CONE CyrusOne Inc

DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

        The following description of the terms of the notes (referred to in the accompanying prospectus as the "debt securities") supplements, and to the extent inconsistent, replaces the description of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities set forth in the accompanying prospectus. The following description does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the actual terms and provisions of the notes and the indenture. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the notes or the indenture, as applicable. As used in this section, the term (i) "Issuers" refers collectively to CyrusOne LP and CyrusOne Finance Corp. and not to any of their respective subsidiaries, (ii) "we," "our," "us," and "CyrusOne LP" refers only to CyrusOne LP and not to any of its subsidiaries or CyrusOne Inc., (iii) "CyrusOne Finance" refers only to CyrusOne Finance Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CyrusOne LP with nominal assets that conducts no operations, and not to any of its subsidiaries and (iv) "CyrusOne" refers to CyrusOne Inc. and not to any of its subsidiaries. This description does not restate the indenture in its entirety. We urge you to read the indenture, because it, and not this description, defines your rights as holders of the notes. You may request copies of the indenture and the form of the notes at our address set forth under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information" in this prospectus supplement. A copy of the indenture will be available upon request to CyrusOne.

General

        The notes will be issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of December 5, 2019, among CyrusOne LP and CyrusOne Finance, as co-issuers, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, and a supplemental indenture, to be dated as of                        , 2020 (together, the "indenture"), among CyrusOne LP and CyrusOne Finance, as co-issuers, CyrusOne, as guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.

        The notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the Issuers, will rank equally in right of payment with any existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness of the Issuers and will rank senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of the Issuers, if any. The notes will be effectively subordinated in right of payment to all future secured indebtedness of the Issuers, if any, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such Indebtedness and will be structurally subordinated in right of payment to all indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, of CyrusOne LP's subsidiaries (other than CyrusOne Finance). As of June 30, 2020, after giving effect to this offering and the use of proceeds therefrom, the Issuers would have had $            principal amount of debt outstanding, including $            principal amount of notes, $            principal amount of Existing Notes, $             principal amount under our Revolving Credit Facility, $            principal amount under our 2023 Term Loan, $            principal amount under our 2025 Term Loan and $            of finance lease obligations. As of June 30, 2020, after giving effect to this offering and the use of proceeds therefrom, the Issuers would have had the ability to borrow up to an additional $            under our Revolving Credit Facility (not giving effect to the unused portion of the accordion feature in our Credit Agreement, for which the Issuers do not have commitments), net of outstanding letters of credit of approximately $            , subject to satisfying certain financial tests. See "Risk Factors—We have significant outstanding indebtedness that involves significant debt service obligations, limits our operational and financial flexibility, exposes us to interest rate fluctuations and exposes us to the risk of default under our debt obligations." and "Risk Factors—The notes will be structurally junior in right of payment to the liabilities of any of the issuers' subsidiaries."

        The notes will initially be limited to an aggregate principal amount of $            . The Issuers may from time to time, without notice to or consent of existing holders of the notes, create and issue additional notes having the same terms and conditions as the notes offered by this prospectus supplement in all respects, except for the issue date and, under certain circumstances, the issue price and first payment of interest thereon; provided that such issuance complies with the covenants described

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under "—Certain Covenants." Additional notes issued in this manner will be consolidated with and will form a single series with the previously outstanding notes; provided, however, that, if such additional notes will not be fungible with the applicable previously outstanding notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such additional notes will have a separate CUSIP number. The notes offered by this prospectus supplement and any additional notes would rank equally and ratably in right of payment and would be treated as a single series of debt securities for all purposes under the indenture.

        Subject to compliance with covenants relating to our total outstanding debt, secured debt, maintenance of total unencumbered assets and debt service, the indenture will not limit the amount of debt we may issue under the indenture or otherwise.

        The notes will be issued only in fully registered, book-entry form, in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, except under the limited circumstances described below under "—Book-Entry, Delivery and Form." The registered holder of a note will be treated as its owner for all purposes.

        If any interest payment date, stated maturity date, redemption date or repurchase date is not a business day, the payment otherwise required to be made on such date will be made on the next business day without any additional payment as a result of such delay. All payments will be made in U.S. dollars.

        The terms of the notes provide that the Issuers are permitted to withhold from interest payments and payments upon a redemption or maturity of the notes any amounts the Issuers are required to withhold by law. For example, non-United States holders of notes may, under some circumstances, be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax with respect to payments of interest on the notes. See "Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Non-U.S. Holders" in this prospectus supplement.

        Except as described in this prospectus supplement under the headings "—Certain Covenants—Limitations on Incurrence of Indebtedness" and "—Merger, Consolidation or Sale," the indenture will not contain any provisions that would limit our ability to incur indebtedness or that would afford you protection in the event of:

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a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving us or any of our affiliates;



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a change of control; or



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a reorganization, restructuring, merger or similar transaction involving us or CyrusOne that may adversely affect you.

        The Issuers or one of their affiliates may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, at any time purchase notes at any price in the open market, by tender or by private agreement. Any notes so repurchased may not be reissued or resold and will be canceled promptly.

Guarantee

        CyrusOne will fully and unconditionally guarantee our obligations under the notes on a senior unsecured basis, including the due and punctual payment of principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the notes, whether at stated maturity, by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, notice of repurchase or otherwise. The guarantee will be a senior unsecured obligation of CyrusOne, will rank equally in right of payment with any senior unsecured indebtedness of CyrusOne and will rank senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of CyrusOne, if any. The guarantee will be effectively subordinated in right of payment to all future secured indebtedness of CyrusOne, if any, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness.

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Interest

        Interest on the notes will accrue at the rate of        % per year, from and including                        , 2020 or the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or provided for, and will be payable semiannually in arrears on            and            of each year, beginning on                        , 2021.

        The interest so payable will be paid to each holder in whose name a note is registered at the close of business on the            or            (whether or not a business day) immediately preceding the interest payment date. Interest on the notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

        If the Issuers redeem the notes in accordance with the terms of such notes, the Issuers will pay accrued and unpaid interest and premium, if any, to the holder that surrenders such notes for redemption. However, if a redemption falls after a record date and on or prior to the corresponding interest payment date, the Issuers will pay the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest and premium, if any, due on such interest payment date to the holder of record at the close of business on the corresponding record date.

Maturity

        The notes will mature on                        ,         and will be paid against presentation and surrender thereof at the corporate trust office of the trustee unless earlier redeemed by us at our option, as described under "—Optional Redemption at Our Election" below. The notes will not be entitled to the benefits of, or be subject to, any sinking fund.

Optional Redemption

        The Issuers may redeem on any one or more occasions some or all of the notes before they mature. The redemption price will equal the sum of (1) an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the redemption date and (2) a make-whole premium. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any of the notes are redeemed on or after            ,             (            months prior to the maturity date of the notes) (the "Par Call Date"), the redemption price will not include a make-whole premium.

        The Issuers will calculate the make-whole premium with respect to any notes redeemed before the Par Call Date as the excess, if any, of:

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the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon that would be due if such notes matured on the Par Call Date from the redemption date to the Par Call Date (exclusive of any accrued interest) discounted to the redemption date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus            basis points; or



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100% of the principal amount of the notes.

        "Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security selected by us as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of such notes to be redeemed (assuming, for this purpose, that such notes matured on the Par Call Date) that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such notes.

        "Comparable Treasury Price" means with respect to any redemption date for the notes (i) the average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for that redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (ii) if we obtain fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

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        "Reference Treasury Dealer" means each of (i) J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and (ii) a Primary Treasury Dealer (as defined below) selected by Truist Securities, Inc., and their respective successors (provided, however, if any such firm shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, we will substitute another Primary Treasury Dealer) and any other primary United States Government securities dealer (a "Primary Treasury Dealer") selected by us.

        "Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by us, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to us by that Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the third business day preceding that redemption date.

        "Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date for the notes, (i) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated "H.15" or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption "Treasury Constant Maturities," for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after the maturity date for the notes, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be determined and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (ii) if that release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for that redemption date. The Treasury Rate shall be calculated on the third business day preceding the redemption date.

        The Issuers will give you notice of any optional redemption at your address, as shown in the security register, at least 15, but not more than 60, days before the redemption date, except that notices of redemption may be mailed or sent more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of or a satisfaction and discharge of the indenture or in accordance with the immediately succeeding paragraph. The notice of redemption will specify, among other items, the redemption price and the principal amount of the notes held by such holder to be redeemed.

        If the Issuers decide to redeem the notes in part, the trustee will select the notes to be redeemed (in principal amounts of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) on a pro rata basis, by lot or such other method it deems fair and appropriate or as required by the depositary for the notes. In the event of any redemption of the notes in part, the Issuers will not be required to:

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issue or register the transfer of any note during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of the notes for redemption and ending at the close of business on the earliest date on which the relevant notice of redemption is deemed to have been given to all holders of the notes to be so redeemed, or



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register the transfer of any note so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any note being redeemed in part.

        If notice has been given as provided in the indenture and the trustee holds funds sufficient to pay the redemption price of the notes on the redemption date, then on and after such date:

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such notes will cease to be outstanding;



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interest on such notes will cease to accrue; and

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all rights of holders of such notes will terminate except the right to receive the redemption price.

        Such will be the case whether or not book-entry transfer of the notes in book-entry form is made and whether or not the notes are in certificated form, together with the necessary endorsements, are delivered to the trustee.

        The Issuers will not redeem the notes on any date if the principal amount of the notes has been accelerated, and such an acceleration has not been rescinded or cured on or prior to such date.

Certain Covenants

Limitations on Incurrence of Indebtedness

        Limitation on Total Outstanding Indebtedness.    We will not, and will not permit any of our Subsidiaries to, Incur any Indebtedness, other than Intercompany Indebtedness and guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by us or any of our Subsidiaries in compliance with the indenture governing the notes, if, immediately after giving effect to the Incurrence of such Indebtedness and the application of the proceeds thereof, Total Outstanding Indebtedness would be greater than 60% of Total Assets as of the end of the fiscal quarter covered in the annual or quarterly report most recently furnished to holders of the notes or filed with the SEC, as the case may be, in the manner described under "—Reports," prior to such time.

        Secured Indebtedness.    In addition to the preceding limitation on the Incurrence of Indebtedness, we will not, and will not permit any of our Subsidiaries to, Incur any Secured Indebtedness, other than guarantees of Secured Indebtedness Incurred by us or any of our Subsidiaries in compliance with the indenture governing the notes, if, immediately after giving effect to the Incurrence of such Secured Indebtedness and the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of Secured Indebtedness would be greater than 40% of Total Assets as of the end of the fiscal quarter covered in the annual or quarterly report most recently furnished to holders of the notes or filed with the SEC, as the case may be, in the manner described under "—Reports," prior to such time.

        Ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Interest Expense.    In addition to the preceding limitations on the Incurrence of Indebtedness, we will not, and will not permit any of our Subsidiaries to, Incur any Indebtedness other than Intercompany Indebtedness and guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by us or any of our Subsidiaries in compliance with the indenture governing the notes, if the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Interest Expense for the most recent quarterly period covered in the annual or quarterly report most recently furnished to holders of the notes or filed with the SEC, as the case may be, in the manner described under "—Reports," prior to such time, annualized (i.e., multiplied by four (4)) prior to the date on which such additional Indebtedness is to be Incurred shall have been less than 1.50:1.00 on a pro forma basis after giving effect thereto and to the application of the proceeds therefrom, and calculated on the assumption that:

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such Indebtedness and any other Indebtedness Incurred by us and our Subsidiaries since the first day of such quarterly period and the application of the proceeds therefrom, including to refinance other Indebtedness, had occurred at the beginning of such period;



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the repayment or retirement of any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness repaid or retired with the proceeds of any other Indebtedness, which repayment or retirement shall be calculated pursuant to the preceding bullet and not this bullet) by us and our Subsidiaries since the first day of such quarterly period had been repaid or retired at the beginning of such period (except that, in making such computation, the amount of Indebtedness under any revolving credit facility shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during such period);

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in the case of Acquired Indebtedness or Indebtedness Incurred in connection with any acquisition since the first day of such quarterly period, the related acquisition had occurred as of the first day of such period with the appropriate adjustments with respect to such acquisition being included in such pro forma calculation; and



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in the case of any acquisition or disposition of any asset or group of assets or the placement of any assets in service or removal of any assets from service by us or any of our Subsidiaries from the first day of such quarterly period to the date of determination, including by merger, or stock or asset purchase or sale, the acquisition, disposition, placement in service or removal from service had occurred as of the first day of such period with appropriate adjustments to Interest Expense with respect to the acquisition, disposition, placement in service or removal from service being included in that pro forma calculation.

        With respect to any calculation required to be made pursuant to the terms of the indenture, for the avoidance of doubt any financial information for the most recent quarterly period covered in CyrusOne's annual report most recently furnished to holders of the notes or filed with the SEC, as the case may be, in the manner described under "—Reports," but not contained in such annual report will be calculated by us based on information reasonably derived from CyrusOne's accounting records.

        Unencumbered Assets.    We and our Subsidiaries will at all times maintain Total Unencumbered Assets of not less than 150% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Unsecured Indebtedness.

Reports

        For so long as the notes are outstanding and CyrusOne is subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, CyrusOne will, to the extent permitted under the Exchange Act, file with the SEC the annual reports, quarterly reports and current reports that CyrusOne is required to file with the SEC pursuant to such Section 13 or 15(d), such documents to be filed with the SEC on or prior to the respective dates (the "Required Filing Dates") by which CyrusOne is required to file such documents. CyrusOne will be deemed to have furnished such reports to the trustee if it has filed such reports with the SEC using the EDGAR filing system and such reports are publicly available.

        For so long as the notes are outstanding and CyrusOne is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act for any reason, CyrusOne will, at its option, either (i) post on a publicly available website, (ii) post on IntraLinks or any comparable password protected online data system requiring user identification and a confidentiality acknowledgement (a "Confidential Datasite"), or (iii) deliver to the trustee and the holders of the notes within 15 days of the Required Filing Date that would be applicable to a non-accelerated filer at that time pursuant to applicable SEC rules and regulations, the quarterly and audited annual financial statements that would have been required to be contained in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K, respectively, had CyrusOne been subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, the reports and financial statements required to be provided by this "—Reports" covenant, may be those of (i) CyrusOne or (ii) any direct or indirect parent of CyrusOne rather than those of CyrusOne; provided that the same is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such direct or indirect parent, on the one hand, and the information relating to CyrusOne and its Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand.

        Delivery of such reports and financial statements to the trustee is for informational purposes only and the trustee's receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including our compliance with any of the covenants thereunder (as to which the trustee is entitled to rely conclusively on an officer's certificate).

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The trustee shall have no liability or responsibility for the filing, timeliness or content of any such report.

        Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, CyrusOne will not be deemed to have failed to comply with any provision of this covenant for purposes of the third bullet of the first paragraph under "—Events of Default" as a result of a late filing or provision of any required information or report until 90 days after the date any such information or report was due. To the extent any information is not provided within the time periods specified in this "—Reports" covenant and such information is subsequently provided, CyrusOne will be deemed to have satisfied its obligations with respect thereto at such time and any default or Event of Default with respect thereto shall be deemed to have been cured.

Certain Definitions

        Set forth below are certain defined terms used in this prospectus supplement and the indenture. We refer you to the indenture for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as any other capitalized terms used in this prospectus supplement for which no definition is provided.

        "Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a Person (1) existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or (2) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case, other than Indebtedness Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Subsidiary or such acquisition; provided that Indebtedness of such Person that is redeemed, defeased, retired or otherwise repaid at the time of, or substantially concurrently upon consummation of, the transactions by which such Person becomes a Subsidiary will not be Acquired Indebtedness. Acquired Indebtedness shall be deemed to be Incurred on the date of the related acquisition of assets from any Person or the date the acquired Person becomes a Subsidiary.

        "Capitalization Rate" means 8.00%.

        "Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period of time, without duplication, consolidated net income (loss) of CyrusOne and its Consolidated Subsidiaries plus amounts which have been deducted and minus amounts which have been added for, without duplication, (a) Interest Expense, (b) depreciation and amortization and other non-cash items deducted or added back in arriving at net income (loss), (c) provision for taxes based on income or profits, (d) non-recurring or other unusual items, as determined by us in good faith (including all prepayment penalties and all costs or fees incurred in connection with any equity financing, debt financing or amendment thereto, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or similar transaction (regardless of whether such transaction is completed)), (e) extraordinary items, (f) noncontrolling interests, (g) the income, expense, gain or loss attributable to transactions involving derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting in accordance with GAAP, and (h) gains or losses on dispositions of depreciable real estate investments, property valuation losses and impairment charges; provided, however, that in no event will Consolidated EBITDA include (x) net income (loss) (whether pursuant to the equity method of accounting or otherwise) on account of any of our or our Consolidated Subsidiaries' unconsolidated subsidiaries and other partially owned entities or (y) net income (loss) generated from our or our Consolidated Subsidiaries' real property under construction or Redevelopment Properties; provided further, that all amounts for such period shall be reasonably determined by us in accordance with GAAP to the extent GAAP is applicable.

