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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.5

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

               THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), effective as of the
Effective Date (as defined below), is entered into by and between Maguire
Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "REIT"), Maguire Properties, L.P.,
a Maryland limited partnership (the "Operating Partnership") and Robert F.
Maguire III (the "Executive").

               WHEREAS, the REIT and the Operating Partnership (collectively,
the "Company") desire to employ the Executive and to enter into an agreement
embodying the terms of such employment; and

               WHEREAS, the Executive desires to accept employment with the
Company, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

               NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

               1. Employment Period. Subject to the provisions for earlier
termination hereinafter provided, the Executive's employment hereunder shall be
for a term (the "Employment Period") commencing on the Effective Date and ending
on the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date (the "Initial Termination Date");
provided, however, that this Agreement shall be automatically extended for one
additional year on the Initial Termination Date and on each subsequent
anniversary of the Initial Termination Date, unless either the Executive or the
Company elects not to so extend the term of the Agreement by notifying the other
party, in writing, of such election not less than sixty (60) days prior to the
last day of the term as then in effect. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Effective Date" shall mean the date of the closing of the initial public
offering of shares of the REIT's common stock.

               2. Terms of Employment.

               (a) Position and Duties.

                      (i) During the Employment Period, the Executive shall
        serve as Co-Chief Executive Officer of the REIT and the Operating
        Partnership and shall perform such employment duties as are usual and
        customary for such positions. In addition, during the Employment Period,
        the Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Executive to be
        nominated and elected as Chairman of the Board; provided, however, that
        the Company shall not be so obligated if cause exists for the removal of
        the Executive from the Board or for the failure to nominate or elect the
        Executive to the Board. Provided that the Executive is so nominated and
        elected, the Executive hereby agrees to serve as Chairman of the Board.
        At the Company's request, the Executive shall serve the Company and/or
        its subsidiaries and affiliates in other offices and capacities in
        addition to the foregoing. In the event that the Executive, during the
        Employment Period, serves in any one or more of such additional
        capacities, the Executive's compensation shall not be increased beyond
        that specified in Section 2(b) of this Agreement. In addition, in the
        event the Executive's service in one or more of such additional
        capacities is terminated, the Executive's compensation, as specified in
        Section 2(b) of this Agreement, shall not be diminished or reduced in
        any manner as a result of such


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        termination for so long as the Executive otherwise remains employed
        under the terms of this Agreement.

                      (ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any
        periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled,
        the Executive agrees to devote substantially full-time attention and
        time during normal business hours to the business and affairs of the
        Company. During the Employment Period it shall not be a violation of
        this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or
        charitable boards or committees, (B) fulfill limited teaching, speaking
        and writing engagements or (C) manage his personal investments, so long
        as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance
        of the Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the Company in
        accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed
        that to the extent that any such activities have been conducted by the
        Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of such
        activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope
        thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed
        to interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities to
        the Company; provided that no such activity that violates any written
        non-competition agreement between the parties shall be permitted.

               (b) Compensation.

                      (i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the
        Executive shall receive a base salary (the "Base Salary") of $150,000
        per annum, as the same may be increased thereafter pursuant to the
        Company's normal practices for its executives. The Base Salary shall be
        paid at such intervals as the Company pays executive salaries generally.
        During the Employment Period, the Base Salary shall be reviewed at least
        annually for possible increase in the Company's discretion. Any increase
        in Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation
        to the Executive under this Agreement. The Base Salary shall not be
        reduced after any such increase and the term "Base Salary" as utilized
        in this Agreement shall refer to Base Salary as so increased.

                      (ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to the Base Salary, the
        Executive shall be eligible to earn, for each fiscal year of the Company
        ending during the Employment Period, an annual cash performance bonus
        (an "Annual Bonus") under the Company's bonus plan or plans applicable
        to senior executives. The amount of the Annual Bonus and the target
        performance goals applicable to the Annual Bonus shall be determined in
        accordance with the terms and conditions of such bonus plan as in effect
        from time to time.

                      (iii) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the
        Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all
        other incentive plans, practices, policies and programs, and all savings
        and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs, in each case
        that are applicable generally to senior executives of the Company.

                      (iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period,
        the Executive and the Executive's eligible family members shall be
        eligible for participation in the welfare benefit plans, practices,
        policies and programs (including, if applicable,


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        medical, dental, disability, employee life, group life and accidental
        death insurance plans and programs) maintained by the Company for its
        senior executives.

