managers

Citi   Credit Suisse



Senior Co-Managers

ABN AMRO Incorporated   Calyon Securities (USA) Inc.   Daiwa Securities America Inc.
ING Wholesale   PNC Capital Markets LLC   Piper Jaffray   Scotia Capital



Co-Managers

Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.   Stifel Nicolaus   SunTrust Robinson Humphrey



The date of this prospectus supplement is May 7, 2009.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

 


 

Page

 

About This Prospectus Supplement

    S-2  

Who We Are

    S-2  

Risk Factors

    S-3  

Use of Proceeds

    S-4  

Price Range of Common Stock

    S-5  

Dividend Policy

    S-5  

Description of Common Stock

    S-6  

Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations

    S-6  

Underwriting

    S-7  

Legal Matters

    S-12  

Experts

    S-12  

Prospectus

 

 


 

Page

 

About This Prospectus

    2  

Where You Can Find More Information

    2  

Who We Are

    3  

Use of Proceeds

    3  

Description of Securities Being Offered

    4  

Important Provisions of Our Governing Documents and Delaware Law

    12  

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

    14  

Federal Income Tax Considerations

    16  

Legal Matters

    34  

Experts

    34  

Disclosure of Commission Position on Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities

    34  

Forward-Looking Statements May Prove Inaccurate

    34  

Incorporation of Information We File with the SEC

    35  



        You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any free writing prospectus required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any such free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

        We provide information to you about our common stock in two separate documents that offer varying levels of detail:

        Generally, when we refer to "this prospectus," we are referring to both documents combined. If information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on this prospectus supplement.


WHO WE ARE

        Simon Property Group, Inc. owns, develops and manages retail real estate properties, primarily regional malls, Premium Outlet® centers, The Mills® and community/lifestyle shopping centers. We have elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for United States federal income tax purposes. We own our properties and conduct our business activities through our majority-owned subsidiary, Simon Property Group, L.P., or the Operating Partnership.

        The core of our business originated with the shopping center businesses of Melvin Simon, Herbert Simon, David Simon and other members and associates of the Simon family. We have grown significantly by acquiring properties and merging with other real estate companies, including our 1996 merger with DeBartolo Realty Corporation, our 1998 combination with Corporate Property Investors, Inc., our 2004 acquisition of Chelsea Property Group, Inc. and our 2007 acquisition of a 50% interest in the joint venture that acquired The Mills Corporation, or Mills.

        As of March 31, 2009, we owned or held an interest in 324 income-producing properties in the United States, which consisted of 179 regional malls, 40 Premium Outlet centers, 16 The Mills, 74 community/lifestyle centers, and 15 other shopping centers or outlet centers in 41 states and Puerto Rico. In addition, we own interests in four parcels of land in the United States held for future development. In the United States, we have one new property currently under development with approximately 400,000 square feet of gross leasable area, which will open during 2009. Internationally as of March 31, 2009, we had ownership interests in 52 European shopping centers (France, Italy and Poland); seven Premium Outlet centers in Japan; one Premium Outlet center in Mexico; one Premium Outlet center in South Korea; and one shopping center in China. Also, through joint venture arrangements we have ownership interests in the following properties under development internationally: a 24% interest in two shopping centers in Italy, a 40% interest in a Premium Outlet Center in Japan, and a 32.5% interest in three additional shopping centers under construction in China.

        Our predecessor was organized as a Massachusetts business trust in 1971 and reorganized as a Delaware corporation on March 10, 1998. Our principal executive offices are located at 225 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. Our telephone number is (317) 636-1600. Our Internet website address is www.simon.com. The information in our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

        If you want to find more information about us, please see the sections entitled "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Incorporation of Information We File with the SEC" in the accompanying prospectus.

        In this prospectus supplement, unless the context otherwise requires, "we," "us" and "our" refer to Simon Property Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. "Simon Property" refers specifically to Simon Property Group, Inc. only and the "Operating Partnership" refers specifically to our majority-owned subsidiary, Simon Property Group, L.P.

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RISK FACTORS

        Your investment in our common stock involves certain risks. In consultation with your own financial and legal advisors, you should carefully consider, among other matters, the factors set forth below as well as the risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement) before deciding whether an investment in the common stock is suitable for you.

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.

        The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to many factors, including:

        Many of the factors listed above are beyond our control. These factors may cause the market price of our common stock to decline, regardless of our financial performance and condition and prospects. It is impossible to provide any assurance that the market price of our common stock will not fall in the future, and it may be difficult for holders to resell shares of our common stock at prices they find attractive, or at all.

This offering is expected to be dilutive, and there may be future dilution of our common shares.

        Giving effect to the issuance of common stock in this offering, the receipt of the expected net proceeds and the use of those proceeds, we expect that this offering will have a dilutive effect on our expected earnings per share and funds from operations per share for the year ending December 31, 2009. Additional sales (whether directly by us or in the secondary market) or issuances of our common stock or the perception that such additional sales or issuances could occur could, in turn, adversely affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to raise capital through future offerings of equity or equity-related securities.

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Changes to our dividend policy for 2009 may have adverse tax consequences for stockholders and an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

        On May 1, 2009, we announced a dividend on our common stock of $0.60 per share, consisting of a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, payable on June 19, 2009 to stockholders of record on May 14, 2009. In accordance with the provisions of IRS Revenue Procedure 2009-15, common stockholders may elect to receive payment of the dividend all in cash or all in common stock. To the extent that cash elections are made for more than 20% of the aggregate amount of such dividend, the cash portion will be prorated. Stockholders who elect to receive the dividend in cash will receive a cash payment of at least $0.12 per share. Stockholders who do not make an election will receive the dividend 20% in cash and 80% in common stock.

        Taxable U.S. stockholders will be required to pay tax on the entire amount of the dividend, including the common stock component. Such stockholders may be required to pay the tax using cash from other sources. If a U.S. stockholder sells the common stock it receives as a dividend in order to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of the common stock at the time of sale. Furthermore, with respect to non-U.S. stockholders, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such dividend, including in respect of all or a portion of the dividend payable in common stock. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations" in this prospectus supplement. In addition, sales of common stock in order to pay taxes owed on dividends could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

        On May 1, 2009, we also announced that our board of directors decided that the 2009 annual common stock dividend would be reduced to the minimum amount required to distribute 100% of our taxable income. While this decision reflects our current expectation, the decision to declare and pay dividends on our common stock in the future, as well as the timing, amount and composition of any such future dividends, will be at the sole discretion of our board of directors and will depend on various factors. See "Dividend Policy" herein. These decisions, including the decisions to pay dividends partly in stock and to limit dividends to our taxable income, may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

Provisions in our charter and by-laws could prevent a change of control.

        Our charter contains a general restriction on the accumulation of shares in excess of 8% of the capital stock. The charter permits the members of the Simon family and related persons to own up to 18%. Ownership is determined by the lower of the number of outstanding shares, voting power or value controlled. Our board of directors may, by majority vote, permit exceptions to those levels in circumstances where the board determines our ability to qualify as a REIT will not be jeopardized. These restrictions on ownership may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders. Other provisions of our charter and by-laws could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control even if some stockholders deem such a change to be in their best interests. These include provisions preventing holders of our common stock from acting by written consent and requiring that up to four directors in the aggregate may be elected by holders of Class B common stock.


USE OF PROCEEDS

        We expect to receive net proceeds from the sale of our common stock, after deducting the underwriting discount and expenses payable by us, of approximately $967.3 million (approximately $1,112.4 million if the underwriters' overallotment option is exercised in full). We intend to contribute the net proceeds from the sale of our common stock in exchange for an equal number of units issued by the Operating Partnership, increasing our ownership of the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership will use the proceeds for general corporate purposes.

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PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

        Our common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol "SPG." The table below sets forth for the periods indicated the high and low sales prices for our common stock as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape for such periods and the dividends paid per share with respect to each period:

 
  Price range    
 
 
  High   Low   Dividends  

2009

                   
 

First Quarter

  $ 54.24   $ 24.27   $ 0.90 (1)
 

Second Quarter (through May 6, 2009)

    54.99     32.56   $ 0.60 (2)

2008

                   
 

First Quarter

  $ 96.67   $ 74.80   $ 0.90  
 

Second Quarter

    106.11     89.24     0.90  
 

Third Quarter

    106.43     79.93     0.90  
 

Fourth Quarter

    95.97     33.78     0.90  

2007

                   
 

First Quarter

  $ 123.96   $ 98.50   $ 0.84  
 

Second Quarter

    118.25     91.12     0.84  
 

Third Quarter

    103.00     82.60     0.84  
 

Fourth Quarter

    109.00     85.49     0.84  


DIVIDEND POLICY

        To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we are required each year to distribute to stockholders at least 90% of our net taxable income after certain adjustments. On March 18, 2009, we paid a quarterly dividend of $0.90 per share of common stock in a combination of cash and shares of common stock, with the cash limited to 10% of the total dividend. Based on stockholder elections, the dividend consisted of approximately $20.8 million in cash and approximately 5.5 million shares of common stock. Our second quarterly dividend of 2009 of $0.60 per share of common stock is payable in a combination of cash and shares of common stock, and the cash component of the total dividend will not exceed 20% in the aggregate of such dividend. On May 1, 2009, we announced that our board of directors decided that the 2009 annual common stock dividend would be reduced to the minimum amount required to distribute 100% of our taxable income. While this decision reflects our current expectation, the decision to declare and pay dividends on our common stock in the future, as well as the timing, amount and composition of future dividends, will be determined in the sole discretion of our board of directors and will depend on actual and projected cash flow, financial condition, funds from operations, earnings, capital requirements, the annual REIT distribution requirements, contractual prohibitions or other restrictions, applicable law and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant. Paying all or a portion of the 2009 dividend in a combination of cash and common stock would allow us to satisfy our REIT taxable income distribution requirement under existing IRS revenue procedures, while enhancing our financial flexibility and balance sheet strength.

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

        A summary of the terms and provisions of our common stock is contained in "Description of Securities Being Offered" in the accompanying prospectus.


CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

        For a discussion of material federal income tax consequences applicable to distributions to stockholders and our election to be taxed as a REIT, see "Federal Income Tax Considerations" in the accompanying prospectus.

