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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-180521

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion
Preliminary Prospectus Supplement dated April 12, 2012

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To prospectus dated April 2, 2012)

$            

Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership
Ventas Capital Corporation
% Senior Notes due
Fully and unconditionally guaranteed by
Ventas, Inc.

              Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership and Ventas Capital Corporation, wholly owned subsidiaries of Ventas, Inc., are offering $             million aggregate principal amount of their        % senior notes due            .

              The notes will bear interest at a rate of        % per annum. Interest on the notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on                        and                         of each year, beginning on                        , 2012. Interest will accrue from April      , 2012. The notes will mature on                        ,            . The notes will be unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Ventas, Inc.

              The issuers may redeem the notes, in whole, at any time, or from time to time in part, prior to their stated maturity. The redemption price for notes that are redeemed before                         ,                         will be equal to (i) 100% of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of redemption, plus (ii) a make-whole premium. The redemption price for notes that are redeemed on or after                        ,                         will be equal to 100% of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of redemption, and will not include a make-whole premium.

              The notes are part of the issuers' and Ventas, Inc.'s general unsecured obligations, ranking equal in right of payment with all of such entities' existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and ranking senior in right of payment to all of such entities' existing and future subordinated indebtedness. However, the notes will be effectively subordinated to all of such entities' secured borrowings to the extent of the assets securing those obligations. The notes will also be structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other obligations of Ventas, Inc.'s subsidiaries (other than the issuers).

              Investing in the notes involves risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement.

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              Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

              We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any securities exchange or any automated dealer system.

              The underwriters expect to deliver the notes to purchasers on or about April       , 2012 only in book-entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company.

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Joint Book-Running Managers

The date of this prospectus supplement is April      , 2012.

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              This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement, on the one hand, and the

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information contained in the accompanying prospectus, on the other hand, the information in this prospectus supplement shall control.

              You should read this document together with additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference." You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this document. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should assume that the information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as the information we have previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and incorporated by reference in this document, is accurate only as of its date or the date which is specified in those documents.

              Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms used in this prospectus supplement will have the meanings below:

•

the terms "we," "us," "our" or similar terms and "Ventas" refer to Ventas, Inc., a Delaware corporation, together with its subsidiaries;



•

the term "Ventas Realty" refers to Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership;



•

the term "Ventas Capital" refers to Ventas Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation;



•

the term "Lillibridge" refers to Lillibridge Healthcare Services, Inc., an Illinois corporation;



•

the term "Sunrise" refers to Sunrise Senior Living, Inc., a Delaware corporation, together with its subsidiaries;



•

the term "Atria" refers to Atria Senior Living, Inc., a Delaware corporation;



•

the term "ASLG" refers to Atria Senior Living Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, together with its affiliates, for all periods prior to our acquisition of ASLG on May 12, 2011;



•

the term "NHP" refers to Nationwide Health Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation, together with its subsidiaries, for all periods prior to our acquisition of NHP on July 1, 2011; and



•

the term "issuers" refers to Ventas Realty and Ventas Capital.

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RISK FACTORS

              Our business, operations and financial condition are subject to various risks. You should carefully consider the following factors as well as other information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein before deciding to invest in the notes.

Risks Arising From Our Business

We depend on Kindred and Brookdale Senior Living for a significant portion of our revenues and operating income; Any inability or unwillingness by Kindred or Brookdale Senior Living to satisfy its obligations under its agreements with us could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

              The properties we lease to Kindred Healthcare, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, "Kindred") and Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, "Brookdale Senior Living") account for a significant portion of our revenues and net operating income ("NOI"), and because the master lease agreements with Kindred (the "Kindred Master Leases") and our leases with Brookdale Senior Living are triple-net leases, we also depend on Kindred and Brookdale Senior Living to pay all insurance, taxes, utilities and maintenance and repair expenses in connection with the leased properties. We cannot provide any assurance that Kindred and Brookdale Senior Living will have sufficient assets, income and access to financing to enable them to make rental payments to us or to otherwise satisfy those obligations, and any inability or unwillingness by Kindred or Brookdale Senior Living to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity, on our ability to service our indebtedness and other obligations and on our ability to make distributions to our stockholders, as required for us to continue to qualify as a REIT (a "Material Adverse Effect"). In addition, any failure by Kindred or Brookdale Senior Living to effectively conduct its operations or to maintain and improve our properties could adversely affect its business reputation and its ability to attract and retain patients and residents in our properties, which could have a Material Adverse Effect on us. Kindred and Brookdale Senior Living have also agreed to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless from and against various claims, litigation and liabilities arising in connection with their respective businesses, and we cannot provide any assurance that either Kindred or Brookdale Senior Living will have sufficient assets, income, access to financing and insurance coverage to enable it to satisfy its indemnification obligations.

The properties managed by Atria and Sunrise account for a significant portion of our revenues and operating income; Although Atria and Sunrise are managers, not tenants, of our properties, adverse developments in their businesses and affairs or financial condition could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

              As of December 31, 2011, Atria and Sunrise, collectively, managed 197 of our seniors housing communities pursuant to long-term management agreements. These properties represent a substantial portion of our portfolio, based on their gross book value, and account for a significant portion of our revenues and NOI. Although we have various rights as the property owner under our management agreements, we rely on Atria's and Sunrise's personnel, good faith, expertise, historical performance, technical resources and information systems, proprietary information and judgment to manage our seniors housing communities efficiently and effectively. We also rely on Atria and Sunrise to set resident fees, to provide accurate property-level financial results for our properties in a timely manner and to otherwise operate our properties in accordance with the terms of our management agreements and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. For example, we depend on Atria's and Sunrise's ability to attract and retain skilled management personnel who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of our seniors housing communities. A shortage of nurses or other trained personnel or general inflationary pressures may force Atria or Sunrise to enhance its pay and benefits package to compete effectively for such personnel, and Atria or Sunrise may not be able to offset such added costs by increasing the rates charged to residents. Any increase in labor costs and other

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property operating expenses, any failure by Atria or Sunrise to attract and retain qualified personnel, or significant changes in Atria's or Sunrise's senior management could adversely affect the income we receive from our seniors housing communities and have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

              Because Atria and Sunrise manage, but do not lease, our properties, we are not directly exposed to their credit risk in the same manner or to the same extent as a triple-net tenant. However, any adverse developments in Atria's or Sunrise's business and affairs or financial condition could impair their ability to manage our properties efficiently and effectively and could have a Material Adverse Effect on us. If Atria or Sunrise experiences any significant financial, legal, accounting or regulatory difficulties due to the weakened economy or otherwise, such difficulties could result in, among other adverse events, acceleration of its indebtedness, impairment of its continued access to capital, the enforcement of default remedies by its counterparties, or the commencement of insolvency proceedings by or against it under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, any one or a combination of which indirectly could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

We face potential adverse consequences of bankruptcy or insolvency by our tenants, operators, borrowers, managers and other obligors.

              We are exposed to the risk that our tenants, operators, borrowers, managers or other obligors could become bankrupt or insolvent. Although our lease, loan and management agreements provide us with the right to exercise certain remedies in the event of default on the obligations owing to us or upon the occurrence of certain insolvency events, the bankruptcy and insolvency laws afford certain rights to a party that has filed for bankruptcy or reorganization. For example, a debtor-lessee may reject its lease with us in a bankruptcy proceeding. In such a case, our claim against the debtor-lessee for unpaid and future rents would be limited by the statutory cap of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. This statutory cap could be substantially less than the remaining rent actually owed under the lease, and any claim we have for unpaid rent might not be paid in full. In addition, a debtor-lessee may assert in a bankruptcy proceeding that its lease should be re-characterized as a financing agreement. If such a claim is successful, our rights and remedies as a lender, compared to a landlord, are generally more limited. Similarly, if a debtor-manager seeks bankruptcy protection, the automatic stay provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code would preclude us from enforcing our remedies against the manager unless relief is first obtained from the court having jurisdiction over the bankruptcy case. In the event of an obligor bankruptcy, we may also be required to fund certain expenses and obligations (e.g., real estate taxes, debt costs and maintenance expenses) to preserve the value of our properties, avoid the imposition of liens on our properties or transition our properties to a new tenant, operator or manager.

If we must replace any of our tenants or operators, we might be unable to reposition the properties on as favorable terms, or at all, and we could be subject to delays, limitations and expenses, which could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

              We cannot predict whether our tenants will renew existing leases beyond their current term. If the Kindred Master Leases, our leases with Brookdale Senior Living or any of our other leases are not renewed, we would attempt to reposition those properties with another tenant or operator. In case of non-renewal, we generally have one year prior to expiration of the lease term to arrange for repositioning of the properties and our tenants are required to continue to perform all of their obligations (including the payment of all rental amounts) for the non-renewed assets until such expiration. However, following expiration of a lease term or if we exercise our right to replace a tenant or operator in default, rental payments on the related properties could decline or cease altogether while we reposition the properties with a suitable replacement tenant or operator. We also might not be successful in identifying suitable replacements or entering into leases with new tenants or operators on a timely basis or on terms as favorable to us as our current leases, if at all, and we may be required to fund certain expenses and obligations (e.g., real estate taxes, debt costs and maintenance expenses) to preserve the value of, and avoid the imposition of liens on, our properties while

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they are being repositioned. In addition, we may incur certain obligations and liabilities, including obligations to indemnify the replacement tenant or operator, which could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

              Our ability to reposition our properties with a suitable tenant or operator could be significantly delayed or limited by state licensing, receivership, certificate of need or other laws, as well as by the Medicare and Medicaid change-of-ownership rules. We could also incur substantial additional expenses in connection with any licensing, receivership or change-of-ownership proceedings. In addition, our ability to locate suitable replacement tenants could be impaired by the specialized healthcare uses or contractual restrictions on use of the properties, and we may be required to spend substantial amounts to adapt the properties to other uses. Any such delays, limitations and expenses could adversely impact our ability to collect rent, obtain possession of leased properties or otherwise exercise remedies for tenant default and could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

We have only limited rights to terminate our management agreements with Atria and Sunrise, and we may be unable to replace Atria or Sunrise if our management agreements are terminated or not renewed.

              We are parties to long-term management agreements with each of Atria and Sunrise pursuant to which Atria and Sunrise, collectively, provide comprehensive property management and accounting services with respect to 197 of our seniors housing communities (as of December 31, 2011).

              Each management agreement with Atria has a term of ten years commencing in 2011, subject to successive automatic ten-year renewal periods, and each management agreement with Sunrise has a term of 30 years commencing as early as 2004. Each management agreement with Atria or Sunrise may be terminated by us upon the occurrence of an event of default by Atria or Sunrise, respectively, in the performance of a material covenant or term thereof (including, in certain circumstances, the revocation of any license or certificate necessary for operation), subject in most cases to the defaulting party's right to cure such default, or upon the occurrence of certain insolvency events relating to Atria or Sunrise, respectively. In addition, we may terminate each management agreement with Atria based on the failure to achieve certain NOI targets, and we may terminate each management agreement with Sunrise based on the failure to achieve certain NOI targets or to comply with certain expense control covenants. Under certain circumstances, we may also terminate each management agreement with Atria upon the payment of a fee. Notwithstanding the provisions in our management agreements, legal, contractual and other considerations may limit or delay our exercise of any or all of these termination rights.

              In the event that our management agreements with Atria or Sunrise are terminated for any reason or are not renewed upon expiration of their terms, we would attempt to find another manager for the properties covered by those agreements. Although we believe that many qualified national and regional seniors care providers would be interested in managing our seniors housing communities, we cannot provide any assurance that we would be able to locate another suitable manager or, if we are successful in locating such a manager, that it would manage the properties effectively. Moreover, any such replacement manager would require approval by the applicable regulatory authorities and, in most cases, the mortgage lenders for the properties, and we cannot provide any assurance that such approvals would be granted on a timely basis or at all. Any inability or lengthy delay in replacing Atria or Sunrise as manager following termination or non-renewal of our management agreements could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

Our significant acquisition activity presents certain risks to our business and operations.

              In 2010 and 2011, we acquired or signed definitive agreements to acquire more than $12 billion of assets, including our acquisitions of Lillibridge, NHP, Cogdell and substantially all of the real estate assets of

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ASLG. We consider acquisitions from time to time. Our significant acquisition activity presents certain risks to our business and operations, including, among other things, that:

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We may be unable to successfully integrate the operations or information technology of acquired companies, maintain consistent standards, controls, policies and procedures, or realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisitions within the anticipated timeframe or at all;



•

We may be unable to effectively monitor and manage our expanded portfolio of properties, retain key employees or attract highly qualified new employees;



•

Projections of estimated future revenues, cost savings or operating metrics that we develop during the due diligence and integration planning process might be inaccurate;



•

Acquisitions could divert management's attention from our existing assets;



•

The value of acquired assets or the market price of our common stock may decline; and



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We may be unable to continue paying dividends at the current rate.

              We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to achieve the economic benefit we expect from acquired properties or integrate acquisitions without encountering difficulties or that any such difficulties will not have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

We have now, and may have in the future, exposure to contingent rent escalators, which can hinder our growth and profitability.

              We receive a significant portion of our revenues by leasing our assets under long-term triple-net leases in which the rental rate is generally fixed with annual escalations. Certain of our leases contain escalators contingent upon the achievement of specified revenue parameters or based on changes in the Consumer Price Index ("CPI"). If, as a result of weak economic conditions or other factors, the revenues generated by our triple-net leased properties do not meet the specified parameters or the CPI does not increase, our growth and profitability will be hindered by these leases.

We are exposed to various operational risks, liabilities and claims with respect to our operating assets, which could adversely affect our ability to generate revenues or increase our costs and could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

              We are exposed to various operational risks, liabilities and claims with respect to our senior living and MOB operating assets, which could increase our costs or adversely affect our ability to generate revenues, thereby reducing our profitability. These operational risks include fluctuations in occupancy levels, the inability to achieve economic resident fees (including anticipated increases in those fees), rent control regulations, increases in costs of food, materials, energy, labor (as a result of unionization or otherwise) and other services, national and regional economic conditions, the imposition of new or increased taxes, capital expenditure requirements, professional and general liability claims, and the availability and cost of professional and general liability insurance. Any or a combination of these factors could result in operating deficiencies in our senior living operations or MOB operations reportable business segments, which could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

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The weakened economy could adversely impact our revenues and operating income, as well as the operating results of our tenants and operators, which could impair their ability to meet their obligations to us.

              Continued concerns about the U.S. economy and the systemic impact of high unemployment, volatile energy costs, geopolitical issues, the availability and cost of credit, the U.S. mortgage market and a severely distressed real estate market have contributed to increased market volatility and weakened business and consumer confidence. If this difficult operating environment continues or worsens, it could increase our costs or adversely affect our ability to generate revenues in our senior living and MOB operations, thereby reducing our operating income or causing us to experience operating deficiencies. It could also have an adverse impact on the ability of our tenants and operators to maintain occupancy and rates in our properties, which could harm their financial condition and impair their ability to make their rental payments and satisfy their other obligations to us, which could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

Legislation to address the federal government's projected operating deficit could have a material adverse effect on our operators' liquidity, financial condition or results of operations.

              President Obama and members of the U.S. Congress have recently proposed various spending cuts and tax reform initiatives to reduce the federal government's projected operating deficit. Some of these initiatives could result in changes (including substantial reductions in funding) to Medicare, Medicaid or Medicare Advantage Plans. Future federal legislation relating to deficit reduction that reduces reimbursement payments to healthcare providers could have a material adverse effect on our operators' liquidity, financial condition or results of operations, which could adversely affect their ability to satisfy their obligations to us and could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

We may be unable to successfully foreclose on the collateral securing our mortgage loan investments, and even if we are successful in our foreclosure efforts, we may be unable to successfully reposition the properties, which may adversely affect our ability to recover our investments.

              If a borrower defaults under any of our mortgage loans, to protect our interest, we may foreclose on the loan or acquire title to the property and make substantial improvements or repairs to maximize the property's investment potential. In response to our actions to enforce mortgage obligations, the defaulting borrower may contest enforcement of foreclosure or other remedies, seek bankruptcy protection against our exercise of enforcement or other remedies, or bring claims for lender liability. If the borrower seeks bankruptcy protection, the automatic stay provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code would preclude us from enforcing foreclosure or other remedies against the borrower unless relief is first obtained from the court having jurisdiction over the bankruptcy case. Foreclosure-related costs, high loan-to-value ratios or declines in property value could prevent us from realizing the full amount of our mortgage loans upon foreclosure, and we could be required to record valuation allowance for such losses. Even if we successfully foreclose on the collateral securing our mortgage loan investments, we may inherit properties that we are unable to expeditiously reposition with new tenants or operators, if at all, which would adversely affect our ability to recover our investment.

Our pursuit of investments in, and acquisitions or development of, seniors housing and healthcare assets may be unsuccessful or fail to meet our expectations.

              We intend to continue to pursue investments in, and acquisitions or development of, additional seniors housing and healthcare assets domestically and internationally, subject to the contractual restrictions contained in the instruments governing our existing indebtedness. Investments in and acquisitions of these properties entail general risks associated with any real estate investment, including risks that the investment's performance will fail to meet expectations, that the cost estimates for necessary property improvements will

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prove inaccurate or that the tenant, operator or manager will underperform. Furthermore, healthcare properties are often highly customized and may require costly tenant-specific improvements.

              Our ability to compete successfully for investment and acquisition opportunities is affected by many factors, including our cost of obtaining debt and equity capital at rates comparable to or better than our competitors. When we attempt to finance, acquire or develop properties, we compete with other healthcare REITs, healthcare providers, healthcare lenders, real estate partnerships, banks, insurance companies, private equity firms and other investors, some of whom have greater financial resources and lower costs of capital than we do. Increased competition makes it more challenging for us to identify and successfully capitalize on opportunities that meet our business objectives and could improve the bargaining power of property owners seeking to sell, thereby impeding our investment, acquisition and development activities. See "Business—Competition" included in Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (the "2011 Form 10-K").

              In addition, new development projects that we pursue may experience construction delays or cost overruns that increase our expenses, fail to obtain required zoning, occupancy and other governmental approvals and permits on a timely basis, or remain incomplete after incurring significant development costs. Investments in and acquisitions of properties outside the United States create additional legal, economic and market risks associated with operating in foreign countries, such as currency exchange fluctuations and foreign tax risks. If we incur additional debt or issue equity securities, or both, to finance future investments, acquisitions or development activity, our leverage could increase or our per share financial results could decline.

Our investments are concentrated in seniors housing and healthcare real estate, making us more vulnerable economically than if our investments were diversified.

              We invest primarily in seniors housing and healthcare properties, and our ability to make investments outside the seniors housing or healthcare industries is restricted by the terms of our existing indebtedness. This concentration exposes us to greater economic risk than if our portfolio included real estate assets in other industries or non-real estate assets. For example, the healthcare industry is highly regulated, and changes in government regulation and reimbursement can have material adverse consequences on the healthcare industry, some of which may be unintended. We cannot provide any assurance that future changes in government regulation of healthcare will not adversely affect the healthcare industry, including our seniors housing and healthcare operations, tenants and operators, which could have a more pronounced effect on us than if our investments were further diversified.

              The healthcare industry is also highly competitive. The occupancy levels at, and revenues from, our properties depend on the ability of our tenants, operators and managers to successfully compete with other operators and managers, including with respect to the scope and quality of care and services provided, reputation and financial condition, physical appearance of the properties, price and location. We cannot be certain that our tenants, operators and managers will be able to achieve and maintain occupancy and rate levels that will enable them to meet all of their obligations to us, and our operators and managers may encounter increased competition that could limit their ability to attract residents and patients or expand their businesses, which could materially adversely affect their ability to meet their obligations to us and have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

              Real estate investments are relatively illiquid, and our ability to quickly sell or exchange our properties in response to changes in economic or other conditions is limited. In the event we desire or need to sell any of our properties, the value of those properties and our ability to sell at a price or on terms acceptable to us could be adversely affected by the current downturn in the real estate industry or any weakness in the seniors housing and healthcare industries. In addition, transfers of healthcare properties may

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be subject to regulatory approvals that are not required for transfers of other types of commercial properties. We cannot provide any assurance that we will recognize full value for any property that we sell for liquidity or other reasons, and the inability to respond quickly to changes in the performance of our investments could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our tenants, operators and managers may be adversely affected by increasing healthcare regulation and enforcement.

              Over the last several years, the regulatory environment of the long-term healthcare industry has intensified both in the amount and type of regulations and in the efforts to enforce those regulations. This is particularly true for large for-profit, multi-facility providers like Kindred, Brookdale Senior Living, Atria and Sunrise. The extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations affecting the healthcare industry include those relating to, among other things, licensure, conduct of operations, ownership of facilities, addition of facilities and equipment, allowable costs, services, prices for services, qualified beneficiaries, quality of care, patient rights, fraudulent or abusive behavior, and financial and other arrangements that may be entered into by healthcare providers. Changes in enforcement policies by federal and state governments have resulted in a significant increase in the number of inspections, citations of regulatory deficiencies and other regulatory sanctions, including terminations from the Medicare and Medicaid programs, bars on Medicare and Medicaid payments for new admissions, civil monetary penalties and even criminal penalties. See "Governmental Regulation—Healthcare Regulation" included in Item 1 of the 2011 Form 10-K.