        Consolidated EBITDA will be adjusted, without duplication, to give pro forma effect: (i) in the case of any assets having been placed in service or removed from service from the beginning of the period to the date of determination, to include or exclude, as the case may be, any Consolidated EBITDA earned or eliminated as a result of the placement of the assets in service or removal of the assets from service as if the placement of the assets in service or removal of the assets from service occurred at the beginning of the period; and (ii) in the case of any acquisition or disposition of any

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asset or group of assets from the beginning of the period to the date of determination, including by merger, or stock or asset purchase or sale, to include or exclude, as the case may be, any Consolidated EBITDA earned or eliminated as a result of the acquisition or disposition of those assets as if the acquisition or disposition occurred at the beginning of the period.

        "Consolidated Financial Statements" means, with respect to any Person, collectively, the consolidated financial statements and notes to those financial statements, of that Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP.

        "Consolidated Subsidiary" means each Subsidiary of CyrusOne that is consolidated in the Consolidated Financial Statements for the most recent quarterly period covered in the annual or quarterly report most recently furnished to holders of the notes or filed with the SEC, as the case may be, in the manner described under "—Reports."

        "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time.

        "Incur" means, with respect to any Indebtedness or other obligation of any Person, to create, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect of the Indebtedness or other obligation, and "Incurrence" and "Incurred" have meanings correlative to the foregoing. Indebtedness or other obligation of us or any Subsidiary of ours will be deemed to be Incurred by us or such Subsidiary whenever we or such Subsidiary shall create, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect thereof; provided that neither the accrual of interest nor the accretion of original issue discount will be considered to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness. Indebtedness or other obligations of a Subsidiary of ours existing prior to the time it became a Subsidiary of ours will be deemed to be Incurred upon such Subsidiary becoming a Subsidiary of ours; and Indebtedness or other obligation of a Person existing prior to a merger or consolidation of such Person with us or any Subsidiary of ours in which such Person is the successor to us or such Subsidiary will be deemed to be Incurred upon the consummation of such merger or consolidation. Any issuance or transfer of capital stock that results in Indebtedness constituting Intercompany Indebtedness being held by a Person other than us, CyrusOne or any Consolidated Subsidiary or any sale or other transfer of any Indebtedness constituting Intercompany Indebtedness to a Person that is not us, CyrusOne or any Consolidated Subsidiary, will be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness that is not Intercompany Indebtedness at the time of such issuance, transfer or sale, as the case may be.

        "Indebtedness" of us, CyrusOne or any Consolidated Subsidiary means, without duplication, any of our indebtedness or that of any Consolidated Subsidiary, whether or not contingent, in respect of: (a) borrowed money evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments whether or not such indebtedness is secured by any lien existing on property owned by us or any Consolidated Subsidiary; (b) indebtedness for borrowed money of a Person other than us, CyrusOne or a Consolidated Subsidiary which is secured by any lien on property owned by us, CyrusOne or any Consolidated Subsidiary, to the extent of the lesser of (i) the amount of indebtedness so secured, and (ii) the fair market value of the property subject to such lien; (c) the reimbursement obligations, contingent or otherwise, in connection with any letters of credit actually issued or amounts representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable; or (d) any lease of property by us, CyrusOne or any Consolidated Subsidiary as lessee which is reflected on our consolidated balance sheet as a finance lease in accordance with GAAP. Indebtedness also includes, to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation by us, CyrusOne or any Consolidated Subsidiary to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise (other than for purposes of collection in the ordinary course of business), indebtedness of another Person (other than us or any of our Consolidated Subsidiaries) of the type described in clauses (a)-(d) of this definition; provided that (y) the term "Indebtedness" shall not include Permitted Non-Recourse Guarantees of us, CyrusOne or any Consolidated Subsidiary until such

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time as they become primary obligations of, and payments are due and required to be made thereunder by, us, CyrusOne or any Consolidated Subsidiary and (z), in the case of clause (d) of this definition, the term "Indebtedness" shall not include any lease of property by such person as lessee which is required to be reflected on such person's balance sheet as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP.

        "Intercompany Indebtedness" means Indebtedness to which the only parties are any of us, CyrusOne and any Consolidated Subsidiary (including CyrusOne GP); provided, however, that with respect to any such Indebtedness of which we or CyrusOne is the borrower, such Indebtedness is subordinate in right of payment to the notes.

        "Interest Expense" means, for any period of time, consolidated interest expense for such period of time, whether paid, accrued or capitalized, without deduction of consolidated interest income, of CyrusOne and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, including, without duplication, or, to the extent not so included, with the addition of (a) the portion of any rental obligation in respect of any finance lease obligation allocable to interest expense in accordance with GAAP and (b) the amortization of Indebtedness discounts, but excluding prepayment penalties, in all cases as reflected in the applicable Consolidated Financial Statements. "Interest Expense" will be calculated on a pro forma basis (x) for any Indebtedness Incurred by us and our Subsidiaries since the first day of the applicable period and the application of proceeds therefrom and (y) the repayment or retirement of any Indebtedness by us and our Subsidiaries since the first day of the applicable period.

        "Non-Recourse Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a Subsidiary of ours (or an entity in which we are the general partner or managing member) that is directly or indirectly secured by real estate assets or other real estate-related assets (including equity interests) of a Subsidiary of ours (or entity in which we are the general partner or managing member) that is the borrower and is non-recourse to us or any Subsidiary of ours (other than pursuant to a Permitted Non-Recourse Guarantee and other than with respect to the Subsidiary of ours (or entity in which we are the general partner or managing member) that is the borrower); provided further that, if any such Indebtedness is partially recourse to us or any Subsidiary of ours (other than pursuant to a Permitted Non-Recourse Guarantee and other than with respect to the Subsidiary of ours (or entity in which we are the general partner or managing member) that is the borrower) and therefore does not meet the criteria set forth above, only the portion of such Indebtedness that does meet the criteria set forth above shall constitute "Non-Recourse Indebtedness."

        "Person" means a corporation, an association, a partnership, a limited liability company, an individual, a joint venture, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or a political subdivision thereof.

        "Redevelopment Property" means a property, or a distinct portion thereof, owned by us or a Consolidated Subsidiary (a) where the commenced leased square footage is less than 85% of the sum of net rentable square feet and redevelopment space, with reasonable adjustments to leased square footage determined in good faith by us, including adjustments for available power, required support space and common area and (b) that we reasonably characterize as held in whole or in part for redevelopment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any property will no longer be considered to be a "Redevelopment Property" at the point at which such property's Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent quarterly period covered in the annual or quarterly report most recently furnished to holders of the notes or filed with the SEC, as the case may be, in the manner described under "—Reports," prior to such time, annualized (i.e., multiplied by four (4)), capitalized at the Capitalization Rate exceeds its book value as determined in accordance with GAAP. For the avoidance of doubt, an individual parcel of property can be the site of one or more properties described in the immediately preceding sentence or Redevelopment Properties as determined in the good faith judgment of an officer of CyrusOne.

        "Permitted Non-Recourse Guarantees" means customary completion or budget guarantees or indemnities (including by means of separate indemnification agreements and carve-out guarantees) provided under Non-Recourse Indebtedness in the ordinary course of business by us or any Subsidiary

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of ours in financing transactions that are directly or indirectly secured by real estate assets or other real estate-related assets (including equity interests) of a Subsidiary of ours (or an entity in which we are the general partner or managing member), in each case that is the borrower in such financing, but is non-recourse to us or any of our other Subsidiaries, except for customary completion or budget guarantees or indemnities (including by means of separate indemnification agreements or carve-out guarantees) as are consistent with customary industry practice (such as environmental indemnities and recourse triggers based on violation of transfer restrictions and other customary exceptions to nonrecourse liability).

        "Secured Indebtedness" means, as of any date, that portion of Total Outstanding Indebtedness as of that date that is secured by a mortgage, trust deed, deed of trust, deeds to secure Indebtedness, pledge, security interest, assignment for collateral purposes, deposit arrangement, or other security agreement, excluding any right of setoff but including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, and any other like agreement granting or conveying a security interest.

        "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, (a) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of capital stock or other equity interest entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof) and (b) any partnership (i) the sole general partner or managing general partner of which is such Person or a subsidiary of such Person or (ii) the only general partners of which are such Person or one or more subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).

        "Total Assets" as of any date means the sum, without duplication, of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent quarterly period covered in the annual or quarterly report most recently furnished to holders of the notes or filed with the SEC, as the case may be, in the manner described under "—Reports," prior to such time, annualized (i.e., multiplied by four (4)), capitalized at the Capitalization Rate, (b) the undepreciated book value, of our and our Consolidated Subsidiaries' real property under construction and Redevelopment Property as of the end of the quarterly period used for purposes of clause (a) above, in each case as determined by us in good faith, and (c) for all assets of us and our Consolidated Subsidiaries other than the assets referred to in (a) and (b) above, the undepreciated book value as determined in accordance with GAAP (but excluding accounts receivable, non-real estate intangible assets, and right-of-use assets associated with leases of property required to be reflected as operating leases on the balance sheet of the annual or quarterly report most recently furnished to holders of the notes or filed with the SEC, as the case may be, in the manner described under "—Reports," prior to such time). For the avoidance of doubt, (x) the assets in clause (c) of the immediately preceding sentence will include all cash and cash equivalents and the fair market value of all investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair value (but excluding all cash and cash equivalents applied to defease or discharge any indebtedness), and (y) an individual parcel of property can be the site of one or more properties, and separate portions of the same parcel of property can (i) contribute to Consolidated EBITDA in clause (a) of the immediately preceding sentence, (ii) be a Redevelopment Property or (iii) be real property under construction or land, in each case, as determined in the good faith judgment of an officer of CyrusOne.

        "Total Outstanding Indebtedness" means, as of any date, the sum, without duplication, of (1) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of CyrusOne as of that date, excluding Intercompany Indebtedness; and (2) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of CyrusOne LP's Consolidated Subsidiaries, all as of that date, excluding Intercompany Indebtedness.

        "Total Unencumbered Assets" means, as of any time, the sum of (a) Unencumbered Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent quarterly period covered in the annual or quarterly report most recently

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furnished to holders of the notes or filed with the SEC, as the case may be, in the manner described under "—Reports," prior to such time, annualized (i.e., multiplied by four (4)), capitalized at the Capitalization Rate, and (b) to the extent not subject to any Secured Indebtedness, the value of the assets described in clauses (b) and (c) of the definition of Total Assets; provided, however, that all investments by us and our Subsidiaries in unconsolidated joint ventures, unconsolidated limited partnerships, unconsolidated limited liability companies and other unconsolidated entities shall be excluded from Total Unencumbered Assets to the extent that such investments would have otherwise been included (it being understood that investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair value shall not be covered by this proviso; provided, however, that such investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair value are not securing, or applied to defease or discharge, in each case as of that date, any indebtedness, including mortgages and other notes payable).

        "Unencumbered Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any quarter, Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent quarterly period covered in the annual or quarterly report most recently furnished to holders of the notes or filed with the SEC, as the case may be, in the manner described under "—Reports," prior to the time of determination, less any portion thereof attributable to any properties or assets subject to any Secured Indebtedness, as determined in good faith by us.

        "Unsecured Indebtedness" means that portion of Total Outstanding Indebtedness that is not Secured Indebtedness.

No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control

        The notes will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the notes protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) that could adversely affect holders of the notes.

Merger, Consolidation or Sale

        CyrusOne LP and CyrusOne may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of their respective assets to, or merge with or into, any other entity, provided that the following conditions are met:

•

CyrusOne LP or CyrusOne, as the case may be, shall be the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than CyrusOne LP or CyrusOne, as the case may be) formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received the transfer of assets shall expressly assume payment of the principal of and interest on all of the notes and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in the indenture;



•

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default under the indenture, and no event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and



•

an officers' certificate and opinion of counsel shall be delivered to the trustee, in each case, covering these conditions and stating that such consolidation, sale, lease, conveyance, or merger, complies with the provisions of the indenture.

Events of Default

        The indenture provides that the following events are "Events of Default" with respect to the notes:

•

default for 30 days in the payment of any installment of interest under the notes;



•

default in the payment of the principal amount or redemption price due with respect to the notes, when the same becomes due and payable;

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•

our failure to comply with any of our other agreements in the notes or the indenture upon receipt by us of notice of such default by the trustee or by holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding and our failure to cure (or obtain a waiver of) such default within 90 days after we receive such notice;



•

failure to pay any Indebtedness (other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness) that is (a) of CyrusOne LP, CyrusOne Finance, CyrusOne, any Subsidiary in which CyrusOne LP has invested at least $75,000,000 in capital (a "Significant Subsidiary") or any entity in which CyrusOne LP is the general partner, and (b) in an outstanding principal amount in excess of $75,000,000 at final maturity or upon acceleration after the expiration of any applicable grace period, which Indebtedness (other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness) is not discharged, or such default in payment or acceleration is not cured or rescinded, within 60 days after written notice to us from the trustee (or to us and the trustee from holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes); or



•

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or court appointment of a receiver, liquidator or trustee of CyrusOne LP, CyrusOne Finance, CyrusOne or any Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of their respective property.

        If an Event of Default under the indenture occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default specified in the last bullet above, which shall result in an automatic acceleration), then, in every case, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes may declare the principal amount of all of the notes, to be due and payable immediately by written notice thereof to CyrusOne LP (and to the trustee if given by the holders). However, at any time after the declaration of acceleration with respect to the notes has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding notes may rescind and annul the declaration and its consequences if:

•

CyrusOne LP, CyrusOne Finance, or CyrusOne shall have deposited with the trustee all required payments of the principal of and interest and premium on the notes, plus certain fees, expenses, disbursements and advances of the trustee; and



•

all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal of (or specified portion thereof) or interest and premium on the notes, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture.

        The indenture also provides that the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes may waive any past default with respect to the notes and its consequences, except a default:

•

in the payment of the principal of or interest or premium on the notes (provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration); or



•

in respect of a covenant or provision contained in the indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding note affected thereby.

        The trustee will be required to give notice to the holders of the notes within 90 days of a default with respect to the notes actually known to the trustee under the indenture unless the default has been cured or waived; provided, however, that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the notes of any default with respect to the notes (except a default in the payment of the principal of or interest and premium on the notes) if the trustee considers such withholding to be in the interest of the holders of the notes.

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        The indenture provides that no holder of the notes may institute any proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for any remedy thereunder, except in the case of failure of the trustee, for 60 days, to act after it has received a written request to institute proceedings in respect of an Event of Default with respect to the notes from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes, as well as an offer of indemnity satisfactory to the trustee. This provision will not prevent, however, any holder of the notes from instituting suit for the enforcement of payment of the principal of and interest or premium on the notes at the respective due dates thereof.

        Subject to provisions in the indenture relating to its duties in case of default, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any holders of the notes then outstanding under the indenture, unless the holders of the notes shall have offered to the trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes (or of all the notes then outstanding under the indenture, as the case may be) shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or of exercising any trust or power conferred upon the trustee. However, the trustee may refuse to follow any direction which is in conflict with any law or the indenture, or which a responsible officer of the trustee determines would involve the trustee in personal liability.

        Any default or Event of Default resulting from the failure to deliver a notice, report or certificate under the indenture shall cease to exist and be cured in all respects if the underlying default or Event of Default giving rise to such notice, report or certificate requirement shall have ceased to exist or be cured.

        Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, CyrusOne LP and CyrusOne must deliver an officers' certificate certifying to the trustee whether or not the signing officers have knowledge of any default under the indenture and, if so, specifying each default and the nature and status thereof.

Modification and Waiver

        Modifications and amendments of the indenture will be permitted to be made only with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all outstanding notes; provided, however, that no modification or amendment may, without the consent of each holder affected:

•

reduce the amount of the notes whose holders must consent to an amendment or waiver;



•

reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on the notes;



•

reduce the principal of or premium on or change the fixed maturity of the notes;



•

waive a default in the payment of the principal of or premium or interest on the notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the notes by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);



•

make the principal of or premium or interest on the notes payable in a currency other than that stated in the notes;



•

make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of the notes to receive payment of the principal of or premium or interest on the notes and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments;



•

waive a redemption payment with respect to the notes; or

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•

release CyrusOne as guarantor of the notes other than as provided in the indenture.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, modifications and amendments of the indenture will be permitted to be made by CyrusOne LP, CyrusOne Finance, CyrusOne and the trustee without the consent of any holder of the notes for any of the following purposes:

•

to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture or the notes;



•

to evidence a successor to CyrusOne LP or CyrusOne Finance as obligor or CyrusOne as guarantor under the indenture;



•

to make any change that does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the notes;



•

to provide for the issuance of additional notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the indenture;



•

to provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee or facilitate the administration of the trusts under the indenture by more than one trustee;



•

to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or to comply with the requirements of any applicable securities depositary;



•

to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of certificates notes;



•

to reflect the release of CyrusOne, as guarantor, in accordance with the provisions of the indenture;



•

to reflect the release of CyrusOne Finance, as an issuer;



•

to secure the notes (or to release collateral previously added pursuant to this clause);



•

to add guarantors with respect to the notes (or to release guarantors previously added pursuant to this clause); and



•

to conform the text of the indenture, the guarantee or the notes to any provision of this Description of the Notes to the extent that such provision in this Description of the Notes was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the indenture, the guarantee or the notes (which intent will be established by an officers' certificate delivered by CyrusOne LP to the Trustee).

