Equity Commonwealth Completes Name Change

CHICAGO, July 31, 2014 - (PR NEWSWIRE) - Equity Commonwealth (NYSE: EQC) announced that the process to change the name of the Company from CommonWealth REIT to Equity Commonwealth is complete. In addition, effective tomorrow morning, the Company's common stock will begin trading under the new ticker symbol "EQC."

On August 1, 2014, the Company's combined common shares and other securities currently traded on the New York Stock Exchange will commence trading under new symbols and new CUSIPs as follows:

About Equity Commonwealth
Equity Commonwealth (NYSE: EQC) is an internally managed and self-advised real estate investment trust, which primarily owns office buildings located in central business districts and suburban locations across the country, with executive offices in Chicago, Ill.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions made by management. While Equity Commonwealth management believes the assumptions underlying its forward-looking statements are reasonable, such information is inherently subject to uncertainties and may involve certain risks. Other risks and uncertainties are described under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and available on our website, www.eqcre.com. Many of these uncertainties and risks are difficult to predict and beyond management's control. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, results or events. We cannot assure you that the name change and the new ticker symbol will become effective on August 1, 2014, or at all. Equity Commonwealth assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events.

Investor and Media Contact
Sarah Byrnes, Equity Commonwealth, (312) 646-2801

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