              If our tenants, operators and managers fail to comply with the extensive laws, regulations and other requirements applicable to their businesses and the operation of our properties, they could become ineligible to receive reimbursement from governmental and private third-party payor programs, face bans on admissions of new patients or residents, suffer civil or criminal penalties or be required to make significant changes to their operations. Our tenants, operators and managers also could be forced to expend considerable resources responding to an investigation or other enforcement action under applicable laws or regulations. In such event, the results of operations and financial condition of our tenants, operators and managers and the results of operations of our properties operated or managed by those entities could be adversely affected, which, in turn, could have a Material Adverse Effect on us. We are unable to predict future federal, state and local regulations and legislation, including the Medicare and Medicaid statutes and regulations, or the intensity of enforcement efforts with respect to such regulations and legislation, and any changes in the regulatory framework could have a material adverse effect on our tenants, operators and managers, which, in turn, could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

Changes in the reimbursement rates or methods of payment from third-party payors, including the Medicare and Medicaid programs, could have a material adverse effect on certain of our tenants and operators.

              Certain of our tenants and operators rely on reimbursement from third-party payors, including the Medicare and Medicaid programs, for substantially all of their revenues. Federal and state legislators and regulators have adopted or proposed various cost-containment measures that would limit payments to healthcare providers, and budget crises and financial shortfalls have caused states to implement or consider Medicaid rate freezes or cuts. See "Governmental Regulation—Healthcare Regulation" included in Item 1 of the 2011 Form 10-K. Similarly, private third-party payors have continued their efforts to control healthcare costs. We cannot provide any assurance that adequate reimbursement levels will be available for services to be provided by our tenants and operators that currently depend on Medicare, Medicaid or private payor reimbursement. Significant limits by governmental and private third-party payors on the scope of services reimbursed or on reimbursement rates and fees could have a material adverse effect on the liquidity, financial condition and results of operations of certain of our tenants and operators, which could affect adversely their ability to make rental payments under, and otherwise comply with the terms of, their leases with us.

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Revenues from our senior living operations are dependent on private pay sources; Events which adversely affect the ability of seniors and their families to afford daily resident fees at our seniors housing communities could cause our occupancy rates, resident fee revenues and results of operations to decline.

              By and large, assisted and independent living services currently are not reimbursable under government reimbursement programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. Hence, substantially all of the resident fee revenues generated by our senior living operations are derived from private pay sources consisting of income or assets of residents or their family members. In general, due to the expense associated with building new properties and the staffing and other costs of providing services at these properties, only seniors with income or assets meeting or exceeding the comparable median in the regions where our properties are located typically can afford to pay the daily resident and care fees. The continued weak economy and depressed housing market, as well as other events such as changes in demographics, could adversely affect the ability of seniors and their families to afford these fees. If the managers of our seniors housing communities are unable to attract and retain seniors with sufficient income, assets or other resources required to pay the fees associated with assisted and independent living services, our occupancy rates, resident fee revenues and results of operations could decline, which, in turn, could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

Our investments in joint ventures could be adversely affected by our lack of sole decision-making authority regarding major decisions, our reliance on our joint venture partners' financial condition, any disputes that may arise between us and our joint venture partners, and our exposure to potential losses from the actions of our joint venture partners.

              As of December 31, 2011, we had controlling interests in eleven MOBs and eighteen seniors housing communities owned through joint ventures with third parties, and we had noncontrolling interests of between 5% and 25% in 58 MOBs, 20 seniors housing communities and fourteen skilled nursing facilities owned through joint ventures with third parties. These joint ventures involve risks not present with respect to our wholly owned properties, including the following:

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We may be unable to take actions that are opposed by our joint venture partners under arrangements that require us to share decision-making authority over major decisions affecting the ownership or operation of the joint venture and any property owned by the joint venture, such as the sale or financing of the property or the making of additional capital contributions for the benefit of the property;



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For joint ventures in which we have a noncontrolling interest, our joint venture partners may take actions that we oppose;



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Our ability to sell or transfer our interest in a joint venture to a third party may be restricted without prior consent of our joint venture partners;



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Our joint venture partners might become bankrupt or fail to fund their share of required capital contributions, which may delay construction or development of a property or increase our financial commitment to the joint venture;



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Our joint venture partners may have business interests or goals with respect to a property that conflict with our business interests and goals, which could increase the likelihood of disputes regarding the ownership, management or disposition of the property;



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We may disagree with our joint venture partners about decisions affecting a property or the joint venture, which could result in litigation or arbitration that increases our expenses, distracts our officers and directors and disrupts the day-to-day operations of the property, including by delaying important decisions until the dispute is resolved; and

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We may suffer losses as a result of actions taken by our joint venture partners with respect to our joint venture investments.

We may be adversely affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

              Our ownership of twelve seniors housing communities in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and British Columbia subjects us to fluctuations in U.S. and Canadian exchange rates, which may, from time to time, impact our financial condition and results of operations. If we increase our international presence through investments in, or acquisitions or development of, seniors housing or healthcare assets outside the United States, we may transact business in currencies other than U.S. or Canadian dollars. Although we may pursue hedging alternatives, including borrowing in local currencies, to protect against foreign currency fluctuations, we cannot provide any assurance that such fluctuations will not have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

Our ownership of certain properties subject to ground lease, air rights or other restrictive agreements exposes us to the loss of such properties upon breach or termination of such agreements, limits our uses of these properties and restricts our ability to sell or otherwise transfer such properties.

              We have investments in many of our MOBs and certain other properties through leasehold interests in the land on which the buildings are located, through leases of air rights for the space above the land on which the buildings are located or through similar agreements, and we may acquire or develop additional properties in the future that are subject to similar ground lease, air rights or other restrictive agreements. Under these agreements, we could lose our interests in the property upon termination or an earlier breach by us. In addition, many of our ground lease, air rights and other restrictive agreements impose significant limitations on our uses of the subject properties, restrict our right to convey our interests in such properties, which may limit our ability to timely sell or exchange the properties and impair their value, or restrict the leasing of such properties, which may negatively impact our ability to find suitable tenants for the properties.

Overbuilding in markets in which our seniors housing communities and MOBs are located could adversely affect our future occupancy rates, operating margins and profitability.

              The seniors housing and MOB industries generally have limited barriers to entry, and, as a consequence, the development of new seniors housing communities or MOBs could outpace demand. If development outpaces demand for those asset types in the markets in which our properties are located, those markets may become saturated and we could experience decreased occupancy, reduced operating margins and lower profitability.

Termination of resident lease agreements could adversely affect our revenues and earnings.

              Applicable regulations governing assisted living communities generally require a written lease agreement with each resident that gives the resident the right to terminate his or her lease agreement for any reason on reasonable notice. Consistent with these regulations, the resident lease agreements entered into by the managers of our seniors housing communities generally allow residents to terminate their lease agreements on 30 days' notice. Thus, unlike typical apartment lease agreements that have terms of one year or longer, our managers cannot contract with residents to stay for longer periods of time. In addition, the resident turnover rate in our seniors housing communities may be difficult to predict. If a large number of resident lease agreements terminate at or around the same time, and if the affected units remain unoccupied, our revenues and earnings could be adversely affected, which, in turn, could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

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The hospitals on whose campuses our MOBs are located and their affiliated health systems could fail to remain competitive or financially viable, which could adversely impact their ability to attract physicians and physician groups to our MOBs.

              Our MOB operations depend on the viability of the hospitals on or near whose campuses our MOBs are located and their affiliated health systems in order to attract physicians and other healthcare-related clients. The viability of these hospitals, in turn, depends on factors such as the quality and mix of healthcare services provided, competition, demographic trends in the surrounding community, market position and growth potential, as well as the ability of the affiliated health systems to provide economies of scale and access to capital. If a hospital on or near whose campus one of our MOBs is located is unable to meet its financial obligations, and if an affiliated health system is unable to support that hospital, the hospital may not be able to compete successfully or could be forced to close or relocate, which could adversely impact its ability to attract physicians and other healthcare-related clients. Because we rely on our proximity to and affiliations with these hospitals to create demand for space in our MOBs, their inability to remain competitive or financially viable, or to attract physicians and physician groups, could materially adversely affect our MOB operations and have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

Volatility or disruption in the capital markets could prevent our counterparties from satisfying their obligations to us.

              Uncertainty in the capital markets and tightening of credit markets, similar to that experienced in recent years, could make accessing new capital more challenging and more expensive for our counterparties. Interest rate fluctuations, financial market volatility or credit market disruptions could limit the ability of our tenants, operators and managers to obtain credit to finance their businesses on acceptable terms, which could adversely affect their ability to satisfy their obligations to us. In addition, any difficulty in accessing capital or other sources of funds experienced by our other counterparties, such as letters of credit issuers, insurance carriers, banking institutions, title companies and escrow agents, could prevent such counterparties from remaining viable entities or satisfying their obligations to us, which could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

The amount and scope of insurance coverage provided by our policies and policies maintained by our tenants, operators and managers may not adequately insure against losses.

              We maintain or require in our existing lease, management and other agreements that our tenants, operators and managers maintain adequate insurance coverage on our properties and their operations. Although we continually review the scope and level of insurance maintained by us and our tenants, operators and managers and believe the coverage provided to be customary for similarly situated companies in our industry, we cannot provide any assurance that we or our tenants, operators and managers will continue to be able to maintain adequate levels of insurance. We also cannot provide any assurance that we will continue to require the same levels of insurance coverage under our lease, management and other agreements, that such insurance will be available at a reasonable cost in the future or that the insurance coverage provided will fully cover all losses on our properties upon the occurrence of a catastrophic event, nor can we make any guaranty as to the future financial viability of the insurers.

              Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occur, we could incur substantial liability or lose all or a portion of the capital we have invested in a property, as well as the anticipated future revenues from the property. In such an event, we might nevertheless remain obligated for any mortgage debt or other financial obligations related to the property. We cannot provide any assurance that material uninsured losses, or losses in excess of insurance proceeds, will not occur in the future.

              As part of our MOB development business, we provide engineering, construction and architectural services, and any design, construction or systems failures related to the properties we develop may result in

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substantial injury or damage to clients or third parties. Injury or damage claims may arise in the ordinary course and may be asserted with respect to ongoing or completed projects. Although we maintain liability insurance, if any claim results in a loss, we cannot provide any assurance that our insurance coverage would be adequate to cover the loss in full. If we sustain losses in excess of our insurance coverage, we may be required to make a payment for the difference and could lose our investment in, or experience reduced profits and cash flows from, the affected MOB, which could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

Significant legal actions could subject us or our tenants, operators and managers to increased operating costs and substantial uninsured liabilities, which could materially adversely affect our or their liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

              From time to time, we may be subject to claims brought against us in lawsuits and other legal proceedings arising out of our alleged actions or the alleged actions of our tenants, operators and managers for which such tenants, operators and managers may have agreed to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless. An unfavorable resolution of any such pending or future litigation could materially adversely affect our or their liquidity, financial condition and results of operations and have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

              In some of these cases, we and our tenants, operators and managers may be subject to professional liability claims brought by plaintiffs' attorneys seeking significant punitive damages and attorneys' fees. Due to the historically high frequency and severity of professional liability claims against healthcare and seniors housing providers, the availability of professional liability insurance has been restricted and the premiums on such insurance coverage remain very high. As a result, our insurance coverage and the insurance coverage of our tenants, operators and managers might not cover all claims against us or them and might not be available to us or them at a reasonable cost. If we or our tenants, operators and managers are unable to maintain adequate insurance coverage or are required to pay punitive damages, we or they may be exposed to substantial liabilities.

              In an effort to reduce and manage their costs and for various other reasons, many companies in the healthcare industry, including some of our tenants, operators and managers, are pursuing different organizational and corporate structures coupled with self-insurance trusts or programs (commonly referred to as "captives") that may provide them with less insurance coverage. Those companies that insure any part of their general and professional liability risks through their own captive limited purpose entities generally estimate the future cost of general and professional liability through actuarial studies that rely primarily on historical data. However, due to the rise in the number and severity of professional claims against healthcare providers, these actuarial studies may underestimate the future cost of claims, and reserves for future claims may not be adequate to cover the actual cost of those claims. As a result, the tenants, operators and managers of our properties who self-insure could incur large funded and unfunded professional liability expense, which could materially adversely affect their liquidity, financial condition and results of operations and, in turn, their ability to satisfy their obligations to us or, in the case of our senior living operations, our results of operations and, in either case, have a Material Adverse Effect on us. Likewise, if we decide to implement a captive, any large funded and unfunded professional liability expenses that we incur could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

We may not be able to maintain or expand our relationships with our existing and future hospital and health system clients.

              The success of our MOB business depends, to a large extent, on our past, current and future relationships with hospital and health system clients. We invest a significant amount of time to develop these relationships, and our relationships have helped us to secure acquisition and development opportunities, as well as other advisory, property management and hospital project management projects, with both new and existing clients. If our relationships with hospital or health system clients deteriorate, or if a conflict of

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interest or non-compete arrangement prevents us from expanding these relationships, our ability to secure new acquisition and development opportunities or other advisory, property management and hospital project management projects could be adversely impacted and our professional reputation within the industry could be damaged.

Our MOB development projects, including development projects undertaken on a fee-for-service basis or through our joint ventures, may not yield anticipated returns.

              A key component of our MOB long-term growth strategy is exploring development opportunities and, when appropriate, making investments in those projects. In deciding whether to make an investment in a particular MOB development, we make certain assumptions regarding the expected future performance of that property. These assumptions are subject to risks normally associated with these projects, including, among others, that:

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We may be unable to obtain financing for development projects on favorable terms or at all;



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We may not complete development projects on schedule or within budgeted amounts;



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We may encounter delays in obtaining or fail to obtain all necessary zoning, land use, building, occupancy, environmental and other governmental permits and authorizations, or underestimate the costs necessary to develop the property to market standards;



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Development or construction delays may provide tenants the right to terminate preconstruction leases or cause us to incur additional costs;



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Volatility in the price of construction materials or labor may increase our development costs;



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Hospitals or health systems may maintain significant decision-making authority with respect to the development schedule;



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Our builders may fail to perform or satisfy the expectations of our clients or prospective clients;



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We may incorrectly forecast risks associated with development in new geographic regions;



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Tenants may not lease space at the quantity or rental rate levels projected;



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Demand for our development project may decrease prior to completion, including due to competition from other developments; and



•

Lease rates and rents at newly developed properties may fluctuate based on factors beyond our control, including market and economic conditions.

              Moreover, in MOB development projects undertaken on a fee-for-service basis, we generally construct properties for clients in exchange for a fixed fee, which creates risks such as the inability to pass on increased labor and construction material costs to our clients, development and construction delays that could give our counterparties the right to receive penalties from us, and bankruptcy or default by our contractors. We attempt to mitigate these risks by establishing certain limits on our obligations, shifting some of the risk to the general contractor or seeking other legal protections, but we cannot provide any assurance that our mitigation efforts will be effective.

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              If any of the risks described above occur, our MOB development projects, including development projects undertaken on a fee-for-service basis or through our joint ventures, may not yield anticipated returns, which could materially adversely affect our MOB operations and have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

Economic and other conditions that negatively affect geographic areas to which a greater percentage of our NOI is attributed could adversely affect our financial results.

              For the year ended December 31, 2011, approximately 42.1% of our NOI was derived from properties located in California (12.5%), Illinois (7.1%), Texas (6.1%), Massachusetts (5.8%), New York (5.7%), and Florida (4.9%). As a result, we are subject to increased exposure to adverse conditions affecting these regions, including downturns in the local economies or changes in local real estate conditions, increased competition or decreased demand, and changes in state-specific legislation, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Our operators may be sued under a federal whistleblower statute.

              Our operators who engage in business with the federal government may be sued under a federal whistleblower statute designed to combat fraud and abuse in the healthcare industry. See "Governmental Regulation—Healthcare Regulation" included in Item 1 of the 2011 Form 10-K. These lawsuits can involve significant monetary damages and award bounties to private plaintiffs who successfully bring these suits. If any of these lawsuits were to be brought against our operators, such suits combined with increased operating costs and substantial uninsured liabilities could have a material adverse effect on the operators' liquidity, financial condition and results of operation and on their ability to make rental payments to us, which, in turn, could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

If any of our properties are found to be contaminated, or if we become involved in any environmental disputes, we could incur substantial liabilities and costs.

              Under federal and state environmental laws and regulations, a current or former owner of real property may be liable for costs related to the investigation, removal and remediation of hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum that are released from or are present at or under, or that are disposed of in connection with such property. Owners of real property may also face other environmental liabilities, including government fines and penalties imposed by regulatory authorities and damages for injuries to persons, property or natural resources. Environmental laws and regulations often impose liability without regard to whether the owner was aware of, or was responsible for, the presence, release or disposal of hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum. In certain circumstances, environmental liability may result from the activities of a current or former operator of the property. Although we are generally indemnified by the current operators of our properties for contamination caused by them, these indemnities may not adequately cover all environmental costs. See "Governmental Regulation—Environmental Regulation" included in Item 1 of the 2011 Form 10-K.

Our success depends, in part, on our ability to retain key personnel, and the loss of any one of them could adversely impact our business.

              The success of our business depends, in part, on the leadership and performance of our executive management team and key employees, and our ability to retain and motivate these individuals could significantly impact our future performance. Competition for these individuals is intense, and we cannot provide any assurance that we will retain our key officers and employees or that we will be able to attract and retain other highly qualified individuals in the future. Losing any one or more of these persons could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

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Failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

              Pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we are required to provide a report by management on internal control over financial reporting, including management's assessment of the effectiveness of such control. Changes to our business will necessitate ongoing changes to our internal control systems and processes. Internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of controls, or fraud. Therefore, even effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, including any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or if we experience difficulties in their implementation, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely harmed and we could fail to meet our reporting obligations.

If the liabilities we have assumed in connection with acquisitions are greater than expected, or if there are unknown liabilities, our business could be materially and adversely affected.

              We have assumed certain liabilities in connection with our acquisitions, including, in some cases, contingent liabilities. As we integrate these acquisitions, we may learn additional information about the sellers, the properties, their operations and/or their liabilities that adversely affects us, such as:

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Liabilities relating to the clean-up or remediation of undisclosed environmental conditions;



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Unasserted claims of vendors or other persons dealing with the sellers;



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Liabilities, claims and litigation, including indemnification obligations, whether or not incurred in the ordinary course of business, relating to periods prior to or following our acquisition;



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Claims for indemnification by general partners, directors, officers and others indemnified by the sellers; and



•

Liabilities for taxes relating to periods prior to our acquisition.

As a result, we cannot provide any assurance that our past acquisitions will be successful or will not, in fact, harm our business. Among other things, if the liabilities we have assumed are greater than expected, or if there are obligations relating to the acquired properties or businesses of which we were not aware at the time we completed the acquisition, our business and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Risks Arising From Our Capital Structure

We may become more leveraged.

              As of December 31, 2011, we had approximately $6.3 billion of outstanding indebtedness (including capital lease obligations but excluding unamortized fair value adjustment and unamortized commission fees and discounts). After giving effect to (i) the sale of the notes offered hereby and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, (ii) the issuance and sale in February 2012 of $600.0 million principal amount of the issuers' 4.25% Senior Notes due 2022, (iii) the redemption in March 2012 of $200.0 million principal amount of our 6¹/2% Senior Notes due 2016, and (iv) the assumption of $203.7 million of existing Cogdell mortgage debt and borrowings under our unsecured revolving credit facility in connection with the closing of the Cogdell acquisition, as if each had occurred on December 31, 2011, we would have had approximately $        billion of outstanding indebtedness (including capital lease obligations but excluding unamortized fair value adjustment and unamortized commission fees and discounts). The instruments governing our existing indebtedness permit us to incur substantial additional debt, including secured debt, and we may elect to meet our capital and liquidity needs through additional borrowings. A high level of indebtedness would require us

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to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to the payment of debt service, thereby reducing the funds available to implement our business strategy and make distributions to stockholders. A high level of indebtedness could also have the following consequences:

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Potential limits on our ability to adjust rapidly to changing market conditions and vulnerability in the event of a downturn in general economic conditions or in the real estate or healthcare industries;



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Potential impairment of our ability to obtain additional financing for our business strategy; and



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Potential downgrade in the rating of our debt securities by one or more rating agencies, which could have the effect of, among other things, limiting our access to capital and increasing our cost of borrowing.

              In addition, from time to time, we mortgage our properties to secure payment of indebtedness. If we are unable to meet our mortgage payments, then the encumbered properties could be foreclosed upon or transferred to the mortgagee with a consequent loss of income and asset value.

We are exposed to increases in interest rates, which could reduce our profitability and adversely impact our ability to refinance existing debt, sell assets or engage in acquisition and investment activity, and our decision to hedge against interest rate risk might not be effective.

              We receive a significant portion of our revenues by leasing our assets under long-term triple-net leases in which the rental rate is generally fixed with annual rent escalations, subject to certain limitations. Certain of our debt obligations are floating rate obligations with interest rate and related payments that vary with the movement of LIBOR, Bankers' Acceptance or other indexes. The generally fixed rate nature of our revenues and the variable rate nature of certain of our obligations create interest rate risk. Although our operating assets provide a partial hedge against interest rate fluctuations, if interest rates rise, our interest costs for our existing floating rate debt and any new debt we incur would also increase. This increased cost could reduce our profitability, make our lease and other revenues insufficient to meet our obligations, or increase the cost of financing our acquisition and investment activity. Further, rising interest rates could limit our ability to refinance existing debt upon maturity or cause us to pay higher rates upon refinancing. An increase in interest rates may also decrease the amount third parties are willing to pay for our assets, thereby limiting our ability to reposition our portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions.

