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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 7, 2011
Registration No. 333-      
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
     
Delaware
  20-3068069
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
111 Westwood Place, Suite 400
Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
(615) 221-2250
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
T. Andrew Smith, Esq.
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Brookdale Senior Living Inc.
111 Westwood Place, Suite 400
Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
(615) 221-2250
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
With a copy to:
Joseph A. Coco, Esq.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Four Times Square
New York, New York 10036
Telephone: (212) 735-3000
 
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement
 
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  o
 
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  þ
 
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o
 
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o
 
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  þ
 
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
             
Large accelerated filer þ
  Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
                         
            Proposed
    Proposed
     
Title of Each Class of Securities
    Amount to be
    Maximum Offering
    Maximum Aggregate
    Amount of
to be Registered (1)     Registered (2) (3)     Price per Unit (2) (3)     Offering Price     Registration Fee (5)
Primary Offering:
                       
Common Stock
    (4)                  
Preferred Stock
    (4)                  
Debt Securities
                       
Secondary Offering:
                       
Common Stock
    (4)                  
Total
                       
                         
(1) Securities registered hereunder may be sold separately, together or as units with other securities registered hereunder.
 
(2) With respect to the primary offering, not required to be included pursuant to Form S-3 General Instruction I.D.
 
(3) An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices, along with an indeterminate number of securities that may be issued upon exercise, settlement, exchange or conversion of securities offered hereunder. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon exercise, settlement, conversion or exchange of other securities or that are issued in units with other securities registered hereunder.
 
(4) Includes up to 20,091,326 shares of our common stock may be offered pursuant to this registration statement by the selling stockholders. Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, all of these shares of our common stock registered hereunder represent unsold securities previously registered on Registration Statement (File No. 333-159146), initially filed on May 12, 2009, for which a filing fee of $36,517 was previously paid and will continue to be applied to such unsold securities.
 
(5) In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act the Registrant is deferring payment of the entire registration fee.
 


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PROSPECTUS
 
 
(BROOKDALE LOGO)
BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING INC.
COMMON STOCK
PREFERRED STOCK
DEBT SECURITIES
 
 
We may offer and sell, from time to time in one or more offerings, any combination of common stock, preferred stock and debt securities on terms to be determined at the time of offering. The selling stockholders may also offer and sell, from time to time, up to 20,091,326 shares of our common stock. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of our common stock by selling stockholders.
 
This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities. We will provide the specific prices and terms of these securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus at the time of the offering. You should read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement carefully before you make your investment decision.
 
We or the selling stockholders may offer and sell these securities through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. The securities may also be resold by selling stockholders. The prospectus supplement for each offering will describe in detail the plan of distribution for that offering and will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the offering and any applicable fees, commissions or discount arrangements.
 
This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
 
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the trading symbol “BKD.” Each prospectus supplement will indicate if the securities offered thereby will be listed on any securities exchange.
 
Investing in our securities involves risks. You should read the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 before buying our securities. This information may also be included in any supplement and/or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
 
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
 
The date of this prospectus is June 7, 2011.


 

 
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
 
This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as a “well known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act. Under the shelf process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings, and any selling stockholder named in a prospectus supplement may offer from time to time, in one or more offerings, shares of our common stock.
 
This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities we and the selling stockholders may offer. Each time we or any selling stockholders sell securities described in the prospectus we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering, including the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities offered. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read both this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
 
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Neither we nor the selling stockholders have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. Neither we nor the selling stockholders are making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
 
This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information included in the registration statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information, we refer you to the registration statement on Form S-3, including its exhibits. We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and, therefore, file reports and other information with the SEC. Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement about the provisions or contents of any agreement or other document are only summaries. If SEC rules require that any agreement or document be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, you should refer to that agreement or document for its complete contents.
 
You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of each document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since then.
 
In this prospectus, unless otherwise specified or the context requires otherwise, we use the terms “Brookdale,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” to refer to Brookdale Senior Living Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, except where it is clear that the term refers only to the parent company.


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SUMMARY
 
This is only a summary and may not contain all the information that is important to you. You should carefully read both this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and any other offering materials, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
 
Brookdale Senior Living Inc.
 
Brookdale Senior Living Inc. is a leading owner and operator of senior living communities throughout the United States. The Company provides an exceptional living experience through properties that are designed, purpose-built and operated to provide the highest quality service, care and living accommodations for residents. The Company owns, leases and operates retirement centers, assisted living and dementia-care communities and continuing care retirement centers, or CCRCs.
 
As of March 31, 2011, we were the largest operator of senior living communities in the United States based on total capacity, with 558 communities in 33 states and the ability to serve over 51,000 residents. As of March 31, 2011, we operated in four business segments: retirement centers, assisted living, CCRCs and management services.
 
