UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT

TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):    December 6, 2011

COMMONWEALTH REIT

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

617-332-3990

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o            Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o            Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01.  Other Events.

On December 6, 2011, CommonWealth REIT, or the Company, issued a press release announcing that it will redeem all of its outstanding 6.95% Senior Notes due 2012 at a redemption price equal to the principal amount of $150,680,000, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. This redemption is expected to occur on January 3, 2012. A Copy of the Company’s press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)  Exhibits.

The Company hereby furnishes the following exhibit:

99.1                       Press Release dated December 6, 2011.

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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 hereunto duly authorized.

Dated:  December 9, 2011

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