<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 10-Q

            TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
            SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD
                    FROM AUGUST 1, 1998 TO DECEMBER 31, 1998

                         Commission File Number: 0-23503

                            EXCEL LEGACY CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                       <C>       
          DELAWARE                                     33-0781747
   (State of incorporation)               (IRS Employer Identification Number)
</TABLE>

           16955 VIA DEL CAMPO, SUITE 240, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92127
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                  Registrant's telephone number: (619) 485-9400





Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No[ ]

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

              Class                            Outstanding at February 11, 1999
-------------------------------------          ---------------------------------
Common Stock, $.01 par value                               33,457,804



<PAGE>   2


                            EXCEL LEGACY CORPORATION

                                     INDEX

                                   FORM 10-Q

                                   ----------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                                               ----

<S>                                                                                                           <C>
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

     Item 1.  Financial Statements:

           Consolidated Balance Sheets
              December 31, 1998 (Unaudited)
              July 31, 1998......................................................................................3

           Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
              Five Months Ended December 31, 1998................................................................4

           Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)
              Five Months Ended December 31, 1998................................................................5

           Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
              Five Months Ended December 31, 1998................................................................6

           Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited).............................................................7

     Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
               Condition and Results of Operations..............................................................14

     Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk........................................19

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

           Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K............................................................19

</TABLE>


                                       2

<PAGE>   3


                    EXCEL LEGACY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                      (in thousands, except share amounts)

                                   ----------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                                            1998              JULY 31,
                                                                         (UNAUDITED)            1998
                                                                          ---------           ---------

                                                      ASSETS


<S>                                                                       <C>                 <C>      
Real estate:
    Land                                                                  $  54,915           $  51,675
    Buildings                                                               136,118             122,669
    Leasehold interests                                                       2,351               2,351
    Accumulated depreciation                                                 (2,506)               (939)
                                                                          ---------           ---------

       Net real estate                                                      190,878             175,756

Cash                                                                          1,387              11,491
Accounts receivable, less allowance for bad debts of $34 and
  and $14 at December 31 and July 31 1998, respectively                         204                 732
Notes receivable                                                             23,204              23,171
Investment in partnerships                                                   11,423              11,138
Interest receivable                                                           5,341               3,889
Pre-development costs                                                        13,569               6,662
Other assets                                                                  9,087               7,757
Deferred tax asset                                                            6,203               6,320
                                                                          ---------           ---------

                                                                          $ 261,296           $ 246,916
                                                                          =========           =========


                                         LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Liabilities:
    Mortgage and notes payable                                            $  90,986           $  72,714
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                                  2,604               5,680
    Other liabilities                                                           220               1,750
                                                                          ---------           ---------

                  Total liabilities                                          93,810              80,144
                                                                          ---------           ---------

Commitments and contingencies                                                    --                  --

Minority interests                                                              846                 853
                                                                          ---------           ---------

Stockholders' equity:
    Series A Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares
       authorized, 21,281,000 shares issued and outstanding                     213                 213
    Common stock, $.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized,
       33,457,804 shares issued and outstanding                                 335                 335
    Additional paid-in capital                                              174,508             174,508
    Retained earnings                                                         2,456               1,735
    Notes receivable from affiliates for common shares                      (10,872)            (10,872)
                                                                          ---------           ---------

                  Total stockholders' equity                                166,640             165,919
                                                                          ---------           ---------

                                                                          $ 261,296           $ 246,916
                                                                          =========           =========
</TABLE>

                   The accompanying notes are an integral part
                           of the financial statements


                                        3

<PAGE>   4


                    EXCEL LEGACY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME - UNAUDITED
                       FIVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

                                   ----------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


<S>                                                <C> 
Revenue:
    Rental                                         $ 5,515
    Operating income                                 7,670
    Interest income                                  1,573
    Partnership income and other revenues              252
                                                   -------

       Total revenue                                15,010
                                                   -------
Operating expenses:
    Interest                                         2,645
    Depreciation and amortization                    1,918
    Property operating expenses                      1,646
    Operating expenses                               4,904
    General and administrative                       2,641
                                                   -------

       Total operating expenses                     13,754
                                                   -------

Income before income taxes                           1,256

Provision for income taxes                             535
                                                   -------

    Net income                                     $   721
                                                   =======

Basic net income per share                         $  0.02
                                                   =======

Diluted net income per share                       $  0.01
                                                   =======

</TABLE>

                   The accompanying notes are an integral part
                           of the financial statements


                                        4

<PAGE>   5


                    EXCEL LEGACY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - UNAUDITED
                       FIVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT NUMBER OF SHARES)

                                   ----------


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                         SERIES A                                             
                                     PREFERRED STOCK                   COMMON STOCK           
                                  NUMBER         AMOUNT           NUMBER          AMOUNT      
                               -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------    

<S>                             <C>            <C>              <C>            <C>            
Balance at August 1, 1998       21,281,000     $       213      33,457,804     $       335    
Net income                              --              --              --              --    
                               -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------    
Balance at December 31, 1998    21,281,000     $       213      33,457,804     $       335    
                               ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========    
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                ADDITIONAL                        AFFILIATE           TOTAL
                                  PAID-IN         RETAINED          NOTES          STOCKHOLDERS'
                                   CAPITAL        EARNINGS        RECEIVABLE          EQUITY
                                 -----------     -----------      -----------      -----------