As of March 31, 2011, we operated 75 retirement center communities with 14,199 units, 428 assisted living communities with 21,177 units, 36 CCRCs with 12,002 units and 19 communities with 3,784 units where we provide management services for third parties. The majority of our units are located in campus settings or communities containing multiple services, including CCRCs. For the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the weighted average occupancy rate for our owned/leased communities was 87.2%. For the quarter ended March 31, 2011, 44.4% of our revenues were generated from owned communities, 55.4% from leased communities and 0.2% from management fees from communities we operate on behalf of third parties. We generate approximately 79.1% of our revenues from private pay customers.
 
Our principal executive offices are located at 111 Westwood Place, Suite 400, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027 and our telephone number at that address is (615) 221-2250. Our website address is www.brookdaleliving.com. The information on, or accessible through, our website is not part of this prospectus and should not be relied upon in connection with making any investment decision with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus.


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RISK FACTORS
 
You should consider the specific risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, the risk factors described under the caption “Risk Factors” in any applicable prospectus supplement and any risk factors set forth in our other filings with the SEC, before making an investment decision. Each of the risks described in these documents could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 13 of this prospectus.
 
USE OF PROCEEDS
 
Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds of any offering of securities for working capital and other general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment or refinancing of outstanding indebtedness and the financing of future acquisitions. We will have significant discretion in the use of any net proceeds. The net proceeds may be invested temporarily in interest-bearing accounts and short-term interest-bearing securities until they are used for their stated purpose. We may provide additional information on the use of the net proceeds from the sale of the offered securities in an applicable prospectus supplement relating to the offered securities.
 
We will not receive any proceeds in the event that the securities are sold by a selling stockholder.
 
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS
 
The following table sets forth our consolidated ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred dividends for the periods indicated:
 
                     
Three Months
                   
Ended
  Years Ended December 31,
March 31, 2011
  2010   2009   2008   2007   2006
 
(1)
  (1)   (1)   (1)   (1)   (1)
 
 
(1) Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006 were less than one-to-one to cover fixed charges. The coverage deficiencies were $23.7 million, $79.9 million, $100.1 million, $452.9 million, $257.2 million and $140.6 million, respectively.
 
For purposes of the ratio, “earnings” means the sum of:
 
  •  our pre-tax income from continuing operations, before adjustments for minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries or income or loss from equity investees;
 
  •  any distributed income we receive from less-than-fifty-percent-owned companies; and
 
  •  our fixed charges, excluding capitalized interest, and preferred stock dividend requirements of our consolidated subsidiaries.
 
“Fixed charges and preferred stock dividends” means the sum of:
 
  •  the interest we pay on borrowed funds;
 
  •  the preferred stock dividend requirements of our consolidated subsidiaries;
 
  •  the amount we amortize for debt discount, premium, and issuance expense;
 
  •  an estimate of the interest within rent expense; and
 
  •  our preferred stock dividend requirements, increased to an amount representing the pre-tax earnings required to cover such dividend requirements based on our effective income tax rates.


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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
General
 
As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized capital stock consists of:
 
  •  200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share; and
 
  •  50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.
 
As of June 3, 2011, there were outstanding 121,959,031 shares of common stock (excluding unvested restricted shares) and no outstanding shares of preferred stock. All of the shares of common stock outstanding on the date of this prospectus are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable under the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL.
 
Set forth below is a summary description of the material terms of our capital stock. This description is qualified in its entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws.
 
Common Stock
 
Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of our common stock possess the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and for all other purposes. The amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors. Pursuant to our Stockholders Agreement, dated as of November 28, 2005, by and among the Company and the stockholders named therein, as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, or our Stockholders Agreement, so long as the Fortress Stockholders and their Permitted Transferees (in each case, as defined therein) beneficially own (i) less than 25% but more than 10% of the voting power of the Company, FIG LLC, an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC, or Fortress, shall be entitled to designate two directors, and (ii) less than 10% but more than 5% of the voting power of the Company, FIG LLC shall be entitled to designate one director. Our Stockholders Agreement requires that each of our stockholders party to our Stockholders Agreement shall vote or cause to be voted all of their voting shares for the directors nominated as described above. As of the date of this prospectus, Fortress and various principals of Fortress, in the aggregate, beneficially own approximately 16.5% of the voting power of the Company. As a result, FIG LLC is currently entitled to designate two numbers of our board of directors.
 
Subject to any preference rights of holders of our preferred stock that the Company may issue in the future, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after the payment of liabilities, subject to any rights of our holders of preferred stock to prior distribution.
 
The holders of common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. Any shares of common stock sold under this prospectus will be fully paid and non-assessable upon issuance against full payment of the purchase price for such shares.
 
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “BKD.” As of June 6, 2011, the closing price per share of our common stock on the NYSE was $23.11, and we had approximately 475 holders of record of our common stock.