        In determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding notes have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver thereunder or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of holders of the notes, the indenture provides that notes owned by CyrusOne LP, CyrusOne Finance, or any other obligor upon the notes or any affiliate of CyrusOne LP or of the other obligor shall be disregarded.

Trustee

        Wells Fargo Bank, National Association will initially act as the trustee, registrar and paying agent for the notes, subject to replacement at our option.

        If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be required to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person in the conduct of his or her own affairs. The trustee will become obligated to exercise any of its powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of any notes only after those holders have offered the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it.

        If the trustee becomes one of our creditors, it will be subject to limitations on its rights to obtain payment of claims or to realize on some property received for any such claim, as security or otherwise.

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The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions with us. If, however, it acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate that conflict or resign.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

        No director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder, member or partner of CyrusOne LP, CyrusOne Finance, or CyrusOne or any of their respective Subsidiaries, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of CyrusOne LP, CyrusOne Finance or CyrusOne under the notes, the indenture, the guarantee or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of the notes by accepting a note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

        The notes will be represented by one or more global notes that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depository Trust Company, or DTC, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC.

        DTC has advised us and the underwriters that it is:

•

a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law;



•

a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law;



•

a member of the Federal Reserve System;



•

a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and



•

a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

        DTC was created to hold securities of its participating organizations, or participants, and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, among its participants in such securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the underwriters), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. Access to DTC's book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. Persons who are not participants may beneficially own securities held by DTC only through participants.

        Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for certificated debt securities in definitive form, a global note may not be transferred except as a whole by DTC to a nominee of DTC or by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC or by DTC or any such nominee to a successor depositary or a nominee of such successor depositary. The transferor shall provide or cause to be provided to the trustee all information necessary to allow the trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Internal Revenue Code Section 6045. The trustee may rely on the information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.

        In connection with any proposed transfer outside the book entry-system, there shall be provided to the trustee all information necessary to allow the trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Internal Revenue Code Section 6045. The trustee may rely on the information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.

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        A further description of procedures with respect to the notes is set forth in the accompanying prospectus under the heading "Description of Debt Securities—Form, Exchange and Transfer."

        Clearstream.    Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, or Clearstream, is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its participating organizations, or Clearstream Participants, and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides Clearstream Participants with, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and establishment of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a professional depositary, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Monetary Institute. Clearstream Participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream Participant either directly or indirectly.

        Distributions with respect to the notes held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream Participants in accordance with its rules and procedures to the extent received by DTC for Clearstream.

        Euroclear.    The Euroclear System, or Euroclear, was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear, or Euroclear Participants, and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear includes various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by Euroclear Bank S.A./ N.V., or the Euroclear Operator, under contract with Euroclear Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation, or the Cooperative. All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The Cooperative establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear Participants. Euroclear Participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly or indirectly.

        The Euroclear Operator is regulated and examined by the Belgian Banking Commission.

        Links have been established among DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear to facilitate the initial issuance of the notes sold outside of the United States and cross-market transfers of the notes associated with secondary market trading.

        Although DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the procedures provided below in order to facilitate transfers, they are under no obligation to perform these procedures, and these procedures may be modified or discontinued at any time.

        Clearstream and Euroclear will record the ownership interests of their participants in much the same way as DTC, and DTC will record the total ownership of each of the U.S. agents of Clearstream and Euroclear, as participants in DTC. When the notes are to be transferred from the account of a DTC participant to the account of a Clearstream Participant or a Euroclear Participant, the purchaser must send instructions to Clearstream or Euroclear through a participant at least one day prior to settlement. Clearstream or Euroclear, as the case may be, will instruct its U.S. agent to receive the

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notes against payment. After settlement, Clearstream or Euroclear will credit the Clearstream Participant's or Euroclear Participant's account, as applicable. Credit for the notes will appear on the next day (European time).

        Because settlement is taking place during New York business hours, DTC participants will be able to employ their usual procedures for sending the notes to the relevant U.S. agent acting for the benefit of Clearstream Participants or Euroclear Participants. The sale proceeds will be available to the DTC seller on the settlement date. As a result, to a DTC participant, a cross-market transaction will settle no differently than a trade between two DTC participants.

        When a Clearstream Participant or Euroclear Participant wishes to transfer the notes to a DTC participant, the seller will be required to send instructions to Clearstream or Euroclear through a participant at least one business day prior to settlement. In these cases, Clearstream or Euroclear will instruct its U.S. agent to transfer these notes against payment for them. The payment will then be reflected in the account of the Clearstream or Euroclear Participant the following day, with the proceeds back valued to the value date, which would be the preceding day, when settlement occurs in New York. If settlement is not completed on the intended value date, that is, the trade fails, proceeds credited to the Clearstream or Euroclear Participant's account will instead be valued as of the actual settlement date.

        You should be aware that you will only be able to make and receive deliveries, payments and other communications involving the notes through Clearstream and Euroclear on the days when those clearing systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers and other institutions are open for business in the United States. In addition, because of time zone differences there may be problems with completing transactions involving Clearstream and Euroclear on the same business day as in the United States.

Notices

        Except as otherwise provided in the indenture, notices to holders of the notes will be given by mail to the addresses of holders of the notes as they appear in the note register; provided that notices given to holders holding the notes in book-entry form may be given through the facilities of DTC or any successor depositary.

Governing Law

        The indenture, the notes and the guarantee will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any law other than the law of the State of New York.

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DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS

        The following is a summary of the material terms of our outstanding debt instruments other than the notes. The following is only a summary of the applicable agreements. The following summary does not purport to be complete, and is qualified by reference to our operative agreements governing our outstanding indebtedness, including the definitions of certain terms therein that are not otherwise defined in this prospectus supplement.

Credit Agreement

        On March 31, 2020, our operating partnership entered into an amendment to its credit agreement, dated as of March 29, 2018 (the "2018 Credit Agreement" and as so amended, the "Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement consists of (1) a $1.4 billion senior unsecured multi-currency revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility"), (2) term loans due 2023 in a dollar equivalent principal amount of $400.0 million ("2023 Term Loan") and (3) term loans due 2025 in a principal amount of $700.0 million ("2025 Term Loan"). The Credit Agreement also includes an accordion feature pursuant to which the operating partnership is permitted to obtain additional revolving or term loan commitments so long as the aggregate principal amount of commitments and/or term loans under the Credit Agreement does not exceed $4.0 billion. The Revolving Credit Facility provides for borrowings in U.S. Dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling, Canadian Dollars, Australian Dollars, Japanese Yen, Hong Kong Dollars, Singapore Dollars and Swiss Francs (subject to a sublimit of $750.0 million on borrowings in currencies other than U.S. Dollars). The Revolving Credit Facility matures on March 29, 2024 with one 12-month extension option. The 2023 Term Loan Facility matures on March 29, 2023 with two 12-month extension options, and the 2025 Term Loan Facility matures on March 28, 2025. The Revolving Credit Facility, 2023 Term Loan and 2025 Term Loan are prepayable at our option.

        As of June 30, 2020, borrowings under the U.S., GBP and EUR portions of our Revolving Credit Facility bore interest at a rate equal to monthly LIBOR plus 1.00%. As of June 30, 2020, borrowings under our Term Loans bore interest at a rate equal to monthly LIBOR plus 1.20%.

        The Credit Agreement requires that the total indebtedness of CyrusOne and its subsidiaries shall not exceed 60% of the gross value of the assets of CyrusOne and its subsidiaries, determined based on the capitalized value of the stabilized properties of CyrusOne and its subsidiaries for the preceding fiscal quarter multiplied by four, the book value of the stabilized properties acquired by CyrusOne and its subsidiaries during the four fiscal quarters most recently ended, the book value of development properties owned by CyrusOne and its subsidiaries, unrestricted cash and cash equivalents held by CyrusOne and its subsidiaries, the book value of land assets held by CyrusOne and its subsidiaries and the book value of mortgage notes held by CyrusOne and its subsidiaries. The Credit Agreement also requires that our operating partnership maintain a minimum consolidated EBITDA to consolidated fixed charges ratio of not less than 1.50 to 1.00, that total unsecured indebtedness of CyrusOne and its subsidiaries may not exceed 60% (or 65% during the four consecutive fiscal quarters immediately following certain acquisitions) of the unencumbered asset value of the operating partnership and its subsidiaries, that the operating partnership maintain a maximum unencumbered net operating income to debt service on consolidated total unsecured indebtedness of not less than 1.50 to 1.00.

        As of September 11, 2020, we had $400.0 million, $700.0 million and $270.6 million principal amount outstanding under the 2023 Term Loan, the 2025 Term Loan and the Revolving Credit Facility, respectively, and additional borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility was approximately $1.1 billion, net of $10.8 million of outstanding letters of credit.

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Senior Notes

        On December 5, 2019, the issuers issued $600 million aggregate principal amount of 2.900% Senior Notes due 2024 and $600 million aggregate principal amount of 3.450% Senior Notes due 2029 (together, the "USD Notes"). On January 22, 2020, the issuers issued €500 million aggregate principal amount of 1.450% Senior Notes due 2027 (the "Euro Notes" and, together with the USD Notes, the "Existing Notes"). The Existing Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the issuers guaranteed by CyrusOne Inc., which rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness of the issuers. The Existing Notes are effectively subordinated in right of payment to any future secured indebtedness of the issuers, if any, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The Existing Notes may be redeemed at our option prior to their scheduled maturity dates at the prices and premiums and on the terms set forth in the respective indentures governing the Existing Notes.

        The indentures governing the Existing Notes limit the ability of CyrusOne LP and its subsidiaries to incur secured or unsecured indebtedness and to merge, consolidate or transfer all or substantially all of their assets, in each case subject to certain qualifications set forth in the respective indentures. The indentures governing the Existing Notes also require CyrusOne LP and its subsidiaries to maintain total unencumbered assets of at least 150% of their unsecured indebtedness on a consolidated basis, subject to important qualifications set forth in the respective indentures. The covenants contained in the indentures governing the Existing Notes do not restrict our ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to stockholders.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

        The following description of the debt securities outlines some of the provisions of the debt securities. This information may not be complete in all respects and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable indenture and its associated documents, including the form of note. We have filed forms of the indentures with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain copies of them. The indentures will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The specific terms of any series of debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If so described in a prospectus supplement, the terms of that series of debt securities may differ from the general description of terms presented below and the form of indenture filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

        Please note that, in this section titled "Description of Debt Securities," references to "we," "our" and "us" refer either to CyrusOne Inc., or, collectively, to CyrusOne LP and CyrusOne Finance Corp., as the case may be, as the issuer or issuers, as applicable, of the applicable series of debt securities and not to any subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.

General

        The indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder. The debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series.

        We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms relating to a series of debt securities, including:

•

whether the issuer of the debt securities is CyrusOne Inc., or CyrusOne LP and CyrusOne Finance Corp.;



•

the title;



•

the principal amount being offered, and, if a series, the total amount authorized and the total amount outstanding;



•

any limit on the amount that may be used;



•

whether or not we will issue the series of debt securities in global form and, if so, the terms and who the depositary will be;



•

the maturity date(s);



•

the principal amount due at maturity, and whether the debt securities will be issued with any original issue discount;



•

whether and under what circumstances, if any, we will pay additional amounts on any debt securities held by a person who is not a U.S. person for tax purposes, and whether we can redeem the debt securities if we have to pay such additional amounts;



•

the interest rate(s), which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate, the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates;



•

whether the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;



•

the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt;



•

the place where payments will be payable;



•

restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any;

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•

our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;



•

the date, if any, after which, the conditions upon which, and the price at which we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions, and any other applicable terms of those redemption provisions;



•

provisions for a sinking fund, purchase or other analogous fund, if any;



•

the date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder's option to purchase, the series of debt securities;



•

whether the indenture will require us to maintain any interest coverage, fixed charge, cash flow-based, asset-based or other financial ratios;



•

whether the indenture will contain any additional covenants, or eliminate or change any existing covenants, that apply to the debt securities;



•

a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities;



•

information describing any book-entry features;



•

the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;



•

the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;



•

if other than U.S. dollars, the currency in which the series of debt securities will be denominated;



•

the identity of any guarantors and the terms of the guarantees; and



•

any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, including any events of default that are in addition to those described in this prospectus or any covenants, including restrictive covenants, provided with respect to the debt securities, and any terms which may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the debt securities.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

        We will set forth in the prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for CyrusOne Inc. common stock or other securities, including the conversion or exchange rate, as applicable, or how it will be calculated, and the applicable conversion or exchange period. We will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of our securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive upon conversion or exchange would, under the circumstances described in those provisions, be subject to adjustment, or pursuant to which those holders would, under those circumstances, receive other property upon conversion or exchange, for example in the event of our merger or consolidation with another entity.

Certain Covenants

        The indenture may include covenants of CyrusOne Inc., CyrusOne LP, CyrusOne Finance Corp. or any of their subsidiaries, as the case may be. These covenants may impose limitations on our indebtedness, limitations on liens, limitations on the issuance of preferred stock of certain of our subsidiaries, limitations on certain distributions and limitations on transactions with our affiliates, or

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other limitations. Any such covenants applicable to a series of debt securities will be set forth in the prospectus supplement.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

        The indentures in the forms initially filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part do not contain any covenant that restricts the ability of CyrusOne Inc., CyrusOne LP, CyrusOne Finance Corp. or any of their subsidiaries to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of their assets. However, any successor of such entity or acquiror of such assets must assume all of the obligations of CyrusOne Inc., CyrusOne LP, CyrusOne Finance Corp. or any of their subsidiaries, as applicable, under the indentures and the debt securities.

        If the debt securities are convertible into other securities of CyrusOne Inc., CyrusOne LP, CyrusOne Finance Corp. or any of their subsidiaries, as applicable, the person with whom such entity consolidates or merges or to whom such entity sells all of its property must make provisions for the conversion of the debt securities into securities similar to the debt securities which the holders of the debt securities would have received if they had converted the debt securities before the consolidation, merger or sale.

Guarantees

        The debt securities issued by CyrusOne Inc. may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of CyrusOne Inc. Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities issued by CyrusOne LP and CyrusOne Finance Corp. will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by CyrusOne Inc., CyrusOne GP and certain of CyrusOne LP's subsidiaries including CyrusOne Foreign Holdings LLC, CyrusOne LLC, CyrusOne TRS Inc., Cervalis Holdings LLC, Cervalis LLC, CyrusOne-NC LLC, CyrusOne-NJ LLC, C1-Allen LLC, C1-ATL LLC, C1-Mesa LLC, C1-Sterling VIII LLC, C1-Santa Clara LLC, Warhol TRS LLC, Warhol Partnership LLC and Warhol REIT LLC. These guarantees will be joint and several obligations of the guarantors. If a series of debt securities is so guaranteed, an indenture, or a supplemental indenture thereto, will be executed by the guarantor. The obligations of each guarantor under its guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent that guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law. The terms of the guarantee will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Events of Default Under the Indentures

        Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following are events of default under the indentures with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:

•

default in the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on any debt security when it is due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise;



•

default in the payment of interest on any debt security when it is due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 30 days;



•

default in the performance or breach of the covenants contained in the indentures or under the debt securities, and such default or breach continues for period of 60 consecutive days after written notice by the trustee or the holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series;



•

if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur; and



•

if certain other specified events occur, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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        If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the penultimate bullet point above, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the trustee if notice is given by such holders, may, and the trustee at the request of the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series will, declare the unpaid principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. Upon a declaration of acceleration, such principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest will be immediately due and payable. If an event of default specified in the penultimate bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, of each series of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder.

        The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except that defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, require the consent of each holder affected by such waiver.

        The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee. However, the trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the applicable indenture, that may involve the trustee in personal liability, or that the trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of holders not joining in the giving of such direction and may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any such direction received from holders of the applicable series of debt securities. A holder may not pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the debt securities unless:

•

the holder gives the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default;



•

the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of the applicable series make a written request to the trustee to pursue the remedy;



•

such holder or holders offer the trustee indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against any costs, liability or expense;



•

the trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and



•

during such 60-day period, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series do not give the trustee a direction that is inconsistent with the request.

        However, such limitations do not apply to the right of any holder of a debt security to receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, such debt security or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the due date expressed in the debt security, which right shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the holder.

        We will periodically file statements with the trustee regarding our compliance with the covenants in the indentures.