              We may seek to manage our exposure to interest rate volatility with hedging arrangements that involve risk, including the risk that counterparties may fail to honor their obligations under these arrangements, that these arrangements may not be effective in reducing our exposure to interest rate changes, that the amount of income we may earn from hedging transactions may be limited by federal tax provisions governing REITs, and that these arrangements may result in higher interest rates than would otherwise be the case. Moreover, no amount of hedging activity can completely insulate us from the risks associated with changes in interest rates. Failure to hedge effectively against interest rate risk, if we choose to engage in such activities, could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Limitations on our ability to access capital could have an adverse effect on our ability to meet our debt payments, make distributions to our stockholders or make future investments necessary to implement our business strategy.

              We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to raise the necessary capital to meet our debt service obligations, make distributions to our stockholders or make future investments necessary to implement our business strategy, and the failure to do so could have a Material Adverse Effect on us. In recent years, the global capital and credit markets experienced a period of extraordinary turmoil and upheaval, characterized by

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the bankruptcy, failure or sale of various financial institutions and an unprecedented level of intervention from the U.S. federal government. The disruption in the credit markets, the repricing of credit risk and the deterioration of the financial and real estate markets created difficult conditions for REITs and other companies to access capital or other sources of funds. Although access to capital and other sources of funding have improved, we cannot provide any assurance that conditions will not deteriorate or that our access to capital and other sources of funding will not become constrained, which could adversely affect our results of operation and financial condition. In addition, the federal government's failure to increase the amount of debt that it is statutorily permitted to incur as needed to meet its future financial commitments or a downgrade in the debt rating on U.S. government securities could lead to a weakened U.S. dollar, rising interest rates and constrained access to capital, which could materially adversely affect the U.S. and global economies, increase our costs of borrowing and have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

              To address constraints on our access to capital, we could, among other things, (i) obtain commitments from the banks in our lending group or from new banks to fund increased amounts under the terms of our unsecured revolving credit facility or our unsecured term loan facility, (ii) access the public capital markets, (iii) obtain secured loans from government-sponsored entities, pension funds or similar sources, (iv) decrease or eliminate our distributions to our stockholders or pay taxable stock dividends, or (v) delay or cease our acquisition and investment activity. As with other public companies, our access to debt and equity capital depends, in part, on the trading prices of our senior notes and common stock, which, in turn, depend upon market conditions that change from time to time, such as the market's perception of our financial condition, our growth potential and our current and future earnings and cash distributions. Our failure to meet the market's expectation with regard to future earnings and cash distributions or a significant downgrade in the ratings assigned to our long-term debt could impact our ability to access capital or increase our borrowing costs. If we cannot access capital at an acceptable cost or at all, we may be required to liquidate one or more investments in properties at times that may not permit us to realize the maximum return on those investments, which could also result in adverse tax consequences to us. Restrictions on our uses of, and our right to transfer, properties under certain healthcare regulations, ground leases, mortgages and other agreements to which our properties may be subject could adversely impact our ability to timely liquidate those investments and impair their value.

              If the financial institutions that are parties to our unsecured revolving credit facility become capital constrained, tighten their lending standards or become insolvent or if they experience excessive volumes of borrowing requests from other borrowers within a short period of time, they may be unable or unwilling to honor their funding commitments to us, which would adversely affect our ability to draw on our unsecured revolving credit facility and, over time, could negatively impact our ability to consummate acquisitions, repay indebtedness as it matures, fund capital expenditures or make distributions to our stockholders. Adverse conditions in the credit markets could also adversely affect the availability and terms of future borrowings, renewals or refinancings.

Covenants in the instruments governing our existing indebtedness limit our operational flexibility, and a covenant breach could materially adversely affect our operations.

              The terms of the instruments governing our existing indebtedness require us to comply with a number of customary financial and other covenants, such as maintaining debt service coverage, leverage ratios and minimum net worth requirements. Our continued ability to incur additional debt and to conduct business in general is subject to our compliance with these covenants, which limit our operational flexibility. Breaches of these covenants could result in defaults under the applicable debt instruments and could trigger defaults under any other indebtedness that is cross-defaulted against such instruments, even if we satisfy our payment obligations. Financial and other covenants that limit our operational flexibility, as well as defaults resulting from our breach of any of these covenants, could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

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Risks Arising From Our Status as a REIT

Loss of our status as a REIT would have significant adverse consequences for us and the value of our common stock.

              If we lose our status as a REIT (currently and/or with respect to any tax years for which the statute of limitations has not expired), we will face serious tax consequences that will substantially reduce the funds available to satisfy our obligations, to implement our business strategy and to make distributions to our stockholders for each of the years involved because:

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We would not be allowed a deduction for distributions to stockholders in computing our taxable income and would be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates;



•

We could be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax and increased state and local taxes; and



•

Unless we are entitled to relief under statutory provisions, we could not elect to be subject to tax as a REIT for four taxable years following the year during which we were disqualified.

              In addition, in such event we would no longer be required to pay dividends to maintain REIT status, which could adversely affect the value of our common stock.

              Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), for which there are only limited judicial and administrative interpretations. The determination of factual matters and circumstances not entirely within our control, as well as new legislation, regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions, may adversely affect our investors or our ability to remain qualified as a REIT for tax purposes. Although we believe that we qualify as a REIT, we cannot provide any assurance that we will continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes.

The 90% distribution requirement will decrease our liquidity and may limit our ability to engage in otherwise beneficial transactions.

              To comply with the 90% distribution requirement applicable to REITs and to avoid the nondeductible excise tax, we must make distributions to our stockholders. See "Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT—Annual Distribution Requirements" included in Item 1 of the 2011 Form 10-K. However, such distributions may limit our ability to rely upon rental payments from our properties or subsequently acquired properties to finance investments, acquisitions or new developments.

              Although we do not anticipate any inability to satisfy the REIT distribution requirement, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to do so. For example, timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses, on the one hand, and the inclusion of that income and deduction of those expenses in arriving at our taxable income, on the other hand, or non-deductible expenses such as principal amortization or repayments or capital expenditures in excess of non-cash deductions may cause us to fail to have sufficient cash or liquid assets to enable us to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement.

              In the event that timing differences occur or we decide to retain cash or to distribute such greater amount as may be necessary to avoid income and excise taxation, we may, if possible, borrow funds, issue additional equity securities, pay taxable stock dividends, distribute other property or securities or engage in a transaction intended to enable us to meet the REIT distribution requirements. Any of these actions may require us to raise additional capital to meet our obligations; however, see "—Risks Arising from Our Capital Structure—Limitations on our ability to access capital could have an adverse effect on our ability to meet our

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debt payments, make distributions to our stockholders or make future investments necessary to implement our business strategy." The terms of the instruments governing our existing indebtedness restrict our ability to engage in some of these transactions.

To preserve our qualification as a REIT, our certificate of incorporation contains ownership limits with respect to our capital stock that may delay, defer or prevent a change of control of our company.

              To assist us in preserving our qualification as a REIT, our certificate of incorporation provides that if a person acquires beneficial ownership of more than 9.9% of our outstanding preferred stock or more than 9.0% of our common stock, the shares that are beneficially owned in excess of the applicable limit are considered to be "excess shares" and are automatically deemed transferred to a trust for the benefit of a charitable institution or other qualifying organization selected by our Board of Directors. The trust is entitled to all dividends with respect to the excess shares and the trustee may exercise all voting power over the excess shares. In addition, we have the right to purchase the excess shares for a price equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that created the excess shares or (ii) the market price on the day we purchase the shares, but if we do not purchase the excess shares, the trustee of the trust is required to transfer the shares at the direction of our Board of Directors. These ownership limits could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

Risks Relating to the Notes

Because the notes that you hold are unsecured and will be structurally subordinated to the obligations of our subsidiaries (other than the issuers), you may not be fully repaid if we become insolvent.

              Neither the notes nor the guarantee will be secured by any of our assets, and therefore the notes and the guarantee will be effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness that we may incur to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness. The indenture governing the notes permits us to incur secured debt that is secured by certain of our assets. As of December 31, 2011, we had outstanding secured debt of $2.9 billion (including capitalized leases of $143.0 million). If we were to become insolvent, the holders of any secured debt would receive payments from the assets pledged as security before you would receive payments on the notes.

              Moreover, none of Ventas, Inc.'s subsidiaries (other than the issuers) will be directly obligated on the notes, and therefore the notes will also be structurally subordinated to the unsecured indebtedness and other obligations of those subsidiaries (other than the issuers), including the guarantees provided by certain subsidiaries in respect of the issuers' 9% Senior Notes due 2012, which were outstanding in an aggregate principal amount of $82.4 million as of December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2011, subsidiaries of Ventas, Inc. (other than the issuers) had $652.6 million of outstanding unsecured indebtedness, all of which was indebtedness of our wholly owned subsidiary, Nationwide Health Properties, LLC (as successor to NHP), and assets of $16.6 billion, or 96% of our total assets. All obligations of Ventas, Inc.'s subsidiaries (other than the issuers), including indebtedness to trade creditors, would have to be paid in full before you would have any claims against the assets of those subsidiaries.

Federal and state statutes allow courts, under specific circumstances, to void guarantees and require noteholders to return payments received from the issuers or Ventas, Inc.

              Ventas, Inc.'s guarantee of the notes may be subject to review under U.S. federal bankruptcy law or relevant state fraudulent conveyance laws if a bankruptcy lawsuit is commenced by or on behalf of

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Ventas, Inc.'s unpaid creditors. Under these laws, if in such a lawsuit a court were to find that, at the time Ventas, Inc. incurred debt (including debt represented by the guarantee), Ventas, Inc.:

•

incurred this debt with the intent of hindering, delaying or defrauding its current or future creditors; or



•

received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for incurring this debt and Ventas, Inc.:



•

was insolvent or was rendered insolvent by reason of the related financing transactions;



•

was engaged, or about to engage, in a business or transaction for which its remaining assets constituted unreasonably small capital to carry on its business; or



•

intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay these debts as they mature, as all of the foregoing terms are defined in or interpreted under the relevant fraudulent transfer or conveyance statutes;

then the court could void the guarantee or subordinate the amounts owing under the guarantee to Ventas, Inc.'s presently existing or future debt, including trade payables, or take other actions detrimental to the holders of the notes.

              The guarantee will contain a provision intended to limit Ventas, Inc.'s liability to the maximum amount that it could incur without causing the incurrence of obligations under the guarantee to be a fraudulent transfer or conveyance. This provision may not be effective to protect the guarantee from being voided under fraudulent transfer law.

The guarantee provided by Ventas, Inc. is subject to certain defenses that may limit your right to receive payment on the notes.

              Although the guarantee provides the holders of the notes with a direct claim against Ventas, Inc.'s assets, enforcement of the guarantee against Ventas, Inc. would be subject to certain "suretyship" defenses available to guarantors generally. Enforcement could also be subject to other defenses available to Ventas, Inc. in certain circumstances. To the extent that the guarantee is not enforceable, you would not be able to assert a claim successfully against Ventas, Inc.

There is no public market for the notes, so you may be unable to sell the notes.

              The notes offered hereby are a new series of securities for which there is currently no public market. Consequently, the notes may be relatively illiquid, and you may be unable to sell your notes, or if you are able to sell your notes, there can be no assurance as to the price at which you will able to sell them. Future trading prices of the notes will depend on many factors, including, among other things, prevailing interest rates, economic conditions, our financial condition and the market for similar securities. We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any securities exchange or for the inclusion of the notes in any automated quotation system.

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

              This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). All statements regarding our or our tenants', operators', managers' or borrowers' expected future financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, funds from operations, dividends and dividend plans, financing opportunities and plans, capital markets transactions, business strategy, budgets, projected costs, operating metrics, capital expenditures, competitive positions, acquisitions, investment opportunities, dispositions, merger integration, growth opportunities, expected lease income, continued qualification as a REIT, plans and objectives of management for future operations, and statements that include words such as "anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "should," "will," and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and security holders must recognize that actual results may differ from our expectations. We do not undertake a duty to update these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made.

              Our actual future results and trends may differ materially from expectations depending on a variety of factors discussed in our filings with the Commission. These factors include without limitation:

•

The ability and willingness of our tenants, operators, borrowers, managers and other third parties to meet and/or perform their obligations under their respective contractual arrangements with us, including, in some cases, their obligations to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless from and against various claims, litigation and liabilities;



•

The ability of our tenants, operators, borrowers and managers to maintain the financial strength and liquidity necessary to satisfy their respective obligations and liabilities to third parties, including without limitation obligations under their existing credit facilities and other indebtedness;



•

Our success in implementing our business strategy and our ability to identify, underwrite, finance, consummate and integrate diversifying acquisitions or investments, including our acquisitions of NHP and Cogdell and investments in different asset types and outside the United States;



•

Macroeconomic conditions such as a disruption of or lack of access to the capital markets, changes in the debt rating on U.S. government securities, default and/or delay in payment by the United States of its obligations, and changes in the federal budget resulting in the reduction or nonpayment of Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement rates;



•

The nature and extent of future competition;



•

The extent of future or pending healthcare reform and regulation, including cost containment measures and changes in reimbursement policies, procedures and rates;



•

Increases in our borrowing costs as a result of changes in interest rates and other factors;



•

The ability of our operators and managers, as applicable, to comply with laws, rules and regulations in the operation of our properties, to deliver high quality services, to attract and retain qualified personnel and to attract residents and patients;

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•

Changes in general economic conditions and/or economic conditions in the markets in which we may, from time to time, compete, and the effect of those changes on our revenues, earnings and funding sources;



•

Our ability to pay down, refinance, restructure and/or extend our indebtedness as it becomes due;



•

Our ability and willingness to maintain our qualification as a REIT due to economic, market, legal, tax or other considerations;



•

Final determination of our taxable net income for the year ended December 31, 2011 and for the year ending December 31, 2012;



•

The ability and willingness of our tenants to renew their leases with us upon expiration of the leases, our ability to reposition our properties on the same or better terms in the event of nonrenewal or in the event we exercise our right to replace an existing tenant, and obligations, including indemnification obligations, we may incur in connection with the replacement of an existing tenant;



•

Risks associated with our senior living operating portfolio, such as factors causing volatility in our operating income and earnings generated by our properties, including without limitation national and regional economic conditions, costs of food, materials, energy, labor and services, employee benefit costs, insurance costs and professional and general liability claims, and the timely delivery of accurate property-level financial results for those properties;



•

The movement of U.S. and Canadian currency exchange rates;



•

Year-over-year changes in the CPI and the effect of those changes on the rent escalators contained in our leases, including the rent escalator for Master Lease 2 with Kindred, and our earnings;



•

Our ability and the ability of our tenants, operators, borrowers and managers to obtain and maintain adequate property, liability and other insurance from reputable, financially stable providers;



•

The impact of increased operating costs and uninsured professional liability claims on the liquidity, financial condition and results of operations of our tenants, operators, borrowers and managers and the ability of our tenants, operators, borrowers and managers to accurately estimate the magnitude of those claims;



•

Risks associated with our MOB portfolio and operations, including our ability to successfully design, develop and manage MOBs, to accurately estimate our costs in fixed fee-for-service projects and to retain key personnel;



•

The ability of the hospitals on or near whose campuses our MOBs are located and their affiliated health systems to remain competitive and financially viable and to attract physicians and physician groups;



•

Our ability to build, maintain and expand our relationships with existing and prospective hospital and health system clients;

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•

Risks associated with our investments in joint ventures and unconsolidated entities, including our lack of sole decision-making authority and our reliance on our joint venture partners' financial condition;



•

The impact of market or issuer events on the liquidity or value of our investments in marketable securities; and



•

The impact of litigation or any financial, accounting, legal or regulatory issues that may affect us or our tenants, operators, borrowers or managers.

              Many of these factors are beyond our control and the control of our management.

              We describe some of these risks and uncertainties in greater detail above under "Risk Factors." These risks could cause actual results of our industry, or our actual results for the year 2012 and beyond, to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement we make. Our future financial performance is dependent upon factors discussed elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein. For a discussion of factors that could cause actual results to differ, see "Risk Factors" and the information contained in our filings with the Commission that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. These filings are described under "Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference."

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USE OF PROCEEDS

              We expect the net proceeds of this offering to be approximately $         million, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated expenses of this offering. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay indebtedness outstanding under our unsecured revolving credit facility and for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including to fund future acquisitions or investments, if any.

              As of April 11, 2012, we had $645.5 million of outstanding indebtedness under our unsecured revolving credit facility (excluding outstanding letters of credit of $6.8 million), and the weighted average interest rate applicable to the outstanding indebtedness under our unsecured revolving credit facility was 1.38% per annum. We used the proceeds from outstanding borrowings under our unsecured revolving credit facility for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including to fund, in part, our acquisition of Cogdell. Our unsecured revolving credit facility matures on October 16, 2015, but may be extended, at our option subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, for an additional period of one year.

              Certain affiliates of the underwriters act as lenders and/or agents under our unsecured revolving credit facility and will receive a portion of the proceeds from this offering. See "Conflicts of Interest."

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

              The following table shows our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated.

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(1)

For this ratio, earnings consist of income before loss from unconsolidated entities, reversal of contingent liability, income taxes, discontinued operations, noncontrolling interest and preferred stock dividends and issuance costs plus fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest) and distributions from unconsolidated entities. Fixed charges consist of interest expensed and capitalized, plus the portion of rent expense under operating leases deemed by us to be representative of the interest factor.

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CAPITALIZATION

              The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of December 31, 2011 on an actual basis and on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the sale of the notes offered hereby and the application of the net proceeds therefrom. You should read this table in conjunction with the information set forth under "Use of Proceeds" and the financial statements and notes thereto incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

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(1)

As of April 11, 2012, we had $645.5 million of outstanding indebtedness under our unsecured revolving credit facility (excluding outstanding letters of credit of $6.8 million).

(2)

Includes $500.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our unsecured term loan facility, a portion of which are Canadian dollar borrowings.

(3)

Includes our 9% Senior Notes due 2012, 3.125% Senior Notes due 2015, 6¹/2% Senior Notes due 2016, 6³/4% Senior Notes due 2017 and 4.750% Senior Notes due 2021, and the 8¹/4% Senior Notes due 2012, 6.25% Senior Notes due 2013, 6% Senior Notes due 2015, 6.90% Senior Notes due 2037 and 6.59% Senior Notes due 2038 of NHP, which were assumed by our wholly owned subsidiary, Nationwide Health Properties, LLC, in connection with the NHP acquisition. In February 2012, we issued and sold $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.25% Senior Notes due 2022. In March 2012, we redeemed all $200.0 million principal amount outstanding of our 6¹/2% Senior Notes due 2016 pursuant to the terms of the indenture governing the notes.

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(4)

Reflects the principal amount of the notes offered hereby and not their public offering price.

(5)

Reflects mortgage loan obligations that are non-recourse to us. On April 2, 2012, we assumed $203.7 million of mortgage loan obligations in connection with the closing of the Cogdell acquisition.

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DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

              You can find the definitions of certain terms used in this description under "—Certain Definitions." In this description, the word "Partnership" refers only to Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership and not to any of its subsidiaries. The term "Issuers" refers to the Partnership and Ventas Capital, collectively. The terms "we," "us" and "our" refer to Ventas, Inc. and not to any of its subsidiaries.

              The      % Senior Notes due                    offered by this prospectus supplement (the "Notes") will be issued under an indenture dated as of September 19, 2006 (the "Base Indenture"), among the Issuers, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the "Trustee"), and certain other entities named therein, as supplemented by the Sixth Supplemental Indenture to be dated as of April             , 2012 (the "Sixth Supplemental Indenture"), among the Issuers, the Trustee and Ventas, Inc. In this prospectus supplement, we refer to the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, as the "Indenture." The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

              The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the Indenture. It does not restate the Indenture in its entirety. We urge you to read the Indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as holders of the Notes. A copy of the Indenture is available as set forth below under "—Additional Information." Certain defined terms used in this description but not defined below under "—Certain Definitions" have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

              The registered holder of a Note will be treated as the owner of it for all purposes. Only registered holders will have rights under the Indenture.

Brief Description of the Notes and the Guarantee

The Notes

              The Notes will be:

•

general unsecured obligations of the Issuers;



•

except to the extent described below, equal in right of payment with all other existing and future unsecured senior Debt of the Issuers;



•

senior in right of payment to any future subordinated Debt of the Issuers; and



•

unconditionally guaranteed by Ventas, Inc.

              However, the Notes will be effectively subordinated to all of the Issuers' and Ventas, Inc.'s secured borrowings to the extent of the assets pledged to secure those borrowings and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of Ventas, Inc.'s Subsidiaries (other than the Issuers), including the guarantees provided by certain Subsidiaries of Ventas, Inc. in respect of the Issuers' 9% Senior Notes due 2012, which were outstanding in an aggregate principal amount of $82.4 million as of December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2011, we had outstanding secured debt of $2.9 billion (including capitalized leases of $143.0 million), and Subsidiaries of Ventas, Inc. (other than the Issuers) had $652.6 million of outstanding unsecured indebtedness, all of which was indebtedness of our wholly owned subsidiary, Nationwide Health Properties, LLC (as successor to NHP). See "Capitalization," "Risk Factors—Risks Arising From Our Capital Structure—We may become more leveraged" and "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Notes—Because the notes that you hold are unsecured and will be structurally subordinated to the obligations of our subsidiaries (other than the issuers), you may not be fully repaid if we become insolvent."