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Preferred Stock
 
The board of directors has the authority, without action by our stockholders, to issue preferred stock and to fix voting powers for each class or series of preferred stock, and to provide that any class or series may be subject to redemption, entitled to receive dividends, entitled to rights upon dissolution or convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes of capital stock. The rights with respect to a series or class of preferred stock may be greater than the rights attached to our common stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of our preferred stock on the rights of holders of our common stock until our board of directors determines the specific rights attached to that preferred stock. The effect of issuing preferred stock could include one or more of the following:
 
  •  restricting dividends in respect of our common stock;
 
  •  diluting the voting power of our common stock or providing that holders of preferred stock have the right to vote on matters as a class;
 
  •  impairing the liquidation rights of our common stock; or
 
  •  delaying or preventing a change of control of us.
 
Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law, Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Our Amended and Restated By-laws
 
The following is a summary of certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws that may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, deter or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider to be in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares.
 
Authorized but Unissued Shares
 
The authorized but unissued shares of our common stock and our preferred stock will be available for future issuance without approval by our stockholders. These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of our common stock and our preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control over us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
 
Delaware Business Combination Statute
 
We are organized under Delaware law. Some provisions of Delaware law may delay or prevent a transaction that would cause a change in our control.
 
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that Section 203 of the DGCL, an anti-takeover law, will not apply to us. In general, this statute prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years after the date of the transaction by which that person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. For purposes of Section 203, a business combination includes a merger, asset sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder, and an interested stockholder is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior, did own, 15% or more of voting stock.
 
Other Provisions of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Our Amended and Restated By-laws
 
Certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may make a change in control of the Company more difficult to effect. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides for a staggered board of directors consisting of three classes of directors. Directors of each class are chosen for three-year terms upon the expiration of their current terms and each year one class of our directors will be


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elected by our stockholders. The current terms of the Class I, Class II and Class III directors will expire at the annual meetings of stockholders to be held in 2011, 2013 and 2012, respectively. We believe that classification of our board of directors will help to assure the continuity and stability of our business strategies and policies as determined by our board of directors. Additionally, there is no cumulative voting in the election of directors. The classified board provision could have the effect of making the replacement of incumbent directors more time consuming and difficult. At least two annual meetings of stockholders, instead of one, will generally be required to effect a change in a majority of our board of directors. Thus, the classified board provision could increase the likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their positions. The staggered terms of directors may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or an attempt to change control of us, even though a tender offer or change in control might be in the best interest of our stockholders. In addition, our amended and restated by-laws provide that directors may be removed only for cause and only with the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the voting interest of stockholders entitled to vote.
 
Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, shares of our preferred stock may be issued from time to time, and the board of directors is authorized to determine and alter all rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, limitations and restrictions without limitation. See “-Preferred Stock.” Our amended and restated by-laws also provide that our stockholders are specifically denied the ability to call a special meeting of the stockholders. Advance notice must be provided by our stockholders to nominate persons for election to our board of directors as well as to propose actions to be taken at an annual meeting.
 
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers
 
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws provide that our directors will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of a fiduciary duty as a director, except for:
 
  •  any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;
 
  •  acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
 
  •  liability under Delaware corporate law for an unlawful payment of dividends or an unlawful stock purchase or redemption of stock; or
 
  •  any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.
 
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation allows us to indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.
 
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. These provisions and agreements may have the practical effect in some cases of eliminating our stockholders’ ability to collect monetary damages from our directors and executive officers.
 
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
 
Corporate Opportunity
 
Under Article Eight of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, FIT-ALT Investor LLC, Fortress Brookdale Acquisition LLC, Fortress Investment Trust II, Fortress Registered Investment Trust, Fortress Brookdale Investment Fund LLC and Health Partners and, in each case, their respective subsidiaries and affiliates, other than us (collectively, the “Significant Stockholders”), have the right to, and have no duty to abstain from exercising such right to, engage or invest, directly or indirectly, in the same, similar or related business as us, do business with any of our clients, customers or vendors or employ or otherwise engage any


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of our officers, directors or employees. If the Significant Stockholders or any of their officers, directors or employees acquire knowledge of a potential transaction that could be a corporate opportunity, they have no duty to offer such corporate opportunity to us, our stockholders or affiliates. We have renounced any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, such corporate opportunities in accordance with Section 122(17) of the DGCL.
 
In the event that any of our directors and officers who is also a director, officer or employee of any of our Significant Stockholders acquires knowledge of a corporate opportunity or is offered a corporate opportunity, provided that this knowledge was not acquired solely in such person’s capacity as our director or officer and such person acted in good faith, then such person is deemed to have fully satisfied such person’s fiduciary duty and is not liable to us if any of the Significant Stockholders pursues or acquires such corporate opportunity or if such person did not present the corporate opportunity to us.
 