Modifications of Indentures; Waiver

        Subject to certain limited exceptions, modifications, waivers and amendments of the indentures, the debt securities and the debt security guarantees may be made with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the notes) and any past default or

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compliance with any provisions may also be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes; provided that no such modification, waiver or amendment may, without the consent of each holder affected thereby:

•

change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any debt security;



•

reduce the principal amount of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any debt security;



•

change the place of payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any debt security;



•

impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the stated maturity (or, in the case of a redemption, on or after the redemption date) of any debt security;



•

reduce the above-stated percentages of outstanding debt security the consent of whose holders is necessary to modify or amend the indenture;



•

waive a default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt security;



•

voluntarily release a guarantor of the debt securities other than in accordance with the indenture;



•

after the time an offer to purchase is required to have been made in connection with a change of control or asset sale pursuant to the terms of the indentures, reduce the purchase amount or price or extend the latest expiration date or purchase date thereunder; or



•

reduce the percentage or aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities the consent of whose holders is necessary for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or for waiver of certain defaults.

        Modifications, waivers and amendments of the indentures, the debt securities and the debt security guarantees may, without notice to or the consent of any holder be made:

•

to cure any ambiguity, defect, omission or inconsistency in the indenture or the debt securities;



•

to provide for the assumption of our or a guarantor's obligations to holders of the debt securities and the debt securities guarantees in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our or such guarantor's assets to comply with the provisions under the caption "—Consolidation, Merger or Sale";



•

to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939;



•

to evidence and provide for the acceptance of an appointment by a successor trustee;



•

to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities; provided that the uncertificated debt securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code;



•

to provide for any guarantee of the debt securities, to secure the notes or to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of any guarantee of or lien securing the notes when such release, termination or discharge is permitted by the indentures;



•

to add to our covenants or the covenants of any guarantor for the benefit of the holders of the debt securities or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us or any guarantor;



•

to provide for the issuance of additional debt securities in accordance with the terms of the indentures;

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•

to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of the debt securities or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the indentures of any holder;



•

to conform the applicable indenture, the debt securities and any debt security guarantees to any provision of this "Description of Debt Securities" section or any subsequent description of debt securities contained in any prospectus supplement to the extent that such provision in this section "Description of Debt Securities" or any subsequent description of debt securities contained in any prospectus supplement is intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the applicable indenture, the debt securities or the debt security guarantees, as applicable;



•

to make any amendment to the provisions of the applicable indenture relating to the transfer and legending of debt securities; provided, however, that (a) compliance with the applicable indenture as so amended would not result in debt securities being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law and (b) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of holders to transfer debt securities; or



•

to make certain other modifications, waivers or amendments as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Defeasance and Discharge

        We may at any time, at the option of the applicable board of directors evidenced by a board resolution set forth in an officers' certificate, elect to have all of our obligations discharged with respect to the outstanding debt securities of any series and all obligations of any guarantors discharged with respect to their guarantees ("Legal Defeasance") except for:

•

the rights of holders of outstanding debt securities of the applicable series to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium on, if any, interest on, such debt securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to below;



•

our obligations with respect to the debt securities of the applicable series concerning issuing temporary debt securities, registration of debt securities, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;



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the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee under the applicable indenture, and our and any guarantor's obligations in connection therewith; and



•

the Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance (as defined below) provisions of the applicable indenture.

        In addition, we may, at our option and at any time, elect to have our obligations and the obligations of any guarantors released with respect to certain covenants to be described in the applicable indenture ("Covenant Defeasance") and thereafter any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a default or event of default with respect to the debt securities of the applicable series. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs, all events of default (except those relating to payments on the debt securities of the applicable series or bankruptcy, receivership, rehabilitation or insolvency events with respect to us) will no longer constitute an event of default with respect to such debt securities.

        In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:

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we must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the holders of the debt securities of the applicable series, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable government securities, or a combination thereof, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized

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investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and we must specify whether such debt securities are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;

•

in the case of Legal Defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that (a) we have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") a ruling or (b) since the date of the applicable indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel will confirm that, the holders of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;



•

in the case of Covenant Defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that the holders of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;



•

no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a default or event of default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other indebtedness), and the granting of liens to secure such borrowings);



•

such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than the applicable indenture and the agreements governing any other indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced) to which we or any guarantor is a party or by which we or any guarantor is bound; and



•

we must deliver to the trustee an officers' certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

        Each indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all debt securities issued thereunder, when:

1.

either:



A.

all debt securities that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed debt securities that have been replaced or paid and debt securities for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to us, have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation; or



B.

all debt securities that have not been delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and we or any guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable government securities, or a combination thereof, in amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the debt

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securities not delivered to the trustee for cancellation for principal of, premium on, if any, interest on, the notes to the date of maturity or redemption;

2.

in respect of clause (1)(B) of this paragraph, no event of default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit (other than an event of default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and any similar deposit relating to other indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of certain liens to secure such borrowings);



3.

we or any guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under the indenture; and



4.

we have delivered irrevocable instructions to the trustee under the indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the notes at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

        We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. The indentures provide that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with a depositary named by us and identified in a prospectus supplement with respect to that series.

        Subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, the holder will be required to pay any related taxes or other governmental charges.

        We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities.

        If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

•

issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of any series being redeemed in part during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or



•

register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part.

Information Concerning the Trustee

        The trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indentures at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

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        The indentures and provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 contain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become a creditor of us or any guarantor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claims, as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions; provided that if it acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

Payment and Paying Agents

        Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.

        We will pay principal of, and any premium and interest on, the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that, unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may make payments of principal or interest by check which we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series.

Governing Law

        The indentures, the debt securities and any guarantees thereunder will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

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DESCRIPTION OF CYRUSONE INC. COMMON STOCK

        The following summary of the terms of the common stock of our company does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Maryland General Corporation Law (the "MGCL") and our charter and bylaws. Copies of our charter and bylaws have been filed with the SEC and are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See "Where You Can Find More Information."

        Our charter provides that we may issue up to 500,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share. Our charter authorizes our board of directors, without stockholder approval, to amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock that we are authorized to issue or the number of authorized shares of any class or series of stock.

        As of April 25, 2019, there were 113,172,973 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding. Under Maryland law, our stockholders generally are not liable for our debts or obligations solely as a result of their status as stockholders.

        All shares of our common stock offered hereby will be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. Subject to the preferential rights, if any, of holders of any other class or series of our stock and to the provisions of our charter relating to the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive distributions when authorized by our board of directors and declared by us out of assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders and are entitled to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up after payment of or adequate provision for all of our known debts and liabilities.

        Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock and except as may be otherwise specified in the terms of any class or series of common stock, each outstanding share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors, and, except as may be provided with respect to any other class or series of our stock, the holders of shares of our common stock possess the exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors. Consequently, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock can elect all of the directors then standing for election, and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors. Directors are elected by a plurality of all of the votes cast in the election of directors.

        Holders of shares of our common stock have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund, redemption or appraisal rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any securities of our company. Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, shares of our common stock have equal distribution, liquidation and other rights.

        Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge or consolidate with, or convert to, another entity, sell all or substantially all of its assets or engage in a statutory share exchange unless the action is advised by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, unless a lesser percentage (but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is specified in the corporation's charter. Our charter provides that these actions must be approved by a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

        Maryland law also permits a corporation to transfer all or substantially all of its assets without the approval of its stockholders to an entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the corporation. Because our operating assets are held by our operating partnership's subsidiaries, these subsidiaries may be able to merge or transfer all or substantially all of their assets without the approval of our stockholders.

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Power to Increase or Decrease Authorized Shares of Common Stock, Reclassify Unissued Shares of Common Stock and Issue Additional Shares of Common Stock

        Our charter authorizes our board of directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire board and without stockholder approval, to amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of any class or series of stock that we are authorized to issue. In addition, our charter authorizes our board of directors to authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of our common stock.

        Our charter also authorizes our board of directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock into other classes or series of stock, including one or more classes or series of stock that have priority over our common stock with respect to voting rights, distributions or upon liquidation, and authorize us to issue the newly classified shares. Prior to the issuance of shares of each new class or series of stock, our board of directors is required by Maryland law and by our charter to set, subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series. Therefore, although our board of directors does not currently intend to do so, it could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control or other transaction that might involve a premium price for shares of our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

        We believe that the power of our board of directors to approve amendments to our charter to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of stock, to authorize us to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of common stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of common stock and thereafter to authorize us to issue such classified or reclassified shares of stock provides us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs that might arise.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

        To assist us in complying with certain U.S. federal income tax requirements applicable to REITs, among other purposes, our charter contains certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our stock, including an ownership limit of 9.8% of our outstanding common stock, subject to certain exceptions. Our board may, from time to time, grant waivers from these restrictions, in its sole discretion. See "Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer" on page 26.

DESCRIPTION OF CYRUSONE INC. PREFERRED STOCK

        The following summary of the terms of the preferred stock of our company does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the MGCL and our charter and bylaws. Copies of our charter and bylaws have been filed with the SEC and are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See "Where You Can Find More Information." When we offer to sell a particular class or series of stock, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a prospectus supplement. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of any class or series of stock, you must refer to both the prospectus supplement relating to that class or series and the description of stock in this prospectus. To the extent the information contained in the prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

General

        Our charter provides that we may issue up to 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Our charter authorizes our board of directors, without stockholder approval, to amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock that we are authorized to issue or the number of authorized shares of any class or series of stock. As of April 25, 2019, there were no shares of our preferred stock issued and outstanding. Under Maryland law, our stockholders generally are not liable for our debts or obligations solely as a result of their status as stockholders.

        All shares of our preferred stock offered hereby will be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. The specific terms of a particular class or series of preferred stock will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that class or series, including a prospectus supplement providing that preferred stock may be issuable upon the exercise of warrants we issue. The description of preferred stock set forth below and the description of the terms of a particular class or series of preferred stock set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the articles supplementary relating to that class or series.

        The preferences and other terms of the preferred stock of each class or series will be fixed by the articles supplementary relating to such class or series. A prospectus supplement, relating to each class or series, will specify the terms of the preferred stock as follows:

•

the designation and par value per share of such preferred stock and the number of shares of preferred stock offered;



•

initial public offering price at which we will issue the shares of preferred stock;



•

whether the shares of preferred stock will be listed on any securities exchange;



•

the dividend rate or method of calculation and the payment dates for dividends;



•

whether dividends on such preferred stock are cumulative or not and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends will start to accumulate;



•

any voting rights;



•

any conversion rights;



•

any preemptive rights;



•

any redemption or sinking fund provisions;



•

the amount of liquidation preference per share;



•

a discussion of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in the preferred stock;

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•

any limitations on actual and constructive ownership and restrictions on transfer, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve our status as a REIT;



•

the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;



•

any limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with such class or series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; and



•

any other specific preferences, rights, restrictions, limitations, qualifications, terms and conditions of such preferred stock.

Rank

        Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, rank: (1) senior to all classes or series of our common stock, and to any other class or series of our stock expressly designated as ranking junior to the preferred stock; (2) on parity with any class or series of our stock expressly designated as ranking on parity with the preferred stock; and (3) junior to any other class or series of our stock expressly designated as ranking senior to the preferred stock.

Conversion Rights

        The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any shares of any class or series of preferred stock are convertible into our common stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include the number of shares of our common stock into which the shares of preferred stock are convertible, the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of such class or series of preferred stock, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of such class or series of preferred stock.

Power to Increase or Decrease Authorized Shares of Preferred Stock, Reclassify Unissued Shares of Preferred Stock and Issue Additional Shares of Preferred Stock

        Our charter authorizes our board of directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire board and without stockholder approval, to amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of any class or series of stock that we are authorized to issue. In addition, our charter authorizes our board of directors to authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of our preferred stock.

        Our charter also authorizes our board of directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of our preferred stock into other classes or series of stock, including one or more classes or series of stock that have priority over our common stock with respect to voting rights, distributions or upon liquidation, and authorize us to issue the newly classified shares. Prior to the issuance of shares of each new class or series, our board of directors is required by Maryland law and by our charter to set, subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series. Therefore, although our board of directors does not currently intend to do so, it could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control or other transaction that might involve a premium price for shares of our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders. No shares of preferred stock are presently outstanding, and we have no present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.

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        We believe that the power of our board of directors to approve amendments to our charter to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of stock, to authorize us to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of preferred stock and thereafter to authorize us to issue such classified or reclassified shares of stock provides us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs that might arise.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

        To assist us in complying with certain U.S. federal income tax requirements applicable to REITs, among other purposes, our charter contains certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our stock, including an ownership limit of 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of all classes or series of our stock, subject to certain exceptions. Our board may, from time to time, grant waivers from these restrictions, in its sole discretion. See "Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer" on page 26. We may choose to adopt similar restrictions with respect to any class or series offered pursuant to this prospectus under the articles supplementary for each such class or series. The applicable prospectus supplement will specify any additional ownership limitation relating to such class or series.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

        We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, common stock or preferred stock and may issue warrants independently or together with debt securities, common stock or preferred stock or attached to or separate from such securities. We will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement between us and a bank or trust company as warrant agent, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. To the extent the information contained in the prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not act for or on behalf of warrant holders. The following sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the warrants that may be offered under this registration statement, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the relevant warrant agreement with respect to warrants of a particular series. Further terms of the warrants and the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Debt Warrants

        The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the debt warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, including, where applicable, the following:

•

the title of the debt warrants;



•

the aggregate number of the debt warrants outstanding, if any;



•

the number of debt warrants being offered;



•

the price or prices at which the debt warrants will be issued;



•

the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants, and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the debt warrants;



•

the designation and terms of any related debt securities with which the debt warrants are issued, and the number of the debt warrants issued with each security;



•

the date, if any, on and after which the debt warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;



•

the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of each debt warrant, and the price at which the debt securities may be purchased upon exercise;



•

the provisions, if any, for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price;



•

the date on which the right to exercise the debt warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;



•

the terms, if any, on which we may accelerate the date by which the debt warrants must be exercised;



•

the minimum or maximum amount of debt warrants that may be exercised at any one time;



•

the currency for which the debt warrants may be purchased;



•

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;



•

a discussion of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in the debt warrants; and



•

any other terms of the debt warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exercise and exchange of such warrants.

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        Debt warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new debt warrant certificates of different denominations and debt warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of their debt warrants, holders of debt warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, and will not be entitled to payments of principal, premium or interest on, the securities purchasable upon the exercise of debt warrants.

Equity Warrants

        The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock ("equity warrants"), in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, including, where applicable, the following:

•

the title of the equity warrants;



•

the aggregate number of the equity warrants outstanding, if any;



•

the number of equity warrants being offered;



•

the price or prices at which the equity warrants will be issued;



•

the type and number of securities purchasable upon exercise of the equity warrants;



•

the date, if any, on and after which the equity warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;



•

the price at which each security purchasable upon exercise of the equity warrants may be purchased;



•

the provisions, if any, for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price;



•

the date on which the right to exercise the equity warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;



•

whether the equity warrants or related securities will be listed on any securities exchange;



•

the currency for which the equity warrants may be purchased;



•

the terms, if any, on which we may accelerate the date by which the equity warrants must be exercised;



•

the minimum or maximum amount of equity warrants that may be exercised at any one time;



•

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;



•

any anti-dilution protection;



•

a discussion of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in the equity warrants; and



•

any other terms of the equity warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exercise and exchange of such warrants.

        Equity warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new equity warrant certificates of different denominations and warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of their equity warrants, holders of equity warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise or to any dividend payments or voting rights as to which holders of the common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon such exercise may be entitled.

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        Except as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the exercise price and the number of shares of common stock or shares of preferred stock purchasable upon the exercise of each equity warrant will be subject to adjustment in certain events, including the issuance of a stock dividend to the holders of the underlying common stock or preferred stock or a stock split, reverse stock split, combination, subdivision or reclassification of the underlying common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be. In lieu of adjusting the number of shares purchasable upon exercise of each equity warrant, we may elect to adjust the number of equity warrants. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, no adjustments in the number of shares purchasable upon exercise of the equity warrants will be required until all cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% thereof. We may, at our option, reduce the exercise price at any time. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of equity warrants, but we will pay the cash value of any fractional shares otherwise issuable.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, in case of any consolidation, merger or sale or conveyance of our property as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, the holder of each outstanding equity warrant will have the right to the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property, including cash, receivable by a holder of the number of shares of common stock or shares of preferred stock into which each equity warrant was exercisable immediately prior to the particular triggering event.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

        To assist us in complying with certain U.S. federal income tax requirements applicable to REITs, among other purposes, our charter contains certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our stock, including an ownership limit of 9.8% of our outstanding common stock and 9.8% in value of the outstanding shares of all classes or series of our stock, subject to certain exceptions. Our board may, from time to time, grant waivers from these restrictions, in its sole discretion. See "Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer" on page 26. We may choose to adopt similar restrictions with respect to any series or class of stock underlying the equity warrants offered pursuant to this prospectus under the articles supplementary or other charter document, as applicable, for each such class or series of stock. The applicable prospectus supplement will specify any additional ownership limitation relating to such equity warrants or class or series of stock underlying the equity warrants.

Exercise of Warrants

        Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash such number of debt securities, shares of common stock or shares of preferred stock, at such exercise price as shall, in each case, be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered thereby. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, warrants may be exercised at any time up to 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the expiration date set forth in applicable prospectus supplement. After 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will be void.

        Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the warrants. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants that are represented by such warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of warrants.