                      (v) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive
        shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable
        business expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the
        policies, practices and procedures of the Company provided to senior
        executives of the Company.

                      (vi) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the
        Executive shall be entitled to such fringe benefits and perquisites as
        are provided by the Company to its senior executives from time to time,
        in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the
        Company, and shall receive such additional fringe benefits and
        perquisites as the Company may, in its discretion, from time-to-time
        provide.

                      (vii) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the
        Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the
        plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company applicable to its
        senior executives.

                      (viii) Additional Payments. The amount of compensation
        payable to Executive pursuant to Sections 2(b)(i) and (ii) above shall
        be "grossed up" as necessary (on an after-tax basis) to compensate for
        any additional social security withholding taxes due as a result of
        Executive's shared employment by the Operating Partnership, the REIT
        and, if applicable, any subsidiary and/or affiliate thereof.

               3. Termination of Employment.

               (a) Death or Disability. The Executive's employment shall
terminate automatically upon the Executive's death or Disability during the
Employment Period. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the
absence of the Executive from the Executive's duties with the Company on a
full-time basis for 90 consecutive days or on a total of 180 days in any
12-month period, in either case as a result of incapacity due to mental or
physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a physician
selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the
Executive's legal representative.

               (b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment
during the Employment Period for Cause or without Cause. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Cause" shall mean the occurrence of any one or more of the following
events unless the Executive fully corrects the circumstances constituting Cause
within a reasonable period of time after receipt of the Notice of Termination
(as defined below):

                      (i) the Executive's willful and continued failure to
        substantially perform his duties with the Company (other than any such
        failure resulting from the Executive's incapacity due to physical or
        mental illness or any such actual or anticipated failure after his
        issuance of a Notice of Termination for Good Reason), after a written
        demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the
        Board, which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the
        Board believes that the Executive has not substantially performed his
        duties;


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                      (ii) the Executive's willful commission of an act of fraud
        or dishonesty resulting in economic or financial injury to the Company;

                      (iii) the Executive's conviction of, or entry by the
        Executive of a guilty or no contest plea to, the commission of a felony
        or a crime involving moral turpitude;

                      (iv) a willful breach by the Executive of his fiduciary
        duty to the Company which results in economic or other injury to the
        Company; or

                      (v) the Executive's willful and material breach of the
        Executive's covenants set forth in Section 9(a) or 9(b) hereof.

For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the
Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any
act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly
adopted by the Board or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall
be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in
good faith and in the best interests of the Company. The cessation of employment
of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there
shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted
by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the entire membership of
the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after
reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the Executive is given an
opportunity, together with counsel for the Executive, to be heard before the
Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is
guilty of any of the conduct described in Section 3(b), and specifying the
particulars thereof in detail; provided, that if the Executive is a member of
the Board, the Executive shall not vote on such resolution nor shall the
Executive be counted in determining the "entire membership" of the Board.

               (c) Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be terminated by
the Executive for Good Reason or by the Executive without Good Reason. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence of any one
or more of the following events without the Executive's prior written consent,
unless the Company fully corrects the circumstances constituting Good Reason
(provided such circumstances are capable of correction) prior to the Date of
Termination (as defined below):

                      (i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties
        materially inconsistent in any respect with the Executive's position
        (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements),
        authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Section 2(a) of
        this Agreement, or any other action by the Company which results in a
        material diminution in such position, authority, duties or
        responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial
        and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by
        the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
        Executive;


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                      (ii) the Company's reduction of the Executive's annual
        base salary or bonus opportunity, each as in effect on the date hereof
        or as the same may be increased from time to time;

                      (iii) the relocation of the Company's offices at which the
        Executive is principally employed (the "Principal Location") to a
        location more than thirty (30) miles from such location, or the
        Company's requiring the Executive to be based at a location more than
        thirty (30) miles from the Principal Location, except for required
        travel on the Company's business to an extent substantially consistent
        with the Executive's present business travel obligations;

                      (iv) the Company's failure to obtain a satisfactory
        agreement from any successor to assume and agree to perform this
        Agreement, as contemplated in Section 10 hereof; or

                      (v) the Company's failure to cure a material breach of its
        obligations under the Agreement after written notice is delivered to the
        Board by the Executive which specifically identifies the manner in which
        the Executive believes that the Company has breached its obligations
        under the Agreement and the Company is given a reasonable opportunity to
        cure any such breach.