Transfer Agent and Registrar
 
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. The telephone number of American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC is (718) 921-8200.
 
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
We may offer secured or unsecured debt securities which may be senior, subordinated or junior subordinated, and which may be convertible. We may issue debt securities in one or more series.
 
The following description briefly sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to the debt securities, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The form of indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The terms of the debt securities will include those set forth in the indenture, any related securities documents and those made a part of the indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. You should read the summary below, the applicable prospectus supplement and the provisions of the indenture and any related security documents, if any, in their entirety before investing in our debt securities. Capitalized terms used in the summary have the meanings specified in the indenture.
 
The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the debt securities. These terms may include the following:
 
  •  the title and aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;
 
  •  whether the debt securities will be senior, subordinated or junior subordinated;
 
  •  whether the debt securities will be secured or unsecured;
 
  •  applicable subordination provisions, if any;
 
  •  whether the debt securities are convertible or exchangeable into other securities;
 
  •  the percentage or percentages of principal amount at which such debt securities will be issued;
 
  •  the interest rate(s) or the method for determining the interest rate(s);
 
  •  the dates on which interest will accrue or the method for determining dates on which interest will accrue and dates on which interest will be payable;
 
  •  the maturity date;
 
  •  redemption or early repayment provisions;
 
  •  authorized denominations;
 
  •  form;


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  •  amount of discount or premium, if any, with which such debt securities will be issued;
 
  •  whether such debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities;
 
  •  the identity of the depositary for global securities;
 
  •  whether a temporary security is to be issued with respect to such series and whether any interest payable prior to the issuance of definitive securities of the series will be credited to the account of the persons entitled thereto;
 
  •  the terms upon which beneficial interests in a temporary global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for beneficial interests in a definitive global security or for individual definitive securities;
 
  •  any covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued;
 
  •  any defaults and events of default applicable to the particular debt securities being issued;
 
  •  the guarantors of each series, if any, and the extent of the guarantees (including provisions relating to seniority, subordination, security and release of the guarantees), if any;
 
  •  any applicable subordination provisions for any subordinated debt securities;
 
  •  any restriction or condition on the transferability of the debt securities;
 
  •  the currency, currencies or currency units in which the purchase price for, the principal of and any premium and any interest on, such debt securities will be payable;
 
  •  the time period within which, the manner in which and the terms and conditions upon which the purchaser of the debt securities can select the payment currency;
 
  •  the securities exchange(s) on which the securities will be listed, if any;
 
  •  whether any underwriter(s) will act as market maker(s) for the securities;
 
  •  the extent to which a secondary market for the securities is expected to develop;
 
  •  our obligation or right to redeem, purchase or repay debt securities under a sinking fund, amortization or analogous provision;
 
  •  provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance;
 
  •  provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;
 
  •  provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture; and
 
  •  additional terms not inconsistent with the provisions of the indenture.
 
General
 
We may sell the debt securities, including original issue discount securities, at par or at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series outstanding at the time of issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of securities under the indenture. In addition, we will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement, material U.S. federal income tax considerations and any other special considerations for any debt securities we sell which are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. dollars. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.
 
We expect most debt securities to be issued in fully registered form without coupons and in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples thereof. Subject to the limitations provided in the indenture and in


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the prospectus supplement, debt securities that are issued in registered form may be transferred or exchanged at the corporate office of the trustee or the principal corporate trust office of the trustee, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
 
Global Securities
 
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Global securities will be issued in registered form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such depositary or by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such depositary or a nominee of such successor. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any debt securities of a series and the rights of and limitations upon owners of beneficial interests in a global security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
 
Governing Law
 
The indenture and the debt securities shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.
 
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
This prospectus relates to the possible resale by certain affiliates of Fortress, who we refer to as the “selling stockholders” in this prospectus, of up to 20,091,326 shares of our common stock, which shares were acquired in a series of private transactions in 2005 and thereafter. Information about the potential selling stockholders who offer securities under the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part will be set forth in prospectus supplements, post-effective amendments and/or filings we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference.
 
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
We or any selling stockholders may sell the applicable securities offered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions, including without limitation:
 
  •  directly to one or more purchasers;
 
  •  through agents;
 
  •  to or through underwriters, brokers or dealers;
 
  •  through a combination of any of these methods.
 
A distribution of the securities offered by this prospectus may also be effected through the issuance of derivative securities, including without limitation, warrants, subscriptions, exchangeable securities, forward delivery contracts and the writing of options.
 