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DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

        We may issue rights to our stockholders to purchase debt securities, common stock, or preferred stock. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights of the series of certificates and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights. The following sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the rights that may be offered under this registration statement, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the relevant rights agreement with respect to rights of a particular series. Further terms of the rights and the applicable rights agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. To the extent the information contained in the prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

        We will provide in a prospectus supplement the following terms of the rights being issued:

•

the date of determining the persons entitled to participate in the rights distribution;



•

the aggregate number of shares of the underlying securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights;



•

the exercise price;



•

the aggregate number of rights issued;



•

the date, if any, on and after which the rights will be separately transferable;



•

the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence, and the date on which the rights will expire;



•

a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in the rights; and



•

any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of the rights.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

        To assist us in complying with certain U.S. federal income tax requirements applicable to REITs, among other purposes, our charter contains certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our stock, including an ownership limit of 9.8% of our outstanding common stock, subject to certain exceptions, which rights to purchase such shares of common stock are offered pursuant to this prospectus. Our board may, from time to time, grant waivers from these restrictions, in its sole discretion. See "Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer" on page 26. The applicable prospectus supplement will specify any additional ownership limitation relating to such rights.

Exercise of Rights

        Each right will entitle the holder of rights to purchase for cash the principal amount of debt securities, shares of common stock or shares of preferred stock at the exercise price provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised rights will be void.

        Holders may exercise rights as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the debt securities, shares of common stock or shares of preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of the rights. If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than securityholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

        We may issue units consisting of two or more other constituent securities. These units may be issuable as, and for a specified period of time may be transferable only as, a single security, rather than as the separate constituent securities comprising such units. The following sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the units that may be offered under this registration statement. Further terms of the units will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. To the extent the information contained in the prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

        When we issue units, we will provide in a prospectus supplement the following terms of the units being issued:

•

the title of any series of units;



•

identification and description of the separate constituent securities comprising the units;



•

the price or prices at which the units will be issued;



•

the date, if any, on and after which the constituent securities comprising the units will be separately transferable;



•

information with respect to any book-entry procedures;



•

a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in the units;



•

whether we will apply to have the units traded on a securities exchange or securities quotation system; and



•

any other terms of the units and their constituent securities.

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RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER

        The following summary with respect to restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock (including warrants and rights to acquire our stock) sets forth certain general terms and provisions of our charter to which any prospectus supplement may relate. For purposes of this summary, references to "tenants" mean those persons who are referred to as "customers" elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our charter, including any articles supplementary relating to any issuance of preferred stock pursuant to this prospectus. A copy of our charter has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Any amendment or supplement to our charter relating to an issuance of securities pursuant to this prospectus shall be filed with the SEC and shall be filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the applicable prospectus supplement. See "Where You Can Find More Information."

        In order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Code, shares of our stock must be owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than the first year for which an election to qualify as a REIT has been made) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of our stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities such as private foundations) during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made). To qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy other requirements as well. See "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Requirements for Qualification—General."

        Our charter contains restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock. Our board may, from time to time, grant waivers from these restrictions, in its sole discretion. The relevant sections of our charter provide that, subject to the exceptions described below, no person or entity may own, or be deemed to own, beneficially or by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 9.8%, in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock (the "common stock ownership limit") or 9.8% in value of the outstanding shares of all classes or series of our stock (the "aggregate stock ownership limit"). We refer to the common stock ownership limit and the aggregate stock ownership limit collectively as the "ownership limits." We refer to the person or entity that, but for operation of the ownership limits or another restriction on ownership and transfer of our stock as described below, would beneficially own or constructively own shares of our stock in violation of such limits or restrictions and, if appropriate in the context, a person or entity that would have been the record owner of such shares of our stock as a "prohibited owner."

        The constructive ownership rules under the Code are complex and may cause shares of stock owned beneficially or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be owned beneficially or constructively by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8%, in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or less than 9.8% in value of the outstanding shares of all classes and series of our stock (or the acquisition by an individual or entity of an interest in an entity that owns, beneficially or constructively, shares of our stock), could, nevertheless, cause that individual or entity, or another individual or entity, to own beneficially or constructively shares of our stock in excess of the ownership limits.

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        Our board of directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt, prospectively or retroactively, a particular stockholder from the ownership limits or establish a different limit on ownership (the "excepted holder limit") if our board of directors determines that:

•

no individual's beneficial or constructive ownership of our stock will result in our being "closely held" under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT; and



•

such stockholder does not and will not own, actually or constructively, an interest in a tenant of ours (or a tenant of any entity owned or controlled by us) that would cause us to own, actually or constructively, more than a 9.9% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in such tenant (or our board of directors determines that revenue derived from such tenant will not affect our ability to qualify as a REIT).

        Any violation or attempted violation of any such representations or undertakings will result in such stockholder's shares of stock being automatically transferred to a charitable trust. As a condition of granting the waiver or establishing the excepted holder limit, our board of directors may require an opinion of counsel or a ruling from the IRS, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to our board of directors, in its sole discretion, in order to determine or ensure our status as a REIT and such representations and undertakings from the person requesting the exception as our board of directors may require in its sole discretion to make the determinations above. Our board of directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such a waiver or establishing an excepted holder limit. As of the date hereof, our board has granted limited waivers to certain holders of our common stock.

        In connection with granting a waiver of the ownership limits or creating an excepted holder limit or at any other time, our board of directors may from time to time increase or decrease the common stock ownership limit, the aggregate stock ownership limit or both, for all other persons, unless, after giving effect to such increase, five or fewer individuals could beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than 49.9% in value of our outstanding stock or we would otherwise fail to qualify as a REIT. A reduced ownership limit will not apply to any person or entity whose percentage ownership of our common stock or our stock of all classes and series, as applicable, is, at the effective time of such reduction, in excess of such decreased ownership limit until such time as such person's or entity's percentage ownership of our common stock or our stock of all classes and series, as applicable, equals or falls below the decreased ownership limit, but any further acquisition of shares of our common stock or stock of all other classes or series, as applicable, will violate the decreased ownership limit.

        Our charter further prohibits:

•

any person from beneficially or constructively owning, applying certain attribution rules of the Code, shares of our stock that would result in our being "closely held" under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT;



•

any person from transferring shares of our stock if the transfer would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code); and



•

any person from beneficially owning shares of our stock to the extent such ownership would result in our failing to qualify as a "domestically controlled qualified investment entity" within the meaning of Section 897(h) of the Code.

        Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our stock that will or may violate the ownership limits or any of the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock described above, or who would have owned shares of our stock

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transferred to the trust as described below, must immediately give notice to us of such event or, in the case of an attempted or proposed transaction, give us at least 15 days' prior written notice and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on our status as a REIT.

        If any transfer of shares of our stock would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons, the transfer will be null and void and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in the shares. In addition, if any purported transfer of shares of our stock or any other event would otherwise result in any person violating the ownership limits or an excepted holder limit established by our board of directors, or in our being "closely held" under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT or as a "domestically controlled qualified investment entity" within the meaning of Section 897(h) of the Code, then that number of shares (rounded up to the nearest whole share) that would cause the violation will be automatically transferred to, and held by, a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable organizations selected by us, and the intended transferee or other prohibited owner will acquire no rights in the shares. The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the violative transfer or other event that results in a transfer to the trust. If the transfer to the trust as described above is not automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent violation of the applicable ownership limits or our being "closely held" under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or our otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT or as a "domestically controlled qualified investment entity," then our charter provides that the transfer of the shares will be null and void and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in such shares.

        Shares of our stock held in the trust will be issued and outstanding shares. The prohibited owner will not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of our stock held in the trust and will have no rights to distributions and no rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares of our stock held in the trust. The trustee of the trust will exercise all voting rights and receive all distributions with respect to shares held in the trust for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary of the trust. Any distribution made before we discover that the shares have been transferred to a trust as described above must be repaid by the recipient to the trustee upon demand by us. Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will have the authority to rescind as void any vote cast by a prohibited owner before our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust and to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary of the trust. However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee may not rescind and recast the vote.

        Shares of our stock transferred to the trustee are deemed offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price paid by the prohibited owner for the shares (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price at the time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the market price on the date we accept, or our designee, accepts such offer. We may reduce the amount so payable to the trustee by the amount of any distribution that we made to the prohibited owner before we discovered that the shares had been automatically transferred to the trust and that are then owed by the prohibited owner to the trustee as described above, and we may pay the amount of any such reduction to the trustee for distribution to the charitable beneficiary. We have the right to accept such offer until the trustee has sold the shares of our stock held in the trust as discussed below. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold terminates, and the trustee must distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the prohibited owner and must distribute any distributions held by the trustee with respect to such shares to the charitable beneficiary.

        If we do not buy the shares, the trustee must, within 20 days of receiving notice from us of the transfer of shares to the trust, sell the shares to a person or entity designated by the trustee who could own the shares without violating the ownership limits or the other restrictions on ownership and

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transfer of our stock. After the sale of the shares, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares transferred to the trust will terminate and the trustee must distribute to the prohibited owner an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the price paid by the prohibited owner for the shares (or, if the prohibited owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the trust (for example, in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the market price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the trust) and (ii) the sales proceeds (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) received by the trust for the shares. The trustee may reduce the amount payable to the prohibited owner by the amount of any distribution that we paid to the prohibited owner before we discovered that the shares had been automatically transferred to the trust and that are then owed by the prohibited owner to the trustee as described above. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the prohibited owner must be paid immediately to the charitable beneficiary, together with any distributions thereon. In addition, if, prior to the discovery by us that shares of stock have been transferred to a trust, such shares of stock are sold by a prohibited owner, then such shares will be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and, to the extent that the prohibited owner received an amount for or in respect of such shares that exceeds the amount that such prohibited owner was entitled to receive, such excess amount will be paid to the trustee upon demand. The prohibited owner has no rights in the shares held by the trustee.

        In addition, if our board of directors determines in good faith that a transfer or other event has occurred that would violate the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock described above, our board of directors may take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such transfer, including, but not limited to, causing us to redeem shares of our stock, refusing to give effect to the transfer on our books or instituting proceedings to enjoin the transfer.

        Every owner of 5% or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) of our stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, must give us written notice stating the stockholder's name and address, the number of shares of each class and series of our stock that the stockholder beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each such owner must provide to us in writing such additional information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of the stockholder's beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limits. In addition, any person or entity that is a beneficial owner or constructive owner of shares of our stock and any person or entity (including the stockholder of record) who is holding shares of our stock for a beneficial owner or constructive owner must, on request, provide to us such information as we may request in good faith in order to determine our status as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance and to ensure compliance with the ownership limits.

        Any certificates representing shares of our stock will bear a legend referring to the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock described above.

        These restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT or that compliance is no longer required in order for us to qualify as a REIT.

        The restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock described above could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT OF CYRUSONE LP

        We have summarized the material terms and provisions of the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of CyrusOne LP, as amended, which we refer to as the "partnership agreement." This summary is not complete. For more detail, you should refer to the partnership agreement itself, a copy of which has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. For purposes of this section, references to "we," "our," "us" and "our company" refer to CyrusOne Inc.

Management of Our Operating Partnership

        Our operating partnership, CyrusOne LP, is a Maryland limited partnership that was formed on July 31, 2012. CyrusOne GP, our wholly-owned subsidiary, is the sole general partner of our operating partnership, and we continue to conduct substantially all of our business in or through our operating partnership. In connection with our initial public offering in January 2013, we entered into the amended and restated agreement of limited partnership, as special limited partner, with CBI and the other limited partners named therein. As of the date hereof, CBI and its subsidiaries are no longer limited partners of our operating partnership and CyrusOne Inc. and CyrusOne GP are the only partners of our operating partnership.

        As the sole trustee of the sole general partner of our operating partnership, we exercise exclusive and complete responsibility and discretion in its day-to-day management and control. We can cause our operating partnership to enter into major transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions and refinancings, subject to certain limited exceptions. The limited partners of our operating partnership may not transact business for, or participate in the management activities or decisions of, our operating partnership, except as provided in the partnership agreement and as required by applicable law. The general partner of our operating partnership may not be removed as general partner by the limited partners. The partnership agreement restricts our ability to engage in certain business combinations as more fully described below.

        The limited partners of our operating partnership expressly agree that the general partner of our operating partnership is acting for the benefit of our operating partnership, the limited partners of our operating partnership and our stockholders collectively. The general partner is under no obligation to give priority to the separate interests of the limited partners in deciding whether to cause our operating partnership to take or decline to take any actions. If there is a conflict between the interests of us or our stockholders, on the one hand, and the limited partners of our operating partnership, on the other, the partnership agreement provides that any action or failure to act by the general partner that gives priority to the separate interests of our stockholders or us that does not result in a violation of the contractual rights of the limited partners of our operating partnership under the partnership agreement will not violate any duty that we or the general partner owe to our operating partnership and its partners.

        The partnership agreement provides that all of our business activities, including all activities pertaining to the acquisition and operation of properties, must generally be conducted through our operating partnership. The partnership agreement does permit us, under certain circumstances, to hold certain assets other than through our operating partnership. However, we must make commercially reasonable efforts to insure that the economic benefits and burdens of such assets are vested in our operating partnership.

Transferability of Interests

        The general partner may not transfer or assign all or any portion of its interest in our operating partnership (other than a transfer to us or one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries or in connection with a permitted Termination Transaction (as defined below)) without the consent of the partners (including

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us, the general partner and entities controlled by us or the general partner) holding a majority of our operating partnership units then held by partners (including us, the general partner and entities controlled by us or the general partner) entitled to vote on or consent to such matter. The general partner may not voluntarily withdraw from our operating partnership, except in connection with a transfer of all of its interest in our operating partnership in accordance with the partnership agreement, without the consent of the limited partners (other than us, the general partner and entities controlled by us or the general partner, if there are any other limited partners) holding a majority of all the outstanding operating partnership units held by all partners (other than us, the general partner and entities controlled by us or the general partner, if there are any other limited partners) entitled to vote on or consent to such matter. A limited partner may not sell, assign, encumber or otherwise dispose of its operating partnership units in our operating partnership without the general partner's consent during the 12-month period following such limited partner's acquisition of such operating partnership units, other than to family members or trusts for their exclusive benefit, to a charity or trust for the benefit of a charity or to entities that are controlled by the limited partner, its family members or affiliates. After the 12-month period following such limited partner's acquisition of operating partnership units, any transfer of such operating partnership units by the limited partner, except to the parties specified above, will be subject to a right of first refusal by us. All transfers must be made only to "accredited investors" as defined under Rule 501 of the Securities Act and are subject to other limitations and conditions set forth in the partnership agreement.

Amendments to the Partnership Agreement

        Amendments to the partnership agreement may be proposed by the general partner, and the general partner must approve all amendments to the partnership agreement.

        Generally, the partnership agreement may not be amended, modified or terminated without the approval of both the general partner and the partners holding a majority of our operating partnership units then held by all partners (including us, the general partner and entities controlled by us or the general partner) entitled to vote on, or consent to such matter. The general partner has the power to unilaterally make certain amendments to the partnership agreement without obtaining the consent of any other partners as may be required to:

•

add to its obligations as general partner or surrender any right or power granted to it as general partner for the benefit of the limited partners;



•

reflect the admission, substitution or withdrawal of partners or termination of our operating partnership in accordance with the terms of the partnership agreement;



•

reflect a change of an inconsequential nature or that does not adversely affect the limited partners in any material respect, or cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provisions of the partnership agreement not inconsistent with law or with other provisions of the partnership agreement, or make other changes concerning matters under the partnership agreement that will not otherwise be inconsistent with law or the partnership agreement;



•

satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines of federal or state law;



•

reflect changes that are reasonably necessary or appropriate for us to maintain our status as a REIT or to satisfy REIT requirements;



•

reflect the issuance of additional operating partnership units;



•

make certain modifications to the manner in which capital accounts are adjusted, computed or maintained, or net income or net loss are allocated;

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•

reflect any modification as is reasonably necessary or appropriate to comply with, or reasonably allocate the burden of taxes to be paid by our operating partnership in connection with, audit procedures to be promulgated by the IRS;



•

set forth or amend the designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any additional class or series of partnership interest permitted to be issued under the partnership agreement;



•

modify, if our operating partnership is the surviving partnership in any Termination Transaction, certain provisions of the partnership agreement to provide the holders of interests in such surviving partnership rights that are consistent with the partnership agreement; or



•

reflect any other modification as is reasonably necessary for the business or operations of our operating partnership or us, which does not violate the restrictions on the general partner described below.

        Subject to certain exceptions, amendments that would, among other things, convert a limited partner into a general partner (except in connection with a permitted transfer of the general partner's interest), modify the limited liability of a limited partner, adversely alter a partner's right to receive any distributions or allocations of profits or losses, adversely alter or modify the redemption rights of limited partners and qualifying assignees (except as permitted in connection with a permitted Termination Transaction) or amend these restrictions must be approved by each limited partner that would be adversely affected by such amendment; provided, however, that the consent of any individual partner adversely affected will not be required for any amendment or action that affects all partners holding the same class or series of our operating partnership units on a uniform or pro rata basis, if approved by a majority of the partners (other than us, the general partner and entities controlled by us or the general partner, if there are any other limited partners) of such class or series.