<S>                              <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>        
Balance at August 1, 1998        $   174,508     $     1,735     $   (10,872)      $   165,919
Net income                                --             721               --              721
                                 -----------     -----------      -----------      -----------
Balance at December 31, 1998     $   174,508     $     2,456      $   (10,872)     $   166,640
                                 ===========     ===========      ===========      ===========
</TABLE>




                   The accompanying notes are an integral part
                           of the financial statements


                                        5

<PAGE>   6


                    EXCEL LEGACY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - UNAUDITED
                       FIVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

                                   ----------

<TABLE>


<S>                                                              <C>     
Cash flows from operating activities:

   Net income                                                    $    721
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
      provided by operations:
         Depreciation and amortization                              1,918
         Provision for bad debts                                       20
         Minority interest in partnerships                             (7)
      Changes in accounts receivable and other assets              (2,208)
      Changes in accounts payable and other liabilities            (4,489)
                                                                 --------
            Net cash used by operating activities                  (4,045)
                                                                 --------

Cash flows from investing activities:

   Real estate construction costs paid                             (1,489)
   Investment in partnerships                                        (285)
   Pre-development costs paid                                      (6,907)
                                                                 --------

            Net cash used in investing activities                  (8,681)
                                                                 --------

Cash flows from financing activities:

   Principal payments of mortgages payable                         (1,378)
   Borrowings from credit facility                                  4,000

            Net cash provided by financing activities               2,622
                                                                 --------

            Net decrease in cash                                  (10,104)

Cash at August 1, 1998                                             11,491
                                                                 --------

Cash at December 31, 1998                                        $  1,387
                                                                 ========
</TABLE>

                   The accompanying notes are an integral part
                           of the financial statements


                                        6

<PAGE>   7


                    EXCEL LEGACY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED

                                   ----------

 1.   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

      The financial statements reflect all adjustments of a recurring nature
      which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation
      of the financial statements. No adjustments were necessary which were not
      of a normal recurring nature. Certain footnote disclosures normally
      included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally
      accepted accounting principles have been omitted pursuant to the quarterly
      reporting rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain
      reclassifications have been made to the consolidated financial statements
      at July 31, 1998 to conform with current period's presentation. These
      financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
      financial statements and accompanying footnotes included in the Company's
      July 31, 1998 Form 10-K.

      ORGANIZATION

      Excel Legacy Corporation (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation was
      formed on November 17, 1997. The Company was originally a wholly-owned
      subsidiary of Excel Realty Trust, Inc. ("Excel"), a Maryland corporation
      and a self-administered, self-managed real estate investment trust
      ("REIT"), now known as New Plan Excel Realty Trust, Inc. On March 31,
      1998, Excel effected a spin-off of the Company through a special dividend
      to the holders of common stock of Excel of all of the outstanding common
      stock of the Company held by Excel (the "Spin-off").

      The Company was formed to pursue opportunities available to those
      investors that are not restricted by the federal income tax laws governing
      REITs or influenced by Excel's investment and leverage guidelines. In
      connection with the Spin-off, certain real properties, notes receivable
      and related assets and liabilities were transferred to the Company from
      Excel (Note 2). Upon completion of the Spin-off, the Company ceased to be
      a wholly-owned subsidiary of Excel and began operating as an independent
      public company.

      CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR

      By unanimous consent dated December 11, 1998, the Board of Directors of
      the Company adopted a fiscal year-end of December 31, beginning with a
      short fiscal year ending on December 31, 1998. The Company's previous
      fiscal year-end was July 31. Accordingly, a transition report for the
      period from August 1, 1998 through December 31, 1998 is being filed in
      this Form 10-Q. Although the Company was formed on November 17, 1997,
      there were no operational results from inception through December 31, 1997
      and as such, prior period comparison results have not been presented.

      PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

      The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
      the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and all significantly owned
      affiliates. The Company uses the equity method of accounting to account
      for its investment in a Nova Scotia Company and the Company uses the cost
      method to account for its investment in Entercitement LLC.

      REAL ESTATE

      Certain real estate assets were transferred to the Company from Excel and
      recorded at Excel's cost. Other real estate assets acquired subsequent to
      the Spin-off were recorded at the Company's cost. Depreciation is computed
      using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of 40 years for

Continued                               7

<PAGE>   8


                    EXCEL LEGACY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED

                                   ----------

 1.   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, CONTINUED:

      buildings. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense
      as incurred and significant renovations are capitalized.

      The Company assesses whether there has been a permanent impairment in the
      value of its real estate by considering factors such as expected future
      operating income, trends and prospects, as well as the effects of demand,
      competition and other economic factors. Such factors include a lessee's
      ability to pay rent under the terms of the lease. If a property is leased
      at significantly lower rent, the Company may recognize an impairment loss
      if the income stream is not sufficient to recover its investment.

      PRE-DEVELOPMENT COSTS

      Pre-development costs that are directly related to specific construction
      projects are capitalized as incurred. The Company expenses these costs to
      the extent they are unrecoverable or it is determined that the related
      project will not be pursued.

      MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS

      Management contracts are recorded at cost and amortized over a period of
      seven years.