In addition, the manner in which we may sell some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus and the manner in which the selling stockholders may sell the common stock, include, without limitation, through:
 
  •  a block trade in which a broker-dealer will attempt to sell as agent, but may position or resell a portion of the block, as principal, in order to facilitate the transaction;
 
  •  purchases by a broker-dealer, as principal, and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;
 
  •  ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker solicits purchasers; or
 
  •  privately negotiated transactions.


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We or the selling stockholders may also enter into hedging transactions. For example, we or any selling stockholder may:
 
  •  enter into transactions with a broker-dealer or affiliate thereof in connection with which such broker-dealer or affiliate will engage in short sales of the common stock pursuant to this prospectus, in which case such broker-dealer or affiliate may use shares of common stock received from us or the selling stockholders, as applicable, to close out its short positions;
 
  •  sell securities short and redeliver such shares to close out our or the selling stockholders’ short positions;
 
  •  enter into option or other types of transactions that require us or the selling stockholders, as applicable, to deliver common stock to a broker-dealer or an affiliate thereof, who will then resell or transfer the common stock under this prospectus; or
 
  •  loan or pledge the common stock to a broker-dealer or an affiliate thereof, who may sell the loaned shares or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged shares pursuant to this prospectus.
 
In addition, we or any selling stockholders may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with such a transaction, the third parties may sell the applicable securities covered by and pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be. If so, the third party may use securities borrowed from us or any selling stockholder or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us or any selling stockholder to close out any related short positions. We or any selling stockholder may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be.
 
A prospectus supplement with respect to each offering of securities will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:
 
  •  the name or names of any underwriters or agents and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them, if any;
 
  •  the public offering price or purchase price of the securities and the net proceeds to be received by us from the sale;
 
  •  any delayed delivery arrangements;
 
  •  any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation;
 
  •  any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and
 
  •  any securities exchange or markets on which the securities may be listed.
 
The offer and sale of the securities described in this prospectus by us, any selling stockholder, the underwriters or the third parties described above may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including privately negotiated transactions, either:
 
  •  at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;
 
  •  at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;
 
  •  at prices related to the prevailing market prices; or
 
  •  at negotiated prices.


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General
 
Any public offering price and any discounts, commissions, concessions or other items constituting compensation allowed or reallowed or paid to underwriters, dealers, agents or remarketing firms may be changed from time to time. Any selling stockholders, underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms that participate in the distribution of the offered securities may be “underwriters” as defined in the Securities Act. Any discounts or commissions they receive from us or any selling stockholder and any profits they receive on the resale of the offered securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We or the selling stockholders will identify any underwriters, agents or dealers and describe their commissions, fees or discounts in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be.
 
Underwriters and Agents
 
If underwriters are used in a sale, they will acquire the offered securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the offered securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions. These sales may be made at a fixed public offering price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of the sale, at prices related to such prevailing market price or at negotiated prices. We or the selling stockholders may offer the securities to the public through an underwriting syndicate or through a single underwriter. The underwriters in any particular offering will be mentioned in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be.
 
Unless otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the offered securities will be subject to certain conditions contained in an underwriting agreement that we or the selling stockholders will enter into with the underwriters at the time of the sale to them. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities of the series offered if any of the securities are purchased, unless otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities. Any initial offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed, reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
 
We or the selling stockholders may designate agents to sell the offered securities. Unless otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities, the agents will agree to use their best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment. We or the selling stockholders may also sell the offered securities to one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us or any selling stockholder. These firms will remarket the offered securities upon purchasing them in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to the terms of the offered securities. A prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be will identify any remarketing firm and will describe the terms of its agreement, if any, with us or any selling stockholder and its compensation.
 
In connection with offerings made through underwriters or agents, we or the selling stockholders may enter into agreements with such underwriters or agents pursuant to which we or the selling stockholders receive our outstanding securities in consideration for the securities being offered to the public for cash. In connection with these arrangements, the underwriters or agents may also sell securities covered by this prospectus to hedge their positions in these outstanding securities, including in short sale transactions. If so, the underwriters or agents may use the securities received from us or any selling stockholder under these arrangements to close out any related open borrowings of securities.
 
Dealers
 
We or the selling stockholders may sell the offered securities to dealers as principals. We may negotiate and pay dealers’ commissions, discounts or concessions for their services. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public either at varying prices to be determined by the dealer or at a fixed offering price agreed to with us or any selling stockholder at the time of resale. Dealers engaged by us or any selling stockholder may allow other dealers to participate in resales.


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Direct Sales
 
We or the selling stockholders may choose to sell the offered securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved.
 
Institutional Purchasers
 
We or the selling stockholders may authorize agents, dealers or underwriters to solicit certain institutional investors to purchase offered securities on a delayed delivery basis pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified future date. The applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be, will provide the details of any such arrangement, including the offering price and commissions payable on the solicitations.
 