Restrictions on General Partner's Authority

        The general partner may not take any action in contravention of an express prohibition or limitation contained in the partnership agreement, including:

•

admitting any person as a partner, except as otherwise provided in the partnership agreement;



•

perform any act that would subject a limited partner to liability not contemplated in the partnership agreement or under the Maryland Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act; or



•

enter into any contract, mortgage, loan or other agreement that, in the absence of a default under such document, expressly prohibits or restricts us or our operating partnership from performing our or its specific obligations in connection with a redemption of operating partnership units as described below or that expressly prohibits or restricts the ability of a limited partner to exercise its redemption rights in full without the written consent of such limited partner.

        In addition, without the consent of partners (including us, the general partner and entities controlled by us or the general partner) holding a majority of our operating partnership units then held by the partners (including us, the general partner and entities controlled by us or the general partner), entitled to vote on or consent to such matter, the general partner may not do any of the following:

•

amend, modify or terminate the partnership agreement, except as explicitly permitted therein;



•

transfer any portion of its partnership interest or admit into the partnership any additional or successor general partner (other than to us or one of our wholly owned subsidiaries or in connection with a permitted Termination Transaction);

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•

voluntarily withdraw as general partner except in connection with a permitted transfer of its entire interest to an entity that will become the new general partner or in connection with a permitted Termination Transaction;



•

make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, appoint or acquiesce in the appointment of a custodian, receiver or trustee for all or any part of the assets of our operating partnership; or



•

institute any proceeding for bankruptcy by our operating partnership.

Distributions to Holders of Operating Partnership Units

        The partnership agreement provides that holders of operating partnership units are generally entitled to receive distributions when, as and if authorized by the general partner, on a pro rata basis in accordance with their respective operating partnership units (subject to the rights of the holders of any class of preferred partnership interests that may be authorized and issued in the future).

Redemption/Exchange Rights

        A limited partner or an assignee has the right, commencing on or after the date which is 12 months after its acquisition of operating partnership units, to require our operating partnership to redeem part or all of such operating partnership units for cash based upon the fair market value of an equivalent number of shares of our common stock at the time of the redemption, determined in accordance with and subject to adjustment as provided in the partnership agreement. Alternatively, we may elect to acquire those operating partnership units in exchange for shares of our common stock. Our acquisition will be on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, distributions of warrants or stock rights, specified extraordinary distributions and similar events. A limited partner or assignee may not require us to redeem such limited partner's or assignee's operating partnership units if our election to acquire such operating partnership units in exchange for shares of our common stock would cause any person to violate the ownership limits or the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our common stock, after giving effect to any waivers or modifications of such limits granted by our board of directors. With each redemption or exchange, we increase our percentage ownership interest in our operating partnership.

        In addition, if our election to acquire operating partnership units tendered for redemption in exchange for shares of our common stock would cause any person to violate the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock and such excess operating partnership units (and any other operating partnership units that the tendering limited partner agrees to treat as such) have a value of at least $50,000,000 (based on an operating partnership unit having a value equal to the trailing ten-day daily trading price of our common stock) and we are eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act, then we may also elect to redeem our operating partnership units with the proceeds from a public offering or private placement of our common stock. In the event we elect this option, we may require the other limited partners to also elect whether or not to participate. Participating limited partners will receive on the redemption date for each operating partnership unit (subject to adjustment) the net proceeds per share received in the public offering but will have a limited opportunity to withdraw their operating partnership units from the redemption immediately prior to the pricing of the public offering.

Issuance of Units, Stock or Other Securities

        The general partner of our operating partnership has the power to cause our operating partnership to issue additional units of partnership interest in one or more classes or series. These additional units of partnership interest may include preferred partnership units or LTIP units. Generally, we may issue additional shares of our stock, or rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities

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having the right to subscribe for or purchase shares of our stock, only if we cause our operating partnership to issue to us (or the general partner) partnership interests or rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities of our operating partnership having economic rights that are substantially similar to the securities that we have issued.

Capital Contributions

        The partnership agreement provides that the general partner may authorize the issuance of additional partnership interests in exchange for such capital contributions, if any, as the general partner may approve. Under the partnership agreement, we are generally obligated to contribute the net proceeds we receive from any offering of our shares of stock as additional capital to our operating partnership in exchange for additional operating partnership units issued to us or the general partner.

        The partnership agreement provides that we or the general partner may make additional capital contributions, including contributions of properties, to our operating partnership in exchange for additional operating partnership units. If we contribute (directly or indirectly through the general partner) additional capital and receive additional operating partnership units in exchange for the capital contribution, our, or the general partner's, as applicable, percentage interest in our operating partnership will be increased on a proportionate basis based on the amount of the additional capital contributions and the value of our operating partnership at the time of the contributions. In addition, if we or the general partner contribute additional capital and receive additional operating partnership units for the capital contribution, the capital accounts of the partners may be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any unrealized gain or loss attributable to the properties as if there were an actual sale of the properties at the fair market value thereof. No person has any preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to making additional capital contributions or loans to our operating partnership or the issuance or sale of any operating partnership units or other partnership interests.

        Our operating partnership could issue preferred partnership interests in connection with acquisitions of property or otherwise. Any such preferred partnership interests would have priority over common partnership interests with respect to distributions from our operating partnership, including the partnership interests that we own.

Borrowing by the Operating Partnership

        The general partner may cause our operating partnership to borrow money and to issue and guarantee debt as the general partner deems necessary for the conduct of the activities of our operating partnership. Such debt may be secured, among other things, by mortgages, deeds of trust, liens or encumbrances on the properties of our operating partnership.

Tax Matters

        The general partner is the tax matters partner and "partnership representative" of our operating partnership and, as the sole trustee of the general partner, we have the authority under the Code to handle tax audits on behalf of our operating partnership. In addition, as the sole trustee of the general partner, we have the authority to arrange for the preparation and filing of our operating partnership's tax returns and to make tax elections under the Code on behalf of our operating partnership. The foregoing provisions will generally be relevant only to the extent our operating partnership admits additional partners such that it becomes a partnership (rather than a disregarded entity) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Allocations of Net Income and Net Losses to Partners

        Subject to any special allocations that may be required under the terms of any class or series of partnership units created in the future, the net income or net loss of our operating partnership is

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generally allocated to the general partner and the limited partners of our operating partnership in accordance with their respective ownership of operating partnership units. However, in some cases, gains or losses may be disproportionately allocated to partners who have contributed property to or guaranteed debt of our operating partnership. The allocations described above are subject to special allocations relating to depreciation deductions and to compliance with the provisions of Sections 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code and the associated Treasury regulations. See "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Tax Aspects of Our Operating Partnership and any Subsidiary Partnerships and Disregarded Entities." The foregoing provisions will generally be relevant only to the extent our operating partnership admits additional partners such that it becomes a partnership (rather than a disregarded entity) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

        In addition, our operating partnership may from time to time issue LTIP units to persons who provide services to our company for such consideration or for no consideration as we may determine to be appropriate, and admit such persons as limited partners. The terms of the LTIP units are specified in Exhibit C to the partnership agreement, which addresses, among other things, vesting and forfeiture, allocations, distributions, redemption, conversion to common partnership units of our operating partnership ("OP Units"), voting rights and restrictions on transfer. In general, LTIP units are a class of partnership units of our operating partnership that, except as may be otherwise provided in the partnership agreement, our 2012 Restated Long Term Incentive Plan or any applicable award agreement, will be entitled to receive the same per unit distribution of operating income as the OP Units. The LTIP units may be subject to vesting requirements. Initially, each LTIP unit will have a capital account balance of zero and, therefore, will not have full parity with OP Units with respect to liquidating distributions. However, the partnership agreement provides that "book gain," or economic appreciation, in assets realized by our operating partnership as a result of the actual sale of all or substantially all of our operating partnership's assets or the revaluation of our operating partnership's assets as provided by applicable Treasury regulations will be allocated first to the holders of LTIP units until the capital account per LTIP unit is equal to the fair market value of a share of our common stock, subject to certain adjustments. The partnership agreement provides that our operating partnership's assets will be revalued upon the occurrence of certain events, including additional capital contributions, a liquidation of our operating partnership or the issuance of a partnership interest (including LTIP units).

        Upon equalization of the capital accounts of the holders of LTIP units with the fair market value of the shares of our common stock, subject to certain adjustments, the LTIP units will achieve full parity with the OP Units for all purposes, including with respect to liquidating distributions. If such parity is reached, vested LTIP units will be convertible into an equal number of OP Units, and thereafter enjoy all the rights of OP Units. If a sale or revaluation of assets occurs at a time when our operating partnership's assets have appreciated sufficiently since the last revaluation, the LTIP units would achieve full parity with the OP Units upon such sale or revaluation. In the absence of sufficient appreciation in the value of our operating partnership's assets at the time of a sale or revaluation, full parity would not be reached. Consequently, an LTIP unit may never convert into an OP Unit if the value of our operating partnership's assets has not appreciated sufficiently between revaluation dates to equalize the capital account per LTIP unit to the fair market value of a share of our common stock, subject to certain adjustments. Until and unless parity is reached, the value for a given number of vested LTIP units will be less than the value of an equal number of shares of our common stock.

        With respect to LTIP units that convert into OP Units, the partnership agreement provides that holders of OP Units are generally entitled to receive distributions on a pro rata basis in accordance with their respective OP Units (subject to the rights of the holders of any class of preferred partnership interests that may be authorized and issued in the future). Pursuant to the terms of the partnership agreement, holders of LTIP units are not entitled to the redemption rights described above unless, until and to the extent such LTIP units have been converted into OP Units.

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Operations

        We intend to cause the general partner of our operating partnership to manage our operating partnership in a manner that will enable us to maintain our qualification as a REIT and to minimize any U.S. federal income tax liability.

        The partnership agreement provides that our operating partnership will assume and pay when due, or reimburse us for payment of, all costs and expenses relating to the operations of, or for the benefit of, our operating partnership.

Change of Control and Termination Transactions

        Pursuant to the partnership agreement of our operating partnership, neither we nor the general partner may engage in, or cause or permit, a Termination Transaction, other than with the consent of limited partners (other than us, the general partner and entities controlled by us or the general partner, if there are any other limited partners) holding a majority of all the outstanding operating partnership units held by all partners (other than us, the general partner and entities controlled by us or the general partner, if there are any other limited partners) entitled to vote on or consent to such matter, or if the requirements discussed below are satisfied. A "Termination Transaction" means any direct or indirect transfer of all or any portion of our limited partnership interest in our operating partnership or any direct or indirect transfer of our interest in the general partner in connection with:

•

a merger, consolidation or other combination transaction involving us or the general partner;



•

a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all of our assets not in the ordinary course of its business, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions;



•

the adoption of any plan of liquidation or dissolution of us or the general partner; or



•

any other direct or indirect transfer of all or any portion of our limited partnership interest in our operating partnership or any direct or indirect transfer of our interest in the general partner, other than certain permitted transfers to affiliated entities.

        The consent of the limited partners to a Termination Transaction is not required if either:

          (i)  in connection with the Termination Transaction, each operating partnership unit is entitled to receive the "transaction consideration," defined as the fair market value, at the time of the Termination Transaction, of an amount of cash, securities or other property equal to the product of:

•

the number of shares of our common stock into which each operating partnership unit is then exchangeable; and



•

the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property paid to the holder of one share of our common stock in consideration of such share pursuant to the Termination Transaction;

provided that, if, in connection with the Termination Transaction, a purchase, tender or exchange offer is made to and accepted by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock, the transaction consideration will refer to the fair market value of the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property which such holder would have received had it exercised its redemption right and received shares of our common stock in exchange for its operating partnership units immediately prior to the expiration of such purchase, tender or exchange offer and had accepted such purchase, tender or exchange offer; or

         (ii)  all of the following conditions are met: (a) substantially all of the assets directly or indirectly owned by our operating partnership prior to the announcement of the Termination Transaction are, immediately after the Termination Transaction, owned directly or indirectly by our

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operating partnership or another limited partnership or limited liability company which is the survivor of a merger, consolidation or combination of assets with our operating partnership, which we refer to as the "surviving partnership"; (b) the surviving partnership is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes; (c) the limited partners (other than us) that held operating partnership units immediately prior to the consummation of such Termination Transaction own a percentage interest of the surviving partnership based on the relative fair market value of the net assets of our operating partnership and the other net assets of the surviving partnership immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction; (d) the rights of such limited partners with respect to the surviving partnership are at least as favorable as those of limited partners prior to the consummation of such transaction and as those applicable to any other limited partners or non-managing members of the surviving partnership; and (e) such rights include:

        (1)   if we or the general partner, or our or its successor, is a REIT with a single class of common equity securities that are publicly traded on any U.S. national securities exchange, the right to redeem their interests in the surviving partnership at any time for one of the following: (A) a number of such REIT's common equity securities that are publicly traded on any U.S. national securities exchange and have a fair market value, as of the date of consummation of such Termination Transaction, equal to the transaction consideration referred to above, subject to antidilution adjustments, which we refer to as the "successor shares amount"; or (B) cash in an amount equal to the fair market value of the successor shares amount at the time of such redemption; or

        (2)   if we or the general partner, or our or its successor, is not a REIT with a single class of common equity securities that are publicly traded on any U.S. national securities exchange, the right to redeem their interests in the surviving partnership at any time for cash in an amount equal to the fair market value of such interests at the time of redemption, as determined at least once every calendar quarter by an independent appraisal firm of recognized national standing retained by the surviving partnership.

Term

        Our operating partnership will continue in full force and effect until dissolved in accordance with its terms or as otherwise provided by law.

Indemnification and Limitation of Liability

        Maryland law permits a Maryland limited partnership to indemnify any partner, employee or agent from and against any and all claims whatsoever, except in the case of an action or failure to act by a partner that constitutes willful misconduct or recklessness, and subject to any standards or restrictions set forth in its partnership agreement. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the partnership agreement requires our operating partnership to indemnify us, our directors, officers and employees, the general partner and its trustees, officers and employees, employees of our operating partnership and any other persons whom the general partner may designate, which we refer to collectively as "indemnitees", and each an "indemnitee", from and against any and all claims arising from or that relate to the operations of our operating partnership in which any indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party, witness or otherwise unless:

•

it is established by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction that an act or omission of the indemnitee that is material to the matter giving rise to the claim constituted fraud, intentional harm or gross negligence on the part of the indemnitee;



•

the claim is brought by the indemnitee (other than to enforce the indemnitee's rights to indemnification or advance of expenses); or

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•

the indemnitee is found by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to our operating partnership, and then only with respect to each such claim.

        The general partner is not liable to our operating partnership or its partners except for fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence, and no trustee, officer or agent of the general partner (including us, in our capacity as the sole trustee of the general partner), and none of our directors, officers or agents have any duties directly to our operating partnership or its partners, and will not be liable to our operating partnership or its partners for money damages by reason of their service as such.

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CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS

        The following summary of certain provisions of Maryland law and of our charter and bylaws does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to Maryland law, including the MGCL, and our charter and bylaws. Copies of our charter and bylaws have been filed with the SEC and are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See "Where You Can Find More Information."

Our Board of Directors

        Our board of directors currently consists of eight directors. Our charter and bylaws provide that the number of directors constituting our board of directors may be increased or decreased only by a majority vote of our board of directors, provided that the number of directors may not be decreased to fewer than the minimum number required under the MGCL, nor increased to more than 15.

        Subject to the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, vacancies on our board of directors may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy will hold office for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.

        Each of our directors is elected by our stockholders to serve until the next annual meeting of our stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. Holders of shares of our common stock have no right to cumulative voting in the election of directors. Consequently, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock can elect all of the directors then standing for election, and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors. Directors are elected by a plurality of all of the votes cast in the election of directors.

Removal of Directors

        Our charter provides that a director may be removed only for cause (as defined in our charter) and only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors. This provision, when coupled with the exclusive power of our board of directors to fill vacancies on our board of directors, precludes stockholders from removing incumbent directors (except for cause and upon a substantial affirmative vote) and filling the vacancies created by such removal with their own nominees.

Business Combinations

        Under the MGCL, certain "business combinations" (including a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or, in certain circumstances, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation's outstanding voting stock or an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time during the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding stock of the corporation) or an affiliate of such an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Thereafter, any such business combination must generally be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least (i) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation and (ii) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation, other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom (or with whose affiliate) the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder, unless, among other conditions, the corporation's common stockholders receive

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a minimum price (as defined in the MGCL) for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares. A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. A corporation's board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.

        Pursuant to the statute, our board of directors has by resolution exempted business combinations between us and any other person, provided that the business combination is first approved by our board of directors (including a majority of our directors who are not affiliates or associates of such person). Consequently, the five-year prohibition and the supermajority vote requirements will not apply to a business combination between us and any other person if the board of directors has first approved the combination. As a result, any person described in the preceding sentence may be able to enter into business combinations with us that may not be in the best interests of our stockholders, without compliance with the supermajority vote requirements and other provisions of the statute. We cannot assure you that our board of directors will not amend or repeal this resolution in the future.

