On January 16, 2014, Corvex Management LP announced that it intends to nominate a slate of 5 trustees for consideration by CommonWealth REIT shareholders: James Corl, Edward Glickman, Peter Linneman, Jim Lozier, and Kenneth Shea. In addition, Corvex Management stated that it will request a record date for the new solicitation by February 16, 2014. Further, Corvex Management expressed its view that the 2 trustees appointed to the Company's Board are not independent than the other Trustees.

Corvex Management also expressed its view that as long as the Portnoys maintain control of the Company via their conflicted management structure, the Company will continue its underperformance and value destruction.