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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

April 14, 2003
(Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported))

iSTAR FINANCIAL INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Maryland
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
  1-15371
(Commission
File Number)
  95-6881527
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
1114 Avenue of the Americas, 27th Floor
New York, New York
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  10036
(Zip Code)

(212) 930-9400
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)





Item 7. Exhibits

        The following exhibits are filed with this Report pursuant to Regulation S-K Item 601 in lieu of filing the otherwise required exhibits to the registration statement on Form S-3 of the Registrant, file No. 333-83646, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Registration Statement"), and which, as this Form 8-K filing is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, are set forth in full in the Registration Statement.

Exhibit Number

  Exhibit
4.1   Global Note evidencing 7.0% Senior Notes due 2008.
     
5.1   Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP.


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


 

 

iSTAR FINANCIAL INC.
         
Date:  April 14, 2003   By:   /s/  JAY SUGARMAN      
Jay Sugarman
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer



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SIGNATURES

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EXHIBIT 4.1

        THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.


CUSIP/CINS 45031UAA9

7.0% Senior Notes due 2008

No. 1A       $35,000,000

iSTAR FINANCIAL INC.

promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the principal sum of THIRTY-FIVE MILLION Dollars on March 15, 2008.

Interest Payment Dates: March 15 and September 15

Record Dates: March 1 and September 1

Dated: April 14, 2003

    ISTAR FINANCIAL INC.

 

 

By:

/s/  
CATHERINE D. RICE      
Name:  Catherine D. Rice
Title:    Chief Financial Officer

SEAL

This is one of the Notes referred to
in the within-mentioned Supplemental Indenture:

US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
  as Trustee


By:

/s/  
ANGELITA PENA      
Authorized Signatory

 

 

7.0% Senior Notes due 2008

        Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

        1.    Interest.    iStar Financial Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 7.0% per annum from March 14, 2003 until maturity. The Company will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an "Interest Payment Date"). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from March 14, 2003; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided, further, that the first Interest Payment Date shall be September 15, 2003. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the rate then in effect; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

        2.    Method of Payment.    The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the March 1 or September 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within or without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and interest, and premium, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. The Company reserves the right to pay interest to Holders of Notes by check mailed to such Holders at their registered addresses or by wire transfer to Holders of at least $5 million aggregate principal amount of Notes.

        3.    Paying Agent and Registrar.    Initially, US Bank Trust National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

        4.    Indenture.    The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of February 5, 2001, as amended and supplemented, including as supplemented by a Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 14, 2003 (collectively, the "Indenture") between the Company and the Trustee. 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 (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Notes are obligations of the Company. The Company is issuing $35.0 million in aggregate principal amount on April 14, 2003 and may issue Additional Notes in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

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        5.    Optional Redemption.    

        Optional Redemption.    (a) At any time on or prior to March 15, 2008, the Notes may be redeemed or purchased in whole but not in part at the Company's option at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued but unpaid interest, if any, to, the date of redemption or purchase (the "Redemption Date") (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date). Such redemption or purchase may be made upon notice mailed by first-class mail to each Holder's registered address, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date.

        "Applicable Premium" means, with respect to a Note at any Redemption Date, the greater of: (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note; and (2) the excess of (a) the present value at such Redemption Date of (i) the redemption price of such Note on March 15, 2008 plus (ii) all required remaining scheduled interest payments due on such Note through March 15, 2008, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points; over (b) the principal amount of such Note on such Redemption Date. Calculation of the Applicable Premium will be made by the Company or on behalf of the Company by such Person as the Company shall designate; provided, however, that such calculation shall not be a duty or obligation of the Trustee.

        "Treasury Rate" means, with respect to a Redemption Date, the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to such Redemption Date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from such Redemption Date to March 15, 2008; provided, however, that if the period from such Redemption Date to March 15, 2008 is not equal to the constant maturity of the United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from such Redemption Date to March 15, 2008 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

        Optional Redemption Upon Equity Offerings.    At any time, or from time to time, on or prior to March 15, 2006, the Company may, at its option, use the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings to redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of the Notes issued under the Indenture at a redemption price of 107% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of redemption; provided that:

            (1)  at least 65% of the principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after any such redemption; and

            (2)  the Company makes such redemption not more than 60 days after the consummation of any such Equity Offering.

        6.    Mandatory Redemption.    Except as set forth in paragraph 7 below, the Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.

        7.    Repurchase at Option Of Holder.    Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will be required to offer to purchase all of the outstanding Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of repurchase.

        8.    Notice of Redemption.    Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. Notes in denominations larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole

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multiples of $1,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

        9.    Denominations, Transfer, Exchange.    The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company and the Trustee may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

        10.    Persons Deemed Owners.    The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

        11.    Amendment, Supplement and Waiver.    Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture 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 Notes voting as a single class, and any existing default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes voting as a single class. Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to provide for the assumption of the Company's obligations to Holders of the Notes in case of a merger or consolidation, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect in any material respects the rights under the Indenture of any such Holder, to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act or to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under the Indenture of a successor Trustee.

        12.    Defaults and Remedies.    Events of Default are set forth in the Indenture. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in writing in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, the Notes. The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

        13.    Trustee Dealings with Company.    The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

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        14.    No Recourse Against Others.    A director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder, of the Company, as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

        15.    Authentication.    This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

        16.    Abbreviations.    Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

        17.    CUSIP Numbers.    Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

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        The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

iStar Financial Inc.
1114 Avenue of the Americas, 27th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Attention: Investor Relations

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

        To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:  
 
(Insert assignee's legal name)
   

(Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
   

   

   

(Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)
and irrevocably appoint  
 
to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Date:     Your Signature:  
 
   
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
Signature Guarantee*:    
 
 

*    Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

        If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.13 of the Indenture, check the following box:    / /

        If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.13 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

      $                                
         
Date:        
 
  Your Signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
      Tax Identification No.:  
       
Signature Guarantee*:    
 
 

*    Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

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SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE

        The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

Date of Exchange

  Amount of
decrease in
Principal Amount
of this Global Note

  Amount of
increase in
Principal Amount
of this Global Note

  Principal Amount
of this Global Note
following such
decrease
(or increase)

  Signature of
authorized officer
of Trustee or Note
Custodian

                 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE

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EXHIBIT 5.1

[LETTERHEAD OF CLIFFORD CHANCE US LLP]

April 14, 2003

iStar Financial Inc.
1114 Avenue of the Americas, 27th Floor
New York, New York 10036

Dear Sirs:

        We have acted as counsel to iStar Financial Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the offer and sale by the Company of $35,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 7.0% Senior Notes due 2008 (the "Securities"). The Securities are being sold pursuant to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (numbers 333-83646) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Registration Statement").

        Based on the foregoing, and such other examination of law and fact as we have deemed necessary, we are of the opinion that the Securities have been duly authorized by the Company, and when issued and sold in the manner contemplated by the prospectus supplement for the offering of the Securities dated April 7, 2003, the Securities will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company.

        We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the caption "Legal Matters" in the prospectus which is a part of the Registration Statement.

Very truly yours,

/s/ CLIFFORD CHANCE US LLP




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