               (d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for
Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of
Termination to the other parties hereto given in accordance with Section 12(c)
of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination"
means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in
this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in
reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
termination of the Executive's employment under the provision so indicated and
(iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of
receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not
more than thirty days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the
Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or
circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not
waive any right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or
preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or
circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.

               (e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or
any later date specified therein (which date shall not be more than 30 days
after the giving of such notice), as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the
Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the
Executive of such termination, (iii) if the Executive's employment is terminated
by the Executive without Good Reason, the Date of Termination shall be the tenth
day after the date on which the Executive notifies the Company of such
termination, unless otherwise agreed by the Company and the Executive, and (iv)
if the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability,
the Date of Termination shall be the date of death or Disability of the
Executive, as the case may be.


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               4. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.

               (a) Without Cause or For Good Reason. If, during the Employment
Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's employment without Cause or
the Executive shall terminate his employment for Good Reason:

                      (i) The Executive shall be paid, in a single lump sum
        payment within 60 days after the Date of Termination, the aggregate
        amount of (A) the Executive's earned but unpaid Base Salary and accrued
        but unpaid vacation pay through the Date of Termination, and any Annual
        Bonus required to be paid to the Executive pursuant to Section 2(b)(ii)
        above for any fiscal year of the Company that ends on or before the Date
        of Termination to the extent not previously paid (the "Accrued
        Obligations"), and (B) two (the "Severance Multiple") times the sum of
        (x) the Base Salary in effect on the Termination Date plus (y) the
        average Annual Bonus received by the Executive for the three complete
        fiscal years (or such lesser number of years as the Executive has been
        employed by the Company) of the Company immediately prior to the
        Termination Date (the "Severance Amount");

                      (ii) At the time when annual bonuses are paid to the
        Company's other senior executives for the fiscal year of the Company in
        which the Date of Termination occurs, the Executive shall be paid an
        Annual Bonus in an amount equal to the product of (x) the amount of the
        Annual Bonus to which the Executive would have been entitled if the
        Executive's employment had not been terminated, and (y) a fraction, the
        numerator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year through the
        Date of Termination and the denominator of which is the total number of
        days in such fiscal year (a "Pro-Rated Annual Bonus");

                      (iii) For a period of years equal to the Severance
        Multiple, the Company shall continue to provide the Executive and the
        Executive's eligible family members with group health insurance coverage
        at least equal to that which would have been provided to them if the
        Executive's employment had not been terminated; provided, however, that
        if the Executive becomes re-employed with another employer and is
        eligible to receive group health insurance coverage under another
        employer's plans, the Company's obligations under this Section 4(a)(iii)
        shall be reduced to the extent comparable coverage is actually provided
        to the Executive and the Executive's eligible family members, and any
        such coverage shall be reported by the Executive to the Company.

                      (iv) The Company shall, at its sole expense and on an
        as-incurred basis, provide the Executive with outplacement services the
        scope and provider of which shall be reasonable and consistent with
        industry practice for similarly situated executives; and

                      (v) To the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the
        Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any vested benefits
        and other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which
        the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or
        practice or contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliates
        (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the
        "Other Benefits").


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<PAGE>

Notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall be a condition to the Executive's right
to receive the amounts provided for in Sections 4(a)(i)(B) and 4(a)(ii), (iii)
and (iv) above that the Executive execute, deliver to the Company and not revoke
a release of claims in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

               (b) For Cause or Without Good Reason. If the Executive's
employment shall be terminated by the Company for Cause or by the Executive
without Good Reason during the Employment Period, the Company shall have no
further obligations to the Executive under this Agreement other than pursuant to
Sections 7 and 8 hereof, and the obligation to pay to the Executive the Accrued
Obligations in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination and to provide
the Other Benefits.

               (c) Death or Disability. If the Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of the Executive's death or Disability during the
Employment Period:

                      (i) The Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the
        Executive's estate or beneficiaries or to the Executive, as applicable,
        in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination;

                      (ii) 100% of the Executive's annual Base Salary, as in
        effect on the Date of Termination, shall be paid to the Executive's
        estate or beneficiaries or to the Executive, as applicable, in cash
        within 30 days following the Date of Termination;

                      (iii) The Pro-Rated Annual Bonus shall be paid to the
        Executive's estate or beneficiaries or to the Executive, as applicable,
        at the time when annual bonuses are paid to the Company's other senior
        executives for the fiscal year of the Company in which the Date of
        Termination occurs;