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The Guarantee

              The Notes will be guaranteed by Ventas, Inc. The guarantee of the Notes will be:

•

a general unsecured obligation of Ventas, Inc.;



•

equal in right of payment with all other existing and future unsecured senior Debt of Ventas, Inc.; and



•

senior in right of payment to any future subordinated Debt of Ventas, Inc.

              See "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Notes—The guarantee provided by Ventas, Inc. is subject to certain defenses that may limit your right to receive payment on the notes."

Ventas Capital

              Ventas Capital is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership that was incorporated in Delaware for the purpose of serving as a co-issuer of debt securities, including the Notes, in order to facilitate the offering of such debt securities. The Partnership believes that certain prospective purchasers of the Notes may be restricted in their ability to purchase debt securities of partnerships, such as the Partnership, unless such debt securities are jointly issued by a corporation. Ventas Capital does not and will not have any substantial operations, assets or revenues. As a result, prospective purchasers of the Notes should not expect Ventas Capital to participate in servicing the interest and principal obligations on the Notes. See "—Certain Covenants."

Principal, Interest and Maturity

              The Sixth Supplemental Indenture provides that the Issuers will initially issue the Notes in the principal amount of $             million. The Base Indenture does not limit the amount of Notes that the Issuers may issue and in the future the Issuers may, without the consent of the holders, increase the principal amount of the Notes on the same terms and conditions as the Notes being offered hereby except that any such additional Notes may not be fungible with the Notes issued hereby for U.S. tax purposes. Any offering of additional Notes is subject to the covenants of the Indenture described below, including the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Limitations on Incurrence of Debt." The Notes and any additional Notes subsequently issued under the Indenture may be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. The Issuers will issue Notes in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

              The Notes are a series of senior debt securities that the Issuers may issue under the Base Indenture. Under certain circumstances, all outstanding senior debt securities issued under the Base Indenture vote as a single class. See "—Modification of the Indenture."

              The Notes will mature on                    ,        . The Notes will bear interest at the rate per annum set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement from April     , 2012, or from the immediately preceding Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on                     and                    of each year, commencing                        , 2012, to the persons in whose names the Notes are registered at the close of business on                    and                     , as the case may be, immediately prior to the respective Interest Payment Date. Accrued interest will also be payable on the date of maturity or any earlier date of redemption of the Notes. Interest on the Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

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Optional Redemption

              The Issuers may redeem the Notes, in whole or from time to time in part, prior to their stated maturity. The redemption price for Notes that are redeemed before                    ,      will be equal to the sum of:

(i)

100% of their principal amount;



(ii)

accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of redemption; and



(iii)

the Make-Whole Amount, if any.

              The redemption price for Notes that are redeemed on or after                    ,      will be equal to the sum of 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of redemption, and will not include the Make-Whole Amount.

              After notice of optional redemption has been given as provided in the Indenture, if funds for the redemption of any Notes called for redemption have been made available on the redemption date, such Notes called for redemption will cease to bear interest on the date fixed for the redemption specified in the redemption notice, and the only right of the holders of such Notes will be to receive payment of the redemption price.

              Notice of any optional redemption of any Notes will be given to holders at their addresses, as shown in the Notes register, not more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. The notice of redemption will specify, among other items, the redemption price and the principal amount of the Notes held by the holder to be redeemed.

              The Issuers will notify the Trustee at least 45 days prior to the redemption date (or such shorter period as is satisfactory to the Trustee) of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and the redemption date. If less than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select, pro rata or by lot or by any other method that the Trustee considers fair and appropriate under the circumstances, the Notes to be redeemed. Notes may be redeemed in part in the minimum authorized denomination for the Notes or in any integral multiple thereof.

Certain Covenants

Limitations on Incurrence of Debt

              Ventas, Inc. shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, Incur any Debt if, immediately after giving effect to the Incurrence of such additional Debt and any other Debt Incurred since the end of the Latest Completed Quarter and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Debt would exceed 60% of the sum of (without duplication) (i) Total Assets as of the end of the Latest Completed Quarter and (ii) the purchase price of any Real Estate Assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent such proceeds were not used to acquire Real Estate Assets or mortgages receivable or to reduce Debt), since the end of the Latest Completed Quarter.

              Ventas, Inc. shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, Incur any Secured Debt if, immediately after giving effect to the Incurrence of such additional Secured Debt and any other Secured Debt Incurred since the end of the Latest Completed Quarter and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Secured Debt would exceed 50% of the sum of (without duplication) (i) Total Assets as of the end of the Latest Completed Quarter and (ii) the purchase price of any

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Real Estate Assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent such proceeds were not used to acquire Real Estate Assets or mortgages receivable or to reduce Debt), since the end of the Latest Completed Quarter.

              Ventas, Inc. shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, Incur any Debt if, immediately after giving effect to the Incurrence of such additional Debt and any other Debt Incurred since the end of the Latest Completed Quarter and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Interest Expense for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the Latest Completed Quarter would be less than 1.50 to 1.00 on a pro forma basis and calculated on the assumption (without duplication) that:

(1)

the additional Debt and any other Debt Incurred by Ventas, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period to the date of determination, which was outstanding at the date of determination, had been Incurred at the beginning of that period and continued to be outstanding throughout that period, and the application of the net proceeds of such Debt, including to refinance other Debt, had occurred at the beginning of such period; provided that in determining the amount of Debt so Incurred, the amount of Debt under any revolving credit facility shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Debt during such period;



(2)

the repayment or retirement of any other Debt repaid or retired by Ventas, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period to the date of determination had occurred at the beginning of that period; provided that in determining the amount of Debt so repaid or retired, the amount of Debt under any revolving credit facility shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Debt during such period; and



(3)

in the case of any acquisition or disposition of any asset or group of assets (including, without limitation, by merger, or stock or asset purchase or sale) or the placement of any assets in service or removal of any assets from service by Ventas, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period to the date of determination, the acquisition, disposition, placement in service or removal from service and any related repayment or refinancing of Debt had occurred as of the first day of such period, with the appropriate adjustments to Consolidated EBITDA and Interest Expense with respect to the acquisition, disposition, placement in service or removal from service being included in that pro forma calculation.

Maintenance of Unencumbered Assets

              Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries shall maintain at all times Unencumbered Assets of not less than 150% of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Unsecured Debt.

Restrictions on Activities of Ventas Capital

              Ventas Capital may not hold any material assets, become liable for any material obligations or engage in any significant business activities; provided, however, that Ventas Capital may be a co-obligor with respect to Debt if the Partnership is a primary obligor of such Debt and the net proceeds of such Debt are received by the Partnership or one or more of its Subsidiaries other than Ventas Capital.

Existence

              Except as permitted as described below under "—Merger, Consolidation or Sale," Ventas, Inc. and the Issuers shall do all things necessary to preserve and keep their existence, rights and franchises; provided,

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however, that none of Ventas, Inc. or the Issuers shall be required to preserve any such right or franchise if Ventas, Inc. or such Issuer, as applicable, shall determine reasonably and in good faith that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of its business.

Provision of Financial Information

              Whether or not required by the Commission, so long as any Notes are outstanding, Ventas, Inc. shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after it files the same with the Commission (or if not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, within 15 days after it would have been required to file the same with the Commission had it been so subject):

(1)

all quarterly and annual financial information that is required to be contained in filings with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K, including a "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by Ventas, Inc.'s certified independent accountants; and



(2)

all current reports that are required to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K.

              For so long as any Notes remain outstanding, if at any time Ventas, Inc. is not required to file with the Commission the reports referenced above, it shall furnish to the Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

              The availability of the foregoing materials on the Commission's website or on Ventas, Inc.'s website shall be deemed to satisfy the foregoing delivery obligations.

Merger, Consolidation or Sale

              Ventas, Inc. may not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not Ventas, Inc. is the surviving corporation); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey, lease (other than to an unaffiliated operator in the ordinary course of business) or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Persons, unless:

(i)

either: (a) Ventas, Inc. is the surviving corporation; or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than Ventas, Inc.) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia;



(ii)

the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than Ventas, Inc.) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all of Ventas, Inc.'s obligations under the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; and



(iii)

immediately after such transaction, on a pro forma basis giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions (and treating any obligation of Ventas, Inc. or any Subsidiary incurred in connection with or as a result of such transaction or series of transactions as having been incurred at the time of such transaction), no Default or Event of Default exists under the Indenture.

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              This "Merger, Consolidation or Sale" covenant will not prohibit Ventas, Inc. from consolidating or merging with or into an Issuer or selling and/or transferring all or substantially all of its assets to an Issuer.

              Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of Ventas, Inc. in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which Ventas, Inc. is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition is made, shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, Ventas, Inc. under the Indenture with the same effect as if such successor initially had been named as Ventas, Inc. therein. When a successor assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under the Indenture and the Notes following a consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of 90% or more of the assets of the predecessor in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the predecessor shall be released from those obligations.

Assumption of Issuers' Obligations

              Ventas, Inc., or a Subsidiary thereof that is organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, may directly assume, pursuant to a supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on the Notes and the performance of every covenant of the Indenture on the part of the Issuers to be performed or observed. Upon any such assumption, Ventas, Inc. or such Subsidiary shall succeed to, and be substituted for and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuers under the Indenture with the same effect as if Ventas, Inc. or such Subsidiary had been named as the Issuer under the Indenture and the Issuers will be released from liability as obligor on the Notes.

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

              The Indenture provides that the term "Event of Default" with respect to the Notes means any of the following:

(1)

Ventas, Inc. or the Issuers do not pay the principal or any premium on the Notes when due and payable;



(2)

Ventas, Inc. or the Issuers do not pay interest on the Notes within 30 days after the applicable due date;



(3)

Ventas, Inc. or its Subsidiaries remain in breach of any other term of the Indenture for 90 days after they receive a notice of Default stating that they are in breach. Either the Trustee or the holders of more than 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may send the notice;



(4)

except as permitted by the Indenture and the Notes, the Securities Guarantee by Ventas, Inc. shall cease to be in full force and effect or Ventas, Inc. shall deny or disaffirm its obligations with respect thereto;



(5)

The Issuers, Ventas, Inc. or any of its Significant Subsidiaries default under any of their indebtedness (including a default with respect to securities of any series under the Indenture other than the Notes) in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $50.0 million after the expiration of any applicable grace period, which default results in the acceleration of the maturity of such indebtedness. Such default is not an Event of Default if the other indebtedness is discharged, or the acceleration is rescinded or annulled, within a period of 30 days after the Issuers, Ventas, Inc. or any such Significant Subsidiary, as the case may

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be, receives notice specifying the default and requiring that they discharge the other indebtedness or cause the acceleration to be rescinded or annulled. Either the Trustee or the holders of more than 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may send the notice; or

(6)

The Issuers, Ventas, Inc. or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary files for bankruptcy or certain other events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur.

Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs

              If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes has occurred and has not been cured, either the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare the entire principal amount of the Notes to be due and immediately payable by written notice to the Partnership, Ventas, Inc. and the Trustee; provided that the sole remedy for an Event of Default relating to a failure to comply with the covenant described under "Provision of Financial Information" shall consist exclusively of the right to receive additional interest on the Notes in accordance with the terms set forth in the Indenture. If an Event of Default occurs because of certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal amount of all the Notes will be automatically accelerated, without any action by the Trustee or any holder. At any time after the Trustee or the holders have accelerated the Notes, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration.

              The Trustee will be required to give notice to the holders of Notes within 90 days after a Default under the Indenture unless the Default has been cured or waived. The Trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the Notes of any Default, except a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on the Notes, if specified responsible officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that withholding the notice is in the interest of the holders.

              Except in cases of Default, where the Trustee has some special duties, the Trustee is not required to take any action under the Indenture at the request of any holders of Notes unless such holders offer the Trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability. We refer to this as an "indemnity." If reasonable indemnity is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the Trustee. These majority holders may also direct the Trustee in performing any other action under the Indenture, subject to certain limitations.

              Before a holder bypasses the Trustee and brings its own lawsuit or other formal legal action or takes other steps to enforce its rights or protect its interests relating to the Notes, the following must occur:

(1)

The holder must give the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default with respect to the Notes has occurred and remains uncured;



(2)

The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding Notes must make a written request that the Trustee take action because of the Default, and must offer reasonable indemnity to the Trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action;



(3)

The Trustee must have not taken action for 60 days after receipt of the notice and offer of indemnity; and



(4)

The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding Notes must not have given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

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              However, a holder is entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on any Note after its due date.

              Within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, Ventas, Inc. will furnish to the Trustee a written statement by certain of Ventas, Inc.'s officers certifying that to their knowledge, Ventas, Inc. is in compliance with the Indenture and the Notes, or else specifying any Default.

Modification of the Indenture

              Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the Indenture and/or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities issued under the Base Indenture affected by such amendment or supplement voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, such Notes), and any existing Default, Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default with respect to the payment of the principal or premium, if any, of or interest on the debt securities, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities issued under the Base Indenture affected thereby voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes).

              Without the consent of each holder affected, an amendment or waiver may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting holder):

(1)

reduce the principal amount of Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;



(2)

reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Notes;



(3)

reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note;



(4)

waive a Default or Event of Default with respect to the payment of principal of, or interest or premium on, the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment Default that resulted from such acceleration);



(5)

make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;



(6)

make any change in the provisions of the Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium on, the Notes;



(7)

waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note;



(8)

release Ventas, Inc. from any of its obligations under the guarantee or the Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; or



(9)

make any change in the amendment and waiver provisions set forth in clauses (1) through (8).

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              Notwithstanding the preceding, without the consent of any holder of Notes, the Indenture or the Notes issued thereunder may be amended or supplemented to:

(1)

cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;



(2)

provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;



(3)

provide for the assumption of the Issuers' obligations to holders of Notes in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Issuers' assets;



(4)

add additional guarantees with respect to the Notes;



(5)

secure the Notes;



(6)

make any other change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such holder; or



(7)

comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

              Any such consent need only approve the substance, rather than the particular form, of the proposed amendment.

              Notes are not considered outstanding, and therefore the holders thereof are not eligible to vote, if the Issuers have deposited or set aside in trust for the holders money for their payment or redemption or if the Issuers or any of their affiliates own them. The holders of Notes are also not eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described below under "—Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance—Full Defeasance."

Sinking Fund

              The Notes are not entitled to any sinking fund payments.

The Trustee; Registrar and Paying Agent

              U.S. Bank National Association is the Trustee under the Indenture. The Issuers have initially designated the Trustee as the registrar and paying agent for the Notes. Payments of interest and principal will be made, and the Notes will be transferable, at the office of the paying agent, or at such other place or places as may be designated pursuant to the Indenture. For Notes that are issued in book-entry form represented by a global security, payments will be made to a nominee of the depository. The Trustee is also the trustee under each of the indentures relating to the Issuers' existing senior notes.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

Discharge

              The Issuers may discharge all of their obligations to the holders of Notes (other than the obligation to register transfers and exchanges) that either have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year, or are scheduled for redemption within one year, by irrevocably depositing with the Trustee, in trust, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. government agency notes or bonds or a combination thereof,

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in such amounts as will be sufficient to make all prepayments on the Notes, including any premium, and interest payable thereon.

Full Defeasance

              The Issuers can, under certain circumstances, effect a full defeasance of the Notes. This means the Issuers can legally release themselves and Ventas, Inc. from any payment or other obligations on the Notes (other than the obligation to register transfers and exchanges) if, among other things, the Issuers put in place the arrangements described below to repay the holders of the Notes and deliver certain certificates and legal opinions to the Trustee:

(1)

The Issuers must irrevocably deposit in trust for the benefit of all direct holders of the Notes money or U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds (or, in certain circumstances, depositary receipts representing these notes or bonds), or any combination thereof, that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal, premium and any other payments on the Notes on their due date;



(2)

The current federal tax law must be changed or an IRS ruling must be issued permitting the above deposit without causing holders of the Notes to be taxed on the Notes any differently than if the Issuers did not make the deposit and repaid the Notes in the manner in which the Notes would have been payable if the deposit had not been made. Under current federal income tax law, the deposit and the Issuers' legal release from the Notes would be treated as though the Issuers took back the Notes and gave each holder of the Notes such holder's share of the cash and notes or bonds deposited in trust. In that event, each holder of the Notes could recognize gain or loss on the Notes such holder gives back to the Issuers; and



(3)

The Issuers must deliver to the Trustee a legal opinion confirming the tax law change or IRS ruling described above.

              If the Issuers did accomplish full defeasance, the holders of the Notes would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment on the Notes. The holders of the Notes could not look to the Issuers or Ventas, Inc. for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of the Issuers' lenders and other creditors if the Issuers ever became bankrupt or insolvent.

Covenant Defeasance

              Under current federal income tax law, the Issuers can make the same type of deposit described above and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the Indenture and the Notes. This is called "covenant defeasance." In that event, the holders of the Notes would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and securities set aside in trust to repay their Notes.

              If the Issuers accomplish covenant defeasance, the following provisions of the Indenture and the Notes would no longer apply:

(1)

any covenants applicable to the Notes and described in this prospectus supplement; and



(2)

certain Events of Default relating to breach of covenants and acceleration of the maturity of other debt set forth in this prospectus supplement.

              If the Issuers accomplish covenant defeasance with respect to the Notes, the holders of the Notes can still look to the Issuers for repayment of their Notes if a shortfall in the trust deposit occurred. If one of the

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remaining Events of Default occurs—for example, the Issuers' bankruptcy—and the Notes become immediately due and payable, there may be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the Default, the holders of the Notes may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.

              The Issuers may exercise their full defeasance option notwithstanding any prior exercise of their covenant defeasance option.

Additional Information

              Anyone who receives this prospectus supplement may obtain a copy of the Indenture without charge by writing to Ventas, Inc., 353 North Clark Street, Suite 3300, Chicago, Illinois 60654, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

Book-Entry System and Form of Notes

              The Notes will be issued in the form of one or more fully registered global notes without coupons that will be deposited with The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, which we refer to in this prospectus supplement as DTC, and registered in the name of its nominee, Cede & Co. This means that the Issuers will not issue certificates to each owner of Notes. The global notes will be issued to DTC, which will keep a computerized record of its participants (for example, your broker) whose clients have purchased the Notes. The participant will then keep a record of its clients who purchased the Notes. Unless a global note is exchanged in whole or in part for a certificated note, it may not be transferred, except that DTC, its nominees, and their successors may transfer a global note as a whole to one another.

              DTC has provided the following information to us. DTC, the world's largest securities depositary, is a:

•

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



•

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



•

member of the U.S. Federal Reserve System;



•

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



•

"clearing agency" registered under the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

DTC holds and provides asset servicing for U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments (from over 100 countries) that its direct participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among direct participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between direct participants' accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation ("DTCC"). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to DTC's book-entry system is also available to indirect participants such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. DTC has Standard & Poor's highest rating: AAA. The rules applicable to DTC and its direct and indirect participants are on file with the Commission.

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              Principal and interest payments on global notes registered in the name of DTC's nominee will be made in immediately available funds to DTC's nominee as the registered owner of the global notes. We and the Trustee will treat DTC's nominee as the owner of the global notes for all other purposes as well. Accordingly, we, the Trustee and any paying agent will have no direct responsibility or liability to pay amounts due on the global notes to owners of beneficial interests in the global notes. DTC's practice is to credit direct participants' accounts upon receipt of any payment of principal or interest on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the global notes as shown on DTC's records. Payments by direct and indirect participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices. These payments will be the responsibility of the direct and indirect participants and not of DTC, the Trustee or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

              The Notes, which are represented by a global note, will be exchangeable for certificated Notes with the same terms in authorized denominations only if:

•

DTC notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary;



•

DTC ceases to be a registered clearing agency and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Issuers within 120 days; or



•

the Issuers determine not to require all of the Notes to be represented by a global note and notify the Trustee of that decision.

              The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

Same-Day Settlement and Payment

              The underwriters will make settlement for the Notes in immediately available funds. The Issuers will make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Notes in immediately available funds. The Notes will trade in DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement System until maturity or until the Notes are issued in certificated form, and secondary market trading activity in the Notes will therefore be required by DTC to settle in immediately available funds. We expect that secondary trading in the certificated securities, if any, will also be settled in immediately available funds. No assurance can be given as to the effect, if any, of settlement in immediately available funds on trading activity in the Notes.

Governing Law

              The Indenture and the Notes will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to applicable principles of conflicts of law to the extent that the application of the law of another jurisdiction would be required thereby.

Certain Definitions

              "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, "control," as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, the terms "controlling," "controlled by" and "under common control with" have correlative meanings.

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              "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are required or authorized to close.

              "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

              "Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period of time, the net income (loss) of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for such period, before deductions for (without duplication):

(1)

Interest Expense;



(2)

taxes;



(3)

depreciation, amortization, and all other non-cash items, as determined reasonably and in good faith by Ventas, Inc., deducted in arriving at net income (loss);



(4)

extraordinary items;



(5)

non-recurring items or other unusual items, as determined reasonably and in good faith by Ventas, Inc. (including, without limitation, all prepayment penalties and all costs or fees incurred in connection with any debt financing or amendment thereto, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or similar transaction (regardless of whether such transaction is completed));



(6)

noncontrolling interests;



(7)

income or expense attributable to transactions involving derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting in accordance with GAAP; and



(8)

gains or losses on dispositions of depreciable real estate investments, property valuation losses and impairment charges.

              For purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA, all amounts shall be as determined reasonably and in good faith by Ventas, Inc., and in accordance with GAAP except to the extent that GAAP is not applicable with respect to the determination of all non-cash and non-recurring items.

