ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE: FRT) today announced that it intends to raise $90 million in equity through the issuance of new common shares of beneficial interest in an underwritten public offering pursuant to its effective shelf registration statement previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050907/DCW070LOGO )

The joint book-running managers for the offering are Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

The underwriters will be granted a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 15 percent of the offering in common shares to cover over-allotments, if any.

Federal Realty intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund potential acquisition opportunities, fund its redevelopment pipeline, reduce amounts outstanding under its term loan, and/or for general corporate purposes.

Copies of the prospectus supplement and the related prospectus relating to the securities may be obtained by contacting Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Attention: Equity Syndicate Department, 375 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., 10152 (e-mail: equity.syndicate@wachovia.com), or by calling 800-326-5897, or J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., 4 Chase Metrotech Center, CS Level, Brooklyn, NY 11245, Attention: Prospectus Library, or by calling 718-242-8002.

This announcement shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. The offering may be made only by means of a prospectus and related prospectus supplement.

About Federal Realty

Federal Realty Investment Trust is an equity real estate investment trust specializing in the ownership, management and redevelopment of high-quality retail and mixed-use properties located primarily in densely populated and affluent communities in strategically selected metropolitan markets in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and California. As of June 30, 2009, Federal Realty owned or had a majority interest in community and neighborhood shopping centers and mixed-use properties which are operated as 84 predominantly retail real estate projects comprising approximately 18.2 million square feet. In total, the real estate properties were 94.0% leased and 93.2% occupied at June 30, 2009. A joint venture in which Federal Realty owns a 30% interest owned seven retail real estate projects totaling approximately 1.0 million square feet as of June 30, 2009. In total, the joint venture properties in which Federal Realty owns an interest were 96.2% leased and occupied at June 30, 2009. Federal Realty is an S&P MidCap 400 company and its shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol FRT.

Safe Harbor Language

Certain matters discussed within this press release may be deemed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Although Federal Realty believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. These factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors described in Federal Realty's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 26, 2009 and amended on June 25, 2009, and include the following:

    --  risks that Federal Realty's tenants may not pay rent, may vacate
        early or may file for bankruptcy, or that Federal Realty may be unable
        to renew leases or re-let space at favorable rents as leases expire;
    --  risks that Federal Realty may not be able to proceed with or obtain
        necessary approvals for any redevelopment or renovation project, and
        that any redevelopment or renovation project that Federal Realty does
        pursue may not perform as anticipated;
    --  risks that the number of properties Federal Realty acquires for its own
        account, and therefore the amount of capital Federal Realty invests in
        acquisitions, may be impacted by its real estate partnership;
    --  risks normally associated with the real estate industry, including risks
        that:
        --  occupancy levels at Federal Realty's properties and the amount
            of rent Federal Realty receives from its properties may be lower
            than expected,
        --  completion of anticipated or ongoing property redevelopments or
            renovations may cost more, take more time to complete, or fail to
            perform as expected,
        --  new acquisitions may fail to perform as expected,
        --  competition for acquisitions could result in increased prices for
            acquisitions,
        --  environmental issues may develop at Federal Realty's properties
            and result in unanticipated costs, and,
        --  because real estate is illiquid, Federal Realty may not be able to
            sell properties when appropriate;
    --  risks that Federal Realty's growth will be limited if it cannot
        obtain additional capital;
    --  risks of financing, such as Federal Realty's ability to consummate
        additional financings or obtain replacement financing on terms that are
        acceptable to Federal Realty, its ability to meet existing financial
        covenants and the limitations imposed on its operations by those
        covenants, and the possibility of increases in interest rates that would
        result in increased interest expense; and

    --  risks related to Federal Realty's status as a real estate
        investment trust, commonly referred to as a REIT, for federal income tax
        purposes, such as the existence of complex tax regulations relating to
        its status as a REIT, the effect of future changes in REIT requirements
        as a result of new legislation, and the adverse consequences of the
        failure to qualify as a REIT.

Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements that Federal Realty makes, including those in this press release. Except as may be required by law, Federal Realty makes no promise to update any of the forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should carefully review the risks and risk factors included in Federal Realty's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 26, 2009 and amended on June 25, 2009.


    Investor and Media Inquiries
    Gina Birdsall
    Investor Relations
    301/998-8265
    gbirdsall@federalrealty.com

SOURCE Federal Realty Investment Trust