                      (iv) For a period of twelve months following the Date of
        Termination, the Executive and the Executive's eligible family members
        shall continue to be provided with group health insurance coverage at
        least equal to that which would have been provided to them if the
        Executive's employment had not been terminated; provided, however, that
        if the Executive becomes re-employed with another employer and is
        eligible to receive group health insurance coverage under another
        employer's plans, the Company's obligations under this Section 4(d)(iv)
        shall be reduced to the extent comparable coverage is actually provided
        to the Executive and the Executive's eligible family members, and any
        such coverage shall be reported by the Executive to the Company; and

                      (v) The Other Benefits shall be paid or provided to the
        Executive on a timely basis.

               5. Termination Upon a Change in Control. If a Change in Control
(as defined herein) occurs during the Employment Period and the Executive's
employment is terminated (a) by the Company without Cause or by the Executive
for Good Reason, in each case within two (2) years after the effective date of
the Change in Control or (b) by the Executive for any reason on or within 30
days after the one year anniversary of the effective date of the Change in
Control, then the Executive shall be entitled to the payments and benefits
provided in Section


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4(a), subject to the terms and conditions thereof, except that for purposes of
this Section 5, the Severance Multiple shall equal three (3). In addition, in
the event of such a termination of the Executive's employment, all outstanding
stock options, restricted stock and other equity awards granted to the Executive
under any of the Company's equity incentive plans (or awards substituted
therefore covering the securities of a successor company) shall become
immediately vested and exercisable in full. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Change in Control" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:

                      (i) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any
        "person" or "group" (as those terms are defined in Sections 3(a)(9),
        13(d), and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
        Act") and the rules thereunder) of "beneficial ownership" (as determined
        pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities entitled to
        vote generally in the election of directors ("voting securities") of the
        REIT that represent 35% or more of the combined voting power of the
        REIT's then outstanding voting securities, other than

                             (A) an acquisition of securities by a trustee or
               other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit
               plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the REIT or
               any person controlled by the REIT or by any employee benefit plan
               (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the REIT or any
               person controlled by the REIT, or

                             (B) an acquisition of securities by the REIT or a
               corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of
               the REIT in substantially the same proportions as their ownership
               of the stock of the REIT, or

                             (C) an acquisition of securities pursuant to a
               transaction described in clause (iii) below that would not be a
               Change in Control under clause (iii), or

                             (D) any direct or indirect acquisition of
               securities by the Executive or his family, or any entity
               controlled thereby;

                      Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following event shall
        not constitute an "acquisition" by any person or group for purposes of
        this clause (i): an acquisition of the REIT's securities by the REIT
        which causes the REIT's voting securities beneficially owned by a person
        or group to represent 35% or more of the combined voting power of the
        REIT's then outstanding voting securities; provided, however, that if a
        person or group shall become the beneficial owner of 35% or more of the
        combined voting power of the REIT's then outstanding voting securities
        by reason of share acquisitions by the REIT as described above and
        shall, after such share acquisitions by the REIT, become the beneficial
        owner of any additional voting securities of the REIT, then such
        acquisition shall constitute a Change in Control;

                      (ii) individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute
        the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at
        least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual
        becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election by the
        REIT's shareholders, or nomination for election by the Board, was


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        approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then
        comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such
        individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this
        purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs
        as a result of an election contest with respect to the election or
        removal of directors or other solicitation of proxies or consents by or
        on behalf of a person other than the Board;

                      (iii) the consummation by the REIT (whether directly
        involving the REIT or indirectly involving the REIT through one or more
        intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or
        business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or
        substantially all of the REIT's assets or (z) the acquisition of assets
        or stock of another entity, in each case, other than a transaction

                             (A) which results in the REIT's voting securities
               outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to
               represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted
               into voting securities of the REIT or the person that, as a
               result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the
               REIT or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of
               the REIT's assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the
               REIT (the REIT or such person, the "Successor Entity")) directly
               or indirectly, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the
               Successor Entity's outstanding voting securities immediately
               after the transaction, and

                             (B) after which no person or group beneficially
               owns voting securities representing 35% or more of the combined
               voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no
               person or group shall be treated for purposes of this clause (B)
               as beneficially owning 35% or more of combined voting power of
               the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held
               in the REIT prior to the consummation of the transaction; or

                      (iv) approval by the REIT's shareholders of a liquidation
        or dissolution of the REIT.