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

              "Contingent Liabilities of Ventas, Inc. and Subsidiaries" means, as of any date, those liabilities of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries consisting of (without duplication) indebtedness for borrowed money, as determined in accordance with GAAP, that are or would be stated and quantified as contingent liabilities in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of Ventas, Inc. as of the date of determination.

              "Debt" means, as of any date (without duplication), (1) all indebtedness and liabilities for borrowed money, secured or unsecured, of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries, including mortgages and other notes payable (including the Notes to the extent outstanding from time to time), but excluding any indebtedness, including mortgages and other notes payable, which is secured by cash, cash equivalents or marketable securities or defeased (it being understood that cash collateral shall be deemed to include cash deposited with a trustee with respect to third party indebtedness) and (2) all Contingent Liabilities of Ventas, Inc. and Subsidiaries, excluding in each of clauses (1) and (2) Intercompany Debt and all liabilities associated with

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customary exceptions to non-recourse indebtedness, such as for fraud, misapplication of funds, environmental indemnities, voluntary bankruptcy, collusive involuntary bankruptcy and other similar exceptions.

              It is understood that Debt shall not include any redeemable equity interest in Ventas, Inc.

              "Default" means, with respect to the Indenture and the Notes, any event that is, or with the passage of time or giving of notice would be, an Event of Default.

              "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently applied, as in effect from time to time.

              "Guarantor" means Ventas, Inc. and its successors and assigns; provided, however, that any Person constituting a Guarantor as described above shall cease to constitute a Guarantor when its Guarantee of the Notes is released in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

              "Incur" means, with respect to any Debt or other obligation of any Person, to create, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect of such Debt or other obligation, and "Incurrence" and "Incurred" have the meanings correlative to the foregoing.

              "Intercompany Debt" means, as of any date, Debt to which the only parties are Ventas, Inc. and any of its Subsidiaries as of such date; provided, however, that with respect to any such Debt of which an Issuer or the Guarantor is the borrower, such Debt is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes.

              "Interest Expense" means, for any period of time, the aggregate amount of interest recorded in accordance with GAAP for such period by Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries, but excluding (i) interest reserves funded from the proceeds of any loan, (ii) prepayment penalties, (iii) amortization of deferred financing costs, and (iv) non-cash swap ineffectiveness charges, in all cases as reflected in the applicable Consolidated Financial Statements.

              "Interest Payment Date" has the meaning set forth in the Indenture and the Notes.

              "Issue Date" means the date on which the Notes are originally issued under the Indenture.

              "Latest Completed Quarter" means, as of any date, the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of Ventas, Inc. for which Consolidated Financial Statements of Ventas, Inc. have been completed, it being understood that at any time when Ventas, Inc. is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and in accordance therewith files annual and quarterly reports with the Commission, the term "Latest Completed Quarter" shall be deemed to refer to the fiscal quarter covered by Ventas, Inc.'s most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or, in the case of the last fiscal quarter of the year, Ventas, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

              "Lien" means (without duplication) any lien, mortgage, trust deed, deed of trust, deed to secure debt, pledge, security interest, assignment for collateral purposes, deposit arrangement, or other security agreement, excluding any right of setoff but including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, and any other like agreement granting or conveying a security interest; provided that, for purposes hereof, "Lien" shall not include any mortgage that has been defeased by Ventas, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries in accordance with the provisions thereof through the deposit of cash, cash equivalents or marketable securities (it being understood that cash collateral shall be deemed to include cash deposited with a trustee with respect to third party indebtedness).

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              "Make-Whole Amount" means, in connection with any optional redemption of the Notes, the excess, if any, of:

              (1)          the aggregate present value as of the date of such redemption of each dollar of principal being redeemed or paid and the amount of interest (exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption or accelerated payment) that would have been payable in respect of each such dollar if such redemption or accelerated payment had not been made, determined by discounting, on a semi-annual basis, such principal and interest at the Reinvestment Rate (determined on the third Business Day preceding the date a notice of redemption is given or declaration of acceleration is made) from the respective dates on which such principal and interest would have been payable if such redemption or payment had not been made, over

              (2)          the aggregate principal amount of the Notes being redeemed or paid.

              "Obligations" means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Debt.

              "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.

              "Property EBITDA" means for any property owned by Ventas, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries as of the date of determination, for any period of time (without duplication), the net income (loss) derived from such property for such period, before deductions for:

(1)

Interest Expense;



(2)

taxes;



(3)

depreciation, amortization, and all other non-cash items, as determined reasonably and in good faith by Ventas, Inc., deducted in arriving at net income (loss);



(4)

general and administrative expenses that are not allocated by management to a property segment, as reflected in Ventas, Inc.'s Consolidated Financial Statements available for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the Latest Completed Quarter;



(5)

extraordinary items;



(6)

non-recurring items or other unusual items, as determined reasonably and in good faith by Ventas, Inc. (including, without limitation, all prepayment penalties and all costs or fees incurred in connection with any debt financing or amendment thereto, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or similar transaction (regardless of whether such transaction is completed));



(7)

noncontrolling interests;



(8)

income or expense attributable to transactions involving derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting in accordance with GAAP; and



(9)

property valuation losses and impairment charges;

in each case attributable to such property.

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              For purposes of calculating Property EBITDA, all amounts shall be determined reasonably and in good faith by Ventas, Inc., and in accordance with GAAP except to the extent that GAAP is not applicable with respect to the determination of all non-cash and non-recurring items.

              Property EBITDA shall be adjusted (without duplication) to give pro forma effect:

(i)

in the case of any assets having been placed-in-service or removed from service since the first day of the period to the date of determination, to include or exclude, as the case may be, any Property EBITDA earned or eliminated as a result of the placement of such assets in service or removal of such assets from service as if the placement of such assets in service or removal of such assets from service occurred as of the first day of the period; and



(ii)

in the case of any acquisition or disposition of any asset or group of assets since the first day of the period to the date of determination, including, without limitation, by merger, or stock or asset purchase or sale, to include or exclude, as the case may be, any Property EBITDA earned or eliminated as a result of the acquisition or disposition of those assets as if the acquisition or disposition occurred as of the first day of the period.

              "Real Estate Assets" means, as of any date, the real estate assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries on such date, on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP.

              "Reinvestment Rate" means        % plus the arithmetic mean of the yields under the respective heading Week Ending published in the most recent Statistical Release under Treasury Constant Maturities for the maturity (rounded to the nearest month) corresponding to the remaining life to maturity, as of the date of the principal being redeemed or paid. If no maturity exactly corresponds to such maturity, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to such maturity shall be calculated pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence and the Reinvestment Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding in each of such relevant periods to the nearest month. For the purpose of calculating the Reinvestment Rate, the most recent Statistical Release published prior to the date of determination of the Make-Whole Amount shall be used.

              "Secured Debt" means, as of any date, that portion of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Debt of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of that date that is secured by a Lien on properties or other assets of Ventas, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries.

              "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

              "Significant Subsidiary" means each Subsidiary that is a "significant subsidiary," if any, of Ventas, Inc., as such term is defined in Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

              "Stabilized Development Asset" means, as of any date, a new construction or development Real Estate Asset at such date that, following the first four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters occurring after substantial completion of construction or development, either (i) an additional six (6) consecutive fiscal quarters have occurred or (ii) such Real Estate Asset is at least 90% leased, whichever shall first occur.

              "Statistical Release" means that statistical release designated H.15(519) or any successor publication that is published weekly by the Federal Reserve System and that establishes annual yields on actively traded United States government securities adjusted to constant maturities, or, if such statistical release is not published at the time of any determination under the Indenture, then such other reasonably comparable index the Issuers designate.

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              "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, a corporation, partnership association, joint venture, trust, limited liability company or other business entity which is required to be consolidated with such Person in accordance with GAAP.

              "Total Assets" means, as of any date, in each case as determined reasonably and in good faith by Ventas, Inc., the sum of (without duplication):

(1)

with respect to Real Estate Assets that were owned by Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of April 17, 2002 and that continue to be owned as of the date of determination, the annualized rental revenues specified for such Real Estate Assets on Schedule 1 attached to the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, divided by 0.0900, plus any annualized incremental rental revenue generated by such Real Estate Assets as a result of, arising out of or in connection with annual rent escalations or rent reset rights of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries with respect to such Real Estate Assets (whether by agreement or exercise of such right or otherwise), divided by 0.0900; for the purpose of this clause (1), "annualized incremental rental revenue" in respect of a Real Estate Asset shall mean the increase in daily rental revenue generated by such Real Estate Asset as a result of, arising out of or in connection with such annual rent escalations or rent reset rights over the daily rental revenue generated by such Real Estate Asset immediately prior to the effective date of such increase, annualized by multiplying such daily increase by 365;



(2)

with respect to all other Real Estate Assets owned by Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of the date of determination (except as set forth in clause (3) below), the cost (original cost plus capital improvements before depreciation and amortization) thereof, determined in accordance with GAAP;



(3)

with respect to Stabilized Development Assets owned by Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of the date of determination, the aggregate sum of all Property EBITDA for such Stabilized Development Assets for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the Latest Completed Quarter divided by (i) 0.0900, in the case of a government reimbursed property and (ii) 0.0700 in all other cases; provided, however, that if the value of a particular Stabilized Development Asset calculated pursuant to this clause (3) is less than the cost (original cost plus capital improvements before depreciation and amortization) of such Real Estate Asset, as determined in accordance with GAAP, such cost shall be used in lieu thereof with respect to such Real Estate Asset;



(4)

the proceeds of the Debt, or the assets to be acquired in exchange for such proceeds, as the case may be, incurred since the end of the Latest Completed Quarter;



(5)

mortgages and other notes receivable of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP;



(6)

cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries but excluding all cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities securing, or applied to defease or discharge, in each case as of that date, any indebtedness, including mortgages and other notes payable (including cash deposited with a trustee with respect to third party indebtedness), all determined in accordance with GAAP; and



(7)

all other assets of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries (excluding goodwill), determined in accordance with GAAP.

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              "Unencumbered Assets" means, as of any date, in each case as determined reasonably and in good faith by Ventas, Inc., the sum of (without duplication):

(1)

with respect to Real Estate Assets that were owned by Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of April 17, 2002 and that continue to be owned as of the date of determination, but excluding any such Real Estate Assets that are serving as collateral for Secured Debt, the annualized rental revenues specified for such Real Estate Assets on Schedule 1 attached to the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, divided by 0.0900, plus any annualized incremental rental revenue generated by such Real Estate Assets as a result of, arising out of or in connection with annual rent escalations or rent reset rights of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries with respect to such Real Estate Assets (whether by agreement or exercise of such right or otherwise), divided by 0.0900; for the purpose of this clause (1), "annualized incremental rental revenue" in respect of a Real Estate Asset shall mean the increase in daily rental revenue generated by such Real Estate Asset as a result of, arising out of or in connection with such annual rent escalations or rent reset rights over the daily rental revenue generated by such Real Estate Asset immediately prior to the effective date of such increase, annualized by multiplying such daily increase by 365;



(2)

with respect to all other Real Estate Assets owned by Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of the date of determination (except as set forth in clause (3) below), but excluding any such Real Estate Assets that are serving as collateral for Secured Debt, the cost (original cost plus capital improvements before depreciation and amortization) thereof, determined in accordance with GAAP;



(3)

with respect to Stabilized Development Assets owned by Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of the date of determination, excluding any such Stabilized Development Assets that are serving as collateral for Secured Debt, the aggregate sum of all Property EBITDA for such Stabilized Development Assets for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the Latest Completed Quarter divided by (i) 0.0900, in the case of a government reimbursed property and (ii) 0.0700 in all other cases; provided, however, that if the value of a particular Stabilized Development Asset calculated pursuant to this clause (3) is less than the cost (original cost plus capital improvements before depreciation and amortization) of such Real Estate Asset, as determined in accordance with GAAP, such cost shall be used in lieu thereof with respect to such Real Estate Asset;



(4)

the proceeds of the Debt, or the assets to be acquired in exchange for such proceeds, as the case may be, incurred since the end of the Latest Completed Quarter;



(5)

mortgages and other notes receivable of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries, except any mortgages or other notes receivable that are serving as collateral for Secured Debt, determined in accordance with GAAP;



(6)

cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries but excluding all cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities securing, or applied to defease or discharge, in each case as of that date, any indebtedness, including mortgages and other notes payable (including cash deposited with a trustee with respect to third party indebtedness), all determined in accordance with GAAP; and



(7)

all other assets of Ventas, Inc. and its subsidiaries (excluding goodwill), other than assets pledged to secure Debt, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that Unencumbered Assets shall not include net real estate investments in unconsolidated joint ventures of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries.

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              For the avoidance of doubt, cash held by a "qualified intermediary" in connection with proposed like-kind exchanges pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which may be classified as "restricted" for GAAP purposes shall nonetheless be included in clause (6) above, so long as Ventas, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries has the right to (i) direct the qualified intermediary to return such cash to Ventas, Inc. or such Subsidiary if and when Ventas, Inc. or such Subsidiary fails to identify or acquire the proposed like-kind property or at the end of the 180-day replacement period or (ii) direct the qualified intermediary to use such cash to acquire like-kind property.

              "Unsecured Debt" means, as of any date, that portion of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Debt of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of that date that is neither Secured Debt nor Contingent Liabilities of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries.

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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

Introduction

              The following is a general discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes. This discussion is based upon the Code, Treasury Regulations, IRS rulings, and judicial decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect) or different interpretations.

              This discussion neither addresses all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to holders of the notes nor the tax consequences arising under other federal tax laws (such as estate and gift tax laws or the recently enacted Medicare tax on investment income) or the laws of any foreign, state or local jurisdiction. This discussion is for general information only, and does not purport to address all U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be important to particular purchasers in light of their personal circumstances, or to certain types of purchasers (such as financial institutions, insurance companies, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, tax-exempt entities, partnerships or other pass-through entities (or investors in such entities), dealers in securities or currencies, U.S. expatriates, persons who hold the notes in connection with a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction or any similar or hybrid financial instrument, U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, or persons liable for the alternative minimum tax) that may be subject to special rules. In addition, this discussion is limited to persons purchasing the notes for cash pursuant to this prospectus supplement at the offering price on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. Finally, this discussion assumes that each holder holds the notes as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code.

              There can be no assurance that the IRS will not take a different position concerning the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of the notes or that any such position would not be sustained.

              For purposes of this discussion, a "Non-U.S. Holder" refers to any beneficial owner of the notes who is an individual, corporation, estate or trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes and is not a U.S. Holder. The term "U.S. Holder" means any beneficial owner of the notes who is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation organized in the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, an estate, the income of which is includible in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source or a trust if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) such trust has elected under applicable Treasury Regulations to retain its pre-August 20, 1996 classification as a U.S. person. For purposes of this discussion, neither the term "Non-U.S. Holder" nor the term "U.S. Holder" includes a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds the notes, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status and activities of the partnership and the partner. Prospective holders that are partnerships or entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them and their partners of holding the notes.

              Persons considering the purchase of notes should consult their own advisors concerning the application of U.S. federal income, estate and gift tax and other laws, as well as the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing jurisdiction which may be relevant to their particular situations.

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Tax Consequences Applicable to U.S. Holders

              Stated interest.    Payments of stated interest on a note generally will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary income at the time such payments are accrued or are received, in accordance with the U.S. Holder's regular method of tax accounting.

              Sale or other disposition of the notes.    In general, a U.S. Holder of the notes will recognize gain or loss upon the sale, retirement, redemption or other disposition of the notes measured by the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received (except to the extent attributable to accrued and unpaid stated interest, which will be taxable as interest income to the extent not previously so taxed) and the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the notes. A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the notes generally will equal the cost of the notes to the holder. The gain or loss on the disposition of the notes will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term gain or loss if the notes have been held for more than one year at the time of such disposition. For non-corporate holders, certain preferential tax rates may apply to gain recognized as long-term capital gain. A U.S. Holder's ability to deduct capital losses may be limited.

Tax Consequences Applicable to Non-U.S. Holders

              A Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on payments of interest on a note if such payments are not effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business, unless such Non-U.S. Holder (i) owns (actually or constructively) 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of Ventas, Inc.'s voting stock within the meaning of the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations, (ii) is a controlled foreign corporation that is related to Ventas, Inc., or (iii) is a bank as to which the interest represents interest received on an extension of credit made pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business, in which case such interest will be subject to a 30% withholding tax (unless reduced or eliminated by an applicable treaty). To qualify for the exemption from the withholding tax (or to claim the elimination or reduction of the withholding tax under a treaty), the last U.S. payor in the chain of payment prior to payment to a Non-U.S. Holder, which we refer to in this prospectus supplement as the Withholding Agent, must have received, before payment, a statement that:

•

is signed by the Non-U.S. Holder under penalties of perjury;



•

certifies that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a U.S. person; and



•

provides the name and address of the Non-U.S. Holder.

Certain additional information may be required to claim the elimination or reduction in withholding tax under a treaty.

              The statement may be made on an IRS Form W-8BEN or a substantially similar form, and the Non-U.S. Holder must inform the Withholding Agent of any change in the information on the statement within 30 days of such change. If a note is held through a securities clearing organization or certain other financial institutions, the beneficial owner of the note must provide the above statement to such organization or institution.

              Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax on any amount which constitutes gain upon a sale, retirement, redemption or other disposition of the notes. Such gain generally will also not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless (i) the gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States by the Non-U.S. Holder (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment) in which case the Non-U.S. Holder will be taxed as discussed below or

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(ii) in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder who is an individual, the Non-U.S. Holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale and certain other conditions are met, in which case the Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to a flat 30% U.S. federal income tax on any gain recognized (except as otherwise provided by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by certain U.S. source losses.

              If interest received by a Non-U.S. Holder with respect to the notes, or gain from a sale, retirement, redemption or other disposition of the notes, is effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a United States permanent establishment), such Non-U.S. Holder will generally be subject to the rules described above for a U.S. Holder (subject to any modification provided under an applicable income tax treaty). Such Non-U.S. Holder may also be subject to the "branch profits tax" (equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to certain adjustments, unless it qualifies for a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty) if such holder is a corporation. If interest received with respect to the notes is effectively connected income (whether or not a treaty applies), the 30% withholding tax described above will not apply (assuming an appropriate certification is provided).

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

              Information returns may be filed with the IRS and backup withholding (currently at a rate of 28% and scheduled to increase to 31% in 2013) tax may be collected in connection with payments of interest on a note and payments of the proceeds of a sale or other disposition (including a retirement or redemption) of a note by a holder. A U.S. Holder will not be subject to backup withholding tax if such U.S. Holder provides its taxpayer identification number to us or our paying agent and complies with certain certification procedures or otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding. Certain holders, including corporations, are generally not subject to backup withholding.

              A Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to United States backup withholding tax on the foregoing payments unless such Non-U.S. Holder complies with certification procedures to establish that such Non-U.S. Holder is not a U.S. person, generally on an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8ECI (or suitable substitute form).

              Backup withholding tax is not an additional tax. Rather, the United States federal income tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding tax will be offset by the amount of tax withheld. If backup withholding tax results in an overpayment of United States federal income taxes, a refund or credit may be obtained from the IRS, provided the required information is timely furnished thereto.

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UNDERWRITING

              Subject to the terms and conditions contained in an underwriting agreement among Ventas Realty, Ventas Capital and Ventas, Inc. (together, the "Ventas Entities") and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc., and UBS Securities LLC, as representatives of the several other underwriters listed below, as underwriters, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and the underwriters have agreed to purchase from the issuers, the respective principal amount of the notes shown opposite their names below:

              The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters' obligations to purchase the notes are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the notes, if any are taken.

              Each of the Ventas Entities has agreed to indemnify the several underwriters and their respective controlling persons against specified liabilities in connection with this offering, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

              The notes will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market. The underwriters have advised us that they presently intend to make a market in the notes. However, you should be aware that they are not obligated to make a market and may discontinue their market-making activities at any time without notice. As a result, a liquid market for the notes may not be available if you try to sell your notes. We do not intend to apply for a listing of the notes on any securities exchange or any automated dealer quotation system.

Underwriting Discounts and Commissions

              The following table shows the underwriting discounts to be paid to the underwriters by the issuers in connection with this offering. This underwriting discount is the difference between the public offering price and the amount the underwriters pay to us to purchase the notes. The underwriting discount is        % of the principal amount:

              We have been advised by the underwriters that they initially propose to offer and sell the notes directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. After the offering, the underwriters may change the offering price and other selling terms at any time without notice. The offering of the notes by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters' right to reject any order in whole or in part.

              The underwriters initially propose to offer the notes to the public at the public offering price that appears on the cover page of this prospectus. The underwriters may offer the notes to selected dealers at the

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public offering price minus a concession of up to        % of the principal amount. In addition, the underwriters may allow, and those selected dealers may reallow, a concession of up to         % of the principal amount to certain other dealers. After the initial offering, the underwriters may change the public offering price and any other selling terms. The underwriters may offer and sell notes through certain of their affiliates.

              The expenses of the offering, exclusive of the underwriting discount, are estimated at approximately $            and are payable by us.

Price Stabilization and Short Positions

              In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the notes. Specifically, the underwriters may overallot this offering, creating a syndicate short position. The underwriters may bid for and purchase the notes in the open market to stabilize the price of the notes and may impose "penalty bids" under contractual arrangements whereby they may reclaim from dealers participating in this offering for the account of the underwriters, the selling concession with respect to the notes that are distributed in this offering but subsequently purchased for the account of the underwriters in the open market. These activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the notes above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may discontinue them at any time.

