SEVN Files $500M Shelf Registration to Support Floating-Rate CRE Lending
Seven Hills Realty Trust filed a shelf registration on Form S-3 to offer up to $500,000,000 of securities including common and preferred shares, depositary shares, debt securities, subscription rights and warrants. SEVN is a Maryland REIT that focuses on originating and investing in floating-rate first mortgage loans sized approximately $15 million to $75 million secured by middle-market transitional commercial real estate. As of June 30, 2025, SEVN reported approximately $665.4 million in aggregate loan commitments across 23 first mortgage loans. The company has 15,069,116 common shares issued and outstanding as of September 17, 2025 and its common shares trade on Nasdaq under the symbol SEVN. The prospectus highlights transfer and ownership limits (generally 9.8%) and related Charitable Trust mechanisms, and incorporates risk factor disclosures and forward-looking statement cautions.
Positive
- $500.0 million shelf registration expands the company's capital-raising flexibility
- $665.4 million in aggregate loan commitments across 23 first mortgage loans indicates an established lending pipeline
- Nasdaq listing (SEVN) provides liquidity and public market access for common shares
Negative
- Ownership limits (9.8%) and Charitable Trust transfer rules may deter large investors or complicate block trades
- Significant risk disclosures and broad forward-looking caution highlight exposure to interest-rate, credit and market volatility
- Management discretion over use of proceeds means future offerings could dilute existing shareholders without specified planned allocations
Insights
TL;DR: Shelf registration for $500M increases SEVN's capital flexibility to support lending but raises dilution and funding execution questions.
Seven Hills' S-3 positions the company to raise up to $500 million through equity, debt or hybrid instruments. For a lender focused on floating-rate CRE loans, access to capital can accelerate originations and leverage existing loan commitments of $665.4 million across 23 loans. Key near-term investor considerations include the mix of securities issued, potential dilution to existing equity, and timing relative to market demand and interest-rate conditions. The filing preserves management discretion on use of proceeds and relies on prospectus supplements for specific offering terms.
TL;DR: Governance provisions and ownership limits protect REIT status but may constrain capital holders and M&A flexibility.
SEVN's declaration of trust includes a 9.8% ownership cap and a Charitable Trust enforcement mechanism that can automatically transfer shares to preserve REIT qualification. The Board may amend ownership limits or grant exemptions, which centralizes control and creates potential transfer uncertainty for large holders. These provisions are material for activists, strategic acquirers and large investors evaluating control, liquidity and resale risk.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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Maryland
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
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20-4649929
(I.R.S. Employer
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255 Washington Street, Suite 300
Newton, Massachusetts 02458-1634
(617) 332-9530
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Seven Hills Realty Trust
Two Newton Place
255 Washington Street, Suite 300
Newton, Massachusetts 02458-1634
(617) 332-9530
Michelle Huynh
Ropes & Gray LLP
Prudential Tower
800 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02199
(617) 951-7000
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Large accelerated filer
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Accelerated filer
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Non-accelerated filer
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Smaller reporting company
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Emerging growth company
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
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OUR COMPANY
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RISK FACTORS
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WARNING CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
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STATEMENT CONCERNING LIMITED LIABILITY
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USE OF PROCEEDS
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DESCRIPTION OF SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
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DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
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DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF OUR DECLARATION OF TRUST AND BYLAWS
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
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LEGAL MATTERS
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EXPERTS
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
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INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
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AND OF OUR DECLARATION OF TRUST AND BYLAWS
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
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SEC Registration Fee
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| | | $ | 76,550 | | |
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Trustee’s Fees and Expenses
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Printing Fees and Expenses
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Legal Fees and Expenses
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Accounting Fees and Expenses
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Rating Agency Fees
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Miscellaneous Fees and Expenses
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Total:
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| | | $ | 76,550 | | |
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Exhibit
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Description
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| | 1.1 | | | Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Common Shares).* | |
| | 1.2 | | | Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Preferred Shares).* | |
| | 1.3 | | | Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Depositary Shares).* | |
| | 1.4 | | | Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Debt Securities).* | |
| | 1.5 | | | Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Subscription Rights).* | |
| | 1.6 | | | Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Warrants).* | |
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Exhibit