For purposes of clause (i) above, the calculation of voting power shall be made
as if the date of the acquisition were a record date for a vote of the REIT's
shareholders, and for purposes of clause (iii) above, the calculation of voting
power shall be made as if the date of the consummation of the transaction were a
record date for a vote of the REIT's shareholders.

               6. Non-exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall
prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan,
program, policy or practice provided by the Company and for which the Executive
may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as
the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company. Amounts
which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled to
receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or
agreement with the Company at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be
payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or
agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.


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               7. Full Settlement. The Company's obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the
Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable
to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and except as
expressly provided, such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the
Executive obtains other employment. The Company agrees to pay as incurred
(within 30 days following the Company's receipt of an invoice from the
Executive), to the full extent permitted by law, all reasonable legal fees and
expenses which the Executive or his beneficiaries may reasonably incur as a
result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the
Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under,
any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof
(including as a result of any contest by the Executive or his beneficiaries
about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case
interest on any delayed payment at the applicable Federal rate provided for in
Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code. The preceding sentence shall not apply with
respect to any such contest if the court having jurisdiction over such contest
determines that the Executive's claim in such contest is frivolous or maintained
in bad faith.

               8. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.

               (a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding
and except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any
Payment would be subject to the Excise Tax, then the Executive shall be entitled
to receive an additional payment (the "Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment") in an
amount such that, after payment by the Executive of all taxes (and any interest
or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation,
any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto)
and Excise Tax imposed upon the Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment, the Executive
retains an amount of the Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax
imposed upon the Payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Section 8(a), if it shall be determined that the Executive is entitled to the
Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment, but that the Parachute Value of all Payments does
not exceed 110% of the Safe Harbor Amount, then no Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment
shall be made to the Executive and the amounts payable under this Agreement
shall be reduced so that the Parachute Value of all Payments, in the aggregate,
equals the Safe Harbor Amount. The reduction of the amounts payable hereunder,
if applicable, shall be made by first reducing the payments under Section
4(a)(i), unless an alternative method of reduction is elected by the Executive,
and in any event shall be made in such a manner as to maximize the Value of all
Payments actually made to the Executive. For purposes of reducing the Payments
to the Safe Harbor Amount, only amounts payable under this Agreement (and no
other Payments) shall be reduced. If the reduction of the amount payable under
this Agreement would not result in a reduction of the Parachute Value of all
Payments to the Safe Harbor Amount, no amounts payable under the Agreement shall
be reduced pursuant to this Section 8(a). The Company's obligation to make
Excise Tax Gross-Up Payments under this Section 8 shall not be conditioned upon
the Executive's termination of employment.

               (b) Subject to the provisions of Section 8(c), all determinations
required to be made under this Section 8, including whether and when an Excise
Tax Gross-Up Payment is


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required, the amount of such Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to
be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by such nationally
recognized accounting firm as may be selected by the Company and reasonably
acceptable to the Executive (the "Accounting Firm"); provided, that the
Accounting Firm's determination shall be made based upon "substantial authority"
within the meaning of Section 6662 of the Code. The Accounting Firm shall
provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive
within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there
has been a Payment or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. All fees
and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any
Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 8, shall be
paid by the Company to the Executive within five days of the receipt of the
Accounting Firm's determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall
be binding upon the Company and the Executive, unless the Company obtains an
opinion of outside legal counsel, based upon at least "substantial authority"
within the meaning of Section 6662 of the Code, reaching a different
determination, in which event such legal opinion shall be binding upon the
Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of
Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the
Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Excise Tax Gross-Up Payments that
will not have been made by the Company should have been made (the
"Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder.
In the event the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 8(c) and the
Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the
Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred
and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the
benefit of the Executive.

               (c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any
claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the
payment by the Company of the Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment. Such notification
shall be given as soon as practicable, but no later than 10 business days after
the Executive is informed in writing of such claim. The Executive shall apprise
the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is
requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the
expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which the Executive gives
such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any
payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the
Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that the Company
desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:

                      (i) give the Company any information reasonably requested
        by the Company relating to such claim,

                      (ii) take such action in connection with contesting such
        claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to
        time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with
        respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,

                      (iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order
        effectively to contest such claim, and

                      (iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings
        relating to such claim;


                                      -11-

<PAGE>

provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest, and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and
expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 8(c),
the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest,
and, at its sole discretion, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative
appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the applicable taxing
authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole discretion, either
direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the
claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such
contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of
initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall
determine; provided, however, that, if the Company directs the Executive to pay
such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such
payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and
hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or
income tax (including interest or penalties) imposed with respect to such
advance or with respect to any imputed income in connection with such advance;
and provided, further, that any extension of the statute of limitations relating
to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which
such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested
amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to
issues with respect to which the Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment would be payable
hereunder, and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case
may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other
taxing authority.