Notice to Prospective Investors

European Economic Area

              In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a "Relevant Member State"), each underwriter has represented and agreed that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the "Relevant Implementation Date") it has not made and will not make an offer of notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement to the public in that Relevant Member State other than:

(a)

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;



(b)

to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the relevant Dealer or Dealers nominated by the issuers for any such offer; or



(c)

in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,

provided that no such offer of notes shall require the issuers or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.

              For the purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer of notes to the public" in relation to any notes in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the notes, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State, the expression "Prospectus Directive" means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent

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implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State and the expression "2010 PD Amending Directive" means Directive 2010/73/EU.

              Each underwriter has represented and agreed that:

(a)

it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the notes in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the issuers or the guarantor; and



(b)

it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

              The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full-service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and their respective affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking, commercial banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us and our affiliates, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions. Affiliates of certain of the underwriters act as lenders and/or as agents under our unsecured revolving credit facility and will receive a portion of the proceeds from this offering. Affiliates of certain of the underwriters also act as lenders and/or as agents under our unsecured term loan facility, and an affiliate of Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated acts as the lender under our unsecured term loan maturing in 2013.

              In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. If any of the underwriters or their affiliates have a lending relationship with us, certain of those underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge, and certain other of those underwriters may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, these underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes offered hereby. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

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LEGAL MATTERS

              T. Richard Riney, our Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, New York, New York, will pass upon certain legal matters for us in connection with the notes offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, New York, New York, will pass upon certain legal matters for the underwriters.

EXPERTS

              Our consolidated financial statements appearing in our Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2011 (including the financial statement schedule appearing therein), and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 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 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.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

              We are subject to the informational reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance therewith, file reports, proxy statements, information statements and other information with the Commission. Reports, proxy statements, information statements and other information filed by us with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of such material also may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements, information statements and other information regarding us. The Commission's website address is www.sec.gov. We are a publicly held corporation and our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "VTR." Reports, proxy statements, information statements and other information can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. Information about us is also available on our website at www.ventasreit.com. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference herein and our web address is included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as an inactive textual reference only.

              Statements contained or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement as to the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance we refer you to the copy of the contract or document filed as an exhibit to a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.

              We are incorporating by reference in this prospectus supplement the information we file with the Commission. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement, and information that we file later with the Commission will automatically update and supersede this information. We are incorporating by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus supplement until all of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are sold:

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011;

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•

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 6, 2012, February 6, 2012, February 14, 2012, February 17, 2012 (however, we do not incorporate by reference any information under Item 2.02, Results of Operations and Financial Condition), March 30, 2012, and April 2, 2012 (two reports); and



•

our Proxy Statement for our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the Commission on April 2, 2012.

              You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Corporate Secretary
Ventas, Inc.
353 North Clark Street
Suite 3300
Chicago, Illinois 60654
(877) 483-6827

              No separate financial statements of the issuers have been included herein. It is not expected that the issuers will file reports, proxy statements or other information under the Exchange Act with the Commission.

              We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about our company that is different from, or in addition to, that contained in this document or in any of the materials that have been incorporated by reference into this document. Therefore, if anyone gives you information of this sort, you should not rely on it. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this document are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does not extend to you. The information contained in this document speaks only as of the date of this document unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.

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PROSPECTUS

Ventas, Inc.
Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock, Warrants and
Debt Securities

Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership
Debt Securities

Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership and
Ventas Capital Corporation
Debt Securities

Guarantees of Debt Securities of Ventas, Inc. by Ventas Realty,
Limited Partnership

Guarantees of Debt Securities of Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership
by Ventas, Inc. and/or Ventas Capital Corporation

Guarantees of Debt Securities of Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership and
Ventas Capital Corporation by Ventas, Inc.

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        Ventas, Inc. may offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings: preferred stock; depositary shares; common stock; warrants; and debt securities. These securities may be offered and sold separately, together or as units with other securities described in this prospectus. The debt securities of Ventas, Inc. may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Ventas Realty Limited Partnership, as described in this prospectus or a prospectus supplement. These debt securities and any such guarantees may be senior or subordinated.

        Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership may offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, debt securities. These debt securities may be offered and sold separately, together or as units with other securities described in this prospectus. The debt securities of Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Ventas, Inc. and/or Ventas Capital Corporation, as described in this prospectus or a prospectus supplement. These debt securities and any such guarantees may be senior or subordinated.

        Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership and Ventas Capital Corporation, collectively, may offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, debt securities. These debt securities may be offered and sold separately, together or as units with other securities described in this prospectus. The debt securities of Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership and Ventas Capital Corporation may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Ventas, Inc., as described in this prospectus or a prospectus supplement. These debt securities and any such guarantees may be senior or subordinated.

        The securities described in this prospectus may be issued in one or more series or issuances. We will provide the specific terms of these securities and their offering prices in supplements to this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement before you decide to invest in any of these securities.

        See "Risk Factors" on page 7 for a discussion of matters that you should consider before investing in these securities.

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        Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "VTR." The closing price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $57.10 per share on March 30, 2012. None of the other securities offered by this prospectus are currently listed on a national securities exchange.

        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

   

The date of this prospectus is April 2, 2012

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") using a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus from time to time in one or more offerings.

        This prospectus provides you only with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement or prospectus supplements containing specific information about the terms of that offering (each, a "prospectus supplement"). The prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference."

        You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We will not make an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful. You should assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, as well as the information we have previously filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, is accurate only as of the date of the documents containing the information.

        Unless otherwise indicated or except where the context otherwise requires:

•

references in this prospectus to "we," "us," "our" or similar terms and "Ventas" mean Ventas, Inc. together with its subsidiaries;



•

references in this prospectus to "Ventas Realty" mean Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership; and



•

references in this prospectus to "Ventas Capital" mean Ventas Capital Corporation.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

Forward-Looking Statements

        This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). All statements regarding our or our tenants', operators', managers' or borrowers' expected future financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, funds from operations, dividends and dividend plans, financing opportunities and plans, capital markets transactions, business strategy, budgets, projected costs, operating metrics, capital expenditures, competitive positions, acquisitions, investment opportunities, dispositions, merger integration, growth opportunities, expected lease income, continued qualification as a real estate investment trust ("REIT"), plans and objectives of management for future operations and statements that include words such as "anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "should," "will" and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and security holders must recognize that actual results may differ from our expectations. We do not undertake a duty to update these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made.

        Our actual future results and trends may differ materially from expectations depending on a variety of factors discussed in our filings with the Commission. These factors include without limitation:

•

The ability and willingness of our tenants, operators, borrowers, managers and other third parties to meet and/or perform their obligations under their respective contractual arrangements with us, including, in some cases, their obligations to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless from and against various claims, litigation and liabilities;



•

The ability of our tenants, operators, borrowers and managers to maintain the financial strength and liquidity necessary to satisfy their respective obligations and liabilities to third parties, including without limitation obligations under their existing credit facilities and other indebtedness;



•

Our success in implementing our business strategy and our ability to identify, underwrite, finance, consummate and integrate diversifying acquisitions or investments, including our acquisitions of Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, "NHP") and Cogdell Spencer Inc. and investments in different asset types and outside the United States;



•

Macroeconomic conditions such as a disruption of or lack of access to the capital markets, changes in the debt rating on U.S. government securities, default and/or delay in payment by the United States of its obligations, and changes in the federal budget resulting in the reduction or nonpayment of Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement rates;



•

The nature and extent of future competition;



•

The extent of future or pending healthcare reform and regulation, including cost containment measures and changes in reimbursement policies, procedures and rates;



•

Increases in our borrowing costs as a result of changes in interest rates and other factors;



•

The ability of our operators and managers, as applicable, to comply with laws, rules and regulations in the operation of our properties, to deliver high quality services, to attract and retain qualified personnel and to attract residents and patients;



•

Changes in general economic conditions and/or economic conditions in the markets in which we may, from time to time, compete, and the effect of those changes on our revenues, earnings and funding sources;

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Our ability to pay down, refinance, restructure and/or extend our indebtedness as it becomes due;



•

Our ability and willingness to maintain our qualification as a REIT due to economic, market, legal, tax or other considerations;



•

Final determination of our taxable net income for the year ended December 31, 2011 and for the year ending December 31, 2012;



•

The ability and willingness of our tenants to renew their leases with us upon expiration of the leases, our ability to reposition our properties on the same or better terms in the event of nonrenewal or in the event we exercise our right to replace an existing tenant, and obligations, including indemnification obligations, we may incur in connection with the replacement of an existing tenant;



•

Risks associated with our senior living operating portfolio, such as factors causing volatility in our operating income and earnings generated by our properties, including without limitation national and regional economic conditions, costs of food, materials, energy, labor and services, employee benefit costs, insurance costs and professional and general liability claims, and the timely delivery of accurate property-level financial results for those properties;



•

The movement of U.S. and Canadian currency exchange rates;



•

Year-over-year changes in the Consumer Price Index and the effect of those changes on the rent escalators contained in our leases, including the rent escalator for Master Lease 2 with Kindred Healthcare Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, "Kindred"), and our earnings;



•

Our ability and the ability of our tenants, operators, borrowers and managers to obtain and maintain adequate property, liability and other insurance from reputable, financially stable providers;



•

The impact of increased operating costs and uninsured professional liability claims on the liquidity, financial condition and results of operations of our tenants, operators, borrowers and managers and the ability of our tenants, operators, borrowers and managers to accurately estimate the magnitude of those claims;



•

Risks associated with our medical office building ("MOB") portfolio and operations, including our ability to successfully design, develop and manage MOBs, to accurately estimate our costs in fixed fee-for-service projects and to retain key personnel;



•

The ability of the hospitals on or near whose campuses our MOBs are located and their affiliated health systems to remain competitive and financially viable and to attract physicians and physician groups;



•

Our ability to build, maintain and expand our relationships with existing and prospective hospital and health system clients;



•

Risks associated with our investments in joint ventures and unconsolidated entities, including our lack of sole decision-making authority and our reliance on our joint venture partners' financial condition;



•

The impact of market or issuer events on the liquidity or value of our investments in marketable securities; and



•

The impact of litigation or any financial, accounting, legal or regulatory issues that may affect us or our tenants, operators, borrowers or managers.

        Many of these factors are beyond our control and the control of our management.

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Kindred, Brookdale Senior Living, Sunrise and Atria Information

        Each of Kindred, Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, "Brookdale Senior Living") and Sunrise Senior Living, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, "Sunrise") is subject to the reporting requirements of the Commission and is required to file with the Commission annual reports containing audited financial information and quarterly reports containing unaudited financial information. The information related to Kindred, Brookdale Senior Living and Sunrise contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus is derived from Commission filings made by Kindred, Brookdale Senior Living or Sunrise, as the case may be, or from other publicly available information, or has been provided to us by Kindred, Brookdale Senior Living or Sunrise. We have not verified this information either through an independent investigation or by reviewing Kindred's, Brookdale Senior Living's or Sunrise's public filings. We have no reason to believe that this information is inaccurate in any material respect, but we cannot provide any assurance that all of this information is accurate. Kindred's, Brookdale Senior Living's and Sunrise's filings with the Commission can be found on the Commission's website at www.sec.gov. We are providing this data for informational purposes only, and you are encouraged to obtain Kindred's, Brookdale Senior Living's and Sunrise's publicly available filings from the Commission.

        Atria Senior Living, Inc. ("Atria") is not subject to the reporting requirements of the Commission. The information related to Atria contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus is derived from publicly available information or has been provided to us by Atria. We have not verified this information through an independent investigation. We have no reason to believe that this information is inaccurate in any material respect, but we cannot provide any assurance that all of this information is accurate.

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ABOUT THE REGISTRANTS

        The following highlights information about the registrants and our business contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. It is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in any of our securities. You should carefully read this prospectus together with the more detailed information incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

Ventas

        We are a REIT with a geographically diverse portfolio of seniors housing and healthcare properties throughout the United States and Canada. As of December 31, 2011, we owned 1,378 properties located in 46 states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces, consisting of: 678 seniors housing communities; 396 skilled nursing facilities; 47 hospitals; 249 MOBs; and eight personal care facilities. We also were in the process of developing three properties as of December 31, 2011. We are headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and have been a constituent member of the S&P 500® Index, a leading indicator of the large cap U.S. equities market, since March 2009.

        Our primary business focuses on acquiring and owning seniors housing and healthcare properties and leasing those properties to unaffiliated tenants or operating those properties through independent third-party managers. Through our Lillibridge Healthcare Services, Inc. ("Lillibridge") subsidiary and our ownership interest in PMB Real Estate Services LLC ("PMBRES"), which we acquired in July 2011 in connection with our acquisition of NHP, we also provide MOB management, leasing, marketing, facility development and advisory services to highly rated hospitals and health systems throughout the United States. In addition, from time to time, we make mortgage loan and other investments relating to seniors housing and healthcare operators or properties.

        As of December 31, 2011, we leased 929 properties (excluding MOBs) to healthcare operating companies under "triple-net" or "absolute-net" leases that obligate the tenants to pay all property-related expenses, including maintenance, utilities, repairs, taxes, insurance and capital expenditures, and we engaged independent third parties, such as Atria and Sunrise, to manage 200 seniors housing communities pursuant to long-term management agreements.

        Our business strategy focuses on three principal objectives: (1) generating consistent, reliable and growing cash flows; (2) maintaining a well-diversified portfolio; and (3) preserving our financial strength, flexibility and liquidity.

        Our principal executive offices are located at 353 N. Clark Street, Suite 3300, Chicago, Illinois, 60654, and our telephone number is (877) 483-6827. We maintain a website on the Internet at http://www.ventasreit.com. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference herein and our web address is included in this prospectus as an inactive textual reference only.

Ventas Realty

        Ventas Realty is a wholly owned direct subsidiary of Ventas, Inc. and a limited partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.

Ventas Capital

        Ventas Capital is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ventas Realty organized under the laws of the State of Delaware for the purpose of serving as co-issuer with Ventas Realty of certain debt securities. Ventas Capital does not and will not have any substantial operations, assets or revenues. As a result, prospective purchasers of the debt securities of Ventas Realty and Ventas Capital or the debt securities of Ventas Realty that are guaranteed by Ventas Capital should not expect Ventas Capital to participate in servicing the interest on or principal of those debt securities.

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RISK FACTORS

        Our business, operations and financial condition are subject to various risks. Before you invest in our securities, you should carefully consider:

•

the risks described in Ventas, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus; and



•

any risks that are described in other filings we make with the Commission or in the prospectus supplements relating to specific offerings of securities.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        Unless otherwise described in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions of or investments in additional properties and businesses and the repayment of borrowings under our unsecured revolving credit facility, term loans or other debt. Until we apply the proceeds from a sale of securities to their intended purposes, we may invest those proceeds in short-term investments, including repurchase agreements, some or all of which may not be investment grade.

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        The following table shows our ratios of (1) earnings to fixed charges and (2) earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for each of the periods indicated. We do not currently have any preferred stock outstanding.

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DESCRIPTION OF VENTAS, INC. COMMON STOCK

        This section describes the general terms and provisions of Ventas, Inc. common stock. The prospectus supplement relating to any offering of common stock, or other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for common stock, will describe more specific terms of the offering of common stock or other securities, including the number of shares offered, the initial offering price, and market price and dividend information.

        The summary set forth below does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to Ventas, Inc.'s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the "Certificate of Incorporation"), and Ventas, Inc.'s Fourth Amended and Restated By-Laws, as amended (the "Bylaws"), each of which is filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and incorporated by reference herein. You should read the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws for additional information before you purchase any shares of Ventas, Inc. common stock.

General

        The Certificate of Incorporation authorizes Ventas, Inc. to issue up to 600,000,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.25 per share. As of March 20, 2012, 289,026,857 shares of Ventas, Inc. common stock were issued and outstanding.

        All shares of common stock offered hereby, when issued, will be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. Subject to the preferential rights of any other shares of capital stock and to certain provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, holders of shares of Ventas, Inc. common stock are entitled to receive distributions if, as and when authorized and declared by Ventas, Inc.'s Board of Directors out of assets legally available therefor and to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to stockholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up after payment of, or adequate provision for, all of our known debts and liabilities. We currently expect to continue to make quarterly distributions, and from time to time we may make additional distributions.

        Holders of shares of Ventas, Inc. common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters on which the holders of common stock are entitled to vote. Holders of shares of Ventas, Inc. common stock have no conversion, sinking fund, redemption or preemptive rights. Subject to certain provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, shares of Ventas, Inc. common stock have equal distribution, liquidation and other rights.

Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions

        In order to preserve our ability to maintain REIT status, the Certificate of Incorporation provides that if a person acquires beneficial ownership of more than 9%, in number or value, of the outstanding shares of Ventas, Inc. common stock, the shares that are beneficially owned in excess of such 9% limit are considered to be "excess shares." Excess shares are automatically deemed transferred to a trust for the benefit of a charitable institution or other qualifying organization selected by Ventas, Inc.'s Board of Directors. The trust is entitled to all dividends with respect to the excess shares and the trustee may exercise all voting power over the excess shares. We have the right to buy the excess shares for a purchase price equal to the lesser of (1) the price per share in the transaction that created the excess shares, or (2) the market price on the date we buy the shares, and we may defer payment of the purchase price for up to five years. If we do not purchase the excess shares, the trustee of the trust is required to transfer the excess shares at the direction of the Board of Directors. The owner of the excess shares is entitled to receive the lesser of the proceeds from the sale of the excess shares or the original purchase price for such excess shares, and any additional amounts are payable to the beneficiary of the trust. The Board of Directors may grant waivers from the excess share limitations.

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DESCRIPTION OF VENTAS, INC. PREFERRED STOCK

        This section describes the general terms and provisions of Ventas, Inc. preferred stock. The prospectus supplement relating to any offering of preferred stock, or other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for preferred stock, will describe more specific terms of the preferred stock being offered, including the designation of the series, the number of shares offered, the initial offering price and any voting, dividend and liquidation preference rights, and any general terms described in this section that will not apply to those shares of preferred stock.

        The summary set forth below does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Certificate of Incorporation and the certificate of designation relating to the applicable series of preferred stock that we will file with the Commission, each of which is or will be filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and incorporated herein by reference. You should read the Certificate of Incorporation and such certificate of designation for additional information before you buy any shares of Ventas, Inc. preferred stock.

General

        The Certificate of Incorporation authorizes Ventas, Inc. to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share. As of March 20, 2012, no shares of Ventas, Inc. preferred stock were issued or outstanding.

        Ventas, Inc.'s Board of Directors has authority, without the approval of stockholders, to issue preferred stock in one or more series having the powers, preferences and other rights as it may determine from time to time. Ventas, Inc. preferred stock that we offer and sell under this prospectus will have the rights described in this section unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise. You should read the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of preferred stock being offered for the specific terms of the series, including some or all of the following:

•

the description of the shares of preferred stock;



•

the number of shares of preferred stock offered;



•

the voting rights, if any, of the holders of the shares of preferred stock;



•

the offering price of the shares of preferred stock;



•

the distribution rate, when distributions will be paid, or the method of determining the distribution rate if it is based on a formula or not otherwise fixed;



•

the date from which distributions on the shares of preferred stock shall accumulate;



•

the provision, if any, for auctioning or remarketing of the shares of preferred stock;



•

the provision, if any, for redemption or a sinking fund;



•

the liquidation preference per share;



•

any listing of the shares of preferred stock on a securities exchange;



•

whether the shares of preferred stock will be convertible or exchangeable and, if so, the security into which they are convertible or exchangeable and the terms and conditions of conversion or exchange, including the conversion price or exchange rate or the manner of determining it;



•

whether interests in the shares of preferred stock will be represented by depositary shares as more fully described below under "Description of Ventas, Inc. Depositary Shares";



•

the federal income tax consequences of owning the preferred stock;

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•

the relative ranking and preferences of the shares of preferred stock as to distribution and liquidation rights;



•

any limitations on issuance of any shares of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock being offered as to distribution and liquidation rights;



•

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



•

any other terms of the preferred stock.

        As described under "Description of Ventas, Inc. Depositary Shares," Ventas, Inc. may, at its option, elect to offer depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts. If Ventas, Inc. elects to so offer, each depositary receipt will represent a fractional interest in a share of the particular series of preferred stock issued and deposited with a depositary. The applicable prospectus supplement will specify that fractional interest.

Ranking

        Unless Ventas, Inc.'s Board of Directors otherwise determines and we so specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect that any shares of Ventas, Inc. preferred stock will, with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation or dissolution, rank senior to all shares of Ventas, Inc. common stock.

Dividends

        Holders of shares of Ventas, Inc. preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive dividends at the rates and on the dates shown in the applicable prospectus supplement if, as and when authorized and declared by Ventas, Inc.'s Board of Directors out of assets legally available therefor. Ventas, Inc. will pay each dividend to holders of record as they appear on its share transfer books on the record dates fixed by the Board of Directors. In the case of shares of preferred stock represented by depositary receipts, the records of the depositary referred to under "Description of Ventas, Inc. Depositary Shares" will determine the persons to whom dividends are payable.

        Dividends on any series of Ventas, Inc. preferred stock may be cumulative or noncumulative, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. We refer to each particular series, for ease of reference, as the applicable series. Cumulative dividends will be cumulative from and after the date shown in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the Board of Directors fails to authorize a dividend on any applicable series that is noncumulative, the holders will have no right to receive, and Ventas, Inc. will have no obligation to pay, a dividend in respect of the applicable dividend period, whether or not dividends on that series are declared payable in the future.