Dividend Payments

        The IRS recently issued guidance regarding the tax treatment of stock distributions paid by a REIT. Under that guidance a REIT may pay up to 90% of a distribution in common stock. To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we are required each year to distribute to stockholders at least 90% of our net taxable income after certain adjustments. We paid our first quarterly dividend in 2009 in a combination of cash and shares of common stock, with the cash limited to 10% of the total dividend. Our second quarterly dividend in 2009 will also be paid in a combination of cash and shares of common stock, and the cash component of the total dividend will not exceed 20% in the aggregate of such dividend. Future dividends are determined in the discretion of our board of directors and depend on actual and projected cash flow, financial condition, funds from operations, earnings, capital requirements, the annual REIT distribution requirements, contractual prohibitions or other restrictions, applicable law and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant. No determination has been made as to whether our remaining 2009 dividends will be paid in a similar combination of cash and common stock. Paying all or a portion of the 2009 dividend in a combination of cash and common stock would allow us to satisfy our REIT taxable income distribution requirement under existing IRS revenue procedures, while enhancing our financial flexibility and balance sheet strength.

        Provided that the distribution satisfies certain criteria, a U.S. holder generally must include the sum of the value of the common stock and the amount of cash received in its gross income as dividend income to the extent that such holder's share of the distribution is made out of its share of the portion of our current and accumulated earnings and profits allocable to such distribution. The value of any common stock received as part of a distribution generally is equal to the amount of cash that could have been received instead of the common stock. Depending on the circumstances of the holder, the tax on the distribution may exceed the amount of the distribution received in cash, in which case such U.S. holder would have to pay the tax using cash from other sources. If a U.S. holder sells the stock it receives as a dividend in order to pay this tax and the sales proceeds are less than the amount required to be included in income with respect to the dividend, such holder could have a capital loss with respect to the stock sale that could not be used to offset such dividend income. Furthermore, with respect to non-U.S. holders, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such dividend, including the portion that is payable in stock. A holder that receives common stock pursuant to a distribution generally has a tax basis in such common stock equal to the amount of cash that could have been received instead of such common stock as described above, and a holding period in such common stock that begins on the day following the payment date for the distribution.

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UNDERWRITING

        We intend to offer the shares of common stock through the underwriters. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated are acting as the representatives of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions described in an underwriting agreement among us and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and the underwriters severally have agreed to purchase from us, the number of shares listed opposite their names below.

 
 
Underwriter
 
Number
of Shares
 
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
                      Incorporated
    4,357,500  
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.      4,357,500  
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated     3,557,500  
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.      1,507,500  
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC     1,507,500  
ABN AMRO Incorporated     550,000  
Calyon Securities (USA) Inc.      550,000  
Daiwa Securities America Inc.      550,000  
ING Financial Markets LLC     550,000  
PNC Capital Markets LLC     550,000  
Piper Jaffray & Co.      550,000  
Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.      550,000  
Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.      287,500  
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated     287,500  
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.      287,500  
           
    Total     20,000,000  
           

        The underwriters have agreed to purchase all of the shares sold under the underwriting agreement if any of these shares are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

        We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

        The underwriters are offering the shares, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officer's certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

Commissions and Discounts

        The representatives have advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the shares to the public at the initial public offering price on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $.97 per share. The underwriters may allow, and the dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of $.10 per share to other dealers. After the initial public offering, the public offering price, concession and discount may be changed.

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        The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds, before expenses, to us. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their overallotment option.

 
 
Per Share
 
Without Option
 
With Option
 

Public offering price

    $50.00     $1,000,000,000     $1,150,000,000  

Underwriting discount

    $1.625     $32,500,000     $37,375,000  

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

    $48.375     $967,500,000     $1,112,625,000  

        The expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting discount, are estimated at $200,000 and are payable by us.

Overallotment Option

        We have granted an option to the underwriters to purchase up to 3,000,000 additional shares at the initial public offering price on the cover page of this prospectus supplement less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise this option for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement solely to cover any overallotments. If the underwriters exercise this option, each will be obligated, subject to conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, to purchase a number of additional shares proportionate to that underwriter's initial amount reflected in the above table.

No Sales of Similar Securities

        Each of our executive officers and directors has agreed not to issue, offer, sell, contract to sell, hypothecate, pledge, sell or grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise dispose of, or contract to dispose of, any shares of common stock, any securities of ours substantially similar to the common stock or any securities of ours or the Operating Partnership that are convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of common stock or such similar securities, or enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of the ownership of common stock for a period of 60 days after the date of this prospectus supplement without the prior written consent of the representatives of the underwriters. This consent may be given at any time without public notice. The foregoing is subject to certain exceptions, including certain transactions between Simon family members and sales by executive officers and directors not to exceed 500,000 shares of our common stock in the aggregate during such 60-day period. We have entered into a similar agreement with the underwriters, except that without the consent of the representatives of the underwriters, we may issue, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of, or grant options for, shares of any class of our common stock or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, shares of any class of our common stock (i) in connection with the exercise of the underwriters' overallotment option described above, (ii) pursuant to any benefit plan, dividend reinvestment plan or 10b5-1 plan we have in effect as of the date of this prospectus supplement, and (iii) pursuant to any warrants, stock options or other convertible or exchangeable securities or units outstanding as of the date of this prospectus supplement.

New York Stock Exchange Listing

        The shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SPG."

Price Stabilization and Short Positions

        Until the distribution of the shares is completed, the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission may limit underwriters and selling group members from bidding for and purchasing our common stock. However, the representatives may engage in transactions that stabilize the price of the common stock, such as bids or purchases to peg, fix or maintain that price.

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        If the underwriters create a short position in the common stock in connection with this offering, i.e., if they sell more shares than are listed on the cover of this prospectus supplement, the representatives may reduce that short position by purchasing shares in the open market. The representatives may also elect to reduce any short position by exercising all or part of the overallotment option described above. Purchases of our common stock to stabilize its price or to reduce a short position may cause the price of our common stock to be higher than it might be in the absence of such purchases.

        Neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation that the representatives will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Electronic Distribution

        In connection with the offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may distribute this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by electronic means, such as e-mail. Certain of the underwriters may facilitate internet distribution for this offering to certain of their respective internet subscription customers. In addition, certain of the underwriters may allocate a limited number of shares for sale to their respective online brokerage customers. An electronic prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus will be made available on the internet website maintained by any such underwriter. Other than this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in electronic format, the information on any such internet website is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

Other Relationships

        Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us. They have received customary fees and commissions for these transactions. Affiliates of the underwriters are lenders under various financing arrangements extended to our affiliates, including a $3.5 billion unsecured credit facility (which matures on January 11, 2010 and may be extended one year at our option, assuming there is no default) and a $735.0 million secured term loan maturing on March 5, 2012.

Selling Restrictions

        No action has been taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of the shares of common stock, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other material relating to us or the shares where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the shares may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and neither this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus nor any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the shares may be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction except in compliance with any applicable rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.

        Each of the underwriters may arrange to sell the shares offered hereby in certain jurisdictions outside the United States, either directly or through affiliates, where they are permitted to do so.

European Economic Area/United Kingdom

        In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area ("EEA") which has implemented the Prospectus Directive, as defined below (each, a "Relevant Member State"), an offer

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to the public of any shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement may not be made in that Relevant Member State, except that an offer to the public in that Relevant Member State of any of the shares may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:

provided that no such offer of the shares shall result in a requirement for the publication by us or any underwriter of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

        Any person making or intending to make any offer within the EEA of the shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this prospectus supplement should only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for us or any of the underwriters to produce a prospectus for such offer. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized, or will authorize, the making of any offer of the shares through any financial intermediary, other than offers made by the underwriters which constitute the final offering of the shares contemplated in this prospectus supplement.

        For the purposes of this provision and the buyer's representation below, the expression "an offer to the public" in relation to the shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase the shares, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and the expression "Prospectus Directive" means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.

        Each person in a Relevant Member State who receives any communication in respect of, or who acquires any of the shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement under, the offers contemplated in this prospectus supplement will be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed to and with each underwriter and us that:

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Hong Kong

        Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus has been approved by or registered with the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong or the Registrar of Companies of Hong Kong. No person may offer or sell in Hong Kong, by means of any document, the shares other than: (a) to "professional investors," as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus," as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. No person may issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors," as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance.

Japan

        The shares have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law, as amended (the "FIEL"). This document is not an offer of securities for sale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or entity organized under the laws of Japan) or to others for reoffer or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements under the FIEL and otherwise in compliance with such law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Singapore

        This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the Securities and Futures Act). Accordingly, the shares may not be offered or sold or made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase nor may this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale or invitation for subscription or purchase of the shares be circulated or distributed, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (a) to an institutional investor pursuant to Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, (b) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the Securities and Futures Act, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the Securities and Futures Act, or (c) pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the Securities and Futures Act.

        Each of the following relevant persons specified in Section 275 of the Securities and Futures Act who has subscribed for or purchased the shares, namely a person who is:

should note that shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries' rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for six months after that

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corporation or that trust has acquired the shares under Section 275 of the Securities and Futures Act except:

The Netherlands

        Each underwriter has represented, warranted and agreed that the offer in The Netherlands of the shares of common stock included in this offering is exclusively limited to persons who trade or invest in securities in the conduct of a profession or business (which include banks, stockbrokers, insurance companies, pension funds, other institutional investors and finance companies and treasury departments of large enterprises).

Dubai International Financial Centre

        This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate to an exempt offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority, or the DFSA. It is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in those rules. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with exempt offers. The DFSA has not approved this document nor taken steps to verify the information set out in it, and has no responsibility for it. The shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, you should consult an authorized financial adviser.


LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the shares of common stock being offered and the United States Federal income tax consequences of an investment in the shares have been passed upon for us by Baker & Daniels LLP, Indianapolis, Indiana. Sidley Austin LLP, New York, New York, will pass upon certain legal matters for the underwriters with respect to this offering.


EXPERTS

        Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements and schedule included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 1, 2009, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Our financial statements and schedule are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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PROSPECTUS

GRAPHIC

SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, INC.

Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Depositary Shares



        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under a "shelf" registration or continuous offering process. We may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. We may offer the securities separately or together, in separate series or classes and in amounts, at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus and other offering material.

        This prospectus may also be used to offer securities to be issued to limited partners of Simon Property Group, L.P. in exchange for partnership interests or to cover the resale of securities by one or more selling security holders.

        We or any selling security holder may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis.

        This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities. The specific terms of any securities to be offered, and any other information relating to a specific offering, will be set forth in a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, in a supplement to this prospectus, in other offering material related to the securities or may be set forth in one or more documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

        Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SPG."

        You should read carefully both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or other offering material before you invest. This prospectus may be used to offer and sell securities only if accompanied by a prospectus supplement.



        THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND STATE SECURITIES REGULATORS HAVE NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED WHETHER THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.



The date of this prospectus is March 9, 2009


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities offered by us. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement and any other offering material may also add to, update or change information contained in the prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus and, accordingly, to the extent inconsistent, information in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus is superseded by the information in the prospectus supplement and any other offering material related to such securities.