               (d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an Excise Tax
Gross-Up Payment or an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 8(c),
the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to the Excise
Tax to which such Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment relates or with respect to such
claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Company's complying with the
requirements of Section 8(c), if applicable) promptly pay to the Company the
amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after
taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 8(c), a determination is made that
the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and
the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest
such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such
determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to
be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof,
the amount of Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

               (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 8, the
Company may, in its sole discretion, withhold and pay over to the Internal
Revenue Service or any other applicable taxing authority, for the benefit of the
Executive, all or any portion of any Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment, and the
Executive hereby consents to such withholding.

               (f) Any other liability for unpaid or unwithheld Excise Taxes
shall be borne exclusively by the Company, in accordance with Section 3403 of
the Code. The foregoing sentence shall not in any manner relieve the Company of
any of its obligations under this Employment Agreement.


                                      -12-


<PAGE>

               (g) Definitions. The following terms shall have the following
meanings for purposes of this Section 8:

                      (i) "Excise Tax" shall mean the excise tax imposed by
        Section 4999 of the Code, together with any interest or penalties
        imposed with respect to such excise tax.

                      (ii) "Parachute Value" of a Payment shall mean the present
        value as of the date of the change of control for purposes of Section
        280G of the Code of the portion of such Payment that constitutes a
        "parachute payment" under Section 280G(b)(2), as determined by the
        Accounting Firm for purposes of determining whether and to what extent
        the Excise Tax will apply to such Payment.

                      (iii) A "Payment" shall mean any payment or distribution
        in the nature of compensation (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2)
        of the Code) to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or
        payable pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.

                      (iv) The "Safe Harbor Amount" shall mean 2.99 times the
        Executive's "base amount," within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of
        the Code.

                      (v) "Value" of a Payment shall mean the economic present
        value of a Payment as of the date of the change of control for purposes
        of Section 280G of the Code, as determined by the Accounting Firm using
        the discount rate required by Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code.

               9. Confidential Information and Non-Solicitation.

               (a) The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the
benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data
relating to the REIT, the Operating Partnership, Maguire Services, Inc., a
Maryland corporation, and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates
(collectively, the "Maguire Group"), and each of their respective businesses,
which shall have been obtained by the Executive during the Executive's
employment by the Company and which shall not be or become public knowledge
(other than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in
violation of this Agreement). After termination of the Executive's employment
with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of
the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate
or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the
Company and those designated by it; provided, that if the Executive receives
actual notice that the Executive is or may be required by law or legal process
to communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data, the Executive
shall promptly so notify the Company.

               (b) While employed by the Company and, for two (2) years after
the Termination Date, the Executive shall not directly or indirectly solicit,
induce, or encourage any employee, consultant, agent, customer, vendor, or other
parties doing business with any member of the Maguire Group to terminate their
employment, agency, or other relationship with the Maguire Group or such member
or to render services for or transfer their business from the Maguire Group or
such member and the Executive shall not initiate discussion with any such


                                      -13-

<PAGE>

person for any such purpose or authorize or knowingly cooperate with the taking
of any such actions by any other individual or entity.

               (c) In no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of
this Section 9 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts
otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement. However, in recognition
of the facts that irreparable injury will result to the Company in the event of
a breach by the Executive of his obligations under Sections 9(a) and (b) of this
Agreement, that monetary damages for such breach would not be readily
calculable, and that the Company would not have an adequate remedy at law
therefor, the Executive acknowledges, consents and agrees that in the event of
such breach, or the threat thereof, the Company shall be entitled, in addition
to any other legal remedies and damages available, to specific performance
thereof and to temporary and permanent injunctive relief (without the necessity
of posting a bond) to restrain the violation or threatened violation of such
obligations by the Executive.

               10. Successors.

               (a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the
prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive
otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's legal
representatives.

               (b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

               (c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume and
agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that
the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken
place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as
hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as
aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of
law, or otherwise.