        If the applicable series is entitled to a cumulative dividend, Ventas, Inc. may not declare, or pay or set aside for payment, a dividend on any other series of preferred stock ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with or junior to the applicable series, unless it declares, and either pays or sets aside for payment, full cumulative dividends on the applicable series for all past dividends periods and the then current dividend period. If the applicable series does not have a cumulative dividend, Ventas, Inc. must declare, and pay or set aside for payment, full dividends for the then current dividend period only. When dividends are not paid, or set aside for payment, in full on any applicable series and the shares of any other series ranking on a parity as to dividends with the applicable series, Ventas, Inc. must declare, and pay or set aside for payment, all dividends upon the applicable series and any other parity series proportionately, in accordance with accrued and unpaid dividends of the several series. For these purposes, accrued and unpaid dividends do not include unpaid dividend periods on noncumulative shares of preferred stock. No interest will be payable in respect of any dividend payment that may be in arrears.

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        Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless Ventas, Inc. declares, and pays or sets aside for payment, full cumulative dividends, including for the then current period, on any applicable series entitled to a cumulative dividend, it may not declare, or pay or set aside for payment, any dividends on common stock or any other equity securities ranking junior to or on a parity with the applicable series as to dividends or upon liquidation. The foregoing restriction does not apply to dividends paid in common stock or other equity securities ranking junior to the applicable series as to dividends and upon liquidation. If the applicable series does not have cumulative dividends, Ventas, Inc. must declare, and pay or set aside for payment, only the dividend for the then current period before declaring dividends on shares of common stock or junior or parity securities. In addition, under the circumstances in which Ventas, Inc. could not declare a dividend, it may not redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for any consideration any shares of common stock or other parity or junior equity securities, except upon conversion into or exchange for shares of common stock or other junior equity securities. Ventas, Inc. may, however, make purchases and redemptions otherwise prohibited pursuant to certain redemptions or pro rata offers to purchase the outstanding shares of the applicable series and any other parity series of preferred stock.

        Ventas, Inc. will credit any dividend payment made on an applicable series first against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due with respect to the series.

Redemption

        Ventas, Inc. may have the right or may be required to redeem the applicable series, as a whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, if any, and at the times and at the redemption prices shown in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        If the applicable series is subject to mandatory redemption, we will specify in the applicable prospectus supplement the number of shares we are required to redeem, when the redemptions start, the redemption price, and any other terms and conditions affecting the redemption. The redemption price will include all accrued and unpaid dividends, except in the case of noncumulative preferred stock. The redemption price may be payable in cash or other property, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the redemption price for the applicable series is payable only from the net proceeds of an issuance of capital stock, the terms of the applicable series may provide that, if no shares of capital stock shall have been issued or to the extent the net proceeds from any such issuance are insufficient to pay in full the aggregate redemption price then due, the shares of preferred stock will automatically and mandatorily be converted into shares of capital stock pursuant to conversion provisions specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Liquidation Preference

        The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the liquidation preference of the applicable series. Upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, before any distribution may be made to the holders of shares of Ventas, Inc. common stock or any other shares of capital stock ranking junior to the applicable series in the distribution of assets upon liquidation, the holders of that series will be entitled to receive, out of assets legally available therefor, liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation preference, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid distributions. If the applicable series does not have a cumulative dividend, accrued and unpaid dividends include only the then current dividend period. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of shares of the applicable series will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets, and our remaining assets will be distributed among the holders of any other shares of capital stock ranking junior to the applicable series upon liquidation, according to their rights and preferences.

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        If, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, our available assets are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding shares of any series and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of capital stock ranking on a parity in the distribution of assets with that series, then the holders of that series and all other equally ranking shares of capital stock will share ratably in the distribution in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be entitled.

Voting Rights

        Holders of shares of the applicable series will not have any voting rights, except as otherwise from time to time required by law or as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        As more fully described under "Description of Ventas, Inc. Depositary Shares" below, if Ventas, Inc. elects to issue depositary shares, each representing a fraction of a share of a series of preferred stock, each depositary will in effect be entitled to a fraction of a vote per depositary share.

Conversion Rights

        We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms and conditions, if any, upon which you may, or Ventas, Inc. may require you to, convert shares of the applicable series into shares of common stock or any other class or series of shares of capital stock. The terms will include the number of shares of common stock or other securities into which the shares of the applicable series are convertible, the conversion price (or the manner of determining it), the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of the series or at Ventas, Inc.'s option, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price, and provisions affecting conversion upon the redemption of shares of the series.

Our Exchange Rights

        We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms and conditions, if any, upon which Ventas, Inc. can require you to exchange shares of the applicable series for debt securities. If an exchange is required, you will receive debt securities with a principal amount equal to the liquidation preference of the applicable series. The other terms and provisions of the debt securities will not be materially less favorable to you than those of the series of preferred stock being exchanged.

Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions

        In order to preserve our ability to maintain our REIT status, the Certificate of Incorporation provides that if a person acquires beneficial ownership of more than 9.9%, in number or value, of the outstanding shares of Ventas, Inc. preferred stock, the shares that are beneficially owned in excess of such 9.9% limit are considered to be "excess shares." Excess shares are automatically deemed transferred to a trust for the benefit of a charitable institution or other qualifying organization selected by Ventas, Inc.'s Board of Directors. The trust is entitled to all dividends with respect to the excess shares and the trustee may exercise all voting power over the excess shares. We have the right to buy the excess shares for a purchase price equal to the lesser of (1) the price per share in the transaction that created the excess shares, or (2) the market price on the date we buy the shares, and we may defer payment of the purchase price for up to five years. If we do not purchase the excess shares, the trustee of the trust is required to transfer the excess shares at the direction of the Board of Directors. The owner of the excess shares is entitled to receive the lesser of the proceeds from the sale of the excess shares or the original purchase price for such excess shares, and any additional amounts are payable to the beneficiary of the trust. The Board of Directors may grant waivers from the excess share limitations.

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DESCRIPTION OF VENTAS, INC. DEPOSITARY SHARES

        This section describes the general terms and provisions of shares of Ventas, Inc. preferred stock represented by depositary shares. The prospectus supplement relating to an offering of depositary shares will describe more specific terms of the depositary shares being offered, including the number of shares offered, the initial offering price and the powers, preferences and other rights of the underlying preferred stock and any general terms outlined in this section that will not apply to those depositary shares.

        The summary set forth below does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable deposit agreement (including the depositary receipt), the form of which is or will be filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and incorporated herein by reference. You should read the form of deposit agreement (including the depositary receipt) for additional information before you buy any Ventas, Inc. depositary shares.

General

        Ventas, Inc. may, at its option, elect to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, rather than shares of preferred stock. If Ventas, Inc. exercises this option, it will appoint a depositary to issue depositary receipts representing those fractional interests. Shares of preferred stock of each series represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement between Ventas, Inc. and the depositary. The applicable prospectus supplement will provide the name and address of the depositary. Subject to the terms of the applicable deposit agreement, each owner of depositary shares will be entitled to all of the dividend, voting, conversion, redemption, liquidation and other rights and preferences of the shares of preferred stock represented by those depositary shares.

        Depositary receipts issued pursuant to the applicable deposit agreement will evidence ownership of depositary shares. Upon surrender of depositary receipts at the office of the depositary, and upon payment of the charges provided in and subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, a holder of depositary shares will be entitled to receive the shares of Ventas, Inc. preferred stock underlying the surrendered depositary receipts.

Dividends and Other Distributions

        The depositary will be required to distribute all dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the applicable shares of preferred stock to the record holders of depositary receipts evidencing the related depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary receipts owned by the holders. Fractions will be rounded down to the nearest whole cent.

        If the distribution is other than in cash, the depositary will be required to distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts entitled thereto, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. In that case, the depositary may, with Ventas, Inc.'s approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders of depositary shares.

        Depositary shares that represent shares of preferred stock that have been converted or exchanged will not be entitled to distributions. The deposit agreement will also contain provisions relating to the manner in which any subscription or similar rights we offer to holders of shares of preferred stock will be made available to holders of depositary shares. All distributions will be subject to obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the depositary.

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Withdrawal of Shares of Preferred Stock

        You may receive the number of whole shares of the applicable series of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by your depositary receipts after surrendering your depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the number of depositary shares that you surrender exceeds the number of depositary shares that represent the number of whole shares of preferred stock that you wish to withdraw, then the depositary will deliver to you at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. Once you have withdrawn your shares of preferred stock, you will not be entitled to re-deposit those shares of preferred stock under the deposit agreement in order to receive depositary shares. We do not expect that there will be any public trading market for withdrawn shares of preferred stock.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

        If Ventas, Inc. redeems shares of the applicable series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares, the depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds it receives. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable with respect to the applicable series of preferred stock, and the redemption date for depositary shares will be the same as that of the preferred stock. If Ventas, Inc. has elected to redeem less than all of the depositary shares, the depositary will select the depositary shares for redemption by lot or pro rata as the depositary may determine.

        After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed outstanding. All rights of the holders of the depositary shares and the related depositary receipts will cease at that time, except the right to receive the money or other property to which the holders of depositary shares were entitled upon redemption. Receipt of the money or other property is subject to surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the redeemed depositary shares.

Voting of the Underlying Shares of Preferred Stock

        Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the applicable series of preferred stock are entitled to vote, a depositary will be required to mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary shares representing such preferred stock. Each record holder of depositary receipts on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to how to vote the shares of preferred stock represented by the holder's depositary shares. The record date for the depositary shares will be the same as the record date for the preferred stock. The depositary will vote the shares of preferred stock represented by your depositary shares as you instruct. Ventas, Inc. will agree to take all reasonable action that the depositary deems necessary in order to enable it to vote the preferred stock in that manner. If you do not instruct the depositary how to vote, the depositary will abstain from voting the shares of preferred stock represented by your depositary shares. The depositary will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any voting instruction, or for the manner or effect of any vote, as long as its action or inaction is in good faith and does not result from its negligence or willful misconduct.

Liquidation Preference

        Upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, each holder of depositary shares will be entitled to the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of Ventas, Inc. preferred stock represented by the depositary shares, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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Conversion or Exchange of Shares of Preferred Stock

        The depositary shares will not themselves be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Ventas, Inc. common stock or preferred stock or any other securities or property. Nevertheless, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the depositary receipts may be surrendered by holders to the applicable depositary with written instructions for the depositary to instruct Ventas, Inc. to cause the conversion of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares. Similarly, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, Ventas, Inc. may require you to surrender all of your depositary receipts to the applicable depositary upon requiring the conversion or exchange of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares into debt securities. Ventas, Inc. will agree that, upon receipt of the instruction and any amounts payable in connection with the conversion or exchange, it will cause the conversion or exchange using the same procedures as those provided for delivery of shares of preferred stock to effect the conversion or exchange. If you convert less than all of your depositary shares, the depositary will issue you a new depositary receipt for any unconverted depositary shares.

Taxation

        As an owner of depositary shares, you will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as if you were an owner of the series of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares. Therefore, you will be required to take into account for U.S. federal income tax purposes income and deductions to which you would be entitled if you were a holder of the underlying series of preferred stock. In addition:

•

you will not recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the withdrawal of shares of preferred stock in exchange for depositary shares provided in the deposit agreement;



•

your tax basis in shares of preferred stock received upon exchange of depositary shares will be the same as your aggregate tax basis in the depositary shares so exchanged; and



•

if you held the depositary shares as a capital asset at the time of the exchange for shares of preferred stock, the holding period for the shares of preferred stock will include the period during which you owned the depositary shares.

Amendment and Termination of a Deposit Agreement

        Ventas, Inc. and the applicable depositary are permitted to amend the provisions of depositary receipts and any deposit agreement. However, the holders of at least a majority of the applicable depositary shares then outstanding must approve any amendment that adds or increases fees or charges or prejudices an important right of holders. Every holder of an outstanding depositary receipt at the time any amendment becomes effective, by continuing to hold the receipt, will be bound by the applicable deposit agreement, as amended.

        Any deposit agreement may be terminated by Ventas, Inc. upon not less than 30 days' prior written notice to the applicable depositary if (1) the termination is necessary to preserve our status as a REIT or (2) holders of depositary shares representing a majority of each series of preferred stock affected by the termination consents to the termination. If either event occurs, the depositary will be required to deliver or make available to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by the holder, the number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock that are represented by the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipts, together with any other property held by the depositary with respect to the depositary receipts. In addition, a deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:

•

all depositary shares have been redeemed;

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•

there shall have been a final distribution in respect of the related preferred stock in connection with our liquidation and the distribution has been made to the holders of depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares underlying the Ventas, Inc. preferred stock; or



•

each related share of preferred stock has been converted or exchanged into securities not represented by depositary shares.

Charges of a Depositary

        We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of a deposit agreement. In addition, we will pay the fees and expenses of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of preferred stock. However, holders of depositary receipts will pay any transfer or other governmental charges and the fees and expenses of the depositary for any duties the holders request to be performed that are outside of those expressly provided for in the applicable deposit agreement.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

        A depositary may resign at any time by delivering to Ventas, Inc. notice of its election to do so. In addition, Ventas, Inc. may at any time remove a depositary. Any resignation or removal will take effect when Ventas, Inc. appoints a successor depositary and it accepts the appointment. Ventas, Inc. must appoint a successor depositary within 60 days after delivery of a notice of resignation or removal. A depositary must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million.

Miscellaneous

        A depositary will be required to forward to holders of depositary receipts any reports and communications it receives from Ventas, Inc. with respect to the related shares of preferred stock. Holders of depository receipts will be able to inspect the transfer books of the depository and the list of holders of receipts upon reasonable notice.

        Neither Ventas, Inc. nor the depositary will be liable if the depositary is prevented from or delayed in performing its obligations under a deposit agreement by law or any circumstances beyond its control. Ventas, Inc.'s obligations and those of the depositary under a deposit agreement will be limited to performing duties in good faith and without gross negligence or willful misconduct. Neither Ventas, Inc. nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary receipts, depositary shares or related shares of preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. Ventas, Inc. and each depositary will be permitted to rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, on information provided by persons presenting shares of preferred stock for deposit, by holders of depositary receipts, or by other persons believed in good faith to be competent to give the information, and on documents believed in good faith to be genuine and signed by a proper party.

        If a depositary receives conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holder of depositary receipts, on the one hand, and Ventas, Inc., on the other hand, the depositary will be entitled to act on the claims, requests or instructions received from us.

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DESCRIPTION OF VENTAS, INC. WARRANTS

        This section describes the general terms and provisions of Ventas, Inc. warrants. The prospectus supplement relating to an offering of the warrants will describe more specific terms of the warrants being offered, including the number of warrants offered, the initial offering price and the terms of the underlying securities and any general terms outlined in this section that will not apply to those warrants.

        The summary set forth below does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable warrant agreement (including the warrant certificate), the form of which is or will be filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and incorporated herein by reference. You should read the form of warrant agreement (including the warrant certificate) for additional information before you buy any Ventas, Inc. warrants.

        Ventas, Inc. may issue, together with any other securities being offered or separately, warrants entitling the holder to purchase from or sell to Ventas, Inc., or to receive from Ventas, Inc., the cash value of the right to purchase or sell, debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock. Ventas, Inc. will enter a warrant agreement governing the issuance of the warrants with a warrant agent, who will act solely as its agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

        The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of each series of warrants being offered including some or all of the following:

•

the offering price;



•

the number of warrants offered;



•

the securities underlying the warrants;



•

the exercise price, the procedures for exercise of the warrants and the circumstances, if any, that will cause the warrants to be automatically exercised;



•

the date on which the warrants will expire;



•

the federal income tax consequences of owning the warrants;



•

the rights, if any, Ventas, Inc. has to redeem the warrants;



•

the name of the warrant agent; and



•

any other terms of the warrants.

        Warrants may be exercised at the appropriate office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of warrants, holders will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities underlying the warrants and will not be entitled to payments made to holders of those securities.

        Ventas, Inc. and the applicable warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement without the consent of the affected holders of warrants to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of warrants will not be effective unless the holders of at least a majority of the applicable series of warrants then outstanding approve the amendment. Every holder of an outstanding warrant at the time any amendment becomes effective, by continuing to hold the warrant, will be bound by the applicable warrant agreement, as amended. The applicable prospectus supplement may provide that certain provisions of the warrants, including the securities for which they may be exercisable, the exercise price and the expiration date, may not be altered without the consent of the holder of each warrant.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

        This section describes the general terms and provisions of the debt securities of Ventas Realty, the debt securities of Ventas Realty and Ventas Capital, collectively, and the debt securities of Ventas, Inc. For purposes hereof, references to the issuer(s) means any of Ventas Realty, Ventas Realty and Ventas Capital, collectively, or Ventas, Inc., as applicable. The prospectus supplement relating to any offering of debt securities will describe more specific terms of the debt securities being offered, including the designation of the series, the aggregate principal amount being offered, the initial offering price, the interest rate and any redemption, purchase or conversion rights and any general terms described in this section that will not apply to those debt securities.

        The summary set forth below does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable base indenture referred to below and the supplemental indenture (including the form of debt security) relating to the applicable series of debt securities, the form of each of which is or will be filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and incorporated by reference herein. You should read the applicable base indenture and supplemental indenture (including the applicable form of debt security) for additional information before you buy any debt securities of the issuer(s).

        The debt securities will be direct unsecured general obligations of the issuer(s) and may include debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness. The debt securities may be senior or subordinated and will be issued under one or more indentures among the issuer(s), the guarantor(s) named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as the initial trustee, which we refer to herein as base indentures. The base indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder.

        Senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture, in one or more series established pursuant to a supplemental indenture or a resolution duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the issuer(s) or a duly authorized committee thereof. Subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture, in one or more series established pursuant to a supplemental indenture or a resolution duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the issuer(s) or a duly authorized committee thereof. In this prospectus, we refer to the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture (together with each applicable supplemental indenture or resolution establishing the applicable series of debt securities), collectively, as the indentures. The indentures will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

General

        Each indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee with respect to one or more series of debt securities under that indenture. Any trustee under an indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of debt securities issued under that indenture, and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to such series.

        If two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of debt securities issued under the same indenture, each of the trustees will be a trustee of a trust under that indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee. In that case, except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus, any action described in this prospectus to be taken by the trustee may be taken by a trustee only with respect to the one or more series of debt securities for which it is trustee.

        The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of each series of debt securities being offered, including some or all of the following:

•

the title of the debt securities;



•

the issuer(s) of the debt securities;

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•

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;



•

the purchase price of the debt securities, expressed as a percentage of the principal amount;



•

the date or dates on which the principal of and any premium on the debt securities will be payable or the method for determining the date or dates;



•

if the debt securities will bear interest, the interest rate or rates or the method by which the rate or rates will be determined;



•

if the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, the interest payment dates on which any interest will be payable, the record dates for those interest payment dates and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;



•

the place or places where payments on the debt securities will be made and the debt securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange;



•

if the issuer(s) will have the option to redeem all or any portion of the debt securities, the terms and conditions upon which the debt securities may be redeemed;



•

the terms and conditions of any sinking fund or any similar provisions obligating the issuer(s) or permitting a holder to require the issuer(s) to redeem or purchase all or any portion of the debt securities prior to final maturity;



•

the currency or currencies in which the debt securities are denominated and payable if other than U.S. dollars and the manner of determining the equivalent of those amounts in U.S. dollars;



•

whether the amount of any payments on the debt securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method and the manner in which such amounts are to be determined;



•

any additions or changes to the events of default in the applicable base indenture;



•

the portion of the principal payable upon acceleration of maturity, if other than the entire principal amount;



•

any additions or changes with respect to the other covenants in the applicable base indenture;



•

the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities may be convertible into common stock;



•

whether the debt securities will be issued in certificated or book-entry form and, if the latter, the securities depositary;



•

whether the debt securities will be issued in denominations other than $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000;



•

the applicability of the defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions of the applicable base indenture;



•

the guarantor(s), if any, who will guarantee the debt securities and the methods for determining, and releasing, such guarantor(s), if any;



•

the trustee for that series of debt securities, if other than U.S. Bank National Association; and



•

any other terms of the debt securities consistent with the provisions of the applicable base indenture.

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        Debt securities may be issued as original issue discount securities to be offered and sold at substantial discount from their stated principal amount. Special U.S. federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to original issue discount securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Unless otherwise provided with respect to a series of debt securities, the debt securities will be issued only in registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

Certificated Debt Securities

        Except as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities will not be issued in certificated form. If, however, debt securities are to be issued in certificated form, no service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of any of those debt securities, but the issuer(s) may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Book-Entry Debt Securities

        The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with the depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement, which will keep a computerized record of its participants (for example, brokers) whose clients have purchased the debt securities. Each participant will then keep a record of its clients who purchased the debt securities. Unless a global security is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in certificated form, it may not be transferred. However, transfers of the whole security between the depositary for that global security and its nominees or their respective successors are permitted.

        Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, which we refer to in this prospectus as DTC, will act as depositary for each series of global securities, and DTC will register the global securities in the name of its nominee, Cede & Co. Beneficial interests in global securities will be shown on, and transfers of global securities will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants.

        DTC has provided the following information to us. DTC, the world's largest securities depositary, is a:

•

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



•

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



•

member of the U.S. Federal Reserve System;



•

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



•

"clearing agency" registered under the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act.