We or the selling stockholders will enter into such delayed contracts only with institutional purchasers that we or the selling stockholders, as applicable, approve(s). These institutions may include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions.
 
Indemnification; Other Relationships
 
We or the selling stockholders may have agreements with agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms, and their affiliates, may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or any selling stockholder in the ordinary course of business. This includes commercial banking and investment banking transactions.
 
Market-Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions
 
There is currently no market for any of the offered securities, other than the common stock which is listed on the NYSE. If the offered securities are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price, depending upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities and other factors. While it is possible that an underwriter could inform us that it intends to make a market in the offered securities, such underwriter would not be obligated to do so, and any such market-making could be discontinued at any time without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to whether an active trading market will develop for the offered securities. We have no current plans for listing of the preferred stock or debt securities on any securities exchange or quotation system; any such listing with respect to any preferred stock or any debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be.
 
In connection with any offering of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or securities that provide for the issuance of shares of our common stock upon conversion, exchange or exercise, as the case may be, the underwriters may purchase and sell shares of common stock, preferred stock or our debt securities in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales of common stock in excess of the number of shares to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. “Covered” short sales are sales of shares made in an amount up to the number of shares represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short involve either purchases of the common stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also make “naked” short sales of shares in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares of common stock in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the


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offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of shares in the open market while the offering is in progress for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities.
 
In connection with any offering, the underwriters may also engage in penalty bids. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would be in the absence of the transactions. The underwriters may, if they commence these transactions, discontinue them at any time.
 
Fees and Commissions
 
In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, the aggregate maximum discount, commission or agency fees or other items constituting underwriting compensation to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed 8% of any offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be; however, it is anticipated that the maximum commission or discount to be received in any particular offering of securities will be significantly less than this amount.
 
LEGAL MATTERS
 
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York will provide opinions regarding the authorization and validity of the securities. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP may also provide opinions regarding certain other matters. Any underwriters will also be advised about legal matters by their own counsel, which will be named in the prospectus supplement.
 
EXPERTS
 
The consolidated financial statements of Brookdale Senior Living Inc. appearing in Brookdale Senior Living Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 (including the schedule appearing therein) and the effectiveness of Brookdale Senior Living Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Certain statements in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplements and the documents incorporated by reference may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and include all statements that are not historical statements of fact and those regarding our intent, belief or expectations, including, but not limited to, all statements relating to the consummation of the acquisition of Horizon Bay Realty, L.L.C. and the transactions with HCP, Inc. and Chartwell Seniors Housing Real Estate Investment Trust (including the anticipated timing thereof), our expectations concerning the future performance of the new communities and the effects of the transactions on our financial results (including our expectations with respect to its return on invested equity), our expectations regarding possible future investment or acquisition opportunities with respect to the managed assets, and our expectations regarding occupancy, revenue, cash flow, expenses, capital expenditures, Program Max opportunities, cost savings, the demand for senior housing, expansion and development activity, acquisition opportunities, asset dispositions and taxes; our belief regarding our growth prospects; our ability to secure financing or repay, replace or extend existing debt at or prior to maturity; our ability to remain in compliance with all of our debt and lease agreements (including the financial covenants contained therein); our expectations regarding liquidity; our


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plans to deleverage; our expectations regarding financings and refinancings of assets (including the timing thereof); our expectations regarding changes in government reimbursement programs and their effect on our results; our plans to generate growth organically through occupancy improvements, increases in annual rental rates and the achievement of operating efficiencies and cost savings; our plans to expand our offering of ancillary services (therapy, home health and hospice); our plans to expand, redevelop and reposition existing communities; our plans to acquire additional communities, asset portfolios, operating companies and home health agencies; the expected project costs for our expansion , redevelopment and repositioning program; our expected levels of expenditures and reimbursements (and the timing thereof); our expectations for the performance of our entrance fee communities; our ability to anticipate, manage and address industry trends and their effect on our business; our expectations regarding the payment of dividends; and our ability to increase revenues, earnings, Adjusted EBITDA, Cash From Facility Operations, and/or Facility Operating Income (as such terms are defined by incorporation by reference herein). Words such as “anticipate(s)”, “expect(s)”, “intend(s)”, “plan(s)”, “target(s)”, “project(s)”, “predict(s)”, “believe(s)”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “seek(s)”, “estimate(s)” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors that could lead to actual results materially different from those described in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects or which could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to, the risk that we may not be able to satisfy the closing conditions and successfully complete the transactions; the risk that we may not be able to successfully integrate the new communities into our operations; our inability to extend (or refinance) debt (including our credit and letter of credit facilities) as it matures; the risk that we may not be able to satisfy the conditions precedent to exercising the extension options associated with certain of our debt agreements; events which adversely affect the ability of seniors to afford our monthly resident fees or entrance fees; the conditions of housing markets in certain geographic areas; our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to cover required interest and long-term operating lease payments; the effect of our indebtedness and long-term operating leases on our liquidity; the risk of loss of property pursuant to our mortgage debt and long-term lease obligations; the possibilities that changes in the capital markets, including changes in interest rates and/or credit spreads, or other factors could make financing more expensive or unavailable to us; changes in governmental reimbursement programs; our ability to effectively manage our growth; our ability to maintain consistent quality control; delays in obtaining regulatory approvals; our ability to complete acquisitions and integrate them into our operations; competition for the acquisition of assets; our ability to obtain additional capital on terms acceptable to us; a decrease in the overall demand for senior housing; our vulnerability to economic downturns; acts of nature in certain geographic areas; terminations of our resident agreements and vacancies in the living spaces we lease; increased competition for skilled personnel; increased union activity; departure of our key officers; increases in market interest rates; environmental contamination at any of our facilities; failure to comply with existing environmental laws; an adverse determination or resolution of complaints filed against us; the cost and difficulty of complying with increasing and evolving regulation; and other risks detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC, press releases and other communications, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Such forward looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus. We expressly disclaim any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.
 