               11. Payment of Financial Obligations. The payment or provision to
the Executive by the Company of any remuneration, benefits or other financial
obligations pursuant to this Agreement shall be allocated to the Operating
Partnership, the REIT and, if applicable, any subsidiary and/or affiliate
thereof in accordance with the Employee Sharing and Expense Allocation
Agreement, by and between the REIT, the Operating Partnership, and Maguire
Services, Inc., as in effect from time to time.

               12. Miscellaneous.

               (a) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without
reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are
not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This
Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement
executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal
representatives.


                                      -14-

<PAGE>

               (b) Arbitration. Except as set forth in Section 9(c) above, any
disagreement, dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or the interpretation of this Agreement or any arrangements relating
to this Agreement or contemplated in this Agreement or the breach, termination
or invalidity thereof shall be settled by final and binding arbitration
administered by JAMS/Endispute in Los Angeles, California in accordance with the
then existing JAMS/Endispute Arbitration Rules and Procedures for Employment
Disputes. In the event of such an arbitration proceeding, the Executive and the
Company shall select a mutually acceptable neutral arbitrator from among the
JAMS/Endispute panel of arbitrators. In the event the Executive and the Company
cannot agree on an arbitrator, the Administrator of JAMS/Endispute will appoint
an arbitrator. Neither the Executive nor the Company nor the arbitrator shall
disclose the existence, content, or results of any arbitration hereunder without
the prior written consent of all parties. Except as provided herein, the Federal
Arbitration Act shall govern the interpretation, enforcement and all
proceedings. The arbitrator shall apply the substantive law (and the law of
remedies, if applicable) of the state of California, or federal law, or both, as
applicable, and the arbitrator is without jurisdiction to apply any different
substantive law. The arbitrator shall have the authority to entertain a motion
to dismiss and/or a motion for summary judgment by any party and shall apply the
standards governing such motions under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The
arbitrator shall render an award and a written, reasoned opinion in support
thereof. Judgment upon the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof.

               (c) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall
be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:

               If to the Executive: at the Executive's most recent address on
the records of the Company,

               If to the REIT or the Operating Partnership:

               Maguire Properties, Inc.
               633 West Fifth Street
               Los Angeles, CA  90071
               Attn: General Counsel

               with a copy to:

               Latham & Watkins
               633 West Fifth Street, Suite 4000
               Los Angeles, CA  90071
               Attn: Martha B. Jordan, Esq.

or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.

               (d) Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Notwithstanding anything herein
to the contrary, if the Company determines, in its good faith judgment, that any
transfer or deemed


                                      -15-

<PAGE>

transfer of funds hereunder is likely to be construed as a personal loan
prohibited by Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, then such transfer or deemed transfer shall not be made
to the extent necessary or appropriate so as not to violate the Exchange Act and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

               (e) Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provision of this Agreement.

               (f) Withholding. The Company may withhold from any amounts
payable under this Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as
shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
In addition, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company
may, in its sole discretion, withhold and pay over to the Internal Revenue
Service or any other applicable taxing authority, for the benefit of the
Executive, all or any portion of any Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment, and the
Executive hereby consents to such withholding.

               (g) No Waiver. The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist
upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to
assert any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including,
without limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good
Reason pursuant to Section 3(c) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a
waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this
Agreement.

               (h) Entire Agreement. As of the Effective Date, this Agreement,
together with any non-competition agreement between the parties, constitutes the
final, complete and exclusive agreement between the Executive and the Company
with respect to the subject matter hereof and replaces and supersedes any and
all other agreements, offers or promises, whether oral or written, made to you
by any member of the Maguire Group or any entity (a "Predecessor Employer"), or
representative thereof, whose business or assets any member of the Maguire Group
succeeded to in connection with the initial public offering of the common stock
of the REIT or the transactions related thereto. The Executive agrees that any
such agreement, offer or promise between the Executive and a Predecessor
Employer (or any representative thereof) is hereby terminated and will be of no
further force or effect, and the Executive acknowledges and agrees that upon his
execution of this Agreement, he will have no right or interest in or with
respect to any such agreement, offer or promise. In the event that the Effective
Date does not occur, this Agreement (including, without limitation, the
immediately preceding sentence) shall have no force or effect.

               (i) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously
in two counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.




                            [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


                                      -16-

<PAGE>

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the
Executive's hand and, pursuant to the authorization from the Board, the Company
has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of
the day and year first above written.