        We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, our securities only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of securities.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Our SEC filings are also available over the Internet at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file by visiting the SEC's public reference room in Washington, D.C. The SEC's address in Washington, D.C. is 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference room. You may also inspect our SEC reports and other information at the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

        We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC covering the securities that may be sold under this prospectus. For further information on us and the securities being offered, you should refer to our registration statement and its exhibits. This prospectus summarizes material provisions of contracts and other documents that we refer you to. Because the prospectus may not contain all the information that you may find important, you should review the full text of these documents. We have included copies of these documents as exhibits to our registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

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WHO WE ARE

        Simon Property Group, Inc. owns, develops and manages retail real estate properties, primarily regional malls, Premium Outlet® centers, The Mills® and community/lifestyle shopping centers. We have elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for United States federal income tax purposes. We own our properties and conduct our business activities through our majority-owned subsidiary, Simon Property Group, L.P., or the Operating Partnership.

        The core of our business originated with the shopping center businesses of Melvin Simon, Herbert Simon, David Simon and other members and associates of the Simon family. We have grown significantly by acquiring properties and merging with other real estate companies, including our 1996 merger with DeBartolo Realty Corporation, our 1998 combination with Corporate Property Investors, Inc., our 2004 acquisition of Chelsea Property Group, Inc. and our 2007 acquisition of a 50% interest in the joint venture that acquired The Mills Corporation, or Mills.

        As of December 31, 2008, we owned or held an interest in 324 income-producing properties in the United States, which consisted of 164 regional malls, 16 additional regional malls acquired in the Mills acquisition, 40 Premium Outlet centers, 16 The Mills, 74 community/lifestyle centers, and 14 other shopping centers or outlet centers in 41 states and Puerto Rico. In addition, we also own interests in four parcels of land in the United States held for future development. Internationally as of December 31, 2008, we have ownership interests in 52 European shopping centers (France, Italy and Poland); seven Premium Outlet centers in Japan; one Premium Outlet center in Mexico; one Premium Outlet center in South Korea; and one shopping center in China. Also, through joint venture arrangements we have ownership interests in the following properties under development internationally: a 24% interest in two shopping centers in Italy, a 40% interest in a Premium Outlet Center in Japan, and a 32.5% interest in three additional shopping centers under construction in China.

        Our predecessor was organized as a Massachusetts business trust in 1971 and reorganized as a Delaware corporation on March 10, 1998. Our principal executive offices are located at 225 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. Our telephone number is (317) 636-1600. Our Internet website address is www.simon.com. The information in our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

        If you want to find more information about us, please see the sections entitled "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Incorporation of Information We File with the SEC" in this prospectus.

        In this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, "we," "us" and "our" refer to Simon Property Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. "Simon Property" refers specifically to Simon Property Group, Inc. only and the "Operating Partnership" refers specifically to our majority-owned subsidiary, Simon Property Group, L.P.


USE OF PROCEEDS

        We expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes, unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a specific offering. Our general corporate purposes may include repaying debt, financing capital commitments and financing future acquisitions. If we decide to use the net proceeds from an offering in some other way, we will describe the use of the net proceeds in the prospectus supplement for that offering.

        If a prospectus supplement includes an offering of securities by selling security holders, we will not receive any proceeds from such sales.

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES BEING OFFERED

Authorized Stock

        We have the authority to issue 750,000,000 shares of capital stock, par value $0.0001 per share, consisting of the following:

        During 2008, all 4,000 shares of Class C common stock were converted into shares of common stock. As a result, the rights and privileges previously held by the holders of the Class C common stock have been relinquished.

Description of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock

        Terms of Common Stock.    As of December 31, 2008, there were 231,311,644 shares of common stock outstanding, which excludes the outstanding shares of Class B common stock described below and the shares of common stock held in treasury. The holders of shares of common stock:

        The shares of common stock currently outstanding are, and the shares to be sold from time to time in one offering or a series of offerings pursuant to this prospectus will be, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock.

        Terms of Class B Common Stock.    As of December 31, 2008, we had 8,000 shares of Class B common stock outstanding. Holders of Class B common stock:

        If we are liquidated, each outstanding share of common stock and Class B common stock, including shares of Excess Common Stock, if any, will be entitled to participate pro rata in the assets remaining after payment of, or adequate provision for, all of our known debts and liabilities, subject to

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the right of the holders of preferred stock, including any excess preferred stock into which shares such series has been converted, to receive preferential distributions.

        All outstanding shares of Class B common stock are held in a voting trust of which Melvin, Herbert and David Simon are the voting trustees. The holders of Class B common stock are entitled to elect four of our directors. However, they will be entitled to elect only two directors if the aggregate equity interest they own in us, including common stock, Class B common stock and units of limited partnership interest of the Operating Partnership considered on an as-converted basis, decreases to less than 50% of their aggregate ownership interest as of August 9, 1996.

        Shares of Class B common stock may be converted at the holder's option into an equal number of shares of common stock. If the aggregate equity interest of the Simon family in us on a fully diluted basis has been reduced to less than 5%, the outstanding shares of Class B common stock convert automatically into an equal number of shares of common stock. Shares of Class B common stock also convert automatically into an equal number of shares of common stock upon the sale or transfer thereof to a person not affiliated with the Simon family. Holders of shares of common stock and Class B common stock have no sinking fund rights, redemption rights or preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities.

        Under our charter, effective as of the 2009 annual meeting of stockholders and thereafter, so long as any shares of Class B common stock are outstanding, the number of members of the board of directors shall be nine. Under the charter, at least a majority of the directors shall be independent directors. The charter further provides that, subject to any separate rights of holders of Preferred Stock or as described below, any vacancies on the board of directors resulting from death, disability, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office, or other cause of a director shall be filled by a vote of the stockholders or a majority of the directors then in office provided that any vacancy relating to a director elected by the Class B common stock is to be filled by the holders of the Class B common stock.

        The charter provides that, subject to the right of holders of any class or series separately entitled to elect one or more directors, if any such right has been granted, directors may be removed with or without cause upon the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all the then outstanding shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

        Transfer Agent.    BNY Mellon Shareowner Services is the transfer agent for our common stock.

Preferred Stock

        Designated Series.    Of the 100,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, the following series have been designated:

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        For each series other than the three series of variable rate preferred stock, a series of excess preferred stock with the same number of shares and identical economic rights was also authorized.

        As of December 31, 2008, the number of shares of each outstanding series of preferred stock was: 7,590,264 shares of Series I Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock and 796,948 shares of Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock.

        Future Series.    This section is only a summary of the preferred stock that we may offer. We urge you to read carefully our charter and the designation we will file in relation to an issue of any particular series of preferred stock before you buy any preferred stock. This section describes the general terms and provisions of the preferred stock we may offer by this prospectus. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the series of the preferred stock then offered, and the terms and provisions described in this section will apply only to the extent not superceded by the terms of the applicable prospectus supplement.

        We are authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Our board of directors may issue from time to time shares of preferred stock in one or more series and with the relative powers, rights and preferences and for the consideration our board of directors may determine.

        Our board of directors may, without further action of the shareholders, determine and set forth in a designation to the following for each series of preferred stock:

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        Depending on the rights prescribed for a series of preferred stock, the issuance of preferred stock could have an adverse effect on the voting power of the holders of common stock and could adversely affect holders of common stock by delaying or preventing a change in control of us, making removal of our present management more difficult or imposing restrictions upon the payment of dividends and other distributions to the holders of common stock.

        The preferred stock, when issued, will be fully paid and non-assessable. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, the preferred stock will have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional securities which may be issued by us in the future. The transfer agent and registrar for the preferred stock will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Warrants

        General.    This section describes the general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the warrants then offered, and the terms and provisions described in this section will apply only to the extent not superceded by the terms of the applicable prospectus supplement.

        We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock or preferred stock. Warrants may be issued alone or together with common stock or preferred stock offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from those securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under warrant agreements between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, which will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not act as an agent or trustee for any holders or beneficial holders of warrants.

        This section summarizes the general terms and provisions of the forms of warrant agreements and warrant certificates. Because this is only a summary, it does not contain all of the details found in the full text of the warrant agreements and the warrant certificates. We urge you to read the applicable form of warrant agreement and the form of warrant certificate that we will file in relation to an issue of any warrants.

        If warrants for the purchase of common stock or preferred stock are offered, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of those warrants, including the following if applicable:

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        Unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, warrants will be in registered form only. Until any warrants to purchase preferred stock or common stock are exercised, holders of the warrants will not have any rights of holders of the underlying preferred stock or common stock, including any right to receive dividends or to exercise any voting rights.

        A holder of warrant certificates may:

        Exercise of Warrants.    Each holder of a warrant is entitled to purchase the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock at the exercise price described in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the day when the right to exercise terminates, or a later date if we extend the time for exercise, unexercised warrants will become void.

        Unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, a holder of warrants may exercise them by following the general procedure outlined below:

        If you comply with the procedures described above, your warrants will be considered to have been exercised when the warrant agent receives payment of the exercise price. After you have completed those procedures, we will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver to you preferred stock or common stock that you purchased upon exercise. If you exercise fewer than all of the warrants represented by a warrant certificate, a new warrant certificate will be issued to you for the unexercised amount of warrants. Holders of warrants will be required to pay any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with transferring the underlying securities in connection with the exercise of the warrants.

        Amendments and Supplements to Warrant Agreements.    Unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, the following describes generally the provisions relating to amending and supplementing the warrant agreements.

        We may amend or supplement a warrant agreement without the consent of the holders of the applicable warrants if the changes are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and do not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants. We and the warrant agent may also modify or amend a warrant agreement and the terms of the warrants if a majority of the then outstanding unexercised warrants affected by the modification or amendment consent. However, no modification or amendment that accelerates the expiration date, increases the exercise price, reduces the majority consent requirement for any modification or amendment or otherwise materially adversely affects the rights of the holders of the warrants may be made without the consent of each holder affected by the modification or amendment.

        Warrant Adjustments.    The warrant certificate and the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the events requiring adjustment to the warrant exercise price or the number or principal amount of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrant.

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Depositary Shares

        General.    We may issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest of a share of a particular series of preferred stock, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Shares of preferred stock of each series represented by the depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement between us, the depositary named therein and the holders of the depositary receipts. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each depositary receipt owner will be entitled, in proportion to the fractional interest of a share of a particular series of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipt, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented thereby.

        Depositary receipts issued pursuant to the applicable deposit agreement will evidence the depositary shares. Immediately following our issuance and delivery of the preferred stock to the depositary, we will cause the depositary to issue, on our behalf, the depositary receipts. Upon request, we will provide you with copies of the applicable form of deposit agreement and depositary receipt.