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
 
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Exchange Act. You may inspect without charge any documents filed by us at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an


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Internet site, www.sec.gov, that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including Brookdale Senior Living Inc.
 
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplements, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered part of this prospectus, and information filed with the SEC subsequent to this prospectus and prior to the termination of the particular offering referred to in such prospectus supplement will automatically be deemed to update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement the documents listed below (excluding any portions of such documents that have been “furnished” but not “filed” for purposes of the Exchange Act):
 
  •  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed on February 28, 2011;
 
  •  Portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 29, 2011 that are incorporated by reference into Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2011;
 
  •  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, filed on May 10, 2011;
 
  •  Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 28, 2011 and February 4, 2011; and
 
  •  The description of our common stock set forth in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed on October 11, 2005, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
 
We also incorporate by reference any future filings made by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act between the date of this prospectus and the date all of the securities offered hereby are sold or the offering is otherwise terminated, with the exception of any information furnished under Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 of Form 8-K (including related exhibits), which is not deemed filed and which is not incorporated by reference herein. Any such filings shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference and to be a part of this prospectus from the respective dates of filing of those documents.
 
We will provide without charge upon written or oral request to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any and all of the documents which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus (other than exhibits unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in such documents).
 
You may request a copy of these documents by writing or telephoning us at:
 
Brookdale Senior Living Inc., Attn: Secretary
111 Westwood Place, Suite 400
Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
(615) 221-2250


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PART II
 
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
Item 14.   Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
 
The following table sets forth the expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by us in connection with the sale of the securities being registered hereby. All amounts are estimates:
 
         
    Amount to
 
    be Paid *  
 
SEC Registration Fee
    $ **
Accounting Fees and Expenses
    $100,000  
Legal Fees and Expenses
    $150,000  
Printing Expenses
    $25,000  
Transfer Agent, Registrar and Trustee Fees
    $15,000  
Rating Agency Fees
    $400,000  
Miscellaneous Expenses
    $15,000  
         
Total
    $ **
 
 
* The amounts shown are estimates of expenses payable by us in connection with the filing of this registration statement and one offering of securities hereunder.
 
** Because this registration statement covers an indeterminate amount of securities, the SEC registration fee is not currently determinable. Such fee is deferred in accordance with Rules 456(b) and Rule 457(r) of the Securities Act.
 
Item 15.   Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
 
Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, or the DGCL, allows a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors to a corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of a fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase or redemption in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit.
 
Section 145 of the DGCL provides, among other things, that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the corporation’s request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding. The power to indemnify applies if (i) such person is successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding or (ii) such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The power to indemnify applies to actions brought by or in the right of the corporation as well, but only to the extent of defense expenses (including attorneys’ fees but excluding amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred and not to any satisfaction of judgment or settlement of the claim itself, and with the further limitation that in such actions no indemnification shall be made in the event of any adjudication of negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duties to the corporation, unless a court believes that in light of all the circumstances indemnification should apply.


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Section 174 of the DGCL provides, among other things, that a director who willfully and negligently approves of an unlawful payment of dividends or an unlawful stock purchase or redemption may be held liable for such actions. A director who was either absent when the unlawful actions were approved or dissented at the time, may avoid liability by causing his or her dissent to such actions to be entered in the books containing the minutes of the meetings of the board of directors at the time the action occurred or immediately after the absent director receives notice of the unlawful acts.
 
The Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation states that no director shall be liable to us or any of our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as director, except for breaches of the duty of loyalty, and for acts or omissions in bad faith or involving intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law. A director is also not exempt from liability for any transaction from which he or she derived an improper personal benefit, or for violations of Section 174 of the DGCL. To the maximum extent permitted under Section 145 of the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes us to indemnify any and all persons whom we have the power to indemnify under the law.
 