                              MAGUIRE PROPERTIES, INC.,
                              Maryland corporation



                              By:  /s/  RICHARD I. GILCHRIST
                                 ---------------------------
                                 Name: Richard I. Gilchrist
                                 Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer and President


                              MAGUIRE PROPERTIES, L.P.,
                              a Maryland limited partnership

                              By:  Maguire Properties, Inc.
                              Its: General Partner



                              By:  /s/  RICHARD I. GILCHRIST
                                 ---------------------------
                                 Name: Richard I. Gilchrist
                                 Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer and President



                              "EXECUTIVE"



                               /s/  ROBERT F. MAGUIRE III
                              ---------------------------
                                 Robert F. Maguire III


<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                                 GENERAL RELEASE

               For a valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which
are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned does hereby release and forever
discharge the "Releasees" hereunder, consisting of Maguire Properties, Inc., a
Maryland corporation, Maguire Properties, L.P., a Maryland limited partnership,
Maguire Services, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and each of their partners,
subsidiaries, associates, affiliates, successors, heirs, assigns, agents,
directors, officers, employees, representatives, lawyers, insurers, and all
persons acting by, through, under or in concert with them, or any of them, of
and from any and all manner of action or actions, cause or causes of action, in
law or in equity, suits, debts, liens, contracts, agreements, promises,
liability, claims, demands, damages, losses, costs, attorneys' fees or expenses,
of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, fixed or contingent (hereinafter
called "Claims"), which the undersigned now has or may hereafter have against
the Releasees, or any of them, by reason of any matter, cause, or thing
whatsoever from the beginning of time to the date hereof. The Claims released
herein include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Claims in
any way arising out of, based upon, or related to the employment or termination
of employment of the undersigned by the Releasees, or any of them; any alleged
breach of any express or implied contract of employment; any alleged torts or
other alleged legal restrictions on Releasee's right to terminate the employment
of the undersigned; and any alleged violation of any federal, state or local
statute or ordinance including, without limitation, Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination In Employment Act, the Americans With
Disabilities Act, and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.

               THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE HAS BEEN ADVISED BY LEGAL
COUNSEL AND IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION
1542, WHICH PROVIDES AS FOLLOWS:

               "A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR
        DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING
        THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS
        SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR."

THE UNDERSIGNED, BEING AWARE OF SAID CODE SECTION, HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY
RIGHTS HE MAY HAVE THEREUNDER, AS WELL AS UNDER ANY OTHER STATUTES OR COMMON LAW
PRINCIPLES OF SIMILAR EFFECT.

               IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OLDER WORKERS BENEFIT PROTECTION ACT OF
1990, THE UNDERSIGNED IS HEREBY ADVISED AS FOLLOWS:

               (A) HE HAS THE RIGHT TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE SIGNING
        THIS RELEASE;

               (B) HE HAS TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS TO CONSIDER THIS RELEASE BEFORE
        SIGNING IT; AND


                                      -18-

<PAGE>

               (C) HE HAS SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER SIGNING THIS RELEASE TO REVOKE
        THIS RELEASE, AND THIS RELEASE WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE UPON THE EXPIRATION
        OF THAT REVOCATION PERIOD.

               The undersigned represents and warrants that there has been no
assignment or other transfer of any interest in any Claim which he may have
against Releasees, or any of them, and the undersigned agrees to indemnify and
hold Releasees, and each of them, harmless from any liability, Claims, demands,
damages, costs, expenses and attorneys' fees incurred by Releasees, or any of
them, as the result of any such assignment or transfer or any rights or Claims
under any such assignment or transfer. It is the intention of the parties that
this indemnity does not require payment as a condition precedent to recovery by
the Releasees against the undersigned under this indemnity.

               The undersigned agrees that if he hereafter commences any suit
arising out of, based upon, or relating to any of the Claims released hereunder
or in any manner asserts against Releasees, or any of them, any of the Claims
released hereunder, then the undersigned agrees to pay to Releasees, and each of
them, in addition to any other damages caused to Releasees thereby, all
attorneys' fees incurred by Releasees in defending or otherwise responding to
said suit or Claim.

               The undersigned further understands and agrees that neither the
payment of any sum of money nor the execution of this Release shall constitute
or be construed as an admission of any liability whatsoever by the Releasees, or
any of them, who have consistently taken the position that they have no
liability whatsoever to the undersigned.

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Release
this ____ day of ___________, ____.



                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Robert F. Maguire III




                                      -19-