      INCOME TAXES

      The Company uses the asset and liability method to account for income
      taxes. Deferred income tax assets have been recorded to reflect the future
      tax benefit of assets acquired from Excel that were recorded at Excel's
      cost for book purposes and fair market value for tax purposes.

      DEFERRED LEASING AND LOAN ACQUISITION COSTS

      Costs incurred in obtaining tenant leases and long-term financing are
      amortized to other property expense and interest expense, respectively, on
      the straight-line method over the terms of the related leases or debt
      agreements.

      REVENUE RECOGNITION

      Base rental revenue is recognized on the straight-line basis, which
      averages annual minimum rents over the terms of the leases. Certain of the
      leases provide for additional rental revenue by way of percentage rents to
      be paid based upon the level of sales achieved by the lessee.

      USE OF ESTIMATES

      The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
      accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
      assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at
      the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues
      and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those
      estimates.





Continued                               8

<PAGE>   9


                    EXCEL LEGACY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED

                                   ----------


1.    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, CONTINUED:

      RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

      Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 130, "Reporting
      Comprehensive Income" and SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of an
      Enterprise and Related Information" are effective for fiscal years
      beginning after December 15, 1997. SFAS No. 130 establishes standards for
      the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in a
      full set of general purpose financial statements and requires restatement
      of earlier periods presented and had no effect on the Company's
      consolidated financial statements. SFAS No. 131 establishes standards for
      the way that a public enterprise reports information about operating
      segments in annual financial statements, and requires that those
      enterprises report selected information about operating segments in
      interim financial reports to shareholders (Note 8).

2.    SPIN-OFF:

      On March 31, 1998, Excel transferred certain real estate assets to the
      Company in exchange for 23,412,580 common shares of the Company,
      assumption of mortgage debt by the Company, and issuance of a note payable
      to Excel from the Company which was subsequently repaid. This Spin-off
      took place through a dividend distribution to Excel's common stockholders,
      of all the Company's common stock (23,412,580 shares) held by Excel. The
      distribution consisted of one share of the Company's common stock for each
      share of Excel's common stock held on the record date of March 2, 1998.
      The fair market value of the distribution was approximately $55,956,000 or
      $2.39 per share. While the Company has recorded the acquisition of assets
      and liabilities at fair market value for tax purposes, the Company has
      recorded for book purposes, the assets and liabilities at Excel's original
      book value. The tax effect of the difference between fair market value and
      book value was $6,528,000 and was recorded as a deferred tax asset.

3.    REAL ESTATE:

      In the five months ended December 31, 1998, Millennia Car Wash, LLC
      ("Millennia") acquired nine car wash properties for approximately
      $15,200,000. The acquisition was made through the assumption of various
      notes payable. There were no other significant acquisitions during the
      period.

4.    MORTGAGES AND NOTES PAYABLE:

      The Company had $90,986,000 in mortgage and notes payable outstanding at
      December 31, 1998 at 7.37% to 8.53% with an average interest rate of
      7.92%. The mortgages and notes are due on various dates through 2018 and
      monthly payments approximate $888,000. The mortgages and notes are
      collateralized by real estate and an assignment of rents.

      The Company has an unsecured revolving credit facility of $15,000,000 from
      BankBoston, N.A. (the "Credit Facility") which carries an interest rate of
      LIBOR plus 2.5% (8.1% at December 31, 1998). The Credit Facility expires
      in October 1999. Through December 31, 1998, approximately $4,450,000 was
      outstanding under the Credit Facility.




Continued                              9

<PAGE>   10


                    EXCEL LEGACY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED

                                   ----------


4.    MORTGAGES AND NOTES PAYABLE, CONTINUED:

      The principal payments required to be made on mortgages and notes payable
      over the next five years are as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                         YEAR ENDED
                                         DECEMBER 31,
                                         ------------

<S>                                       <C>      
               1999                       $   7,445
               2000                           4,295
               2001                           4,125
               2002                           4,461
               2003                           4,826
               Thereafter                    65,834
                                          ---------
                                          $  90,986
                                          =========
</TABLE>


5.    INCOME TAXES:

      At December 31, 1998, the Company had a net deferred tax asset of
      $6,203,000. The deferred tax asset primarily relates to the difference
      between fair market value and book value of the real estate assets
      acquired from Excel in connection with the Spin-off (Note 2) and is
      non-current. The offsetting portion of the deferred asset relates to
      timing differences in recognizing revenue and expenses for tax purposes
      through operations of the Company. No valuation allowance has been
      provided against the deferred tax asset as the Company believes future
      taxable income is more likely than not. The provision for income taxes
      consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               FEDERAL           STATE  
                                                               -------           -----  

<S>                                                           <C>              <C>      
               Current payable                                $ 312,000        $ 107,000
               Deferred tax expense                              82,000           34,000
                                                              ---------        ---------
               Provision for income taxes                     $ 394,000        $ 141,000
                                                              =========        =========
</TABLE>

6.    CAPITAL STOCK:

      SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES

      At December 31, 1998, the Company had 21,281,000 shares of Series A
      Preferred Stock outstanding (the "Preferred A Shares"). Holders of the
      Preferred A Shares are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by
      the Board of Directors, cumulative cash dividends payable in an amount per
      share equal to the cash dividends, if any, on the shares of common stock
      into which the Preferred A Shares are convertible. Holders of the
      Preferred A Shares are also entitled to a liquidation preference of $5.00
      per share, plus a premium of 7% per annum, in the event of any
      liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of the affairs of the
      Company.





Continued                              10

<PAGE>   11


                    EXCEL LEGACY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED

                                   ----------

6.    CAPITAL STOCK, CONTINUED:

      The Preferred A Shares are convertible into common stock of the Company at
      the election of the holders at any time, on a one-for-one basis, subject
      to adjustment in certain circumstances. The Preferred A Shares also are
      convertible into common stock by the Company if the closing price of the
      Company's common stock is equal to or greater than certain milestones for
      30 consecutive trading days. Such price milestones were met in May 1998
      and on May 18, 1998, the Company took steps to exercise its right to
      convert all of the Preferred A Shares into common stock, which conversion
      was expected to take place on August 18, 1998.

      On August 17, 1998, the Company withdrew its election to convert the
      Preferred A Shares, and instead the holders and the Company agreed to
      modify the terms of the Preferred A Shares. The Company decided to effect
      such modification through the exchange of the Preferred A Shares for new
      preferred shares of the Company, rather than through an amendment to the
      Preferred A Shares. The new preferred shares will be substantially similar
      to the Preferred A Shares, except in the following respects: 1) The new
      preferred shares will be convertible into common stock at the election of
      the Company upon the earlier to occur of six months after the listing of
      the Company's common stock on a national securities exchange (including
      the American Stock Exchange on which the Company began trading on November
      17, 1998), or March 31, 2000. 2) Certain voting rights provided to the
      holders with respect to future issuances of common stock will be removed.

      EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

      A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted EPS
      is provided as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              FIVE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                              DECEMBER 31, 1998
                                                                              -----------------

<S>                                                                           <C>    
BASIC EPS

  NUMERATOR:
    Net income                                                                      $   721
                                                                                    =======
  DENOMINATOR:
    Weighted average of common shares outstanding                                    33,458
                                                                                    =======

  EARNINGS PER SHARE:                                                               $  0.02
                                                                                    =======

DILUTED EPS

  NUMERATOR:
    Net income                                                                      $   721
                                                                                    =======
  DENOMINATOR:
    Weighted average of common shares outstanding                                    33,458
    Effect of diluted securities:
      Preferred A Shares                                                             21,281
      Options                                                                            29
                                                                                    -------
                                                                                     54,768
                                                                                    =======
  EARNINGS PER SHARE:                                                               $  0.01
                                                                                    =======
</TABLE>


Continued                               11

<PAGE>   12


                    EXCEL LEGACY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED

                                   ----------

7.    STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE:

      The amount paid for interest in the five months ended December 31, 1998
      was approximately $2,215,000. In the same period, Millennia assumed
      $15,200,000 of debt in conjunction with the acquisition of nine car wash
      properties.

8.    SEGMENT REPORTING:

      The Company has a joint venture arrangement with Millennia. As of December
      31, 1998, Millennia owned eighteen car wash properties in Arizona and
      Texas. At December 31, 1998, the Company held 100% of the ownership
      interest in Millennia. Another party manages the daily operations of
      Millennia and can earn up to 50% of the ownership interest in Millennia
      based upon operating results exceeding a 35% return on the Company's
      investment. The accounts of Millennia are consolidated with the Company's
      financial statements.

      The Company is a partner in a joint venture, Grand Tusayan, LLC ("Grand
      Hotel") for the operation of a hotel and dinner theater and retail shop
      situated near the south rim entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park in
      Tusayan, Arizona. At December 31, 1998, the Company's ownership in the
      Grand Hotel was 65% although the Company was entitled to approximately 98%
      of the Grand Hotel's operations based upon its equity contributed. The
      accounts of the Grand Hotel are consolidated with the Company's financial
      statements.

 .     SFAS No. 131 establishes standards for the way that a public enterprise
      reports information about operating segments in annual financial
      statements, and requires that those enterprises report selected
      information about operating segments in interim financial reports to
      shareholders (Note 1). The following unaudited information has been
      provided in accordance with SFAS No. 131 for operations related to
      Millennia, the Grand Hotel, and all other real estate related activities
      as of and for the five months ended December 31, 1998 (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Other
                                      Millennia         Grand Hotel       Real Estate         Total
                                      ---------         -----------       -----------         -----

<S>                                    <C>               <C>                <C>               <C>     
Total revenues                         $  6,593          $    833           $  7,584          $ 15,010
                                       --------          --------           --------          --------

Interest                                    348                --              2,297             2,645
Depreciation and amortization               466               260              1,192             1,918
General and administrative                1,705                --                936             2,641
Operating expenses                        3,998               911              1,641             6,550
                                       --------          --------           --------          --------
Total operating expenses                  6,517             1,171              6,066            13,754
                                       --------          --------           --------          --------
Income (loss) before
  income taxes                         $     76          $   (338)          $  1,518          $  1,256
                                       ========          ========           ========          ========

Real estate, net                       $ 30,038          $ 13,940           $146,900          $190,878
Other assets                              5,545             1,736             63,137            70,418
                                       --------          --------           --------          --------
Total assets                           $ 35,583          $ 15,676           $210,037          $261,296
                                       ========          ========           ========          ========

Mortgages and notes payable            $ 15,108          $     --           $ 75,878          $ 90,986
Other liabilities                           442               176              2,206             2,824
                                       --------          --------           --------          --------
Total liabilities                      $ 15,550          $    176           $ 78,084          $ 93,810
                                       ========          ========           ========          ========
</TABLE>


Continued                                   12

<PAGE>   13


                    EXCEL LEGACY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED

                                   ----------


9.    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

      In connection with the sale of common stock to certain of the Company's
      officers and employees, the Company issued $10,872,000 of notes receivable
      due from certain of the Company's officers. The notes bear interest at 7%,
      are recourse obligations of the note holders, and are due in March 2003.
      The total interest receivable at December 31, 1998 from these notes
      totaled $509,000. The notes have been offset against stockholders' equity
      on the Company's accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet.

      The Company shares certain employees with New Plan Excel Realty Trust,
      Inc. ("New Plan Excel"), formerly Excel. The shared employees are paid by
      New Plan Excel and reimbursed by the Company based upon an Administrative
      Services Agreement which requires the Company to pay New Plan Excel 23% of
      the salary and bonus of the shared employees as compensation for their
      services to the Company. For the five months ended December 31, 1998,
      approximately $261,000 was paid by the Company for these services.
      Additionally, approximately $29,000 was paid by the Company to New Plan
      Excel as reimbursement for various operating expenses.

10.   MINIMUM FUTURE RENTALS:

      The Company leases its operating properties, except the Millennia carwash
      properties and the Grand Hotel property, under noncancelable operating
      leases generally requiring the tenant to pay a minimum rent. The leases
      generally either (i) require the tenant to pay all expenses of operating
      the property such as insurance, property taxes, and structural repairs and
      maintenance, or (ii) require the tenant to reimburse the Company for the
      tenant's share of real estate taxes and other common area maintenance
      expenses or for the tenant's share of any increase in expenses over a base
      year. Minimum future rental revenue for the next five years for the retail
      commercial real estate owned at December 31, 1998 and subject to
      noncancelable operating leases is as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                           -----------------------

<S>                                                          <C>
                                   1999                      $ 11,341
                                   2000                        11,417
                                   2001                        11,331
                                   2002                        11,125
                                   2003                        10,951
                                   Thereafter                 141,540
</TABLE>





                                       13

<PAGE>   14



ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS

NATURE OF BUSINESS

Excel Legacy Corporation (the "Company"), a Delaware Corporation, was formed on
November 17, 1997. The Company was organized to create and realize value by
identifying and making opportunistic real estate and other investments through
the direct acquisition, rehabilitation, development, financing and management of
real properties and/or participation in these activities through the purchase of
debt instruments or equity interests of entities in real estate and other
businesses.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Financial
Statements and the Notes thereto. The Company was not formed until November 17,
1997 and had no operating results in 1997. As such, comparative results with
1997 are not provided.

Five months ended December 31, 1998

Rental revenue was $5.5 million during the period. Ten single tenant properties
owned by the Company accounted for $2.1 million of rental revenue. Eight of
these properties are leased to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. ("Wal-Mart") and two of
these properties are leased to Lowe's Home Centers, Inc. ("Lowe's"). Two
properties in Colorado leased to AMC Multi-Cinema, Inc. ("AMC") accounted for
$2.2 million of rental revenue. Additionally, $0.5 million of rental revenue was
attributable to a shopping mall located in Palm Springs, California and the
remaining $0.7 million of rental revenue was attributable to three properties
which were acquired by the Company in conjunction with a redevelopment project
in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Other operating income totaled $7.7 million in the period. Of this income, $6.6
million related to revenues recognized by Millennia. The Company also recognized
$0.8 million of other operating income by the Grand Hotel. Finally, TenantFirst
Real Estate Service, Inc., which the Company acquired in May 1998, accounted for
$0.3 million of revenues from various management contracts.

Interest income was $1.6 million and primarily related to $1.5 million of
interest earned on the Company's outstanding notes receivable. In addition, the
Company earned $0.1 million of interest income from its cash accounts.

Partnership income and other revenues totaled $0.3 million for the five months
ended December 31, 1998 and primarily related to the Company's interest in a
Nova Scotia unlimited liability company which owns an office building in Canada.

Interest expense was $2.6 million and primarily related to the $91.0 million of
mortgage and notes payable outstanding at December 31, 1998.

Depreciation and amortization expense totaled $1.9 million and primarily related
to the $136.1 million of buildings and the $2.4 million of leasehold interests
held by the Company at December 31, 1998.

Property operating expenses were $1.6 million and primarily related to the three
properties located in Scottsdale, Arizona and the property located in Palm
Springs, California. The other real estate properties owned by the Company are
subject to triple net leases whereby the Company does not incur any significant
operating expenses.

Other operating expenses were $4.9 million in the five months ended December 31,
1998. Expenses of $4.0 million related to Millennia and $0.9 million related to
the Grand Hotel.

General and administrative expenses were $2.6 million in the period. The general
and administrative

                                       14

<PAGE>   15



expenses include certain costs charged to the Company by New Plan Excel pursuant
to an administrative services agreement providing for the sharing of certain
facilities and services. In the five months ended December 31, 1998, such
expenses included payment of bonuses to certain officers shared by the Company
and New Plan Excel. Additionally, $1.7 million of the expenses related to
Millennia.

Provision for income taxes was $0.5 million, of which $0.4 million was current
expense and $0.1 million was deferred expense primarily relating to the change
in the deferred tax asset.

The Company calculates Earnings Before Depreciation, Amortization and Deferred
Taxes ("EBDADT") as net income, plus depreciation and amortization on real
estate and real estate related assets, amortized leasing commission costs and
certain non-recurring items. EBDADT does not represent cash flows from
operations as defined by generally accepted accounting principles, and may not
be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. The Company
believes, however, that to facilitate a clear understanding of its operating
results, EBDADT should be examined in conjunction with its net income as
reductions for certain items are not meaningful in evaluating income-producing
real estate. The following information is included to show the items included in
the Company's EBDADT for the five months ended December 31, 1998 (in thousands):
<TABLE>

<S>                                                           <C>    
Net income                                                    $   721
Depreciation and amortization (financial statements)            1,918
  Less depreciation of non-real estate assets                     (43)
Deferred tax expense                                              116
                                                              -------
EBDADT                                                        $ 2,712
                                                              =======

EBDADT per share - basic                                      $  0.08
                                                              =======
EBDADT per share - diluted                                    $  0.05
                                                              =======
</TABLE>


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

At December 31, 1998, the total mortgage debt and notes payable of the Company
consisted of the following: (i) $24.8 million in mortgages on eight properties
leased to Wal-Mart which have fixed interest rates of 7.9% to 8.5%. These
mortgages are self-amortizing with the rent being paid by Wal-Mart directly to
the mortgage holders. The mortgages will be entirely repaid when the initial
terms of the leases with Wal-Mart expire (2008 to 2009). (ii) $7.6 million in
mortgages on two properties leased to Lowe's which have fixed interest rates of
7.6% and 8.8%. These mortgages are also self-amortizing over the term of the
leases with Lowe's and will be repaid when the leases expire (2003 and 2014).
(iii) A $2.3 million mortgage securing an office building in Scottsdale,
Arizona, monthly payments of which are approximately $25,000 with a balloon
payment in the year 2006. (iv) $36.6 million in mortgages on two properties
leased to AMC. These mortgages amortize over a period of twenty years which is
equivalent to the term of the leases. The mortgages have fixed rates of 7.48%
and 7.52%, respectively and mature in 2018. (v) $15.1 million in notes related
to the Millennia acquisition of certain car wash properties. Of the notes, $14.8
million have fixed interest rates of 8.5% and are due in fifteen years and $0.4
million have fixed interest rates of 8.0% and are due in two years. All of the
Company's mortgage debt and notes payable are non-recourse to the Company. (vi)
$4.4 million outstanding on the Company's unsecured $15.0 million credit
facility. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.5% (8.1% at December 31,
1998) and expires in October 1999. (vii) $0.1 million outstanding on a $11.0
million construction loan related to the construction of an office building.
Interest on the construction loan varies based upon the Eurodollar and was 8.6%
at December 31, 1998.

On December 31, 1998, the Company had 21,281,000 shares of Series A Preferred
Stock outstanding (the "Preferred A Shares"). Holders of the Preferred A Shares
are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors,
cumulative cash dividends payable in an amount per share equal to the cash
dividends, if any, on the shares of common stock into which the Preferred A
Shares are convertible. Holders of the Preferred A Shares are also entitled to a
liquidation preference of $5.00 per share, plus a premium of 7% per annum, in
the event of any liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of the affairs of
the Company.

                                       15

<PAGE>   16





The Preferred A Shares are convertible into common stock of the Company at the
election of the holders at any time, on a one-for-one basis, subject to
adjustment in certain circumstances. The Preferred A Shares also are convertible
into common stock by the Company if the closing price of the Company's common
stock is equal to or greater than certain milestones for 30 consecutive trading
days. Such price milestones were met in May 1998 and on May 18, 1998, the
Company took steps to exercise its right to convert all of the Preferred A
Shares into common stock, which conversion was expected to take place on August
18, 1998.

On August 17, 1998, the Company withdrew its election to convert the Preferred A
Shares, and instead the holders and the Company agreed to modify the terms of
the Preferred A Shares. The Company decided to effect such modification through
the exchange of the Preferred A Shares for new preferred shares of the Company,
rather than through an amendment to the Preferred A Shares. The new preferred
shares will be substantially similar to the Preferred A Shares, except in the
following respects: 1) The new preferred shares will be convertible into common
stock at the election of the Company upon the earlier to occur of six months
after the listing of the Company's common stock on a national securities
exchange (including the American Stock Exchange on which the Company began
trading on November 17, 1998), or March 31, 2000. 2) Certain voting rights
provided to the holders with respect to future issuances of common stock will be
removed.

Eight of the Company's single tenant properties leased to Wal-Mart do not
generate cash flow as rent payments are directly used to service outstanding
debt obligations. The Company anticipates that existing cash flow from
operations will be adequate to meet the current cash requirements of its
operating properties. The Company expects to meet its long-term liquidity
requirements, such as property acquisitions and development, mortgage debt
maturities, and other investment opportunities, through the most advantageous
sources of capital available to the Company at the time, which may include the
sale of common stock, preferred stock or debt securities through public
offerings or private placements, entering into joint venture arrangements with
financial partners, the incurrence of indebtedness through secured or unsecured
borrowings and the reinvestment of proceeds from the disposition of assets.

YEAR 2000

The Company currently uses Management Reports Inc. ("MRI") software on a Novell
local area network. MRI has been modified to accept four digits as the year date
and is Year 2000 compliant. The Company has made an assessment of the impact of
the Year 2000 issue on its internal operations and has developed a plan to bring
its computer systems into compliance by the Year 2000. The plan addresses the
modification or replacement of applications and operating systems to achieve
timely Year 2000 compliance and also includes communication and analysis with
outside vendors with whom the Company interfaces electronically. Although it is
not possible to quantify the aggregate cost of such modifications, the Company
does not anticipate that the cost will have a material adverse effect on its
financial position or results of operations. The foregoing discussion of Year
2000 issues contains forward-looking statements and actual compliance may be
affected by a number of factors which include the timing and compliance by the
Company's outside vendors and suppliers. This discussion should be read in
conjunction with the Company's disclosures under the heading "Certain Cautionary
Statements" below.

CERTAIN CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this Form 10-Q may be deemed to be "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995 which provides a "safe harbor" for these types of statements.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors which may cause the actual results of the Company to be materially
different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors
include, but are not limited to, the following risks:



                                       16

<PAGE>   17



Recently Formed Entity; Lack of Independent Operating History. The Company is a
recently-formed entity with no prior operating history. There can be no
assurance that the Company will not encounter financial, managerial or other
difficulties as a result of its lack of operating history or inability to rely
on the financial and other resources of New Plan Excel. Although the Company
expects to be able to access capital markets or to seek other financing, there
can be no assurance that it will be able to do so at all or in amounts or on
terms acceptable to the Company.

Reliance on Major Tenants. As of December 31, 1998, the Company's largest
tenants were AMC, Wal-Mart, and Lowe's which accounted for approximately 15%,
10% and 3%, respectively, of the Company's total revenues in 1998. The financial
position of the Company may be adversely affected by financial difficulties
experienced by any of such tenants, or any other major tenant of the Company,
including a bankruptcy, insolvency or general downturn in business of any such
tenant, or in the event any such tenant does not renew its leases as they
expire.

Control by Directors and Executive Officers. As of December 31, 1998, executive
officers and directors of the Company beneficially owned or had the right to
acquire approximately 30% of the Company's outstanding common stock.
Accordingly, such persons should continue to have substantial influence over the
Company and on the outcome of matters submitted to the Company's stockholders
for approval. In addition, such ownership could discourage acquisition of the
common stock by potential investors, and could have an anti-takeover effect,
possibly depressing the trading price of the common stock.

Difficulty of Locating Suitable Investments; Competition. Identifying,
completing and realizing on real estate investments has from time to time been
highly competitive, and involves a high degree of uncertainty. The Company
competes for investments with many public and private real estate companies,
including financial institutions (such as mortgage banks, pension funds and
REITs) and other institutional investors, as well as individuals. There can be
no assurance that the Company will be able to locate and complete investments
which will be profitable or that it will be able to fully invest its available
capital. Many of those with whom the Company competes for investments are far
larger than the Company, may have greater financial resources than the Company
and may have management personnel with more experience than the officers of the
Company.

Acquired Properties May Fail to Perform as Expected and Capital Expenditures May
Exceed Estimates. The Company intends to acquire existing properties to the
extent they can be acquired on advantageous terms meet the Company's investment
criteria. Acquisitions of properties entail general investment risks associated
with any real estate investment, including the risk that investments will fail
to perform as expected, that estimates of the costs of improvements to bring an
acquired property up to standards established for the intended market position
may prove inaccurate and that occupancy rates and rents achieved may be less
than anticipated.

Uncertainty of Cash Flow from Development, Construction and Renovation
Activities. The Company also intends to pursue the selective development,
construction and renovation of properties for its own account or the account of,
or through, entities in which it owns an equity interest as opportunities arise,
including without limitation long-term, higher-risk, mixed-use retail
entertainment projects and hospitality projects. Risks associated with the
Company's development, construction and renovation activities include risks
that: the Company may abandon development opportunities after expending
resources to determine feasibility; construction and renovation costs of a
project may exceed original estimates; occupancy rates and rents at a newly
completed property may not be sufficient to make the property profitable; and
development, construction, renovation and lease-up may not be completed on
schedule (including risks beyond the control of the Company, such as weather or
labor conditions or material shortages) resulting in increased debt service
expense and construction costs. Development, construction and renovation
activities also are subject to risks relating to the inability to obtain, or
delays in obtaining, all necessary zoning, land-use, building, occupancy and
other required governmental permits and authorizations. These risks could result
in substantial unanticipated delays or expenses and, under certain
circumstances, could prevent completion of the project which could adversely
affect the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


                                       17

<PAGE>   18



Dependence on Real Estate Conditions. The Company's financial condition and
results of operations may be adversely affected by a number of factors affecting
the real estate market generally, including downturns in the international and
domestic general economic climate and local real estate conditions (including
oversupply of or reduced demand for space and changes in market rental rates);
energy and supply shortages; and increasing operating costs (including real
estate taxes and utilities) which may not be passed through to tenants.

Dependence on Rental Income from Real Property. The Company's cash flow, results
of operations and value of its assets would be adversely affected if a
significant number of tenants were unable to meet their lease obligations or if
the Company or the owner of a property were unable to lease a significant amount
of space in its properties on economically favorable lease terms. There can be
no assurance that any tenant whose lease expires in the future will renew such
lease or that the Company will be able to re-lease space on economically
advantageous terms.

Illiquidity of Real Estate Investments. Equity real estate investments are
relatively illiquid and therefore tend to limit the ability of the Company to
vary its portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other
conditions. In addition, mortgage payments and, to the extent the properties are
not subject to triple net leases, certain significant expenditures such as real
estate taxes and maintenance costs, are generally not reduced when circumstances
cause a reduction in income from the investment. Should such events occur, the
Company's results of operations would be adversely affected. A portion of the
Company's properties are mortgaged to secure payment of indebtedness, and if the
Company were unable to meet its mortgage payments, a loss could be sustained as
a result of foreclosure on such properties.

Risk of Bankruptcy of Major Tenants. The bankruptcy or insolvency of a major
tenant or a number of smaller tenants may have an adverse impact on the
properties affected and on the income produced by such properties. Under
bankruptcy law, a tenant has the option of assuming (continuing) or rejecting
(terminating) any unexpired lease. If the tenant assumes its lease with the
Company, the tenant must cure all defaults under the lease and provide the
Company with adequate assurance of its future performance under the lease. If
the tenant rejects the lease, the Company's claim for breach of the lease would
(absent collateral securing the claim) be treated as a general unsecured claim.
The amount of the claim would be capped at the amount owed for unpaid
pre-petition lease payments unrelated to the rejection, plus the greater of one
years' lease payments or 15% of the remaining lease payments payable under the
lease (but not to exceed the amount of three years' lease payments).

Potential Environmental Liability Related to the Properties. Under various
federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, the Company may be
considered an owner or operator of real property or may have arranged for the
disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances and, therefore, may
become liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous
substances released on or in its property or disposed of by it, as well as
certain other potential costs which could relate to hazardous or toxic
substances (including governmental fines and injuries to persons and property).
Such liability may be imposed whether or not the Company knew of, or was
responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances.

Changes in Policies Without Stockholder Approval. The investment, financing,
borrowing and distribution policies of the Company and its policies with respect
to all other activities, growth, debt, capitalization, and operations, are
determined by the Company's Board of Directors. Although it has no present
intention to do so, the Board of Directors may amend or revise these policies at
any time and from time to time at its discretion without a vote of the
stockholders of the Company. A change in these policies could adversely affect
the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

Dependence on Key Personnel. The Company is dependent on the efforts of its
executive officers and other key personnel. While the Company believes that it
could find replacements for these persons, the loss of their services could have
a temporary adverse effect on the operations of the Company. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to retain these persons or to attract
suitable replacements or additional personnel if required. The Company has not
obtained key-man insurance for any of its executive

                                       18

<PAGE>   19



officers or other key personnel.

Possible Conflicts with New Plan Excel. Certain of the Company's executive
officers and directors also serve as executive officers and directors of New
Plan Excel. None of these members of management is committed to spending a
particular amount of time on the Company's affairs, nor do any of them devote
their full time to the Company. As a result of these dual roles, there is the
potential lack of management attention to the Company which could have an
adverse effect on the Company.

The Company and New Plan Excel have entered into certain agreements providing
for (i) the orderly separation of the Company and New Plan Excel, (ii) the
sharing of certain facilities and services, and (iii) the allocation of certain
tax and other liabilities. Because the Company and New Plan Excel share certain
members of management, conflicts may arise with respect to the operation and
effect of these agreements and relationships which could have an adverse effect
on the Company if not properly resolved. In this regard, the Company and New
Plan Excel have adopted certain policies and procedures to be followed by the
Board of Directors of each company to address potential conflicts. In addition,
the Company's charter contains a specific purpose clause which identifies at the
outset which types of opportunities will be pursued by the Company. This clause
provides that the Company's purpose includes performing an intercompany
agreement between the Company and New Plan Excel, which prohibits the Company
from engaging in certain activities and making certain investments unless New
Plan Excel was first offered the opportunity and declined to pursue such
activities or investments. It is not anticipated that this first right of
refusal will hinder the Company's operations because its formation was intended
to focus on those opportunities which New Plan Excel would not otherwise be
pursuing.

ITEM 3.       QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not applicable.


                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 6.       EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

              (a) Exhibits

              27.1 Financial Data Schedule

              (b) Reports on Form 8-K

              A Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 18, 1998 was filed
              with the Commission regarding the Company's change in fiscal year.


                                       19

<PAGE>   20




                                   SIGNATURES


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


                                      EXCEL LEGACY CORPORATION
                                      (Registrant)


DATE:     February 11, 1999           By: /s/ Gary B. Sabin                     
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          GARY B. SABIN
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer



DATE:     February 11, 1999           By: /s/ James Y. Nakagawa                 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          JAMES Y. NAKAGAWA
                                          Principal Financial Officer





                                       20