Our amended and restated by-laws provide that the Company will indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party in any legal proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Company or a subsidiary. However, such indemnification is permitted only if such person acted in good faith, lawfully and not against our best interests. Indemnification is authorized on a case-by-case basis by (1) our board of directors by a majority vote of disinterested directors, (2) a committee of the disinterested directors, (3) independent legal counsel in a written opinion if (1) and (2) are not available, or if disinterested directors so direct, or (4) the stockholders.
 
Indemnification of former directors or officers shall be determined by any person authorized to act on the matter on our behalf. Expenses incurred by a director or officer in defending against such legal proceedings are payable before the final disposition of the action, provided that the director or officer undertakes to repay us if it is later determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification.
 
The Company has entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. Each indemnification agreement provides, among other things, for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws against any and all expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement of any claim. The indemnification agreements provide for the advancement or payment of all expenses to the indemnitee and for reimbursement to us if it is found that such indemnitee is not entitled to such indemnification under applicable law and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws.
 
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company has been informed that, in the opinion of the Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
 
We maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for our officers and directors.
 
Item 16.   Exhibits.
 
The exhibits to this registration statement are listed in the “Exhibit Index” following the signature pages hereto and are incorporated by reference herein.
 
Item 17.   Undertakings.
 
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
  (A)(1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
  (i)  To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;


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  (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
 
  (iii)  To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
 
Provided, however, that paragraphs (A)(1)(i), (A)(1)(ii) and (A)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
 
  (2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
  (3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
 
  (4)  That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
 
  (i)  Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
 
  (ii)  Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference in the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
 
  (5)  That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are


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  offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
 
  (i)  Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
 
  (ii)  Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
 
  (iii)  The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
 
  (iv)  Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
 
  (B)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
  (C)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
  (D)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Brentwood, State of Tennessee, on the 7th day of June, 2011.
 
BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING INC.
 
  By: 
/s/  W.E. Sheriff
Name:     W.E. Sheriff
  Title:  Chief Executive Officer
 
SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates stated. Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints W.E. Sheriff, Mark W. Ohlendorf and T. Andrew Smith, and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, each acting along with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) and exhibits to the Registration Statement on Form S-3, and to any registration statement filed under SEC Rule 462, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Name
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  Wesley R. Edens

Wesley R. Edens
  Chairman of the Board   June 7, 2011
         
/s/  W.E. Sheriff

W.E. Sheriff
  Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  June 7, 2011
         
/s/  Mark W. Ohlendorf

Mark W. Ohlendorf
  Co-President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   June 7, 2011
         
/s/  Frank M. Bumstead

Frank M. Bumstead
  Director   June 7, 2011
         
/s/  Jackie M. Clegg

Jackie M. Clegg
  Director   June 7, 2011
         
/s/  Jeffrey R. Leeds

Jeffrey R. Leeds
  Director   June 7, 2011


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Name
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  Randal A. Nardone

Randal A. Nardone
  Director   June 7, 2011
         
/s/  Mark J. Schulte

Mark J. Schulte
  Director   June 7, 2011
         
/s/  James R. Seward

James R. Seward
  Director   June 7, 2011
         
/s/  Samuel Waxman

Samuel Waxman
  Director   June 7, 2011


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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
         
Exhibit
   
Number
   
 
  1 .1 *   Form of Underwriting Agreement
  3 .1   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 26, 2010).
  3 .2   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 19, 2010).
  4 .1   Form of Certificate for common stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Amendment No. 3) (No. 333-127372) filed on November 7, 2005).
  4 .2*   Specimen Preferred Stock Certificate and Form of Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights with respect to any series of Preferred Stock issued hereunder.
  4 .3   Stockholders Agreement, dated as of November 28, 2005, by and among Brookdale Senior Living Inc., FIT-ALT Investor LLC, Fortress Brookdale Acquisition LLC, Fortress Investment Trust II and Health Partners (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2006).
  4 .4   Amendment Number One to Stockholders Agreement, dated as of July 25, 2006, by and among Brookdale Senior Living Inc., FIT-ALT Investor LLC, Fortress Registered Investment Trust, Fortress Brookdale Investment Fund LLC, FRIT Holdings LLC, and FIT Holdings LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2006).
  4 .5   Amendment Number Two to Stockholders Agreement, dated as of November 4, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 4, 2009).
  4 .6* *   Form of Indenture.
  5 .1* *   Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.
  12 .1* *   Statement re Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends.
  23 .1* *   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
  23 .2   Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
  24 .1   Power of Attorney (included on signature page hereto).
 
 
* To be filed either by amendment or as an exhibit to a Current Report of Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.
 
** Filed herein.