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Description
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| | 4.1 | | | Declaration of Trust of the Company, dated December 21, 2021. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on December 22, 2021.) | |
| | 4.2 | | | Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as of May 30, 2024. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 3, 2024.) | |
| | 4.3 | | | Form of Common Share Certificate. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.) | |
| | 4.4 | | | Form of Articles Supplementary for Preferred Shares.* | |
| | 4.5 | | | Form of Preferred Share Certificate.* | |
| | 4.6 | | | Form of Deposit Agreement, including form of Depositary Receipt for Depositary Shares.* | |
| | 4.7 | | | Form of Indenture** | |
| | 4.8 | | | Form of Debt Security* | |
| | 4.9 | | | Form of Subscription Rights Agreement, including form of subscription rights certificate.* | |
| | 4.10 | | | Form of Warrant Agreement, including form of Warrant.* | |
| | 5.1 | | | Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP.** | |
| | 5.2 | | | Opinion of Duane Morris LLP.** | |
| | 8.1 | | | Opinion of Sullivan & Worcester LLP as to tax matters.** | |
| | 23.1 | | | Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.** | |
| | 23.2 | | | Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).** | |
| | 23.3 | | | Consent of Sullivan & Worcester LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1).** | |
| | 23.4 | | | Consent of Duane Morris LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2).** | |
| | 24.1 | | | Powers of Attorney of certain officers and trustees (included on signature page).** | |
| | 25.1 | | | Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the trustee under the Indenture.* | |
| | 107 | | | Filing Fee Table.** | |
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Exhibit
No. |
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Description
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| | 1.1 | | | Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Common Shares).* | |
| | 1.2 | | | Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Preferred Shares).* | |
| | 1.3 | | | Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Depositary Shares).* | |
| | 1.4 | | | Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Debt Securities).* | |
| | 1.5 | | | Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Subscription Rights).* | |
| | 1.6 | | | Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Warrants).* | |
| | 4.1 | | |
Declaration of Trust of the Company, dated December 21, 2021. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on December 22, 2021.)
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| | 4.2 | | | Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as of May 30, 2024. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 3, 2024.) | |
| | 4.3 | | |
Form of Common Share Certificate. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.)
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| | 4.4 | | | Form of Articles Supplementary for Preferred Shares.* | |
| | 4.5 | | | Form of Preferred Share Certificate.* | |
| | 4.6 | | | Form of Deposit Agreement, including form of Depositary Receipt for Depositary Shares.* | |
| | 4.7 | | |
Form of Indenture**
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| | 4.8 | | | Form of Debt Security* | |
| | 4.9 | | | Form of Subscription Rights Agreement, including form of subscription rights certificate.* | |
| | 4.10 | | | Form of Warrant Agreement, including form of Warrant.* | |
| | 5.1 | | |
Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP.**
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| | 5.2 | | |
Opinion of Duane Morris LLP.**
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| | 8.1 | | |
Opinion of Sullivan & Worcester LLP as to tax matters.**
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| | 23.1 | | |
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.**
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| | 23.2 | | |
Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).**
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| | 23.3 | | |
Consent of Sullivan & Worcester LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1).**
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| | 23.4 | | |
Consent of Duane Morris LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2).**
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| | 24.1 | | |
Powers of Attorney of certain officers and trustees (included on signature page).**
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| | 25.1 | | | Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the trustee under the Indenture.* | |
| | 107 | | |
Filing Fee Table.**
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Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
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Signature
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Title
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Date
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/s/ Thomas J. Lorenzini
Thomas J. Lorenzini
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| | President (Principal Executive Officer) | | |
September 19, 2025
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/s/ Matthew C. Brown
Matthew C. Brown
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| | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | | |
September 19, 2025
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/s/ Ann M. Danner
Ann M. Danner
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| | Independent Trustee | | |
September 19, 2025
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/s/ Barbara D. Gilmore
Barbara D. Gilmore
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| | Independent Trustee | | |
September 19, 2025
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/s/ Matthew P. Jordan
Matthew P. Jordan
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| | Managing Trustee | | |
September 19, 2025
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/s/ William A. Lamkin
William A. Lamkin
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| | Independent Trustee | | |
September 19, 2025
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/s/ Joseph L. Morea
Joseph L. Morea
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| | Independent Trustee | | |
September 19, 2025
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/s/ Adam D. Portnoy
Adam D. Portnoy
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| | Managing Trustee | | |
September 19, 2025
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/s/ Jeffery P. Somers
Jeffrey P. Somers
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| | Independent Trustee | | |
September 19, 2025
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