        Dividends and Other Distributions.    The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the preferred stock to the record holders of depositary receipts evidencing the related depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary receipts owned by the holders.

        If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts entitled thereto. If the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to the holders.

        Withdrawal of Stock.    Upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary, unless the related depositary shares have previously been called for redemption, the holders thereof will be entitled to delivery, to or upon such holders' order, of the number of whole or fractional shares of the preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipts. Holders of depositary receipts will be entitled to receive whole or fractional shares of the related preferred stock on the basis of the proportion of preferred stock represented by each depositary share as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Thereafter, holders of such shares of preferred stock will not be entitled to receive depositary shares for the preferred stock. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to the holder a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares.

        Redemption of Depositary Shares.    Provided we shall have paid in full to the depositary the redemption price of the preferred stock to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the redemption date, whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing shares of the preferred stock so redeemed. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the redemption price and any other amounts per share payable with respect to the preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional depositary shares, pro rata, or by any other equitable method we determine.

        From and after the date fixed for redemption, all dividends in respect of the shares of preferred stock so called for redemption will cease to accrue, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares so called for redemption will cease, except the right to receive any moneys payable upon such redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of such

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depositary receipts were entitled to receive upon such redemption upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts representing the depositary shares.

        Voting of the Preferred Stock.    Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares that represent such preferred stock. Each record holder of depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock, will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of preferred stock represented by such holder's depositary shares. The depositary will vote the amount of preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will agree to take all reasonable action that may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. If the depositary does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary receipts evidencing such depositary shares, it will abstain from voting the amount of preferred stock represented by such depositary shares. The depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instruction to vote, or for the manner or effect of any such vote made, as long as any such action or non-action is in good faith and does not result from the depositary's negligence or willful misconduct.

        Liquidation Preference.    Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of each depositary receipt will be entitled to the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share evidenced by such depositary receipt, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Conversion of Preferred Stock.    Except with respect to certain conversions in connection with the preservation of our REIT status, the depositary shares are not convertible into our common stock or any other of our securities or property. Nevertheless, if the applicable prospectus supplement so specifies, the holders of the depositary receipts may surrender their depositary receipts to the depositary with written instructions to the depositary to instruct us to cause conversion of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts into whole shares of common stock, other shares of our preferred stock or other shares of our capital stock, and we have agreed that upon receipt of such instructions and any amounts payable in respect thereof, we will cause the conversion of the depositary shares utilizing the same procedures as those provided for delivery of preferred stock to effect such conversion. If the depositary shares evidenced by a depositary receipt are to be converted in part only, the depositary will issue a new depositary receipt for any depositary shares not to be converted. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued upon conversion, and if such conversion will result in a fractional share being issued, we will pay an amount in cash equal to the value of the fractional interest based upon the closing price of the common stock on the last business day prior to the conversion.

        Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement.    By agreement, we and the depositary at any time can amend the form of depositary receipt and any provision of the deposit agreement. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary receipts or that would be materially and adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to holders of the related preferred stock will be effective only if the existing holders of at least two-thirds of the depositary shares have approved the amendment. No amendment shall impair the right, subject to certain exceptions in the deposit agreement, of any holder of depositary receipts to surrender any depositary receipt with instructions to deliver to the holder the related preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented thereby, except in order to comply with law. Every holder of an outstanding depositary receipt at the time an amendment becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold the depositary receipt, to consent and agree to the amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended thereby.

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        Upon 30 days' prior written notice to the depositary, we may terminate the deposit agreement if (a) such termination is necessary to preserve our status as a REIT or (b) a majority of each series of preferred stock affected by such termination consents to such termination. Upon the termination of the deposit agreement, the depositary shall deliver or make available to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by such holder, such number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock as are represented by the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipts together with any other property held by the depositary with respect to the depositary receipt. If the deposit agreement is terminated to preserve our status as a REIT, then we will use our best efforts to list the preferred stock issued upon surrender of the related depositary shares on a national securities exchange.

        The deposit agreement will automatically terminate if (a) all outstanding depositary shares shall have been redeemed, (b) there shall have been a final distribution in respect of the related preferred stock in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up and such distribution shall have been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares representing such preferred stock or (c) each share of the related preferred stock shall have been converted into our capital stock not so represented by depositary shares.

        Charges of Depositary.    We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the deposit agreement. In addition, we will pay the fees and expenses of the depositary in connection with the performance of its duties under the deposit agreement. However, holders of depositary receipts will pay certain other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges. The holders will also pay the fees and expenses of the depositary for any duties, outside of those expressly provided for in the deposit agreement, the holders request to be performed.

        Resignation and Removal of Depositary.    The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so. We may at any time remove the depositary, any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary. A successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of $50,000,000 or more.

        Miscellaneous.    The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts any reports and communications from us which are received by the depositary with respect to the related preferred stock.

        We and the depositary will not be liable if either of us is prevented from or delayed in, by law or any circumstances beyond its control, performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations and the depositary's obligations under the deposit agreement will be limited to performing the duties thereunder in good faith and without negligence, in the case of any action or inaction in the voting of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares, gross negligence or willful misconduct. If satisfactory indemnity is furnished, we and the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary receipts, depositary shares or shares of preferred stock represented thereby. We and the depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons presenting shares of preferred stock represented by depositary receipts for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed in good faith to be competent to give such information, and on documents believed in good faith to be genuine and signed by a proper party.

        In the event the depositary shall receive conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holders of depositary receipts, on the one hand, and us, on the other hand, the depositary shall be entitled to act on our claims, requests or instructions.

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IMPORTANT PROVISIONS OF OUR GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND DELAWARE LAW

Partnership Agreement

        The limited partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership contains voting requirements that limit the possibility that we will be acquired or undergo a change in control, even if some of our stockholders believe that a change would be in our and their best interests. Specifically, the partnership agreement provides that we must have the approval of the holders of a majority of the units of limited partnership interest held by limited partners in order to:

Delaware Law and Certain Charter and By-law Provisions

        Our charter and by-laws and certain provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law may have an anti-takeover effect. These provisions may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder would consider in its best interest. This includes an attempt that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by stockholders. These provisions are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. They are also expected to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging takeover proposals because, among other things, negotiation of takeover proposals might result in an improvement of their terms.

        Delaware Anti-Takeover Law.    We are a Delaware corporation and are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a public Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with an "interested stockholder" for three years after the time at which the person became an interested stockholder unless:

For these purposes, the term "business combination" includes mergers, asset sales and other similar transactions with an "interested stockholder." "Interested stockholder" means a person who, together with its affiliates and associates, owns, or under certain circumstances has owned within the prior three years, more than 15% of the outstanding voting stock. Although Section 203 permits a corporation to elect not to be governed by its provisions, we have not made this election.

        Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder Proposals.    Our by-laws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholders to make nominations of candidates for election as directors or bring other business before an annual meeting of stockholders. This procedure provides that

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        In general, we must receive written notice of stockholder nominations to be made or business to be brought at an annual meeting not less than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the previous year's annual meeting, in order for the notice to be timely. The notice must contain information concerning the person or persons to be nominated or the matters to be brought before the meeting and concerning the stockholder submitting the proposal.

        The purposes of requiring stockholders to give us advance notice of nominations and other business include the following:

        Our by-laws do not give our board of directors any power to disapprove stockholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals for action. However, they may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of stockholder proposals if the proper procedures are not followed. Our by-laws may also discourage or deter a third party from soliciting proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal, without regard to whether consideration of the nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us and our stockholders.

        Director Action.    Our charter and by-laws and the Delaware General Corporation Law generally require that a majority of a quorum is necessary to approve any matter to come before the board of directors. Certain matters, including sales of property, transactions with members of the Simon family and related persons and certain affiliates and certain other matters, will also require approval of a majority of the independent directors on the board of directors.

        Director Liability Limitation and Indemnification.    Our charter provides that no director will be personally liable to us or to our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. This will not, however, eliminate or limit the liability of a director for the following:

        These provisions may discourage stockholders' actions against directors. Directors' personal liability for violating the federal securities laws is not limited or otherwise affected. In addition, these provisions do not affect the ability of stockholders to obtain injunctive or other equitable relief from the courts with respect to a transaction involving gross negligence on the part of a director.

        Our charter provides that we shall indemnify to the fullest extent permitted under and in accordance with Delaware law any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to

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any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative by reason of the fact that

        With respect to such persons, we shall indemnify against expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if the following standards are met:

        The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that indemnification is mandatory where a director or officer has been successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any proceeding covered by the indemnification statute.

        The Delaware General Corporation Law generally permits indemnification for expenses incurred in the defense or settlement of third-party actions or action by or in right of the corporation, and for judgments in third-party actions, provided the following determination is made:

        The determination must be made by directors who were not parties to the action, or if directed by such directors, by independent legal counsel or by a majority vote of a quorum of the stockholders. Without court approval, however, no indemnification may be made in respect of any action by or in right of the corporation in which such person is adjudged liable.

        Under Delaware law, the indemnification provided by statute shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. In addition, the liability of officers may not be eliminated or limited under Delaware law.

        The right of indemnification, including the right to receive payment in advance of expenses, conferred by our charter is not exclusive of any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification may otherwise be entitled.


RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER

        Our charter contains certain restrictions on the number of shares of capital stock that individual stockholders may own. Certain requirements must be met for us to maintain our status as a REIT, including the following:

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        In part because we currently believe it is essential for us to maintain our status as a REIT, the provisions of our charter with respect to Excess Stock contain restrictions on the acquisition of our capital stock intended to ensure compliance with these requirements.

        Our charter provides that, subject to certain specified exceptions, no stockholder may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution rules of the Internal Revenue Code, more than the ownership limit. The ownership limit is equal to 8%, or 18% in the case of members of the Simon family and related persons, of any class of capital stock. The board of directors may exempt a person from the ownership limit if the board of directors receives a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of tax counsel that such ownership will not jeopardize our status as a REIT.

        Anyone acquiring shares in excess of the ownership limit will lose control over the power to dispose of the shares, will not receive dividends declared and will not be able to vote the shares. In the event of a purported transfer or other event that would, if effective, result in the ownership of shares of stock in violation of the ownership limit, the transfer or other event will be deemed void with respect to that number of shares that would be owned by the transferee in excess of the ownership limit. The intended transferee of the excess shares will acquire no rights in those shares of stock. Those shares of stock will automatically be converted into shares of Excess Stock according to rules set forth in the charter.