Control Share Acquisitions

        The MGCL provides that holders of "control shares" of a Maryland corporation acquired in a "control share acquisition" have no voting rights with respect to such shares except to the extent approved by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquirer, an officer of the corporation or an employee of the corporation who is also a director of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter.

        "Control shares" are voting shares of stock that, if aggregated with all other such shares of stock owned by the acquirer, or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:

•

one-tenth or more but less than one-third;



•

one-third or more but less than a majority; or



•

a majority or more of all voting power.

        Control shares do not include shares that the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval or shares acquired directly from the corporation. A "control share acquisition" means the acquisition of issued and outstanding control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

        A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition, upon satisfaction of certain conditions (including an undertaking to pay expenses and making an "acquiring person statement" as described in the MGCL), may compel the board of directors to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.

        If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an "acquiring person statement" as required by the statute, then, subject to certain conditions and limitations, the corporation may redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares (except those for which voting rights have previously been approved). Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquirer or, if a meeting of stockholders is held at which the voting rights of such shares are considered and not approved, as of the date of such meeting. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a

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stockholders' meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of such appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquirer in the control share acquisition.

        The control share acquisition statute does not apply to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.

        Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of our stock. This provision may be amended or eliminated at any time in the future by our board of directors.

Subtitle 8

        Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three independent directors to elect to be subject, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any or all of five provisions of the MGCL that provide, respectively, for:

•

a classified board;



•

a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director;



•

a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of the board of directors;



•

a requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the remaining directors in office and (if the board is classified) for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred; and



•

a majority requirement for the calling of a stockholder-requested special meeting of stockholders.

        Pursuant to Subtitle 8, we have elected to provide that vacancies on our board may be filled only by the remaining directors and that directors elected by the board to fill vacancies will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred. Through provisions in our charter and bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, we already (i) vest in the board the exclusive power to fix the number of directorships and (ii) require, unless called by our chairman of the board, our chief executive officer, our president or our board of directors, the written request of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast at such a meeting to call a special meeting.

Meetings of Stockholders

        Pursuant to our bylaws, a meeting of our stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any business will be held annually on a date and at the time and place set by our board of directors. The chairman of our board of directors, our chief executive officer, our president or our board of directors may call a special meeting of our stockholders. Subject to the provisions of our bylaws, a special meeting of our stockholders to act on any matter that may properly be brought before a meeting of our stockholders must also be called by our secretary upon the written request of the stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at the meeting and containing the information required by our bylaws. Our secretary will inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and delivering the notice of meeting (including our proxy materials), and the requesting stockholder must pay such estimated cost before our secretary is required to prepare and deliver the notice of the special meeting.

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Amendments to Our Charter and Bylaws

        Except for those amendments permitted to be made without stockholder approval under Maryland law or our charter, our charter generally may be amended only if the amendment is first declared advisable by our board of directors and thereafter approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

        Our board of directors has the power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and to make new bylaws. In addition, stockholders may alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and adopt new bylaws with the approval by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Forum Selection

        Our bylaws require, subject to limited exceptions, that any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by any of our directors, officers or other employees to us or our stockholders and other similar actions, may be brought only in specified courts in the State of Maryland. Although we believe this provision will benefit us by limiting costly and time-consuming litigation in multiple forums and by providing increased consistency in the application of Maryland law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against us or our directors, officers and other employees.

Transactions Outside the Ordinary Course of Business

        Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally may not dissolve, merge or consolidate with, or convert to, another entity, sell all or substantially all of its assets or engage in a statutory share exchange unless the action is declared advisable by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, unless a lesser percentage (but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is specified in the corporation's charter. Our charter provides that these actions must be approved by a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Dissolution of Our Company

        The dissolution of our company must be declared advisable by a majority of our entire board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business

        Our bylaws provide that, with respect to an annual meeting of our stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by our stockholders may be made only (i) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of our board of directors or (iii) by any stockholder who was a stockholder of record at the record date set by the board of directors for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, at the time of giving the notice required by our bylaws and at the time of the meeting (or any postponement or adjournment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting on such business or in the election of such nominee and has provided notice to us within the time period, and containing the information and other materials, specified in the advance notice provisions of our bylaws.

        With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors may be made only (i) by or at the direction of our board of directors or (ii) if the meeting has been called for the purpose of electing directors, by any stockholder who was a stockholder of record at the record date set by the board of directors for the purpose of determining stockholders

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entitled to vote at the meeting, at the time of giving the notice required by our bylaws and at the time of the meeting (or any postponement or adjournment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each such nominee and who has provided notice to us within the time period, and containing the information and other materials, specified in the advance notice provisions of our bylaws.

        The advance notice procedures of our bylaws provide that, to be timely, a stockholder's notice with respect to director nominations or other proposals for an annual meeting must be delivered to our corporate secretary at our principal executive office not earlier than the 150th day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for our preceding year's annual meeting. In the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year's annual meeting, to be timely, a stockholder's notice must be delivered not earlier than the 150th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the close of business on the later of the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made.

REIT Qualification

        Our charter provides that our board of directors may authorize us to revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election, without approval of our stockholders, if it determines that it is no longer in our best interests to continue to qualify as a REIT.

Effects of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter and Bylaws

        Our charter and bylaws and Maryland law contain provisions that may delay, defer or prevent a change in control or other transaction that might involve a premium price for shares of our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders, including business combination provisions, supermajority vote requirements and advance notice requirements for director nominations and other stockholder proposals. Likewise, if the provision in our bylaws opting out of the control share acquisition provisions of the MGCL were rescinded or if we were to opt in to the classified board or other provisions of Subtitle 8, these provisions of the MGCL could have similar anti-takeover effects.

Indemnification and Limitation of Directors' and Officers' Liability

        Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from (i) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (ii) active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and that is material to the cause of action. Our charter contains a provision that eliminates the liability of our directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

        The MGCL requires us (unless our charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits us to indemnify our present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that:

•

the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;

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•

the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or



•

in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.

        Under the MGCL, we may not indemnify a director or officer in a suit by us or in our right in which the director or officer was adjudged liable to us or in a suit in which the director or officer was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. A court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, even though the director or officer did not meet the prescribed standard of conduct or was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. However, indemnification for an adverse judgment in a suit by us or in our right, or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, is limited to expenses.

        In addition, the MGCL permits us to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon our receipt of:

•

a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by us; and



•

a written undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by us if it is ultimately determined that the director or officer did not meet the standard of conduct.

        Our charter authorizes us to obligate ourselves, and our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to:

•

any present or former director or officer who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, a proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity; or



•

any individual who, while a director or officer of our company and at our request, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member or manager of another corporation, REIT, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity.

        Our charter and bylaws also permit us to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of ours in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of our company or a predecessor of our company.

        We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers that provide for indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

        The partnership agreement provides that we, our directors, officers and employees, the general partner and its trustees, officers and employees, employees of our operating partnership and any other persons whom the general partner may designate are indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by law. See "Description of the Partnership Agreement of CyrusOne LP—Indemnification and Limitation of Liability."

        Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors, officers or persons controlling us for liability arising under the Securities Act, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

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U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

        The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our common stock. Supplemental U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to the ownership of the other securities offered by this prospectus may be provided in the prospectus supplement that relates to those securities. For purposes of this section under the heading "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations," references to "CyrusOne Inc.," "we," "our" and "us" generally mean only CyrusOne Inc. and not its subsidiaries or other lower-tier entities, except as otherwise indicated, and references to "tenants" are to persons who are treated as lessees of real property for purposes of the REIT requirements including, in general, persons who are referred to as "customers" elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary is based upon the Code, the regulations promulgated by the Treasury, rulings and other administrative pronouncements issued by the IRS, and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. The summary is also based upon the assumption that we and our subsidiaries and affiliated entities will operate in accordance with our and their applicable organizational documents. This summary is for general information only and is not tax advice. It does not discuss any state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences relevant to us or an investment in any securities offered by this prospectus, and it does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular investor in light of its investment or tax circumstances or to investors subject to special tax rules, such as:

•

financial institutions;



•

insurance companies;



•

broker-dealers;



•

regulated investment companies;



•

partnerships, other pass-through entities and trusts;



•

persons who hold the securities offered by this prospectus on behalf of other persons as nominees;



•

persons who receive our stock through the issuance of restricted stock pursuant to our 2012 Long Term Incentive Plan or otherwise as compensation;



•

persons holding our stock as part of a "straddle," "hedge," "conversion transaction," "synthetic security" or other integrated investment;

        and, except to the extent discussed below:

•

tax-exempt organizations; and



•

foreign investors.

        This summary assumes that investors will hold their shares of our common stock as a capital asset, which generally means property held for investment.

        The U.S. federal income tax treatment of holders of our common stock depends in some instances on determinations of fact and interpretations of complex provisions of U.S. federal income tax law for which no clear precedent or authority may be available. In addition, the tax consequences to any particular stockholder of holding or disposing of our common stock will depend on the stockholder's particular tax circumstances. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign income and other tax consequences to you in light of your particular investment or tax circumstances of acquiring, holding, exchanging, or otherwise disposing of our common stock.

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Taxation of CyrusOne Inc.

        We have elected to be treated as a REIT commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013, and intend to continue to operate in a manner that will allow us to qualify as a REIT.

        The law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has acted as our special REIT tax counsel ("Special Tax Counsel"), and has provided us an opinion to the effect that, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013, we have been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and our proposed method of operation will enable us to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. It must be emphasized that the opinion of Special Tax Counsel is based on various assumptions relating to our organization and operation, and is conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding our organization, assets, and income, and the present and future conduct of our business operations. While we intend to operate so that we will continue to qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual determinations, and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances, no assurance can be given by Special Tax Counsel or by us that we will qualify as a REIT for any particular year. The opinion is expressed as of the date issued. Special Tax Counsel has no obligation to advise us or our stockholders of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed, or of any subsequent change in the applicable law. You should be aware that opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions.

        Qualification and taxation as a REIT depend on our ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual operating results, distribution levels, diversity of stock ownership, and various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code, all the results of which have not been and will not be reviewed by Special Tax Counsel. Our ability to qualify as a REIT also requires that we satisfy certain asset tests, some of which depend upon the fair market values of assets that we own directly or indirectly. Such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of our operations for any taxable year have satisfied or will satisfy such requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.

        We have received a private letter ruling from the IRS with respect to certain issues relevant to our qualification as a REIT. In general, the ruling provides, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, that certain structural components of our properties (e.g., relating to the provision of electricity, HVAC, regulation of humidity, security and fire protection, and telecommunication services) and intangible assets, and certain services that we or CBI may provide, directly or through subsidiaries, to our tenants, will not adversely affect our qualification as a REIT. Although we may generally rely upon the ruling, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification as a REIT on the basis of other issues or facts outside the scope of the ruling.

Taxation of REITs in General

        As indicated above, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code. The material qualification requirements are summarized below under "—Requirements for Qualification—General." While we intend to operate so that we continue to qualify as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification, or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See "—Failure to Qualify."

        Provided that we qualify as a REIT, generally we will be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and therefore will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our net taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the "double taxation" at the corporate and stockholder levels that generally results from an investment in a C corporation. A "C corporation" is a corporation that generally is required to pay tax at the corporate

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level. Double taxation means taxation once at the corporate level when income is earned and once again at the stockholder level when the income is distributed. In general, the income that we generate is taxed only at the stockholder level upon a distribution of dividends to our stockholders.

        Any net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other tax attributes generally do not pass through to our stockholders, subject to special rules for certain items such as the capital gains that we recognize. See "—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Distributions."

        If we qualify as a REIT, we will nonetheless be subject to U.S. federal tax in the following circumstances:

•

We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed net taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains.



•

If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. See "—Prohibited Transactions" and "—Foreclosure Property" below.



•

If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or certain leasehold terminations as "foreclosure property," we may thereby avoid the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction), but the income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate.



•

If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because we satisfy other requirements, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount based on the magnitude of the failure, as adjusted to reflect the profit margin associated with our gross income.



•

If we violate the asset tests (other than certain de minimis violations) or other requirements applicable to REITs, as described below, and yet maintain our qualification as a REIT because there is reasonable cause for the failure and other applicable requirements are met, we may be subject to a penalty tax. In that case, the amount of the penalty tax will be at least $50,000 per failure, and, in the case of certain asset test failures, will be determined as the amount of net income generated by the nonqualifying assets in question multiplied by the highest corporate tax rate if that amount exceeds $50,000 per failure.



•

If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of our ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of our capital gain net income for such year and (iii) any undistributed net taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (a) the amounts that we actually distributed and (b) the amounts we retained and upon which we paid income tax at the corporate level.



•

We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record-keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REIT's stockholders, as described below in "—Requirements for Qualification—General."



•

A 100% tax may be imposed on transactions between us and a TRS that do not reflect arm's length terms.



•

If we acquire appreciated assets from a corporation that is not a REIT (i.e., a corporation taxable under subchapter C of the Code) in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the

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hands of the subchapter C corporation, we may be subject to tax on such appreciation at the highest corporate income tax rate then applicable if we subsequently recognize gain on a disposition of any such assets during the five-year period following their acquisition from the subchapter C corporation.

•

The earnings of our TRSs will generally be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax.

        In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state, local, and foreign income, property, gross receipts and other taxes on our assets and operations. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.

Requirements for Qualification—General

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

1.

that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;



2.

the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;



3.

that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for its election to be subject to tax as a REIT;



4.

that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Code;



5.

the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;



6.

in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer "individuals" (as defined in the Code to include specified tax-exempt entities); and



7.

that meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets.

        The Code provides that conditions (1) through (4) must be met during the entire taxable year, and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) need not be met during a corporation's initial tax year as a REIT (which, in our case, was 2013). Our charter provides restrictions regarding the ownership and transfers of our stock, which are intended to assist us in satisfying the stock ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. These restrictions, however, may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. If we fail to satisfy these share ownership requirements, except as provided in the next sentence, our status as a REIT will terminate. If, however, 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 condition (6) above, we will be treated as having met this requirement.

        To monitor compliance with the stock ownership requirements, we generally are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our stock. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the stock (i.e., the persons required to include our dividends in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record-keeping requirements. If you fail or refuse to comply with the demands, you

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will be required by Treasury regulations to submit a statement with your tax return disclosing your actual ownership of our stock and other information.

        In addition, a corporation generally may not elect to become a REIT unless its taxable year is the calendar year. We adopted December 31 as our year-end and thereby satisfy this requirement.

Effect of Subsidiary Entities

        Ownership of Partnership Interests.    If we are a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Treasury regulations provide that we are deemed to own our proportionate share of the partnership's assets, and to earn our proportionate share of the partnership's income, for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs. Our proportionate share of a partnership's assets and income is based on our capital interest in the partnership (except that for purposes of the 10% value test, described below, our proportionate share of the partnership's assets is based on our proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by the partnership). In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership are deemed to retain the same character in our hands. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of any of our subsidiary partnerships will be treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the REIT requirements.

        We have control of any subsidiary entity treated as a partnership and intend to operate such entities in a manner consistent with the requirements for our qualification as a REIT. If we become a limited partner or non-managing member in any entity treated as a partnership and such entity takes or expects to take actions that could jeopardize our status as a REIT or require us to pay tax, we may be forced to dispose of our interest in such entity. In addition, it is possible that an entity treated as a partnership could take an action which could cause us to fail a gross income or asset test, and that we would not become aware of such action in time to dispose of our interest in such entity or take other corrective action on a timely basis. In that case, we could fail to qualify as a REIT unless we were entitled to relief, as described below.

        Disregarded Subsidiaries.    If we own a corporate subsidiary that is a "qualified REIT subsidiary," that subsidiary is generally disregarded as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all of the subsidiary's assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a TRS (as described below), that is directly or indirectly wholly-owned by a REIT. Other entities that are wholly-owned by us (either directly or through other disregarded entities), including single member limited liability companies that have not elected to be taxed as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are also generally disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests. For example, our operating partnership is currently a disregarded entity. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with any partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as "pass-through subsidiaries."

        In the event that a disregarded subsidiary of ours ceases to be wholly-owned—for example, if any equity interest in our operating partnership or other disregarded subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of ours—the subsidiary's separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, the subsidiary would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the securities of another corporation. See "—Asset Tests" and "—Income Tests."

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        Taxable REIT Subsidiaries.    In general, we may jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether or not wholly-owned, to treat such subsidiary corporation as a TRS. We generally may not own more than 10% of the securities of a taxable corporation, as measured by voting power or value, unless we and such corporation elect to treat such corporation as a TRS. The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation generally is subject to corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow that we and our subsidiaries generate in the aggregate, and may reduce our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

        We are not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by a taxable subsidiary corporation to us is an asset in our hands, and we treat the dividends paid to us from such taxable subsidiary corporation, if any, as income. This treatment can affect our income and asset test calculations, as described below. Because we do not include the assets and income of TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations on a look-through basis in determining our compliance with the REIT requirements, we may use such entities to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude us from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. For example, we may use TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations to perform services or conduct activities that give rise to certain categories of income such as management fees, or to conduct activities that, if conducted by us directly, would be treated in our hands as prohibited transactions.