        DTC holds and provides asset servicing for U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments (from over 100 countries) that its direct participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among direct participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between direct participants' accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation ("DTCC"). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing

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Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to DTC's book-entry system is also available to indirect participants such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. DTC has Standard & Poor's highest rating: AAA. The rules applicable to DTC and its direct and indirect participants are on file with the Commission.

        Principal and interest payments on global securities registered in the name of DTC's nominee will be made in immediately available funds to DTC's nominee as the registered owner of the global securities. The issuer(s) and the trustee will treat DTC's nominee as the owner of the global securities for all other purposes as well. Accordingly, the issuer(s), the trustee and any paying agent will have no direct responsibility or liability to pay amounts due on the global securities to owners of beneficial interests in the global securities. DTC's practice is to credit direct participants' accounts upon receipt of any payment of principal or interest on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the global securities as shown on DTC's records. Payments by direct and indirect participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global securities will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices. These payments will be the responsibility of the direct and indirect participants and not of DTC, the trustee or the issuer(s), subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

        Debt securities represented by a global security will be exchangeable for debt securities in definitive form of like amount and terms in authorized denominations only if:

•

DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary;



•

DTC ceases to be a registered clearing agency and a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 120 days; or



•

we determine not to require all of the debt securities of a series to be represented by a global security and notify the applicable trustee of our decision.

        The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

Merger Covenant

        Pursuant to the terms of each indenture, Ventas, Inc. may not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another person or entity, or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey, lease (other than to an unaffiliated operator in the ordinary course of business) or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of Ventas, Inc. and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another person or entity, unless:

•

either (a) Ventas, Inc. is the surviving corporation or (b) the person or entity formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than Ventas, Inc.) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia;



•

the person or entity formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than Ventas, Inc.) or the person or entity to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all of Ventas, Inc.'s obligations under the applicable debt securities and the applicable indenture pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the trustee; and



•

immediately after such transaction, on a pro forma basis giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions (and treating any obligation of Ventas, Inc. or any subsidiary incurred in

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connection with or as a result of such transaction or series of transactions as having been incurred at the time of such transaction), no default or event of default exists under the applicable indenture.

        Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of Ventas, Inc. in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the successor person or entity formed by such consolidation or into which Ventas, Inc. is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition is made, will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, Ventas, Inc. under the applicable indenture with the same effect as if such successor initially had been named as Ventas, Inc. therein. When a successor assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under the applicable indenture and the applicable debt securities following a consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of 90% or more of the assets of the predecessor in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the predecessor will be released from those obligations.

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

        Each base indenture provides that the following are events of default with respect to any series of debt securities issued thereunder, unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise:

•

default for 30 days in the payment of any interest on any debt security of that series;



•

default in the payment of the principal or premium, if any, on any debt security of that series when due and payable;



•

default in the making of any sinking fund payment required for any debt security of that series when due;



•

breach by Ventas, Inc. or its subsidiaries of any other term of the applicable indenture for 60 days after receipt of notice of default stating they are in breach (either the applicable trustee or the holders of more than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the applicable debt securities of that series then outstanding may send the notice);



•

default under any other indebtedness of Ventas, Inc. or its subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $50.0 million after any applicable grace period, which default results in the acceleration of the maturity of such indebtedness and where that indebtedness is not discharged or that acceleration is not rescinded or annulled within ten days after receipt of written notice specifying the default (either the applicable trustee or the holders of more than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the applicable debt securities of that series then outstanding may send the notice);



•

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Ventas, Inc. or its significant subsidiaries;



•

the cessation of any guarantee(s) of the debt securities to be in full force and effect or the disaffirmance or denial by the guarantor(s) of their obligations with respect to any guarantee(s) of the debt securities; and



•

any other event of default provided with respect to that particular series of debt securities and described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        The applicable trustee will be required to give notice to the holders of the applicable debt securities within 90 days after a default under the applicable indenture unless the default has been cured or waived. The applicable trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the applicable debt securities of any default, except a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on the

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applicable debt securities, if specified responsible officers of the applicable trustee in good faith determine that withholding the notice is in the interest of the holders.

        If an event of default with respect to the applicable debt securities has occurred and has not been cured, either the applicable trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding applicable debt securities may declare the entire principal amount of the applicable debt securities to be due and immediately payable by written notice to the Ventas, Inc., the issuer(s) and the applicable trustee. If an event of default occurs because of certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal amount of all outstanding debt securities will be automatically accelerated, without any action by the applicable trustee or any holder. At any time after the applicable trustee or the holders have accelerated the applicable debt securities, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding applicable debt securities may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration.

        Holders of a majority in principal amount of any series of outstanding debt securities may, subject to some limitations, waive any past default with respect to that series and the consequences of the default (including without limitation waivers obtained in connection with the purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, such debt securities). The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are original issue discount securities will describe the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of those original issue discount securities upon the occurrence and continuation of an event of default.

        Except in cases of default, where a trustee has some special duties, the applicable trustee is not required to take any action under the applicable indenture at the request of any holders of applicable debt securities unless such holders offer the applicable trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability. We refer to this as an "indemnity." If reasonable indemnity is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding applicable debt securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the applicable trustee. These majority holders may also direct the applicable trustee in performing any other action under the applicable indenture, subject to certain limitations.

        Before a holder bypasses the applicable trustee and brings its own lawsuit or other formal legal action or takes other steps to enforce its rights or protect its interests relating to the applicable debt securities, the following must occur:

(1)

The holder must give the applicable trustee written notice that an event of default with respect to the applicable debt securities has occurred and remains uncured;



(2)

The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding applicable debt securities must make a written request that the applicable trustee take action because of the default, and must offer reasonable indemnity to the applicable trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action;



(3)

The applicable trustee must have not taken action for 60 days after receipt of the notice and offer of indemnity; and



(4)

The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding applicable debt securities must not have given the applicable trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

        However, a holder is entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on any debt security after its due date.

        Within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, Ventas, Inc. will furnish to the applicable trustee a written statement by certain of Ventas, Inc.'s officers certifying that to their knowledge, Ventas, Inc. is

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in compliance with the applicable indenture and the applicable debt securities, or otherwise specifying any default.

Modification of the Indentures

        Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, each indenture and/or the applicable debt securities may be amended or supplemented with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities issued under the applicable indenture affected by such amendment or supplement voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, such debt securities), and any existing default, event of default (other than a default or event of default with respect to the payment of the principal or premium, if any, of or interest on the debt securities, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of the applicable indenture or the applicable debt securities may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities issued under the applicable indenture affected thereby voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the applicable debt securities).

        Without the consent of each holder affected, an amendment or waiver may not (with respect to any debt securities held by a non-consenting holder):

•

reduce the principal amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;



•

reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption of such debt security;



•

reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any debt security;



•

reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount security that would be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of its maturity or would be provable in bankruptcy;



•

waive a default or event of default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, or additional amounts, if any, on the debt securities (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities affected thereby and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);



•

make a debt security payable in a currency other than the currency stated in that debt security;



•

make any change in the provisions of the indenture relating to waivers of past defaults or the rights of holders of debt securities to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium, or additional amounts, if any, on the debt securities;



•

release any guarantor from any of its obligations under its guarantee of the debt securities or under that indenture except in accordance with the terms of that indenture; or



•

make any change in the amendment and waiver provisions set forth above.

        Any such consent need only approve the substance, rather than the particular form, of the proposed amendment.

        Notwithstanding the preceding, without the consent of any holder of debt securities, the indentures or the applicable debt securities issued thereunder may be amended or supplemented to:

•

cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

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•

provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;



•

provide for the assumption of the obligations of the issuer(s) to holders of debt securities in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the issuer(s);



•

add additional guarantees with respect to the applicable debt securities;



•

secure the applicable debt securities;



•

evidence the succession of another entity to Ventas, Inc. and the assumption by the successor of the covenants of Ventas, Inc. contained in the applicable indenture;



•

add any additional events of default for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities (and if such events of default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of debt securities, stating that such events of default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of that series);



•

change or eliminate any of the provisions of an indenture, provided that any such change or elimination will become effective only when there is no debt security outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision;



•

establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series as permitted by the applicable indenture, including the provisions and procedures relating to debt securities convertible into Ventas, Inc. common stock;



•

evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the applicable indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts thereunder by more than one trustee;



•

supplement any of the provisions of the applicable indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of debt securities pursuant to the applicable indenture, provided that any such action will not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities of that series or any other series of debt securities in any material respect;



•

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



•

comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the applicable indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

        When the issuer(s) establish a series of debt securities, they may provide that the debt securities of that series are subject to the defeasance and discharge provisions of the applicable indenture. If those provisions are made applicable, the issuer(s) may elect either:

•

to defease and, together with the guarantor(s) (if any), be legally released from, subject to some limitations, all of their respective obligations with respect to the debt securities of that series; or



•

to be released from the obligations to comply with specified covenants and eliminate certain events of default relating to the debt securities of that series as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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        To effect defeasance or covenant defeasance, the issuer(s) must irrevocably deposit in trust with the applicable trustee an amount in any combination of funds or government obligations, which, through the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms, will provide money sufficient to make payments on the debt securities of that series and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments on the debt securities of that series.

        Upon such defeasance, the issuer(s) will not be released from obligations:

•

to pay additional amounts, if any, on the debt securities of that series upon the occurrence of some events;



•

to register the transfer or exchange of the debt securities of that series;



•

to replace some of the debt securities of that series;



•

to maintain an office relating to the debt securities of that series; or



•

to hold moneys for payment in trust.

        To establish such a trust, the issuer(s) must, among other things, deliver to the applicable trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series:

•

will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance or covenant defeasance; and



•

will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. In the case of defeasance, the opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law occurring after the date of the applicable indenture.

        Government obligations generally mean securities which are:

•

direct obligations of the U.S. or of the government that issued the foreign currency in which the debt securities of a particular series are payable, in each case, where the issuer has pledged its full faith and credit to pay the obligations; or



•

obligations of an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. or of the government that issued the foreign currency in which the debt securities of that series are payable, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the U.S. or that other government.

In any case, the issuer of government obligations cannot have the option to call or redeem the obligations. In addition, government obligations include, subject to certain qualifications, a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any government obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such government obligation held by the custodian for the account of a depository receipt holder.

        If the issuer(s) effect covenant defeasance with respect to the debt securities of any series, the amount on deposit with the applicable trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of their stated maturity. However, the debt securities of that series may become due and payable prior to their stated maturity if there is an event of default with respect to a covenant from which the issuer(s) have not been released. In that event, the amount on deposit may not be sufficient to pay all amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration and the holders of those debt securities will be required to look to the issuer(s) and the guarantor(s), if any, for repayment of any shortfall.

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        The applicable prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, permitting defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any modifications to the provisions described above.

Ranking

        Each series of senior debt securities will constitute senior indebtedness and will rank equally with each other series of senior debt securities and other senior indebtedness and senior to all subordinated indebtedness, including, but not limited to, all subordinated debt securities. Each series of subordinated debt securities will constitute subordinated indebtedness and will rank equally with each other series of subordinated debt securities but subordinate to all senior indebtedness.

        Payments on the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the senior indebtedness of the issuer(s) and the guarantor(s), if any, described under "Guarantees" below, whether outstanding on the date of the subordinated indenture or incurred after that date. At December 31, 2011, we had $6.4 billion of outstanding senior indebtedness (including mortgage loans, capital lease obligations and unamortized fair value adjustment, but excluding unamortized commission fees and discounts). The prospectus supplement relating to each issuance of subordinated debt securities will specify the aggregate amount of our outstanding indebtedness as of the most recent practicable date that would rank senior to the subordinated debt securities.

        If any of the following events occur, the holders of senior indebtedness must receive payment of the full amount due on the senior indebtedness, or that payment must be duly provided for, before the issuer(s) may make payments on the subordinated debt securities:

•

any distribution of our assets upon our liquidation, reorganization or other similar transaction except for a distribution in connection with a merger or other transaction complying with the covenant described above under "Merger Covenant";



•

the occurrence and continuation of a payment default on any senior indebtedness; or



•

a declaration of the principal of any series of subordinated debt securities, or, in the case of original issue discount securities, the portion of the principal amount specified under their terms, as due and payable, that has not been rescinded and annulled.

        However, if the event is the acceleration of any series of subordinated debt securities, only the holders of senior indebtedness outstanding at the time of the acceleration of those subordinated debt securities, or, in the case of original issue discount securities, that portion of the principal amount specified under their terms, must receive payment of the full amount due on that senior indebtedness, or such payment must be duly provided for, before the issuer(s) make payments on the subordinated debt securities.

        As a result of the subordination provisions, some of our general creditors, including holders of senior indebtedness, may recover more, ratably, than the holders of the subordinated debt securities in the event of insolvency.

        For purposes of the subordinated indenture, "senior indebtedness" of the issuer(s) and any guarantor(s) means the following indebtedness or obligations:

•

the principal of and premium, if any, and unpaid interest on indebtedness for money borrowed;



•

purchase money and similar obligations;



•

obligations under capital leases;



•

guarantees, assumptions or purchase commitments relating to, or other transactions as a result of which the issuer(s) or the guarantor(s), if any, are responsible for the payment of, the indebtedness of others;

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•

renewals, extensions and refundings of the foregoing indebtedness;



•

interest or obligations in respect of the foregoing indebtedness accruing after the commencement of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings; and



•

obligations associated with derivative products.

        However, indebtedness or obligations do not constitute senior indebtedness if the instrument by which the issuer(s) or the guarantor(s) become obligated for that indebtedness or those obligations expressly provides that that indebtedness or those obligations are junior in right of payment to any other indebtedness or obligations of the issuer(s) or the guarantors, as applicable.

Convertible Debt Securities

        Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to debt securities of Ventas, Inc. that will be convertible into shares of Ventas, Inc. common stock.

        Each holder of unredeemed convertible debt securities may, at any time during the period specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, convert those convertible debt securities into shares of Ventas, Inc. common stock. The conversion price or rate for each $1,000 principal amount of convertible debt securities will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The holder of a convertible debt security may convert only a portion of the convertible debt security that is $1,000 principal amount or any integral multiple of $1,000. In the case of convertible debt securities called for redemption, conversion rights will expire at the close of business on the date fixed for the redemption. However, in the case of repayment at the option of the applicable holder, conversion rights will terminate upon receipt of written notice of the holder's exercise of that option.

        The conversion price or rate may be subject to adjustment in certain events, as specified in the applicable indenture, including:

•

the issuance of shares of Ventas, Inc. common stock as a dividend on the common stock;



•

subdivisions and combinations of Ventas, Inc. common stock;



•

the issuance to all holders of Ventas, Inc. common stock of rights or warrants entitling such holders for a period not exceeding 45 days to subscribe for or purchase shares of common stock at a price per share less than its then current per share market price; and



•

the distribution to all holders of Ventas, Inc. common stock of:



(1)

shares of Ventas, Inc. capital stock, other than common stock;



(2)

evidence of Ventas, Inc. indebtedness or assets excluding cash dividends or distributions paid from its retained earnings; or



(3)

subscription rights or warrants other than those referred to above.

        However, Ventas, Inc. will not be required to make any adjustment of the conversion price or rate of less than 1%. Fractional shares of common stock will not be issued upon conversion. In lieu of fractional shares, we will pay a cash adjustment. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities surrendered for conversion between any record date for an interest payment and the related interest payment date must be accompanied by payment of an amount in cash equal to the interest payment on the surrendered debt security. However, that payment does not have to accompany debt securities surrendered for conversion if those debt securities have been called for redemption during that period. Furthermore, upon conversion of any original issue discount security, the fixed number of shares of common stock into which such original issue discount security is convertible will first be applied to the portion attributable to the accrued original issue discount

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relating to the period from the date of issuance to the date of conversion of the original issue discount security, and, second, to the portion attributable to the balance of the principal amount of such debt securities.

Guarantees

        If the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities provides that those debt securities will have the benefit of a guarantee by Ventas, Inc., Ventas Capital and/or Ventas Realty, then the debt securities will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Ventas, Inc., Ventas Capital and/or Ventas Realty, as applicable. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of the non-guarantor subsidiaries of the issuer(s), the non-guarantor subsidiaries will pay the holders of their debt and their trade creditors before they will be able to distribute any of their assets to the issuer(s). The guarantees will be general obligations of each guarantor. The guarantees will be joint and several obligations of the guarantors. If a series of debt securities is so guaranteed, a supplemental indenture to the applicable base indenture will be executed by each guarantor. Ventas, Inc. is the guarantor under the indentures governing Ventas Realty's and Ventas Capital's existing senior notes. The obligations of each guarantor under its guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent that guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law. A guarantor may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge into another company, other than an issuer or another guarantor, unless the person acquiring the property in any such sale or disposition or the person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger assumes all of the obligations of that guarantor pursuant to a supplemental indenture satisfactory to the applicable trustee, and only if immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default would exist. The terms of any guarantee and the conditions upon which any guarantor may be released from its obligations under that guarantee will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may sell the offered securities in and outside the United States (1) through underwriters or dealers, (2) directly to purchasers, including to a limited number of institutional purchasers, to a single purchaser or to our affiliates and stockholders, (3) through agents or (4) through a combination of any of these methods. The prospectus supplement relating to any offering will set forth the following information:

•

the terms of the offering;



•

the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;



•

the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters;



•

the purchase price or initial public offering price of the securities;



•

the net proceeds from the sale of the securities;



•

any delayed delivery arrangements;



•

any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters' compensation;



•

any initial public offering price;



•

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and



•

any commissions paid to agents.

Sale through Underwriters or Dealers

        If any securities are offered through underwriters, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account and may resell them from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer and sell securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the offered securities if they purchase any of them. In connection with the sale of securities, underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and dealers may receive compensation from the underwriters in the form of discounts or concessions. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

        In order to facilitate the offering of securities, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. Specifically, the underwriters may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position in the securities for their account. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the shares, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, shares in the open market. Finally, an underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed shares in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions, or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the offered securities above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may discontinue any of these activities at any time.

        Some or all of the securities that we offer through this prospectus may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom we sell securities for public offering and sale may make a market in those securities, but they will not be obligated to do so and they may

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discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of the liquidity of, or continued trading markets for, any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus.

        If any securities are offered through dealers, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale.

Direct Sales and Sales through Agents

        We may sell the securities directly to purchasers. If the securities are sold directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities, we will describe the terms of any such sales in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may also sell the securities through agents designated from time to time. Sales may be made by means of ordinary brokers' transactions on the New York Stock Exchange at market prices, in block transactions and such other transactions as agreed by us and any agent. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

Remarketing Arrangements

        Offered securities may also be offered and sold, if we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as our agents. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreements, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters of the offered securities under the Securities Act.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

        If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified future date. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the conditions to those contracts and the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

General Information

        We may have agreements with the agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers or underwriters may be required to make. Agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.

        Each underwriter, dealer and agent participating in the distribution of any of the securities that are issuable in bearer form will agree that it will not offer, sell or deliver, directly or indirectly, securities in bearer form in the United States or to United States persons, other than qualifying financial institutions, during the restricted period, as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7).

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VALIDITY OF THE OFFERED SECURITIES

        Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, New York, New York will issue an opinion for Ventas, Inc., Ventas Realty and Ventas Capital regarding the legality of certain of the offered securities. Any underwriters will be advised about other issues relating to any offering by their own legal counsel.

EXPERTS

        Our consolidated financial statements appearing in our Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2011 (including the financial statement schedule appearing therein), and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such 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.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

        We are subject to the informational reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance therewith, file reports, proxy statements, information statements and other information with the Commission. Reports, proxy statements, information statements and other information filed by us with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of such material also may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements, information statements and other information regarding us. The Commission's website address is www.sec.gov. We are a publicly held corporation and our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "VTR." Reports, proxy statements, information statements and other information can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. Information about us is also available on our website at www.ventasreit.com. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference herein and our web address is included in this prospectus as an inactive textual reference only.

        Statements contained or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance we refer you to the copy of the contract or document filed as an exhibit to a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.

        We are incorporating by reference in this prospectus the information we file with the Commission. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the Commission will automatically update and supersede this information. We are incorporating by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus until all of the securities offered under this prospectus are sold:

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011;



•

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 6, 2012, February 6, 2012, February 14, 2012, February 17, 2012 (however, we do not incorporate by reference any information under Item 2.02, Results of Operations and Financial Condition), March 30, 2012, and April 2, 2012 (two reports); and



•

our Proxy Statement for our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the Commission on April 2, 2012.

        You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Corporate Secretary
Ventas, Inc.
353 North Clark Street
Suite 3300
Chicago, Illinois 60654
(877) 483-6827

        No separate financial statements of Ventas Realty or Ventas Capital have been included herein. It is not expected that Ventas Realty or Ventas Capital will file reports, proxy statements or other information under the Exchange Act with the Commission.

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        We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about our company that is different from, or in addition to, that contained in this prospectus or in any of the materials that have been incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Therefore, if anyone gives you information of this sort, you should not rely on it. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this prospectus are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this prospectus does not extend to you. The information contained in this prospectus speaks only as of the date of this prospectus unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.

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$                    

Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership
Ventas Capital Corporation

      % Senior Notes due

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PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
April     , 2012

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BofA Merrill Lynch
Credit Agricole CIB
UBS Investment Bank

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