        Upon a purported transfer or other event that results in Excess Stock, the Excess Stock will be deemed to have been transferred to a trustee to be held in trust for the exclusive benefit of a qualifying charitable organization designated by us. The Excess Stock will be issued and outstanding stock, and it will be entitled to dividends equal to any dividends which are declared and paid on the stock from which it was converted. Any dividend or distribution paid prior to our discovery that stock has been converted into Excess Stock is to be repaid upon demand. The recipient of the dividend will be personally liable to the trust. Any dividend or distribution declared but unpaid will be rescinded as void with respect to the shares of stock and will automatically be deemed to have been declared and paid with respect to the shares of Excess Stock into which the shares were converted. The Excess Stock will also be entitled to the voting rights as are ascribed to the stock from which it was converted. Any voting rights exercised prior to our discovery that shares of stock were converted to Excess Stock will be rescinded and recast as determined by the trustee.

        While Excess Stock is held in trust, an interest in that trust may be transferred by the purported transferee, or other purported holder with respect to the Excess Stock, only to a person whose ownership of the shares of stock would not violate the ownership limit. Upon such transfer, the Excess Stock will be automatically exchanged for the same number of shares of stock of the same type and class as the shares of stock for which the Excess Stock was originally exchanged.

        Our charter contains provisions that are designed to ensure that the purported transferee or other purported holder of the Excess Stock may not receive in return for such a transfer an amount that reflects any appreciation in the shares of stock for which the Excess Stock was exchanged during the period that the Excess Stock was outstanding. Any amount received by a purported transferee or other purported holder in excess of the amount permitted to be received must be paid over to the trust. If the foregoing restrictions are determined to be void or invalid by virtue of any legal decision, statute, rule or regulation, then the intended transferee or holder of any Excess Stock may be deemed, at our option, to have acted as an agent on behalf of the trust in acquiring or holding the Excess Stock and to hold the Excess Stock on behalf of the trust.

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        Our charter further provides that we may purchase, for a period of 90 days during the time the Excess Stock is held by the trustee in trust, all or any portion of the Excess Stock from the original transferee-stockholder at the lesser of the following:

The 90-day period begins on the date of the violative transfer or other event if the original transferee-stockholder gives notice to us of the transfer or, if no notice is given, the date the board of directors determines that a violative transfer or other event has occurred.

        Our charter further provides that in the event of a purported issuance or transfer that would, if effective, result in us being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons, such issuance or transfer would be deemed null and void, and the intended transferee would acquire no rights to the stock.

        All certificates representing shares of any class of our stock bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.

        All persons who own, directly or by virtue of the attribution rules of the Internal Revenue Code, more than 5%, or such other percentage as may be required by the Internal Revenue Code or regulations promulgated thereunder, of the outstanding stock must file an affidavit with us containing the information specified in the charter before January 30 of each year. In addition, each stockholder shall, upon demand, be required to disclose to us in writing such information with respect to the direct, indirect and constructive ownership of shares as the board of directors deems necessary to comply with the provisions of the charter or the Internal Revenue Code applicable to a REIT.

        The Excess Stock provision will not be removed automatically even if the REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code are changed so as to no longer contain any ownership concentration limitation or if the ownership concentration limitation is increased. In addition to preserving our status as a REIT, the ownership limit may have the effect of precluding an acquisition of control of us without the approval of our board of directors.


FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

        The following discussion is based on the opinion of Baker & Daniels LLP, our tax counsel, as to the material United States federal income tax considerations involved in our treatment as a REIT. This discussion is based on:

all as of the date of this prospectus. In addition, the administrative interpretations and practices of the IRS include its practices and policies as expressed in private letter rulings that are not binding on the IRS, except with respect to the particular taxpayers who requested and received those rulings. Future

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legislation, treasury regulations, administrative interpretations and practices and/or court decisions may adversely affect the tax considerations contained in this discussion. Any change could apply retroactively to transactions preceding the date of the change. The tax considerations contained in this discussion may be challenged by the IRS, and we have not requested, and do not plan to request, any rulings from the IRS.

        As a condition to the closing of each offering of securities offered by this prospectus, as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, our tax counsel will render an opinion to the underwriters of that offering to the effect that, commencing with our taxable year December 31, 1973, we (as one of our predecessors, Corporate Property Investors, Inc.) have been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT, and our method of operation has enabled us to meet, and our proposed method of operation will enable us to continue to meet, the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. It must be emphasized that this opinion will be based on various assumptions and representations that we will make as to factual matters, including representations to be made in a factual certificate to be provided by one of our officers. In addition, this opinion will be based on our factual representations set forth in this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement. Our tax counsel will have no obligation to update its opinion subsequent to the date it is rendered. Moreover, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depend on our ability to meet, through actual annual operating results, asset diversification, distributions and diversity of stock ownership, the various qualification tests imposed by the Code, discussed below, the results of which will not be reviewed by our tax counsel. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that our actual results of operations for any particular taxable year will satisfy those requirements. Further, the anticipated U.S. Federal income tax treatment described in this prospectus may be changed, perhaps retroactively, by legislative, administrative or judicial action at any time.

        YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN OR OTHER TAX LAWS.

Taxation of U.S. Stockholders

        As used herein, the term "U.S. holder" means a beneficial owner of our common or preferred stock that is for U.S. Federal income tax purposes:

        As used herein, the term "non-U.S. holder" means a beneficial owner of common or preferred stock that is not a U.S. holder other than a partnership. The rules governing U.S. Federal income taxation of non-U.S. holders are complex, and the following discussion is intended only as a summary of such rules. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine the impact of U.S. Federal, state and local income tax laws, including any reporting requirements.

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        If a partnership is a beneficial owner of our common or preferred stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A beneficial owner that is a partnership and partners in such a partnership should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. Federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of common or preferred stock.

        This discussion does not address the tax consequences arising under any state, local or foreign law. In addition, this summary does not consider the effect of the U.S. Federal estate or gift tax laws.

        Investors should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the application of the U.S. Federal income tax laws to their particular situations as well as any tax consequences arising under the U.S. Federal estate or gift tax rules or under the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing jurisdiction or under any applicable tax treaty.

Distributions

        As long as we qualify as a REIT, distributions out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, other than capital gain dividends discussed below, will constitute dividends taxable to our taxable U.S. holders as ordinary income. These distributions will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of U.S. holders that are corporations. Individual U.S. holders may be eligible for reduced rates of tax to the extent that these distributions constitute "qualified dividend income". Such amounts will be specified in a written notice to stockholders. However, we do not expect a significant portion of the distributions to be eligible for treatment as "qualified dividend income". For purposes of determining whether distributions to holders of common stock are out of current or accumulated earnings and profits, earnings and profits will be allocated first to the outstanding preferred stock and then to the common stock.

        To the extent that we make distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, these distributions will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to each U.S. holder. This treatment will reduce the adjusted basis, but not below zero, which each U.S. holder has in his shares of stock for tax purposes by the amount of the distribution in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions in excess of a U.S. holder's adjusted basis in his shares will be treated as capital gain, provided that the shares have been held as a capital asset, and will be long-term capital gain if the shares have been held for more than one year. Dividends declared in October, November, or December of any year and payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any of these months shall be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of that year, provided we actually pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the following calendar year. Stockholders may not include in their own income tax returns any of our net operating losses or capital losses.

Capital gain dividends

        Dividends to U.S. holders that are properly designated by us as capital gain dividends will be treated as long-term capital gain to the extent they do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year without regard to the period for which the stockholder has held his stock. Dividends designated as capital gains will be taxed to each individual at a rate up to 25% depending on the tax characteristics of the assets which produced such gain and such individual's situation. Corporate stockholders, however, may be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income.

Sunset of reduced tax rate provisions

        The currently applicable provisions of the U.S. Federal income tax laws relating to the 15% rate of capital gain taxation and the applicability of capital gain rates for designated qualified dividend income

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of REITs are currently scheduled to "sunset" or revert back to provisions of prior law effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010. Upon the sunset of the current provisions, all dividend income of REITs and non-REIT corporations would be taxable at ordinary income rates and capital gains tax would be higher (20% instead of 15%). The impact of this reversion is not discussed herein. U.S. holders are encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding the effect of these sunset provisions on an investment in common or preferred stock.

Retention of net capital gains

        We may elect to retain and pay income tax on some or all of our undistributed net capital gains, in which case our U.S. holders will include such retained amount in their income. In that event, those U.S. holders would be entitled to a tax credit or refund in the amount of the tax paid by us on the undistributed gain allocated to them, and the U.S. holders would be entitled to increase their tax basis by the amount of undistributed capital gains allocated to them reduced by the amount of the credit.

Passive activity losses and investment interest limitations

        Dividends that we pay and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. holder of shares of common or preferred stock will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, U.S. holders generally will not be able to apply any "passive losses" against this income or gain. Dividends, to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital, generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation. Gain arising from the sale or other disposition of shares, however, will not be treated as investment income except to the extent the stockholder elects to reduce the amount of his net capital gain eligible for the capital gains rate.

Dispositions

        A U.S. holder will recognize gain or loss on the sale or exchange of shares of common or preferred stock to the extent of the difference between the amount realized on such sale or exchange and the holder's adjusted tax basis in such shares. Such gain or loss generally will constitute long-term capital gain or loss if the holder has held such shares for more than one year. Individual taxpayers are generally subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% on long-term capital gain. Losses incurred on the sale or exchange of shares held for six months or less, after applying certain holding period rules, however, will generally be deemed long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain dividends received by the U.S. holder and undistributed capital gains allocated to such U.S. holder with respect to such shares.

Tax-exempt holders

        The IRS has ruled that amounts distributed as dividends by a REIT do not constitute unrelated business taxable income when received by a tax-exempt pension trust and certain other tax-exempt entities. Based on that ruling, provided that a tax-exempt stockholder, except certain tax-exempt stockholders described below, has not held its shares as "debt financed property" within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code and the shares are not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business, our dividend income will not be unrelated business taxable income to a tax-exempt stockholder. Generally, shares will be treated as "debt financed property" if the acquisition of such shares was financed through a borrowing by the tax-exempt stockholder. Similarly, income from the sale of shares will not constitute unrelated business taxable income unless a tax-exempt stockholder has held its shares as "debt financed property" within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code or has used the shares in its unrelated trade or business.

        For tax-exempt stockholders which are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans exempt from federal

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income taxation under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20), respectively, income from an investment in common or preferred stock will constitute unrelated business taxable income unless the organization is able to properly deduct amounts set aside or placed in reserve for certain purposes so as to offset its dividend income. These prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors concerning these "set aside" and reserve requirements.