        The TRS rules impose a 100% excise tax on transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT or the REIT's tenants that are not conducted on an arm's length basis. We intend that all of our transactions with our TRSs, if any, will be conducted on an arm's length basis.

        Subsidiary REITs.    We own certain of our assets through a subsidiary that is intended to be treated as a REIT. Our stock of any subsidiary REIT will generally be treated as a qualifying real estate asset for purposes of the REIT asset requirements (see "—Asset Tests" below), and any dividend income or gains derived by us from such stock will generally be treated as income that qualifies for purposes of the REIT 95% and 75% income requirements (see "—Income Tests" below), provided, in each case, that such subsidiary qualifies as a REIT. We and any subsidiary REIT are separate entities, each of which intends to qualify as a REIT, and each of which must independently satisfy the various REIT qualification requirements as described herein. If our subsidiary REIT were to fail to qualify as a REIT, it would then be a regular taxable corporation, and its income would be subject to U.S. federal income tax. In addition, a failure of such subsidiary to qualify as a REIT would likely have an adverse effect on our ability to comply with the REIT asset and income requirements described below, and thus our ability to qualify as a REIT.

New Interest Deduction Limitations

        Commencing in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, Section 163(j) of the Code limits the deductibility of net interest expense paid or accrued on debt properly allocable to a trade or business to 30% of "adjusted taxable income," subject to certain exceptions. Any deduction in excess of the limitation is carried forward and may be used in a subsequent year, subject to the 30% limitation. Adjusted taxable income is determined without regard to certain deductions, including those for net interest expense, net operating loss carryforwards and, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2022, depreciation, amortization and depletion. Provided the taxpayer makes a timely election (which is irrevocable), the 30% limitation does not apply to a trade or business involving real property development, redevelopment, construction, reconstruction, rental, operation, acquisition, conversion, disposition, management, leasing or brokerage. If we make this election, we must use a generally less favorable depreciation system under the Code for our real property (including certain improvements). If we do not make the election or if the election is determined not to be available with respect to all or certain of our business activities, the new interest deduction limitation could change the amount of

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REIT taxable income we have and thus change the amount of distributions we must make to comply with the REIT requirements and avoid incurring corporate level tax. In addition, the foregoing limitations on the deduction of interest expense (including, if applicable, elections with respect thereto) will apply to our TRSs or other regarded subsidiary entities.

Income Tests

        In order to qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income requirements on an annual basis. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in "prohibited transactions," discharge of indebtedness and certain hedging transactions, generally must be derived from "rents from real property," gains from the sale of real property, mortgages on real property, and shares in other REITs, interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property (including certain types of mortgage-backed securities), dividends received from other REITs, and specified income from temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, discharge of indebtedness and certain hedging transactions, must be derived from some combination of income that qualifies under the 75% gross income test described above, as well as other dividends, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property. Income and gain from certain hedging transactions will be excluded from both the numerator and the denominator for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests.

        Rents from Real Property.    Rents we receive from a tenant will qualify as "rents from real property" for the purpose of satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if all of the conditions described below are met.

•

The amount of rent is not based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount we receive or accrue generally will not be excluded from the term "rents from real property" solely because it is based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales;



•

Neither we nor an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of our stock actually or constructively owns 10% or more of the interests in the assets or net profits of a non-corporate tenant, or, if the tenant is a corporation, 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote or 10% or more of the total value of all classes of stock of the tenant. Rents we receive from such a tenant that is a TRS of ours, however, will not be excluded from the definition of "rents from real property" as a result of this condition if at least 90% of the space at the property to which the rents relate is leased to third parties, and the rents paid by the TRS are substantially comparable to rents paid by our other tenants for comparable space. Whether rents paid by a TRS are substantially comparable to rents paid by other tenants is determined at the time the lease with the TRS is entered into, extended, and modified, if such modification increases the rents due under such lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, if a lease with a "controlled TRS" is modified and such modification results in an increase in the rents payable by such TRS, any such increase will not qualify as "rents from real property." For purposes of this rule, a "controlled TRS" is a TRS in which the parent REIT owns stock possessing more than 50% of the voting power or more than 50% of the total value of the outstanding stock of such TRS;



•

Rent attributable to personal property that is leased in connection with a lease of real property is not greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease. If this condition is not met, then the portion of the rent attributable to personal property will not qualify as "rents from real property"; and



•

We generally do not operate or manage the property or furnish or render services to our tenants, subject to a 1% de minimis exception and except as provided below. We are permitted,

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however, to perform directly certain services that are "usually or customarily rendered" in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not otherwise considered "rendered to the occupant" of the property. Examples of these permitted services include the provision of light, heat, or other utilities, trash removal and general maintenance of common areas. In addition, we are permitted to employ an independent contractor from whom we derive no revenue to provide customary services to our tenants, or a TRS, which may be wholly or partially owned by us, to provide both customary and non-customary services to our tenants without causing the rent that we receive from those tenants to fail to qualify as "rents from real property." Any amounts that we receive from a TRS with respect to the TRS's provision of non-customary services will, however, be nonqualifying income under the 75% gross income test and, except to the extent received through the payment of dividends, the 95% gross income test.

        A significant portion of the value of our properties is attributable to structural components related to the provision of electricity, heating ventilation and air conditioning, regulation of humidity, security and fire protection, and telecommunications infrastructure. In addition, we or our affiliates will provide certain services to tenants of our properties. We expect that our structural components will be treated as real property for purposes of the REIT gross income tests, and we intend to structure the provision of services in a manner that does not prevent our rental income from qualifying as "rents from real property." We have received a private letter ruling from the IRS with respect to certain issues relevant to our qualification as a REIT. In general, the ruling provides, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, that certain structural components of our properties (e.g., relating to the provision of electricity, HVAC, regulation of humidity, security and fire protection, and telecommunication services), and certain services that we or CBI may provide, directly or through subsidiaries, to our tenants, will not adversely affect our qualification as a REIT. Although we may generally rely upon the ruling, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification as a REIT on the basis of other issues or facts outside the scope of the ruling. In addition, the ruling may not apply to our subsidiary REIT, which was formed after our receipt of the ruling.

        We intend to cause any services that are not "usually or customarily rendered," or that are for the benefit of a particular tenant in connection with the rental of real property, to be provided through a TRS or through an "independent contractor." However, no assurance can be given that the IRS will concur with our determination as to whether a particular service is usual or customary, or otherwise in this regard.

        Interest Income.    Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test (as described above) to the extent that the obligation upon which such interest is paid is secured by a mortgage on real property or an interest in real property. If we receive interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and other property, and the highest principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property on the date that we acquired or originated the mortgage loan, the interest income will generally be apportioned between the real property and the other collateral, and our income from the arrangement will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test only to the extent that the interest is allocable to the real property. In certain cases, personal property collateral securing a loan that we hold may be treated as real property for purposes of the foregoing rules. Even if a loan is not secured by real property, or is undersecured, the income that it generates may nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test. For these purposes, the term "interest" generally does not include any amount received or accrued, directly or indirectly, if the determination of all or some of the amount depends in any way 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.

        Dividend Income.    We may directly or indirectly receive distributions from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions generally are

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treated as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions will generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any dividends that we receive from another REIT, however, will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross income tests.

        Fee Income.    Any fee income that we earn will generally not be qualifying income for purposes of either gross income test. Any fees earned by a TRS, however, will not be included for purposes of our gross income tests.

        Hedging Transactions.    Any income or gain that we or our pass-through subsidiaries derive from instruments that hedge certain specified risks, such as the risk of changes in interest rates, will be excluded from gross income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests, provided that specified requirements are met, including the requirement that the instrument is entered into during the ordinary course of our business and that the instrument be properly identified as a hedge along with the risk that it hedges within prescribed time periods. Income and gain from all other hedging transactions will not be qualifying income for either the 95% or 75% gross income test.

        Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests.    If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may still qualify as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Code. These relief provisions will be generally available if (i) our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (ii) following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% or 95% gross income test for any taxable year, we file a schedule with the IRS setting forth each item of our gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury regulations, which have not yet been issued. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify as a REIT. Even if these relief provisions apply, and we retain our status as a REIT, the Code imposes a tax based upon the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross income test.

Asset Tests

        At the close of each calendar quarter, we must also satisfy five tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of "real estate assets," cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, and, under some circumstances, stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include interests in real property (and certain ancillary personal property), stock of other corporations that qualify as REITs, some kinds of mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans, and debt instruments (whether or not secured by real property) that are issued by a "publicly offered REIT" (i.e., a REIT that is required to file annual and periodic reports with the SEC under the Exchange Act). Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% asset test are subject to the additional asset tests described below.

        Second, the value of any one issuer's securities that we own may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets.

        Third, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer's outstanding securities, as measured by either voting power or value. The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to securities of TRSs and qualified REIT subsidiaries and the value prong of the 10% asset test does not apply to "straight debt" having specified characteristics and to certain other securities described below. Solely for purposes of the value prong of the 10% asset test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Code.

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        Fourth, the aggregate value of all securities of TRSs that we hold may not exceed 20% of the value of our total assets.

        Fifth, no more than 25% of the total value of our assets may be represented by "nonqualified publicly offered REIT debt instruments" (i.e., real estate assets that would cease to be real estate assets if debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs were not included in the definition of real estate assets).

        Notwithstanding the general rule, as noted above, that for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests we are treated as owning our proportionate share of the underlying assets of a subsidiary partnership, if we hold indebtedness issued by a partnership, the indebtedness will be subject to, and may cause a violation of, the asset tests unless the indebtedness is a qualifying mortgage asset or other conditions are met. Similarly, although stock of another REIT is a qualifying asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, any non-mortgage debt that is issued by non-publicly offered REIT may not so qualify (although such debt will not be treated as "securities" for purposes of the value prong of the 10% asset test, as explained below).

        Certain securities will not cause a violation of the value prong of the 10% asset test described above. Such securities include instruments that constitute "straight debt," which term generally excludes, among other things, securities having contingency features. A security does not qualify as "straight debt" where a REIT (or a controlled TRS of the REIT) owns other securities of the same issuer which do not qualify as straight debt, unless the value of those other securities constitute, in the aggregate, 1% or less of the total value of that issuer's outstanding securities. In addition to straight debt, the Code provides that certain other securities will not violate the value prong of the 10% asset test. Such securities include (i) any loan made to an individual or an estate, (ii) certain rental agreements pursuant to which one or more payments are to be made in subsequent years (other than agreements between a REIT and certain persons related to the REIT under attribution rules), (iii) any obligation to pay rents from real property, (iv) securities issued by governmental entities that are not dependent in whole or in part on the profits of (or payments made by) a nongovernmental entity, (v) any security (including debt securities) issued by another REIT and (vi) any debt instrument issued by a partnership if the partnership's income is of a nature that it would satisfy the 75% gross income test described above under "—Income Tests." In applying the value prong of the 10% asset test, a debt security issued by a partnership is not taken into account to the extent, if any, of the REIT's proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by that partnership.

        A significant portion of the value of our properties is attributable to structural components related to the provision of electricity, heating ventilation and air conditioning, regulation of humidity, security and fire protection, and telecommunication infrastructure. We expect that our structural components will be treated as real property for purposes of the REIT asset tests, and we have received a private letter ruling from the IRS, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, generally to that effect. If, however, any structural components not covered by the IRS ruling are subsequently determined not to constitute real property for purposes of the REIT asset tests, we could fail to satisfy such tests.

        No independent appraisals have been obtained to support our conclusions as to the value of our total assets or the value of any particular security or securities. Moreover, the values of some assets may not be susceptible to a precise determination, and values are subject to change in the future. Furthermore, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset requirements. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in our subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers will not cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.

        However, certain relief provisions are available to allow REITs to satisfy the asset requirements or to maintain REIT qualification notwithstanding certain violations of the asset tests and other

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requirements. For example, if we should fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter such a failure would not cause us to lose our REIT qualification if we (i) satisfied the asset tests at the close of the preceding calendar quarter and (ii) the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset requirements was not wholly or partly caused by an acquisition of non-qualifying assets, but instead arose from changes in the relative market values of our assets. If the condition described in clause (ii) were not satisfied, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose or by making use of the relief provisions described above.

        In the case of de minimis violations of the 10% and 5% asset tests, a REIT may maintain its qualification despite a violation of such requirements if (i) the value of the assets causing the violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the REIT's total assets and $10,000,000 and (ii) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or the relevant tests are otherwise satisfied within that time frame.

        Even if we did not qualify for the foregoing relief provisions, one additional provision allows a REIT that fails one or more of the asset tests to nevertheless maintain its REIT qualification if (i) the REIT provides the IRS with a description of each asset causing the failure, (ii) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (iii) the REIT pays a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 per failure and (b) the product of the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure multiplied by the highest applicable corporate tax rate and (iv) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or otherwise satisfies the relevant asset tests within that time frame.

Annual Distribution Requirements

        In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to annually distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to:

(i)

the sum of



(a)

90% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to our net capital gains and the deduction for dividends paid; and



(b)

90% of our after tax net income, if any, from foreclosure property (as described below); minus



(ii)

the excess of the sum of specified items of non-cash income over 5% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to our net capital gains and the deduction for dividends paid.

        We generally must make these distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and if paid with or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration. These distributions will be treated as received by our stockholders in the year in which paid.

        To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our REIT taxable income, as adjusted, we will be subject to tax at ordinary corporate tax rates on the retained portion. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute, some or all of our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we could elect for our stockholders to include their proportionate shares of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income, and to receive a corresponding credit for their share of the tax that we paid. Our stockholders would then increase the adjusted basis of their stock by the difference between (i) the amounts of capital gain dividends that we designated and that they include in their taxable income, and (ii) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income.

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        To the extent that in the future we may have available net operating losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may, subject to limitations, reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Such losses, however, will generally not affect the tax treatment to our stockholders of any distributions that are actually made. See "—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Distributions."

        If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of our ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of our capital gain net income for such year and (iii) any undistributed net taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (a) the amounts actually distributed, plus (b) the amounts of income we retained and on which we have paid corporate income tax.

        We expect that our REIT taxable income will be less than our cash flow because of depreciation and other non-cash charges included in computing REIT taxable income. Accordingly, we anticipate that we generally will have sufficient cash or liquid assets to enable us 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 determining our taxable income. In addition, we may decide to retain our cash, rather than distribute it, in order to repay debt, acquire assets, or for other reasons. If these timing differences occur, we may sell assets, borrow funds to pay dividends or pay dividends through the distribution of other property (including shares of our stock) in order to meet the distribution requirements, while preserving our cash.

        If our taxable income for a particular year is subsequently determined to have been understated, we may be able to rectify a resultant failure to meet the distribution requirements 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. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing REIT qualification or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends, subject to the 4% excise tax described above. We will be required to pay interest based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.

        For purposes of the 90% distribution requirement and excise tax described above, any dividend that we declare in October, November or December of any year and that is payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay the dividend before the end of January of the following calendar year.

Prohibited Transactions

        Net income that we derive from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term "prohibited transaction" generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property, as discussed below) that is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or as having been, held as inventory or for sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. Whether property is held as inventory or "primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business" depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any property that we sell will not be treated as inventory or property held for sale to customers, or that we can comply with certain safe-harbor provisions of the Code that would prevent such treatment. The 100% tax does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the

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corporation at regular corporate rates. We intend to structure our activities to avoid prohibited transaction characterization.

Like-Kind Exchanges

        We may dispose of properties in transactions intended to qualify as like-kind exchanges under the Code. Such like-kind exchanges are intended to result in the deferral of gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The failure of any such transaction to qualify as a like-kind exchange could require us to pay federal income tax, possibly including the 100% prohibited transaction tax, depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction.

Derivatives and Hedging Transactions

        We may enter into hedging transactions, including with respect to foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate exposure on one or more of our assets or liabilities. Any such hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including the use of derivative instruments such as swap contracts, cap or floor contracts, futures or forward contracts, and options. Income from a hedging transaction (including gain from the sale, disposition, or termination of a position in such a transaction) generally will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests if we properly identify the transaction as specified in applicable Treasury regulations and we enter into such transaction (i) in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate changes or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets; (ii) primarily to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% income tests; or (iii) in connection with the extinguishment of indebtedness with respect to which we have entered into a qualified hedging position described in clause (i) or the disposition of property with respect to which we have entered into a qualified hedging position described in clause (ii), primarily to manage the risks of such hedging positions. To the extent that we enter 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. Moreover, to the extent that a position in a hedging transaction has positive value at any particular point in time, it may be treated as an asset that does not qualify for purposes of the REIT asset tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT. We may conduct some or all of our hedging activities (including hedging activities relating to currency risk) through a TRS or other corporate entity, the income from which may be subject to U.S. federal income tax, rather than by participating in the arrangements directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. No assurance can be given, however, that our hedging activities will not give rise to income or assets that do not qualify for purposes of the REIT tests, or that our hedging activities will not adversely affect our ability to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements.