<PAGE>
 
                                                                    Exhibit 4.12


THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER
REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE
DEPOSITARY.  THIS NOTE IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR NOTES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A
PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED
CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A
WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE
DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY.

THIS NOTE IS A BOOK-ENTRY SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A
NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY.  THIS NOTE IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR NOTES REGISTERED IN THE
NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED
CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (OTHER
THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE
DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER
NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN SUCH LIMITED
CIRCUMSTANCES.

REGISTERED                                              REGISTERED

                      SECURITY CAPITAL GROUP INCORPORATED
                           MEDIUM-TERM NOTE, SERIES A
                                  (Fixed Rate)

                   FORM OF FACE OF FIXED RATE REGISTERED NOTE


REGISTERED                                        PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
No.:  _______                                          $25,750,000

CUSIP No.: 81413TAB3

Unless this Note is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository
Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New York) to the issuer or its agent
for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any Note issued is
registered in the name of Cede & Co.  or such other name as requested by an 
authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company and any
<PAGE>
 
payment is made to Cede & Co., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR
VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL since the registered owner
hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein./*/


IF APPLICABLE, THE "TOTAL AMOUNT OF OID," THE "ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE," THE "YIELD
TO MATURITY," AS WELL AS THE METHOD USED TO DETERMINE THE YIELD TO MATURITY
WHERE THERE IS A SHORT ACCRUAL PERIOD AND THE AMOUNT OF OID ALLOCABLE TO SUCH
SHORT ACCRUAL PERIOD WILL BE SET FORTH BELOW.  THE CALCULATION OF THE AMOUNT OF
OID UPON (A) OPTIONAL REDEMPTION OR (B) DECLARATION OF ACCELERATION IS DISCUSSED
ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

ISSUE PRICE:   100%                        INITIAL ACCRUAL PERIOD OID:  N/A 
                                                                            
ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE:  January 19, 1999     OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT:       
                                           [   ] YES [X] NO                 
STATED MATURITY: January 19, 2005                                           
                                           OPTIONAL REPAYMENT  DATE(S): N/A 
SPECIFIED CURRENCY:     USD                                                 
                                           EXCHANGE RATE AGENT:  N/A        
AUTHORIZED DENOMINATIONS: $1,000                                            
                                           AMORTIZING SECURITY:             
INTEREST RATE:   7.80%                     [   ] YES  [X] NO                
                                                                            
INTEREST PAYMENT DATES: March 15           AMORTIZATION FORMULA: N/A        
 and September 15                                                           
                                                                            
INTEREST PAYMENT PERIODS: Semi-Annual      AMORTIZATION PAYMENT             
                                                DATE(S):  N/A               
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT SECURITY:
[   ] YES  [X] NO

     TOTAL AMOUNT OF OID:  N/A

YIELD TO MATURITY:



---------------------------
/*/ Applies only if this Note is a Registered Global Security.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
ADDENDUM ATTACHED:
[   ] YES  [X] NO

OPTIONAL REDEMPTION:
[X] YES  [   ] NO

     INITIAL REDEMPTION DATE:

     REDEMPTION PRICE:  [X] 100% of the Principal Amount plus a Make-Whole
     Premium or [   ] Initially ________% of Principal Amount and declining by
     __________% of the Principal Amount on each anniversary of the Initial
     Redemption Date until the Redemption Price is 100% of the Principal Amount.

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS OF
MATURITY: [   ] YES [X] NO

     EXTENSION PERIOD:   N/A

     NUMBER OF EXTENSION                 
     PERIODS: N/A

     FINAL MATURITY DATE: N/A

INDEXED NOTE:
[   ] YES [X] NO

     REFERENCE INDEX OR RATE: N/A


OTHER/ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS:  N/A

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     Security Capital Group Incorporated, a corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the State of Maryland (hereinafter called the "Company," which
term shall include any successor under the Indenture hereinafter referred to),
for value received, hereby promises to pay to DTC Cede & Co. or registered
assigns, the principal sum of Twenty-Five Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand
Dollars ($25,750,000) on the Stated Maturity specified above (except to the
extent redeemed or repaid prior to the Stated Maturity) and to pay interest
thereon at the Interest Rate per annum specified above from the Original Issue
Date specified above until the principal hereof is paid or duly made available
for payment (except as provided below), in arrears monthly, quarterly,
semiannually, or annually as specified above as the Interest Payment Period on
each Interest Payment Date (as specified above), commencing with the first
Interest Payment Date next succeeding the Original Issue Date specified above,
and on the Stated Maturity (or any redemption or repayment date); provided,
however, that if the Original Issue Date occurs between a Record Date, as
defined below, and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest payments
will commence on the second Interest Payment Date succeeding the Original Issue
Date to the registered holder of this Note on the Record Date with respect to
such second Interest Payment Date.

     Payment of the principal of this Note, any premium and the interest due at
the Stated Maturity (or any redemption or repayment date), or any prior date on
which the principal or an installment of principal of this Note becomes due and
payable, whether by the declaration of acceleration or otherwise, will be made
in immediately available funds upon presentation and surrender of this Note
(and, with respect to any applicable repayment of this Note, upon presentation
and surrender of this Note and a duly completed election form as contemplated on
the reverse hereof)  at the office or agency of such paying agent as the Company
may determine maintained for that purpose in the City of Boston, Commonwealth of
Massachusetts (a "Paying Agent"), or at the office or agency of such other
Paying Agent as the Company may determine; provided, however, that if the
Specified Currency specified above is other than U.S. dollars and such payment
is to be made in the Specified Currency in accordance with the provisions on the
reverse hereof, such payment will be made by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to an account with a bank designated by the holder hereof at
least 15 calendar days prior to Maturity, provided that such bank has
appropriate facilities therefor and that this Note (and, if applicable, a duly
completed repayment election form) is presented and surrendered at the
aforementioned office or agency maintained by the Company in time for the
Trustee to make such payment in such funds in accordance with its normal
procedures.  Payment of interest due on any Interest Payment Date other than
Maturity will be made at the aforementioned office or agency maintained by the
Company or, at the option of the Trustee, by check mailed to the address of the
person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register
maintained by the Trustee;  provided, however, that a holder of U.S. $1,000,000
(or, if the Specified Currency is other than U.S. dollars, the equivalent
thereof in the Specified Currency) or more in aggregate principal amount of
Notes (whether having identical or different terms and provisions) will be
entitled to receive interest payments on any Interest Payment Date other than
Maturity by wire transfer of immediately available funds if appropriate wire
transfer instructions have been

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
received in writing by the Trustee not less than 15 calendar days prior to such
Interest Payment Date. Any such wire transfer instructions received by the
Trustee shall remain in effect until revoked by such holder.

     If the Specified Currency shown above is other than U.S. dollars, payments
of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Notes will be made in
the applicable Specified Currency, except as provided on the reverse hereof.

     Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth
on the reverse hereof, and, if so specified on the face hereof, in the Addendum
hereto, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as
if set forth at this place.

     Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained herein, if the
face of this Note specifies that an Addendum is attached hereto or that
"Other/Additional Provisions" apply to this Note, this Note shall be subject to
the terms set forth in such Addendum or such "Other/Additional Provisions".

     Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the
Trustee or its Authenticating Agent, as defined on the reverse hereof, by manual
signature, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture,
as defined on the reverse hereof, or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed by the undersigned officer.


                                        SECURITY CAPITAL GROUP INCORPORATED



                                        By:
                                            -----------------------------------


Attest:


By:
   ---------------------------------------
   Name:
   Its:

Dated:
      ------------------------------------



TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION:

     This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
  COMPANY, as Trustee


BY:
   -----------------------------
    Authorized Officer

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                            FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE

     General.  This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Medium-Term Notes
having maturities nine months or more from the date of issue (the "Notes") of
the Company.  The Notes are issuable under an Indenture, dated as of November
16, 1998, as supplemented by a Board Resolution dated as of November 16, 1998
(as so supplemented, the "Indenture"), between the Company and State Street Bank
and Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee," which term includes any successor
trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental
thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights,
limitations of rights, duties and immunities of the Company, the Trustee and
holders of the Notes and the terms upon which the Notes are, and are to be,
authenticated and delivered.  State Street Bank and Trust Company has been
appointed Authenticating Agent (the "Authenticating Agent," which term includes
any successor authenticating agent) with respect to the Notes, and State Street
Bank and Trust Company at its corporate trust office at Two International Place,
Boston, MA 02110 has been appointed registrar and Paying Agent with respect to
the Notes.  The terms of individual Notes may vary with respect to interest
rates, interest rate formulas, issue dates, maturity dates, or otherwise, all as
provided in the Indenture.  To the extent not inconsistent herewith, the terms
of the Indenture are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

     This Note is unsecured and ranks pari passu with all other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company (excluding subsidiary debt) for
borrowed money.

     Payments.  Interest payments on each Interest Payment Date for this Note
will include accrued interest from and including the Original Issue Date or from
and including the last date in respect of which interest has been paid, as the
case may be, to, but excluding such Interest Payment Dates or the Stated
Maturity (or earlier redemption or repayment date), as the case may be.
Interest payments for this Note will be computed and paid on the basis of a 360-
day year of twelve 30-day months.  The interest so payable, and punctually paid
or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date, will, subject to certain
exceptions described herein, be paid to the person in whose name this Note (or
one or more predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the
date 15 days prior to an Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day)
(each such date a "Record Date"); provided, however, that interest payable on
the Stated Maturity (or any redemption or repayment date) will be payable to the
person to whom the principal hereof shall be payable.

     In the case where the Interest Payment Date or the Stated Maturity (or any
redemption or repayment date) does not fall on a Business Day, or if this Note
is payable in a Specified Currency other than U.S. dollars, a Business Day in
the country issuing the Specified Currency (or, for ECUs, Brussels), payment of
interest, premium, if any, or principal otherwise payable on such date need not
be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with
the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or on the
Stated Maturity (or any redemption or repayment date), and no interest shall
accrue for the period from and after

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
the Interest Payment Date or the Stated Maturity (or any redemption or repayment
date) to such next succeeding Business Day.

     If the Specified Currency shown on the face of this Note is other than U.S.
dollars, payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the
Notes will be made in the applicable Specified Currency; provided, however, that
payments of principal (and premium, if any) and interest on Notes denominated in
other than U.S. dollars will nevertheless be made in U.S. dollars:

          (a) at the option of the holders of the Notes under the procedures
     described in the two following paragraphs; and

          (b) at the Company's option in the case of imposition of exchange
     controls or other circumstances beyond the Company's control.

     Except as provided in the next paragraph, if the Specified Currency shown
on the face of this Note is other than U.S. dollars, payments of interest and
principal (and premium, if any) will be made in U.S. dollars if the registered
holder of such Note on the relevant Record Date, or at Maturity, as the case may
be, has transmitted a written request for such payment in U.S. dollars to the
Paying Agent at the office of the Paying Agent on or before such Record Date, or
the date 15 days before Maturity, as the case may be.  Such request may be in
writing (mailed or hand delivered) or by cable, or other form of facsimile
transmission.  Any such request will remain in effect for any further payments
of interest and principal (and premium, if any) on such Note payable to such
holder, unless such request is revoked on or before the relevant Record Date or
the date 15 days before Maturity, as the case may be.

     The U.S. dollar amount to be received by a holder of a Note denominated in
other than U.S. dollars who elects to receive payment in U.S. dollars will be
determined by the exchange rate agent, or any successor thereto (the "Exchange
Rate Agent"), at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second
Business Day preceding the applicable Payment Date, by selecting the indicative
quotations for the Specified Currency appearing at such time on the bank
composite or multi-contributor pages of the Quoting Source (as defined below)
for the first three banks, in descending order of their appearance on a list of
banks to be agreed to by the Company and the Exchange Rate Agent prior to such
second Business Day, which are offering quotes on the Quoting Source.  The
Exchange Rate Agent shall select from among the selected quotations the one
which will yield the largest number of U.S. dollars upon conversion from such
Specified Currency.  The "Quoting Source" shall mean Reuters Monitor Foreign
Exchange Service, or if the Exchange Rate Agent determines that such service is
not available, Telerate Monitor Foreign Exchange Service.  If the Exchange Rate
Agent determines that neither Service is available, the Company and the Exchange
Rate Agent shall agree on a comparable display or other comparable manner of
obtaining quotations and such display or manner shall become the Quoting Source.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
     In the case of a Specified Currency other than ECUs, if (i) fewer than
three bid quotations are available at the time a determination is to be made by
the Exchange Rate Agent pursuant to the preceding paragraph, or (ii) the
Exchange Rate Agent received no later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on
such second Business Day preceding the applicable Payment Date notice from the
Company that there exist exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the
Company's control rendering such Specified Currency unavailable, then the
Exchange Rate Agent shall, prior to such Payment Date, notify the Company and
the Trustee of the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers, in the
Specified Currency indicated in such notice, as certified for customers purposes
by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the "Market Exchange Rate") as of such
second Business Day.  If the Market Exchange Rate for such date is not then
available, the Exchange Rate Agent shall immediately notify the Company and the
Trustee of the most recently available Market Exchange Rate for such Specified
Currency.  In the case of ECUs, if:  (i) fewer than three bid quotations are
available at the time a determination is to be made by the Exchange Rate Agent
pursuant to the preceding paragraph, or (ii) the Exchange Rate Agent receives no
later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on such second Business Day preceding
the applicable Payment Date notice from the Company that (A) there exist
exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the Company's control, rendering
ECUs unavailable or (B) ECUs are no longer used in the European Monetary System,
rendering ECUs unavailable, then the Exchange Rate Agent shall, prior to such
Payment Date, notify the Company and the Trustee of the rate of conversion for
ECUs into U.S. dollars, determined as of such second Business Day on the
following basis:  The component currencies of the ECUs for this purpose (the
"Components") shall be the currency amounts that were components of the ECUs as
of the last date on which ECUs were used in the European Monetary System.  The
equivalent of ECUs in U.S. dollars shall be calculated by aggregating the U.S.
dollar equivalent of the Components.  The U.S. dollar equivalent of each of the
Components shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent on the basis of the
most recently available Market Exchange Rate for the Components, or as otherwise
specified to the Exchange Rate Agent by the Company.

     If the Specified Currency shown on the face hereof is a currency or
currency unit other than U.S. dollars, and such Specified Currency is not
available due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances
beyond the control of the Company, the Company shall be entitled to satisfy its
obligations to the holder of this Note by making such payment in U.S. dollars on
the basis of the most recently available noon-buying rate for cable transfers in
The City of New York, as determined by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Any payment made under such circumstances in U.S. dollars where the required
payment is other than U.S. dollars will not constitute an Event of Default.

     All percentages resulting from any calculations under this Note will be
rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred thousandth of a percentage
point (with five one-millionths of a percentage point being rounded upward) and
all currency or currency unit amounts used in or resulting from any such
calculation in respect of the Notes will be rounded to the nearest one-hundredth
of a unit (with five one-thousandths being rounded upward).

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
     Sinking Fund.  This Note will not be subject to any sinking fund and,
unless otherwise provided on the face hereof in accordance with the provisions
of the following two paragraphs, will not be redeemable or subject to repayment
at the option of the holder prior to Maturity.

     Redemption.  Unless otherwise indicated on the face of this Note, this Note
may not be redeemed prior to the Stated Maturity.  If the face of this Note
indicates that this Note is subject to optional redemption, this Note will be
redeemable at the Company's option, as a whole or from time to time in part in
increments of U.S. $1,000 or the minimum Authorized Denomination (provided that
any remaining principal amount hereof shall be at least U.S. $1,000 or such
minimum Authorized Denomination) on and after the Initial Redemption Date set
forth on the face of this Note, on any date prior to the Stated Maturity at a
redemption price (the "Redemption Price"), as specified on the face of this
Note, equal to either (i) the price specified as a percentage of the face amount
to be redeemed plus accrued interest to the Redemption Date (subject to the
right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due
on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date) or (ii)
100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest to the Redemption
Date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to
receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the
Redemption Date), plus a Make-Whole Premium, if any.

     The "Make-Whole Premium" in respect of this Note is intended to be the
amount, if any, which, when added to the then outstanding principal amount of
this Note, would, if invested on the Redemption Date of this Note in U.S.
Treasury securities with maturities equal to the Remaining Life of this Note,
have a yield to maturity equal to the original yield to maturity of this Note,
based on the initial public offering price of this Note.  The amount of the
Make-Whole Premium in respect of the principal amount of this Note will be
calculated by the Company and will be the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of the
present values, as of the Redemption Date of this Note, of (A) the respective
interest payments (exclusive of the amount of accrued interest to the Redemption
Date) on this Note that, but for such redemption, would have been payable on
their respective Interest Payment Dates after such Redemption Date, and (B) the
payment of such principal amount that, but for such redemption, would have been
payable on the Stated Maturity over (ii) the amount of such principal to be
redeemed.  Such present values will be determined in accordance with generally
accepted principles of financial analysis by discounting the amounts of such
payments of interest and principal from their respective Stated Maturities to
such Redemption Date at a discount rate equal to the Treasury Yield.

     The "Treasury Yield" in respect of this Note shall be determined as of the
date on which notice of redemption of this Note is sent to the holder hereof by
reference to the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) (or
successor publication) which has become publicly available not more than two
Business Days prior to such date (or, if such Statistical Release (or successor
publication) is no longer published or no longer contains the applicable data,
to the most recently published issue of The Wall Street Journal (Eastern
Edition) published not more than two Business Days prior to such date that
contains such data or, if The Wall Street

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
Journal (Eastern Edition) is no longer published or no longer contains such
data, to any publicly available source of similar market data), and shall be the
most recent weekly average yield on actively traded U.S. Treasury securities
adjusted to a constant maturity equal to the Remaining Life of this Note and, if
applicable, converted to a bond equivalent yield basis as described below. The
"Remaining Life of this Note" shall equal the number of years from the
Redemption Date to the Stated Maturity of this Note; provided that if the
Remaining Life of this Note is not equal to the constant maturity of a U.S.
Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is specified in the
applicable source, then the Remaining Life of this Note shall be rounded to the
nearest one-twelfth of one year and the Treasury Yield shall be obtained by
linear interpolation (computed to the fifth decimal place (one thousandth of a
percentage point) and then rounded to the fourth decimal place (one hundredth of
a percentage point)), after rounding to the nearest one-twelfth of one year,
from the weekly average yields of (a) the actively traded U.S. Treasury security
with a maturity closest to and less than the Remaining Life of this Note and (b)
the actively traded U.S. Treasury security with a maturity closest to and
greater than the Remaining Life of this Note, except that if the Remaining Life
of this Note is less than three months, the weekly average yield on actively
traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of three months
shall be used. The Treasury Yield shall, if expressed on a yield basis other
than that equivalent to a bond equivalent yield basis, be converted to a bond
equivalent yield basis and shall be computed to the fifth decimal place (one
thousandth of a percentage point) and then rounded to the fourth decimal place
(one hundredth of a percentage point).

     Notice of redemption will be provided by mailing a notice of such
redemption to each holder by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days
and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the
respective address of each holder as that address appears in the Security
Register.  In the event of redemption of this Note in part only, a new Note or
Notes for the amount of the unredeemed portion hereof shall be issued in the
name of the holder hereof upon the presentation and cancellation hereof.

     Repayment.  Unless otherwise indicated on the face of this Note, this Note
shall not be subject to repayment at the option of the holder prior to the
Stated Maturity. If so indicated on the face of this Note, this Note may be
subject to repayment at the option of the holder on the date or dates, if any,
specified on the face hereof (the "Optional Redemption Date" or "Optional
Redemption Dates") on the terms set forth herein.

     On any Optional Repayment Date, this Note will be repayable in whole or in
part in increments of U.S. $1,000 or the minimum Authorized Denomination of the
Specified Currency indicated on the face hereof (provided that any remaining
principal amount hereof shall not be less than the minimum Authorized
Denomination hereof) at the option of the holder hereof at a price equal to 100%
of the principal amount to be repaid, together with interest hereon payable to
the date of repayment.  For this Note to be repaid in whole or in part at the
option of the holder hereof, the Company must receive at the corporate trust
office of the Paying Agent in the City of Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
or New York, New York, at least 30 days but not

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
more than 60 days prior to the repayment, (i) this Note with the form entitled
"Option to Elect Repayment" on the reverse hereof duly completed or (ii) a
telegram, facsimile transmission or a letter from a member of a national
securities exchange or a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") or a commercial bank or trust company in the United
States which must set forth the name of the holder of this Note, the principal
amount of this Note, the principal amount of this Note to be repaid, the
certificate number or a description of the tenor and terms of this Note, a
statement that the option to elect repayment is being exercised thereby and a
guarantee that this Note to be repaid, together with the duly completed form
entitled "Option to Elect Repayment" on the reverse hereof, will be received by
the Paying Agent not later than the third Business Day after the date of such
telegram, facsimile transmission or letter; provided, that such telegram,
facsimile transmission or a letter from a member of a national securities
exchange or a member of the NASD or a commercial bank or trust company in the
United States shall only be effective if in such case, this Note and form duly
completed are received by the Paying Agent by such third Business Day. Exercise
of such repayment option by the holder hereof shall be irrevocable. In the event
of repayment of this Note in part only, a new Note or Notes of like tenor for
the amount of the unpaid portion hereof and otherwise having the same terms as
this Note shall be issued in the name of the holder hereof upon cancellation
hereof.

     Optional Extension of Maturity.  If so specified on the face hereof, the
Stated Maturity of this Note may be extended at the option of the Company for
the period or periods of whole years specified on the face hereof (each an
"Extension Period") up to but not beyond the date (the "Final Maturity") set
forth on the face hereof.  If the Company exercises such option, the Paying
Agent will mail to the holder of this Note not later than 40 calendar days prior
to the old Stated Maturity a notice (the "Extension Notice"), first class
postage prepaid, indicating (a) the election of the Company to extend the
Maturity; (b) the new Stated Maturity; (c) the interest rate applicable to the
Extension Period; and (d) the provisions, if any, for redemption during the
Extension Period, including the date or dates on which, the period or periods
during which and the price or prices at which such redemption may occur during
the Extension Period. Upon the Paying Agent's mailing of the Extension Notice,
the Stated Maturity of this Note shall be extended automatically and, except as
modified by the Extension Notice and as described in the next paragraph, this
Note will have the same terms as prior to the mailing of such Notice.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City
time, on the twentieth calendar day prior to the Maturity then in effect (or, if
such day is not a Business Day, not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time,
on the immediately succeeding Business Day), the Company may, at its option,
revoke the Spread and/or Spread Multiplier provided for in the Extension Notice
and establish a higher interest rate for the Extension Period by causing the
Paying Agent to send notice of such Spread and/or Spread Multiplier to the
holder of such Note by first class mail, postage prepaid, or by such other means
as shall be agreed between the Company and the Paying Agent. Such notice shall
be irrevocable. All Notes with respect to which the Maturity is extended in
accordance with an Extension Notice will bear such Spread and/or Spread
Multiplier for the Extension Period, whether or not tendered for payment.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
     If the Company extends the Maturity of this Note, the holder will have the
option to require the Company to repay such Note on Maturity then in effect at a
price equal to the principal amount thereof plus all accrued and unpaid interest
to such date. In order to obtain repayment on the old Stated Maturity once the
Company has extended the Maturity hereof, the holder must follow the procedures
set forth for optional repayment, except that the period for delivery of this
Note or notification to the Paying Agent shall be at least 25 but not more than
35 calendar days prior to the old Stated Maturity and except that if holder has
tendered this Note for repayment pursuant to an Extension Notice, the holder
may, by written notice to the Paying Agent, revoke any such tender for repayment
until 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the twentieth calendar day prior to the
old Stated Maturity (or, if such day is not a Business Day, until 3:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the immediately succeeding Business Day).

     Indexed Notes.  If so stated on the face hereof, the amount of principal,
premium and/or interest payable in respect hereof will be determined with
reference to the price or prices of specific commodities or stocks, or to the
exchange rate of one or more designated currencies (including composite
currencies) relative to an indexed currency or to such other price(s) or
exchange rate(s), as specified on the face hereof.

     Registration of Transfer.  State Street Bank and Trust Company has been
appointed registrar for the Notes (the "Registrar," which term includes any
successor registrar appointed by the Company), and the Registrar will maintain
at its office at Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110 a register for the
registration and transfer of Notes. This Note may be transferred at the
aforesaid office of the Registrar by surrendering this Note for cancellation,
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form approved by the
Registrar and duly executed by the registered holder hereof in person or by the
holder's attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon the Registrar shall
issue in the name of the transferee or transferees, in exchange herefor, a new
Note or Notes having identical terms and provisions for an equal aggregate
principal amount in authorized denominations, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth herein; provided, however, that the Registrar will not be
required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note that has been called
for redemption in whole or in part, or as to which the holder thereof has
elected to cause such Note to be repaid in whole or in part, except the
unredeemed or unpaid portion of Notes being redeemed or repaid in part, or to
register the transfer of or exchange Notes to the extent and during the period
so provided in the Indenture with respect to the redemption of Notes.  Notes are
exchangeable at said office for other Notes of other authorized denominations of
equal aggregate principal amount having identical terms and provisions.  All
such exchanges and transfers of Notes will be free of charge, but the Company
may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge in connection therewith.  All Notes surrendered for exchange shall be
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form approved by the
Registrar and executed by the registered holder in person or by the holder's
attorney duly authorized in writing.  The date of registration of any Note
delivered upon any exchange or transfer of Notes shall be such that no gain or
loss of interest results from such exchange or transfer.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
     In case any Note shall at any time become mutilated, defaced or be
destroyed, lost or stolen and such Note or evidence of the loss, theft or
destruction thereof (together with the indemnity hereinafter referred to and
such other documents or proof as may be required in the premises) shall be
delivered to the Registrar, a new Note of like tenor will be issued by the
Company in exchange for the Note so mutilated or defaced, or in lieu of the Note
so destroyed or lost or stolen, but, in the case of any destroyed or lost or
stolen Note, only upon receipt of evidence satisfactory to the Registrar and the
Company that such Note was destroyed or lost or stolen and, if required, upon
receipt also of indemnity satisfactory to each of them.  All expenses and
reasonable charges associated with procuring such indemnity and with the
preparation, authentication and delivery of a new Note shall be borne by the
owner of the Note mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen.

     This Note, and any Note or Notes issued upon transfer or exchange hereof,
is issuable only in fully registered form, without coupons, in denominations of
U.S. $1,000 or any integral multiple of U.S. $1,000 or the minimum Authorized
Denomination.  If the Specified Currency shown on the face of this Note is other
than U.S. Dollars, the authorized denominations shall be the amount of the
Specified Currency for such Note equivalent, at the noon buying rate in The City
of New York for cable transfers for such Specified Currency (the "Exchange
Rate") on the sixth Business Day in The City of New York and in the country
issuing such currency (or, for ECUs, Brussels) next preceding the date of issue
of such Note, to U.S. $1,000 (rounded to the nearest 1,000 units of such
Specified Currency) and any greater amount that is an integral multiple of 1,000
units of such Specified Currency.

     Events of Default.  If an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture)
with respect to the Notes of this series shall occur and be continuing, the
principal of the Notes of this series may be declared due and payable in the
manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

     Original Issue Discount Notes.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, if this Note is an Original Issue Discount Note, the amount payable in
the event of redemption or repayment prior to the Stated Maturity hereof in lieu
of the principal amount due at the Stated Maturity hereof shall be the Amortized
Face Amount of this Note as of the Redemption Date or the date of repayment, as
the case may be, multiplied by the Redemption Price.  The "Amortized Face
Amount" of this Note shall be the amount equal to (a) the Issue Price (as set
forth on the face hereof) plus (b) that portion of the difference between the
Issue Price and the principal amount hereof that has accrued at the Yield to
Maturity (as set forth on the face hereof) (computed in accordance with
generally accepted United States bond yield computation principles using a
constant yield method) at the date as of which the Amortized Face Amount is
calculated but in no event shall the Amortized Face Amount of this Note exceed
its principal amount.

     The constant yield will be calculated using a 30-day month, 360-day year
convention, a compounding period that, except for the Initial Period (as defined
below), corresponds to the

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
shortest period between Interest Payment Dates (with ratable accruals within a
compounding period, a coupon rate equal to the initial coupon rate applicable to
this Note and an assumption that the Maturity of this Note will not be
accelerated). If the period from the Original Issue Date to the initial Interest
Payment Date (the "Initial Period") is shorter than the compounding period for
this Note, a proportionate amount of the yield for an entire compounding period
will be accrued. If the Initial Period is longer than the compounding period,
then such period will be divided into a regular compounding period and a short
period, with the short period being treated as provided in the preceding
sentence.

     Modifications and Waivers; Obligation of the Company Absolute.  The
Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment
thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and
the rights of the holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under
the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the
holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time
Outstanding of each series to be affected.  The Indenture also contains
provisions permitting the holders of specified percentages in principal amount
of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the
holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company
with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the
Indenture and their consequences.  Any such consent or waiver by the holder of
this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future
holders of this Note and of any Note issued upon the registration of transfer
hereof or in exchange hereof or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such
consent or waiver is made upon this Note.

     No provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the
obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Note at the time, place, and
rate or formula, and in the coin or currency, herein and in the Indenture
prescribed unless otherwise agreed between the Company and the registered holder
of this Note.

     Registered Holder Treated as Owner.  Prior to due presentment of this Note
for registration of transfer, the Company or any agent of the Company, the
Registrar or the Trustee may treat the holder in whose name this Note is
registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Note be
overdue, and neither the Company, the Registrar, the Trustee nor any such agent
shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

     No Recourse Against Certain Persons.  No recourse under or upon any
obligation, covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture or in this Note, or
because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any
promoter, as such, or against any past, present or future shareholder, officer
or trustee, as such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or
through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or
constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal
or equitable proceeding or

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the
acceptance of this Note by the holder hereof and as part of the consideration
for the issue of this Note.

     Governing Law.  This Note shall for all purposes be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

     CUSIP Number.  Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on
Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused "CUSIP"
numbers to be printed on this Note as a convenience to the holders of this Note.
No representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of such CUSIP
numbers as printed on this Note, and reliance may be placed only on the other
identification numbers printed hereon.

     Defined Terms.  All terms used in this Note which are defined in the
Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

     Defeasance.  The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time
of (a) the entire indebtedness of the Company on this Note and (b) certain
restrictive covenants and the related defaults and Events of Default applicable
to the Company, in each case, upon compliance by the Company with certain
conditions set forth in the Indenture, which provisions apply to this Note.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
                                ASSIGNMENT FORM

                   FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby
                       sells, assigns and transfers unto


     PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL
     SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING
     NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
-----------------------------------------------
|                                             |
|                                             |
-----------------------------------------------



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address including
                             Zip Code of Assignee)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the within Security of Security Capital Group Incorporated and hereby does
irrevocably constitute and appoint


----------------------------------------------------------------------- Attorney
to transfer said Security on the books of the within-named Company with full
power of substitution in the premises.

Dated:         . . . . . .          . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

                                     . . . . . . . . . . . . . .



NOTICE:  The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as it
appears on the first page of the within Security in every particular, without
alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
                       FORM OF OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT

          The undersigned hereby irrevocably request(s) and instruct(s) the
Company to repay the within Note (or portion thereof specified below) pursuant
to its terms at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be repaid,
together with unpaid interest to the Repayment Date, to the undersigned, at

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print or typewrite name and address of the undersigned)

If less than the entire principal amount of the within Note is to be repaid,
specify the portion thereof (which shall be increments of U.S. $1,000 (or if the
Specified Currency is other than U.S. dollars, the minimum Authorized
Denomination specified on the face hereof)) which the holder elects to have
repaid:                                                                        ;
       ------------------------------------------------------------------------

and specify the denomination or denominations (which shall not be less than the
minimum authorized denomination) of the Notes to be issued to the holder for the
portion of the within Note not being repaid (in the absence of any such
specification, one such Note will be issued for the portion not being 
repaid):
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------


Dated: 
       ------------------------


NOTICE: The signature on this Option to Elect Repayment must correspond with the
name as written upon the face of the within instrument in every particular
without alteration or enlargement.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
                                    ADDENDUM


     The Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the
Company at any time at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of
the principal amount of such Notes, and (ii) as determined by the Quotation
Agent (as defined below), the sum of the present values of the remaining
scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (not including any portion
of such payments of interest accrued as of the date of redemption) discounted to
the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year
consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate (as defined
below) plus 25 basis points plus, in each case, accrued interest thereon to the
date of redemption.

     "Adjusted Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date, the
rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity to the
Comparable Treasury Issue (as defined below), assuming a price for the
Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount)
equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.

     "Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security
selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining
term of the Notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of
selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new
issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term
of such Notes.

     "Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date, (i)
the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations (as defined below) for
such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference
Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (ii) if the Trustee obtains fewer than three such
Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations.

     "Quotation Agent" means the Reference Treasury Dealer (as defined below)
appointed by the Company.

     "Reference Treasury Dealer" means (i) each of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.,
Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch & Co. and Chase Securities Inc. and their
respective successors; provided, however, that if the foregoing shall cease to
be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a "Primary
Treasury Dealer"), the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary
Treasury Dealer, and (ii) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the
Company.

     "Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation" means, with respect to each Reference
Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the
Company, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its





                               Addendum - Page 1
<PAGE>
 
principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury
Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding
such redemption date.

     Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the redemption date to each holder of the Notes to be redeemed.
Unless the Company defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the
redemption date, interest will cease to accrued on the Notes or portions thereof
called for redemption.

                                 #     #     #




                               Addendum - Page 2