        Notwithstanding the above, however, a portion of the dividends paid by a "pension held REIT" are treated as unrelated business taxable income as to certain types of trusts which hold more than 10% (by value) of the interests in the REIT. A REIT will not be a "pension held REIT" if it is not "predominantly held" by tax-exempt pension trusts. We do not anticipate that shares of our stock will be predominantly held by tax-exempt pension trusts within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code and accordingly, we believe that dividends we pay to tax-exempt pension trusts should not be treated as unrelated business taxable income.

Backup withholding and information reporting

        We will report to U.S. holders of our common and preferred stock and the IRS the amount of distributions paid during each calendar year and the amount of tax withheld, if any. Under certain circumstances, U.S. holders may be subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding will apply only if the holder

        Backup withholding will not apply with respect to payments made to certain exempt recipients, such as corporations and tax-exempt organizations. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the amount of any backup withholding with respect to a payment to a U.S. holder will be allowed as a credit against such U.S. holder's United States Federal income tax liability and may entitle such U.S. holder to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

Non-U.S. holders

        The rules governing United States Federal income taxation of nonresident alien individuals, foreign corporations, foreign partnerships, and other foreign stockholders are complex. This section is only a summary of such rules. We urge non-U.S. holders to consult their own tax advisors to determine the impact of federal, state, and local income tax laws on ownership of shares of our stock, including any reporting requirements.

        In general, non-U.S. holders of our common or preferred stock will be subject to regular United States Federal income tax with respect to their investment in us if such investment is "effectively connected" with the non-U.S. holder's conduct of a trade or business in the United States. A corporate non-U.S. holder that receives income that is, or is treated as, effectively connected with a United States trade or business may also be subject to the branch profits tax under Section 884 of the Internal Revenue Code, which is payable in addition to regular United States corporate income tax. The following discussion will apply to non-U.S. holders whose investment is not so effectively connected. We expect to withhold United States income tax, as described below, on the gross amount of any distributions paid to a non-U.S. holder unless (i) the non-U.S. holder files an IRS Form W-8ECI with us claiming that the distribution is "effectively connected" or (ii) certain other exceptions apply.

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Distributions

        A distribution by us that is not attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of a U.S. real property interest, or "USRPI," within the meaning of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Act, or "FIRPTA," and that is not designated by us as a capital gain dividend will be treated as an ordinary income dividend to the extent made out of current or accumulated earnings and profits. Generally, an ordinary income dividend will be subject to tax at the rate of 30% of the gross amount of the distribution unless such tax is reduced or eliminated by an applicable tax treaty. A distribution in excess of our earnings and profits will be treated first as a return of capital that will reduce a non-U.S. holder's basis in its shares of our stock, but not below zero, and then as gain from the disposition of such shares, the tax treatment of which is described under the rules discussed below with respect to dispositions of shares. We are required to withhold from distributions to non-U.S. holders, and to remit to the IRS, 30% of the amount of ordinary dividends or such lower amount specified by an applicable treaty. We may be required to withhold at least 10% of any distribution even if a lower treaty rate applies (if our common stock constituted a USRPI), and a distribution in excess of our earnings and profits may be subject to 30% dividend withholding if, at the time of the distribution, it cannot be determined whether the distribution will be in an amount in excess of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. As discussed below, we believe our shares are not currently a USRPI. However, a non-U.S. holder may seek a refund of amounts withheld from its distribution if the amount withheld with respect to the distribution is more than its U.S. tax liability with respect to such distribution.

        Distributions that are attributable to gains from our sale or exchange of a USRPI will be taxed in the manner described in the preceding paragraph if the non-U.S. holder did not own more than 5% of the class of stock with respect to which the distribution was made at any time during the one-year period ending on the date the distribution was made and if the class of stock is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States.

        Distributions that are attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of a USRPI will be taxed to a non-U.S. holder under FIRPTA if such non-U.S. holder owns more than 5% of the class of stock with respect to which such distribution was made at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of such distribution. Distributions that are subject to FIRPTA are taxed to a non-U.S. holder as if such distributions were gains "effectively connected" with a United States trade or business. Accordingly, a non-U.S. holder will be taxed at the normal capital gain rates applicable to a U.S. holder on such amounts, subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals. Distributions subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a corporate non-U.S. holder that is not entitled to a treaty exemption. We will be required to withhold from distributions subject to FIRPTA, and remit to the IRS, 35% of designated capital gain dividends, or, if greater, 35% of the amount of any distributions that could be designated as capital gain dividends. In addition, if we designate prior distributions as capital gain dividends, subsequent distributions, up to the amount of such prior distributions not withheld against, will be treated as capital gain dividends for purposes of withholding. It should be noted that the 35% withholding tax rate on capital gain dividends currently corresponds to the maximum income tax rate applicable to corporations, but it is higher than the maximum rate on capital gains of individuals.

        Tax treaties may reduce our withholding obligations. If the amount we withhold from a distribution exceeds the non-U.S. holder's tax liability, the non-U.S. holder may, if timely filed, request a refund of such excess from the IRS.

Dispositions

        Unless the shares of our stock constitutes a USRPI within the meaning of FIRPTA or are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, a sale of such shares by a non-U.S. holder generally

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will not be subject to U.S. Federal income taxation. Our shares will not constitute a USRPI if we are a "domestically controlled REIT." A domestically controlled REIT is a REIT in which at all times during a specified testing period less than 50% in value of its shares is held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. holders. We believe that we are a domestically controlled REIT, and therefore that the sale of shares of common stock will not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. However, because our shares are publicly traded, no assurance can be given that we are or will continue to be a domestically controlled REIT. If we were not a domestically controlled REIT, a non-U.S. holder's sale of shares would not be subject to tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a United States real property interest if the shares were "regularly traded", as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations, on an established securities market, e.g., the New York Stock Exchange, on which our common stock is listed and if the selling stockholder's interest constitutes 5% or less of the fair market value of all of our common stock during the five-year period preceding the disposition. If the gain on the sale of our shares were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. holder would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. holder with respect to such gain, subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals. In any event, a purchaser of our common stock from a non-U.S. holder will not be required under FIRPTA to withhold on the purchase price if the purchased shares are "regularly traded" on an established securities market and such non-U.S. holder owns directly or indirectly at all times during a specified testing period 5% or less of the value of such class of stock, or if we are a domestically controlled REIT. Otherwise, under FIRPTA, the purchaser of the common stock may be required to withhold 10% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the IRS. Notwithstanding the foregoing, capital gain not subject to FIRPTA will be taxable to a non-U.S. holder if the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions apply, in which case the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on such individual's capital gains.

        Additional issues may arise pertaining to information reporting and backup withholding with respect to non-U.S. holders of shares of our stock. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors with respect to any such information reporting and backup withholding requirements.

Taxation as a REIT

General

        We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code. We believe we have been organized and operated in a manner which allows us to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. We intend to continue to operate in this manner. However, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to meet, through actual annual operating results, asset diversification, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership, the various qualification tests imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, there is no assurance that we have operated or will continue to operate in a manner so as to qualify or remain qualified as a REIT. See "—Taxation as a REIT—Failure to qualify."

        The sections of the Internal Revenue Code that relate to the qualification and operation as a REIT are highly technical and complex. The following sets forth the material aspects of the sections of the Internal Revenue Code that govern the federal income tax treatment of a REIT and its stockholders. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the applicable Internal Revenue Code provisions, relevant rules and regulations promulgated under the Internal Revenue Code, and administrative and judicial interpretations of the Internal Revenue Code.

        If we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal corporate income taxes on net income that we currently distribute to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the "double taxation," once at the corporate level when earned and once again at the

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stockholder level when distributed, that generally results from investment in a corporation. However, we will be subject to federal income tax as follows:

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Requirements for qualification

        The Internal Revenue Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association that:

        The Internal Revenue Code provides that the first four conditions must be met during the entire taxable year and that the fifth condition must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of twelve months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than twelve months. The fifth and sixth conditions do not apply until after the first taxable year for which an election is made to be taxed as a REIT. For purposes of the sixth condition, pension funds and certain other tax-exempt entities are treated as individuals, subject to a "look-through" exception with respect to pension funds.

        We believe we have satisfied each of the above conditions. In addition, our charter provides for restrictions regarding ownership and transfer of shares. These restrictions are intended to assist us in

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continuing to satisfy the share ownership requirements described above. These ownership and transfer restrictions are described in "Restrictions on ownership and transfer." These restrictions, however, may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy the share ownership requirements. If we fail to satisfy these share ownership requirements, our status as a REIT will terminate unless we are eligible for specified relief provisions as described below. However, if we comply with the rules contained in applicable Treasury Regulations that require us to ascertain the actual ownership of our shares and we do not know, or would not have known through the exercise of reasonable diligence, that we failed to meet the requirement described in the sixth condition, we will be treated as having met this requirement.

        In addition, a corporation may not elect to become a REIT unless its taxable year is the calendar year. We have and will continue to have a calendar taxable year.

Ownership of interests in partnerships and qualified REIT subsidiaries

        In the case of a REIT which is a partner in a partnership, the Treasury Regulations provide that the REIT will be deemed to own its proportionate share, generally in proportion to its capital interest in such partnership, of the assets of the partnership. Also, the REIT will be deemed to be entitled to the income of the partnership attributable to its proportionate share, based on its capital interest, of such assets. The character of the assets and gross income of the partnership retain the same character in the hands of the REIT for purposes of Section 856 of the Internal Revenue Code, including satisfying the gross income tests and the asset tests. Thus, our proportionate share of the Operating Partnership's assets and items of income, including our share of these items of any partnership in which the Operating Partnership owns an interest, are treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the requirements described in this prospectus, including the income and asset tests described below. We have included a brief summary of the rules governing the federal income taxation of partnerships and their partners below in "—Tax aspects of partnerships and joint ventures." We have direct control of the Operating Partnership and will continue to operate the Operating Partnership consistent with the requirements for our qualification as a REIT. However, the Operating Partnership has non-managing ownership interests in certain joint ventures. If a joint venture takes or expects to take actions which could jeopardize our status as a REIT or subject us to tax, the Operating Partnership may be forced to dispose of its interest in such joint venture. In addition, it is possible that a joint venture could take an action which could cause us to fail a REIT income or asset test, and that we would not become aware of such action in a time frame which would allow the Operating Partnership to dispose of our interest in the joint venture or take other corrective action on a timely basis. In such a case, we could fail to qualify as a REIT unless certain mitigation provisions applied.

        We own 100% of the stock of several subsidiaries that are qualified REIT subsidiaries and we may acquire stock of one or more new subsidiaries. A corporation will qualify as a qualified REIT subsidiary if we hold 100% of its stock directly and we do not elect to treat the subsidiary as a taxable REIT subsidiary. A qualified REIT subsidiary will not be treated as a separate corporation, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of a qualified REIT subsidiary will be treated as our assets, liabilities and such items, as the case may be, for all purposes of the Internal Revenue Code, including the REIT qualification tests. For this reason, references under "—Taxation as a REIT" to our income and assets include the income and assets of each qualified REIT subsidiary. A qualified REIT subsidiary will not be subject to federal income tax, and our ownership of the voting stock of a qualified REIT subsidiary will not violate the restrictions against ownership of securities of any one issuer which constitute more than 10% of the value or total voting power of such issuer or more than 5% of the value of a REIT's total assets, as described below under "—Taxation as a REIT—Asset tests."

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Ownership of interests in taxable REIT subsidiaries

        The Internal Revenue Code provides that REITs may own more than ten percent of the voting power and value of securities in taxable REIT subsidiaries. A corporation is treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary if a REIT owns stock in the corporation and the REIT and the corporation jointly elect such treatment. In the event such an election is made, any corporation of which the taxable REIT subsidiary owns 35% of the total voting power or value of the outstanding securities is also treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary. A taxable REIT subsidiary is a corporation subject to U.S. Federal income tax as a regular "C" corporation and, where applicable, state and local corporate income taxes.

        Although the activities and income of taxable REIT subsidiaries are subject to tax, taxable REIT subsidiaries are permitted to engage in certain activities that the REIT could not engage in itself. Additionally, under certain limited conditions, a REIT may receive income from a taxable REIT subsidiary that would be treated as rent. See the discussion under "—Taxation as a REIT—Income tests" below. As discussed more fully under "—Taxation as a REIT—Asset tests" below, not more than 20% (25% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008) of the fair market value of a REIT's assets can be composed of securities of taxable REIT subsidiaries and stock of a taxable REIT subsidiary is not a qualified asset for purposes of the 75% asset test.

        The amount of interest on related party debt a taxable REIT subsidiary may deduct is limited. Further, a 100% excise tax applies to any interest payments by a taxable REIT subsidiary to its affiliated REIT to the extent the interest rate is set above a commercially reasonable level. A taxable REIT subsidiary is permitted to deduct interest payments to unrelated parties without any such restrictions, although other interest deduction limitation rules could apply.

        The Internal Revenue Code allows the IRS to reallocate costs between a REIT and its taxable REIT subsidiary. Any deductible expenses allocated away from a taxable REIT subsidiary would increase its tax liability, and the amount of such increase would be subject to interest charges. Further, any amount by which a REIT understates its deductions and overstates those of its taxable REIT subsidiary will, subject to certain exceptions, be subject to a 100% excise tax.

Affiliated REITs

        The Operating Partnership indirectly owns more than 99% of the outstanding equity of Retail Property Trust, a Massachusetts business trust, and Simon Kravco LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, each of which has elected to be taxed as a REIT. Each of these subsidiaries must meet the REIT qualification tests discussed above. Each of them may be subject to tax on certain of its income as discussed above. See "—Taxation as a REIT—General." The failure of any or all of them to qualify as a REIT could cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT because we would own more than 10% of the voting securities and value of an issuer that was not a REIT, a qualified REIT subsidiary or a taxable REIT subsidiary unless certain mitigation provisions applied. We believe that each of these subsidiaries has been organized and operated in a manner that will permit us to qualify as a REIT.

Income tests

        We must satisfy two gross income requirements annually to maintain qualification as a REIT. First, in each taxable year we must derive directly or indirectly at least 75% of our gross income, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including "rents from real property," dividends from other REITs (but not taxable REIT subsidiaries), and, in certain circumstances, income from certain types of temporary investments. Second, in each taxable year we must derive at least 95% of our gross income, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, from these real property investments, dividends, including dividends from taxable REIT subsidiaries, interest and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, or from any combination of the foregoing. The term "interest" generally does not include any amount received

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or accrued, directly or indirectly, if the determination of the amount depends in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded from the term "interest" solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales.

Rents

        Rents we receive will qualify as "rents from real property" in satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if the following conditions are met:

        We do not and will not, and as the general partner of the Operating Partnership will not permit the Operating Partnership to:

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        Although members of the Simon family may own up to a 10% interest in the Operating Partnership's tenants, the Simon family does not currently own a sufficient interest to cause any of such tenants to become a related party tenant with the exception of one small tenant in Circle Center Mall in Indianapolis, Indiana. Income from a related party tenant does not qualify in satisfying the 75% income test or the 95% income test. As previously indicated, the Operating Partnership will not lease property to any related party tenant unless it determines that the income from such tenant would not jeopardize our status as a REIT.

        Although the Operating Partnership and other of our affiliates will perform all development, construction and leasing services for, and will operate and manage, wholly-owned properties directly without using an "independent contractor," we believe that, in almost all instances, the only services to be provided to lessees of these properties will be those usually or customarily rendered in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only. To the extent any non-customary services are provided, such services shall generally, but not necessarily in all cases, be performed by a taxable REIT subsidiary. In any event, we intend that the amounts we receive for non-customary services that may constitute "impermissible tenant service income" from any one property will not exceed 1% of the total amount collected from such property during the taxable year.

        A REIT is subject to a 100% excise tax on any rents it receives from tenants receiving services from a taxable REIT subsidiary to the extent such rents are above the amount that would be charged to tenants not receiving such services, unless:

        If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for the year if we are entitled to relief under certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Generally, we may avail ourselves of the relief provisions if:

        It is not possible, however, to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions. If these relief provisions do not apply to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above in "—Taxation as a REIT—General," even if these relief provisions apply, and we retain our status as a REIT, a tax would be imposed with respect to our excess net income. We may not always be able to maintain compliance with the gross income tests for REIT qualification despite periodic monitoring of our income.

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Hedging transactions and foreign currency gain

        The Operating Partnership enters into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of its assets or liabilities in the ordinary course of its business. Hedging transactions take a variety of forms, including interest rate swaps or cap agreements, options, futures, contracts, forward rate agreements or similar financial instruments. Except to the extent provided by Treasury Regulations, any income from a hedging transaction (i) entered into on or after January 1, 2005, and made in the normal course of business primarily to manage risk of interest rate or price changes or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred by the Operating Partnership to acquire or own real estate assets will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 95% gross income test or (ii) entered into after July 30, 2008, primarily to manage the risk of interest rate or price changes or currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% gross income tests (or any property which generates such income or gain), which is clearly identified as such before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated or entered into, including gain from the disposition of such a transaction, will not constitute gross income for both of the 95% gross income test and the 75% gross income test. To the extent the Operating Partnership enters into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. The Operating Partnership intends to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT.

        As a result of the Operating Partnership's interests in overseas real estate it also recognizes income from foreign currency gain. Income from foreign currency gain recognized by the Operating Partnership with respect to any item of income paid or accrued in a foreign currency is treated as qualifying income under the 75% and 95% gross income tests to the extent that the underlying income so qualifies.

Asset tests

        At the close of each quarter of our taxable year, we also must satisfy three tests relating to the nature and diversification of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by real estate assets, including stock of other REITs, cash, cash items and government securities. For purposes of this test, real estate assets include stock or debt instruments that are purchased with the proceeds of a stock offering or a long-term (at least five years) public debt offering, but only for the one-year period beginning on the date we receive such proceeds. Second, not more than 25% of our total assets may be represented by securities, other than those securities includable in the 75% asset test. Third, not more than 20% (25% for taxable years commencing after December 31, 2008) of the value of our total assets may be represented by securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries, and except with respect to taxable REIT subsidiaries and qualified REIT subsidiaries, of the investments included in the 25% asset class, the value of any one issuer's securities may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets, and we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer's outstanding voting securities or more than 10% of the total value of any one issuer's outstanding securities other than certain securities qualifying as "straight debt" and other excluded securities, as described in the Internal Revenue Code, including, but not limited to, any loan to an individual or an estate, any obligation to pay rents from real property and any security issued by a REIT. Additionally, (i) our interest as a partner in a partnership is not considered a security for purposes of applying the 10% value test; (ii) any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than straight debt or other excluded security) will not be considered a security issued by the partnership if at least 75% of the partnership's gross income is derived from sources that would qualify for the 75% REIT gross income test, and (iii) any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than straight debt or other excluded security) will not be considered a security issued by the partnership to the extent of our interest as a partner in the partnership.

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        After initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any quarter, we will not lose our status as a REIT for failure to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a later quarter solely by reason of changes in asset values. If we fail to satisfy the asset tests because we acquire securities or other property during a quarter, including an increase in our interests in assets held, directly or indirectly, by the Operating Partnership, we can cure this failure by disposing of sufficient non-qualifying assets within 30 days after the close of that quarter. We believe we have maintained and will continue to maintain adequate records of the value of our assets to ensure compliance with the asset tests and to take such other actions within the 30 days after the close of any quarter as may be required to cure any noncompliance. For taxable years commencing on or after January 1, 2005, if we fail to satisfy the 5% or 10% asset tests described above after the 30 day cure period, we will be deemed to have met such tests if (1) the value of our non-qualifying assets does not exceed the lesser of (a) 1% of the total value of our assets at the end of the applicable quarter or (b) $10,000,000, (2) we dispose of the non-qualifying assets (or otherwise cure our failure to meet the asset test) within (a) six months after the last day of the quarter in which the failure to satisfy the asset tests is discovered or (b) the period of time prescribed by Treasury Regulations to be issued and (3) we disclose certain information to the IRS. For violations due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect that are in excess of the de minimis exception described above, we may avoid disqualification as a REIT under any of the asset tests, after the 30 day cure period, by taking steps including (1) disposing of the non-qualifying assets (or otherwise curing our failure to meet the asset test) within (a) six months after the last day of the quarter in which the failure to satisfy the asset tests is discovered or (b) the period of time prescribed by Treasury Regulations to be issued, (2) paying a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 or (b) the highest corporate tax rate multiplied by the net income generated by the non-qualifying assets, and (3) disclosing certain information to the IRS. If we cannot avail ourselves of these relief provisions, or if we fail to timely cure any noncompliance with the asset tests, we would cease to qualify as a REIT.

Annual distribution requirements

        To maintain qualification as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to the difference between (1) the sum of 90% of our "REIT taxable income," computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and net capital gain, and 90% of our after tax net income, if any, from foreclosure property, and (2) the amount of certain items of non-cash income, i.e., income attributable to leveled stepped rents, original issue discount on purchase money debt, or a like-kind exchange that is later determined to be taxable, in excess of 5% of "REIT taxable income." In addition, if we are allocated any built-in gain as a result of the disposition during the restriction period of any asset subject to the built-in gain rules, then we will be required to distribute at least 90% of such built-in gain less the amount of tax we incurred as a result of such gain.

        Dividends declared and payable to stockholders of record in the last three months of any year must be paid by the end of January of the year following the taxable year in which the dividends were declared, unless they were declared before the due date of our tax return for the taxable year in which they were declared. If they were declared before such due date, whether declared in the last three months of the year or otherwise, they must be distributed on or before the end of January of the following taxable year, or, if later, the earlier of the first regular dividend payment after the declaration or the close of the taxable year following the taxable year to which they relate. The amount distributed must not be preferential. This means that every stockholder of the class of stock to which a distribution is made must be treated the same as every other stockholder of that class, and no class of stock may be treated otherwise than in accordance with its dividend rights as a class. We believe we have made and will continue to make timely distributions sufficient to satisfy these annual distribution requirements.

        We expect that our REIT taxable income will be less than our cash flow due to the allowance of depreciation and other non-cash charges in computing REIT taxable income. Accordingly, we should

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generally have sufficient cash or liquid assets to satisfy the distribution requirements described above. However, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet these distribution requirements due to timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses, and the inclusion of income and deduction of expenses in arriving at our taxable income. If these timing differences occur, in order to meet the distribution requirements, we may need to arrange for short-term, or possibly long-term, borrowings or need to pay dividends in the form of taxable stock dividends. To the extent we satisfy the distribution requirements but distribute less than 100% of the net capital gain or 100% of our REIT taxable income, we will be subject to tax on such income at regular corporate rates.

        Under certain circumstances, we may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirement for a year by paying "deficiency dividends" to stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, we may be able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. However, we will be required to pay interest based upon the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.

        Furthermore, we would be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the amounts actually distributed if we should fail to distribute during each calendar year, or in the case of distributions with declaration and record dates falling in the last three months of the calendar year, by the end of January immediately following such year, at least the sum of 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, 95% of our REIT capital gain income for the year and any undistributed taxable income from prior periods. Any REIT taxable income and net capital gain on which corporate income tax is imposed for any year is treated as an amount distributed during that year for purposes of calculating such tax.

Property transfers

        Any gain we realize on the sale of any property held as inventory or other property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, including our share of any such gain realized by the Operating Partnership, either directly or through its subsidiary partnerships, will be treated as income from a prohibited transaction that is subject to a 100% penalty tax. This prohibited transaction income may also adversely affect our ability to satisfy the income tests for qualification as a REIT. Under existing law, whether property is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business is a question of fact that depends on all the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction. However, the Internal Revenue Code provides a safe harbor pursuant to which limited sales of properties held at least four years and meeting certain additional requirements will not be treated as prohibited transactions. In the case of sales made after July 30, 2008, the required holding period has been reduced to two years, and one of the other requirements has been modified in a manner that may permit us to qualify more sales under the safe harbor provisions. Nevertheless, compliance with the safe harbor is not always practical. We intend to hold properties for investment with a view to long-term appreciation, to engage in the business of acquiring, developing and owning properties and to make occasional sales of the properties as are consistent with our investment objectives. However, the IRS may successfully contend that some or all of the sales the Operating Partnership or its subsidiaries make are prohibited transactions. We would be subject to the 100% penalty tax on our allocable share of the gains resulting from any such sales.

Failure to qualify

        In the event that we violate a provision of the Internal Revenue Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT (other than violations of the REIT gross income or asset tests, as described above, for which other specified cure provisions are available), we would be entitled to retain our status as a REIT if (1) the violation is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, and (2) we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each failure to satisfy the provisions. If we fail to qualify for

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taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions do not apply, we will be subject to tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to stockholders in any year in which we fail to qualify will not be deductible by us and we will not be required to distribute any amounts to our stockholders. As a result, our failure to qualify as a REIT would reduce the cash available for distribution to our stockholders. In addition, if we fail to qualify as a REIT, all distributions to stockholders will be taxable as ordinary income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, and subject to certain limitations of the Internal Revenue Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction and non-corporate stockholders may be eligible for reduced rates of tax on dividend distributions. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we will also be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lost our qualification. It is not possible to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to this statutory relief.

Tax aspects of partnerships and joint ventures

General

        Substantially all of our income-producing properties are held directly or indirectly through the Operating Partnership. In general, partnerships are "pass-through" entities which are not subject to federal income tax. Rather, partners are allocated their proportionate shares of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of a partnership, and are potentially subject to tax thereon, without regard to whether the partners receive a distribution from the partnership. We include in our income our proportionate share of the foregoing partnership items for purposes of the various REIT income tests and in the computation of our REIT taxable income. Moreover, for purposes of the REIT asset tests, we will include our proportionate share of assets held through partnerships. See "—Taxation as a REIT—Ownership of interests in partnerships and qualified REIT subsidiaries."

Entity classification

        Our interests in partnerships, including joint ventures, involve special tax considerations, including the possibility of a challenge by the IRS of the status of a partnership as a partnership as opposed to an association taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. If a partnership were treated as an association, it would be taxable as a corporation and therefore be subject to an entity-level tax on its income. In such a situation, the character of our assets and items of gross income would change and preclude us from satisfying the asset tests and possibly the income tests. See "—Taxation as a REIT—Asset tests" and "—Taxation as a REIT—Income tests". This, in turn, would prevent us from qualifying as a REIT. See "—Taxation as a REIT—Failure to qualify" for a discussion of the effect of a failure to meet these tests for a taxable year. In addition, a change in a partnership's status for tax purposes might be treated as a taxable event. If so, we might incur a tax liability without any related cash distributions.

        Treasury Regulations provide that a domestic business entity not otherwise classified as a corporation and which has at least two members will be taxed as a partnership for federal income tax purposes unless it elects to be treated as a corporation. In addition, such an entity which did not exist, or did not claim a classification, prior to January 1, 1997, will be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes unless it elects otherwise. The Operating Partnership and each of its subsidiary partnerships have claimed classification as a partnership, and, as a result, we believe such partnerships will be classified as partnerships for federal income tax purposes.

        The Treasury Regulations also provide that certain specified foreign entities are taxed as corporations. Foreign entities with two or more members are taxed as partnerships if (a) at least one of the members has unlimited liability for the liabilities of the entity or (b) the entity elects to be taxed as a partnership. Each foreign entity having two or more members in which we are treated as an owner

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for tax purposes has elected to be taxed as a partnership or as a taxable REIT subsidiary. Certain foreign entities with only one member are also taxed as corporations unless the entity elects to have its existence as separate from its member disregarded for tax purposes. Each such single member entity has elected either to be treated as a disregarded entity or to be taxed as a taxable REIT subsidiary.

Allocations of partnership income, gain, loss and deduction

        A partnership is not a taxable entity for federal income tax purposes. Rather, a partner is required to take into account its allocable share of a partnership's income, gains, losses, deductions and credits for any taxable year of the partnership ending within or with the taxable year of the partner, without regard to whether the partner has received or will receive any distributions from the partnership. Although a partnership agreement will generally determine the allocation of income and losses among partners, such allocations will be disregarded for tax purposes under Section 704(b) of the Internal Revenue Code if they do not comply with the provisions of Section 704(b) of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder as to substantial economic effect.

        If an allocation is not recognized for federal income tax purposes because it does not have substantial economic effect, the item subject to the allocation will be reallocated in accordance with the partners' interests in the partnership, which will be determined by taking into account all of the facts and circumstances relating to the economic arrangement of the partners with respect to such item. The allocations of our taxable income and loss and those of our subsidiary partnerships are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

State and local tax considerations

        We are, and our stockholders may be, subject to state or local taxation in various state or local jurisdictions where we, our affiliates and our stockholders transact business or reside. The state and local tax treatment of us and our investors may not conform to the federal income tax consequences discussed above. Consequently, prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect of state and local tax laws on their investment.

Possible Federal tax developments

        The rules dealing with federal income taxation are constantly under review by the IRS, the Treasury Department and Congress. New federal tax legislation or other provisions may be enacted into law or new interpretations, rulings or Treasury Regulations could be adopted, all of which could affect the taxation of us, our affiliated entities and our stockholders. No prediction can be made as to the likelihood of passage of any new tax legislation or other provisions either directly or indirectly affecting us or our stockholders. Consequently, the tax treatment described herein may be modified prospectively or retroactively by legislative action.

        The preceding discussion of certain U.S. Federal income tax considerations is for general information only and is not tax advice. Accordingly, you should consult your own tax adviser as to particular tax consequences to you of purchasing, holding and disposing of the shares of our common stock, including the applicability and effect of any state, local or foreign tax laws, and of any proposed changes in applicable laws.

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LEGAL MATTERS

        Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered hereby and certain federal income tax matters will be passed upon for us by Baker & Daniels LLP, Indianapolis, Indiana and for any underwriters, dealers or agents by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement.


EXPERTS

        Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements and schedule incorporated by reference or included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements and schedule are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.


DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION
FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES

        Pursuant to our charter and bylaws, we will indemnify any of our officers or directors who is made or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she was an officer or director to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MAY PROVE INACCURATE

        This prospectus may contain or incorporate forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You can identify these forward-looking statements by our use of the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "may," "will," "intends," "estimates" and similar expressions, whether in the negative or affirmative. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained, and it is possible that our actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks and uncertainties. Those risks and uncertainties incidental to the ownership and operation of commercial real estate include, but are not limited to: national, international, regional and local economic climates, competitive market forces, changes in market rental rates, trends in the retail industry, the inability to collect rent due to the bankruptcy or insolvency of tenants or otherwise, risks associated with acquisitions, the impact of terrorist activities, environmental liabilities, maintenance of REIT status, the availability of financing, changes in market rates of interest, and exchange rates for foreign currencies. We have included important factors in the cautionary statements contained or incorporated in this prospectus, particularly under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other periodic reports, that we believe could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. We do not intend to update information contained in any forward-looking statement we make.

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INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION WE FILE WITH THE SEC

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with them, which means:

        Our Exchange Act filing number is 1-14469.

        The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the following documents and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c) 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with the SEC rules) until we have sold all of the securities to which this prospectus relates or the offering is otherwise terminated:

        To receive a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus (other than exhibits, unless they are specifically incorporated by reference in the documents), call or write us at the following address: Simon Property Group, 225 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204, Attention: Investor Relations (317/685-7330).

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20,000,000 Shares

GRAPHIC

Simon Property Group, Inc.

Common Stock

   
 
   

 

 

PROSPECTUS    SUPPLEMENT

 

 
   
 
   

Merrill Lynch & Co.
J.P.Morgan
Morgan Stanley
Citi
Credit Suisse
ABN AMRO Incorporated
Calyon Securities (USA) Inc.
Daiwa Securities America Inc.
ING Wholesale
PNC Capital Markets LLC
Piper Jaffray
Scotia Capital
Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.
Stifel Nicolaus
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey

May 7, 2009