As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 24, 2003

                                                      Registration No. 333-_____
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                               ------------------
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                               ------------------
                               ACADIA REALTY TRUST
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


                Maryland                                  23-2715194
        (State or Other Jurisdiction                   (I.R.S. Employer
      of Incorporation or Organization)             Identification Number)


                            20 Soundview Marketplace
                         Port Washington, New York 11050
                                 (516) 767-8830
    (Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code,
                  of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)

          Kenneth F. Bernstein                        With copies to:
           Acadia Realty Trust                    Mark Schonberger, Esq.
        20 Soundview Marketplace           Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
     Port Washington, New York 11050                75 East 55th Street
             (516) 767-8830                      New York, New York 10022
     (Name, Address, Including Zip Code,              (212) 318-6000
       and Telephone Number, Including
       Area Code, of Agent For Service)


      Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From
      time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

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

    If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. |_|
    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. |X|
    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. |_|
    If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier registration statement for the same
offering. |_|
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. |_|

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




                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

====================================================================================================================================

                                                                        Proposed Maximum   Proposed Maximum
  Title of each class of securities                     Amount to Be     Offering Price        Aggregate           Amount of
        to be registered                                 Registered        Per Unit (1)    Offering Price (1)   Registration Fee (1)
====================================================================================================================================
                                                                                                        
Common shares of beneficial interest, par value $.001       N/A               N/A             $75,000,000           $6,067.50
   per share
Preferred shares of beneficial interest
====================================================================================================================================

 1.Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee in
   accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, and based upon
   the maximum aggregate offering price of all securities being registered.
 2.Such indeterminate number of shares as may from time to time be issued at
   indeterminate prices registered hereunder.


The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant will file a
further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement
will thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement will become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.


================================================================================






The information contained in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed.
We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer
to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any state where such offer or sale is not permitted.

================================================================================

                   Preliminary Prospectus Dated _______, 2003
                              Subject to Completion
                                   $75,000,000

                               ACADIA REALTY TRUST
                              ---------------------

               Common and Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest


        We may offer, from time to time:

        o     common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share;
              and

        o     preferred shares of beneficial interest.

        For each type of securities  listed above,  the amount,  price and terms
will be determined at or prior to the time of sale.

        The specific terms of these  securities will be set forth in one or more
supplements  to this  prospectus,  which will also  contain  information,  where
appropriate,  about the risk  factors  and  federal  income  tax  considerations
relating  to  these  securities.   You  should  read  this  prospectus  and  any
accompanying prospectus supplement carefully before you purchase our securities.

        We may sell these  securities  directly  to  investors  or to or through
underwriters,  dealers  or  agents.  More  information  about  the  way we  will
distribute  these  securities  is in the  prospectus  under the heading "Plan of
Distribution"  on page 7. This  prospectus  may not be used to sell any of these
securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

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


        Neither the Securities and Exchange  Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or  disapproved  of these  securities or passed upon the
adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.

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


                   The date of this prospectus is _____, 2003


================================================================================





                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----


INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS..............................................1
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION....................................................1
OUR COMPANY....................................................................2
DESCRIPTION OF OUR SHARES......................................................3
USE OF PROCEEDS................................................................8
INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.........................................8
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION...........................................................8
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERENCE
     DIVIDENDS.................................................................9
EXPERTS........................................................................9
LEGAL MATTERS..................................................................9
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION...........................................10
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE...............................10

                                       i



                        INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This  prospectus is part of a registration  statement that we filed with
the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  ("SEC") using a "shelf"  registration
process.  Under this shelf process,  we may sell in one or more  offerings,  our
equity  securities with an aggregate public offering price of up to $75,000,000.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may
offer.  Each time we sell  securities,  we will provide a prospectus  supplement
that will contain  specific  information  about the terms of that offering.  The
prospectus  supplement may also add, update or change  information  contained in
this prospectus. Before you invest, you should read both this prospectus and the
applicable  prospectus  supplement  together  with  the  additional  information
described  in this  prospectus  under  the  headings  "Where  You Can Find  More
Information" on page 9 and  "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference" on
page 9.

                           FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

        Certain  information both included and incorporated by reference in this
prospectus may contain forward-looking  statements within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange
Act of 1934 and as such may involve known and unknown risks,  uncertainties  and
other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to
be  materially  different  from  future  results,  performance  or  achievements
expressed  or  implied  by  such  forward-looking  statements.   Forward-looking
statements,  which are based on  certain  assumptions  and  describe  our future
plans,  strategies and  expectations  are generally  identifiable  by use of the
words "may," "will," "should," "expect,"  "anticipate,"  "estimate,"  "believe,"
"intend" or  "project" or the negative  thereof or other  variations  thereon or
comparable  terminology.  Factors which could have a material  adverse effect on
the operations and future prospects of our Company include,  but are not limited
to those set forth under the heading  "Risk  Factors" in any  supplement to this
prospectus. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating any
forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference herein.





        You should rely only on the  information  incorporated  by  reference or
provided in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.  We have
not authorized  anyone to provide you with  additional  information.  We are not
making  an  offer  of these  securities  in any  state  where  the  offer is not
permitted.  You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or the
accompanying  prospectus  supplement  is  accurate as of any date other than the
date of this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement.

        Throughout this  prospectus,  the terms "Company," "we," "our" and "us,"
are all  used in  reference  to  Acadia  Realty  Trust,  except  as the  context
otherwise requires.



                                   OUR COMPANY

        We are Acadia Realty Trust  (formerly  known as Mark Centers  Trust),  a
Maryland real estate investment trust ("REIT") formed on March 4, 1993. We are a
fully  integrated,   self-managed  and  self-administered  equity  REIT  focused
primarily  on  the  ownership,  acquisition,  redevelopment  and  management  of
neighborhood and community shopping centers.  All of our assets are held by, and
all of our operations are conducted through,  Acadia Realty Limited Partnership,
a  Delaware  limited   partnership   formerly  known  as  Mark  Centers  Limited
Partnership.   We  refer  to  Acadia   Realty   Limited   Partnership   and  its
majority-owned  subsidiaries  as the  "Operating  Partnership"  throughout  this
prospectus.  As of  the  date  of  this  prospectus,  we  controlled  90% of the
Operating  Partnership  as  the  sole  general  partner.  The  limited  partners
represent  entities or individuals  who  contributed  their interests in certain
properties or partnerships  to the Operating  Partnership in exchange for common
or preferred  units of limited  partnership  interest,  which we refer to as "OP
Units."  The  common  OP Units  are  exchangeable  for our  common  shares  on a
one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment for certain events.

        We  currently  operate 62  properties  which we own or have an ownership
interest in, consisting of 58 neighborhood and community  shipping centers,  one
enclosed mall, one mixed-use property  (retail/residential)  and two multifamily
properties, all of which are located in the Northeast,  Mid-Atlantic and Midwest
United States, totaling approximately 9.0 million square feet.

        Our  primary  business  objective  is to acquire  and manage  commercial
retail  properties that will provide cash for  distributions to our shareholders
while also  creating  potential  for capital  appreciation  to enhance  investor
returns. Currently, the primary conduit for our acquisition program is through a
newly-formed joint venture, the Acadia Strategic  Opportunity Fund, LP, which we
and four of our institutional  shareholders formed in September 2001. Initially,
the investors  committed $70 million.  We committed an additional $20 million of
investor  capital  to the  venture  and will be  entitled  to  receive  standard
management, construction and leasing fees with respect to properties acquired by
the joint venture. In addition, we are entitled to an asset management fee equal
to 1.5% of the capital  committed as well as an  incentive  payment of 20% after
the return of all investor capital with a 9% preferred return.

        We have elected to be treated as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.
This treatment  permits us to deduct dividend  distributions to our shareholders
for  federal  income tax  purposes,  thus  effectively  eliminating  the "double
taxation" that generally results when a corporation earns income and distributes
that income to its  shareholders  by way of dividends.  In order to maintain our
status as a REIT,  we must comply with a number of  requirements  under  federal
income  tax  law.  See  "Risk   Factors"  and   "Certain   Federal   Income  Tax
Considerations" in the supplement relating to this prospectus.

                                       2



        Investing in our  securities  involves  various  risks.  In  considering
whether to purchase our securities,  you should  carefully  consider the matters
discussed under "Risk Factors" in the supplement relating to this prospectus.

        Our principal executive offices are located at 20 Soundview Marketplace,
Port Washington, New York, 10050, and our telephone number is (516) 767-8830.



                            DESCRIPTION OF OUR SHARES

        The following  description of our shares does not purport to be complete
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to applicable Maryland law, and to
provisions of our declaration of trust, as amended and restated, copies of which
are exhibits to the  registration  statement of which this prospectus is a part.
See "Where You Can Find More Information," on page 9.

        Overview

        Under our declaration of trust,  our board of trustees has the authority
to issue 100,000,000 shares of beneficial interest in our Company, consisting of
common  shares,  preferred  shares  and other  types or  classes  of  securities
(including debt securities) representing a beneficial interest in our Company.

        As of the date of this prospectus,  our issued and outstanding shares of
beneficial  interest consist of 25,561,216 common shares.  There are also issued
and  outstanding,  2,894,033 OP Units  convertible  into our common  shares on a
one-for-one basis and 2,212  convertible  preferred OP Units convertible into OP
Units at a conversion price of $7.50 per share based on a stated value of $1,000
per preferred OP Unit.  The  convertible  preferred OP Units have a distribution
preference  and entitle the holder  thereof to a 9%  dividend  yield.  We do not
currently have any preferred shares issued and outstanding.

        Subject to the New York Stock Exchange  rules which require  shareholder
approval for certain  issuances of securities,  we may issue shares from time to
time in one or more series,  generally without shareholder  approval,  with such
preferences,   conversion  and  other  rights,   voting  powers,   restrictions,
limitations  as to  distributions,  qualifications  and terms and  conditions of
redemption as are permitted by Maryland law and as  established  by our board of
trustees.

        The  following   description   sets  forth  certain  general  terms  and
provisions  of our shares to which a supplement to this  prospectus  may relate.
The  particular  terms of the shares being  offered and the extent to which such
general  provisions may apply will be described in the applicable  supplement to
this  prospectus  relating to such shares.  If so  indicated  in the  applicable
supplement to this prospectus, the terms of any series of shares may differ from
the terms set forth below,  except those terms  required by our  declaration  of
trust.  The statements  below describing our shares are subject to and qualified
by reference to the applicable provisions of our declaration of trust.

        General Description of our Common Shares

        General.  Unless otherwise provided for in the applicable  supplement to
this  prospectus,  our common shares have equal dividend,  liquidation and other
rights,  and have no preference,  exchange or appraisal  rights,  except for any
appraisal  rights provided by Maryland law. Holders of our common shares have no
conversion, sinking fund or redemption rights, or preemptive rights to subscribe
for any of our securities.


                                       3



        Distributions.  Holders of our common  shares may receive  distributions
out of assets that we can legally use to pay distributions, when and if they are
authorized and declared by our board of trustees. Each common shareholder shares
in the same  proportion as other common  shareholders  out of the assets that we
can legally use to pay distributions after we pay or make adequate provision for
all of our known debts and liabilities in the event we are liquidated, dissolved
or our affairs are wound up.

        Voting  Rights.  Holders of our common  shares have the power to vote on
all matters  presented  to our common  shareholders,  including  the election of
trustees, except as otherwise provided by Maryland law. Our declaration of trust
prohibits us from merging, if we are not the surviving entity, or selling all or
substantially  all of our assets  without  the  approval  of  two-thirds  of the
outstanding shares that are entitled to vote on such matters;  all other mergers
or consolidations  require approval of a majority of the outstanding shares that
are entitled to vote on such matters.  Holders of our common shares are entitled
to one vote per share.

        There is no  cumulative  voting in the election of our  trustees,  which
means that holders of more than 50% of the common shares voting for the election
of  trustees  can  elect  all of the  trustees  if they  choose to do so and the
holders of the remaining shares cannot elect any trustees.

        Restrictions  on  Transfer.  To  qualify  as a REIT  under the  Internal
Revenue  Code  of  1986,  we  must  satisfy  certain   ownership   requirements.
Specifically, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding common shares may be
owned,  directly or indirectly,  by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to include certain  entities) during the last half
of a taxable year,  and the common shares must be  beneficially  owned by 100 or
more  persons  during at least 335 days of a  taxable  year of twelve  months or
during a  proportionate  part of a shorter  taxable  year.  We must also satisfy
certain income requirements to maintain our REIT status. One such requirement is
that at least 75% of our  Company's  gross  income for each  calendar  year must
consist of rents from real  property and income from certain other real property
investments.  This is  complicated  by the fact that the rents  received  by the
Operating  Partnership  will not qualify as rents from real  property if we own,
actually  or  constructively,  10% or more  of the  ownership  interests  in our
lessees, within the meaning of section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended.  See "Federal Income Tax Considerations," in the applicable
supplement to this prospectus.

        Because  our  board  of  trustees  believes  it is  essential  for us to
continue to qualify as a REIT,  our  declaration  of trust  contains  provisions
aimed at satisfying the requirements described above. In regard to the ownership
requirements,  our  declaration  of  trust  provides  that  subject  to  certain
exceptions,  no person may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, more than 4% of our outstanding
common   shares.   Our  trustees  may  waive  this  4%  limitation  if  evidence
satisfactory  to them or our tax counsel is presented  that such  ownership will
not jeopardize our status as a REIT. As a condition of such waiver, our trustees
may require opinions of counsel  satisfactory to them and/or an undertaking from
the applicant with respect to preserving our REIT status.

        The trustees of Mark Centers Trust waived the 4% ownership limitation in
August 1998 when  certain  affiliates  of RD Capital,  Inc.  received  shares in
consideration  of their  contribution  to Mark Center Limited  Partnership.  Our
trustees waived the 4% ownership limitation in January 2002, when they permitted
Yale University to acquire  2,266,667 common shares.  As a condition to allowing
the  acquisition,  a voting  trust was  created  whereby  all  shares  that Yale
University owns in excess of 30% of our outstanding  common shares will be voted
in the same  proportion as all other shares voted,  excluding Yale. Our trustees
permitted  investors owning in excess of 4% of the trust's outstanding shares to
acquire additional shares on three other occasions through open market purchases
transacted during specified three-month windows.


                                       4



        In  addition,  our  declaration  of trust  provides  that any  purported
transfer or  issuance of shares or  securities  transferable  into shares  which
would (i) violate the 4% limitation described above, (ii) result in shares being
owned by fewer than 100  persons  for  purposes  of the REIT  provisions  of the
Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, (iii) result in our Company being "closely held"
with the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or (iv)
otherwise  jeopardize our REIT status under the Internal Revenue Code (including
a transfer which would cause us to own, actually or constructively, 9.8% or more
of the  ownership  interests  in one of our  lessees)  will be null  and void ab
initio (from the beginning). Moreover, common shares transferred, or proposed to
be transferred,  in contravention of the above will be subject to purchase by us
at a price  equal to the lesser of (i) the price  stipulated  in the  challenged
transaction  and (ii) the  fair  market  value  of such  shares  (determined  in
accordance with the rules set forth in our declaration of trust).

        All certificates  representing the common shares bear a legend referring
to the restrictions described above.

        The  ownership  limitations  described  above  could  have the effect of
delaying,  deferring  or  preventing  a takeover or other  transaction  in which
holders of some,  or a majority,  of common  shares might  receive a premium for
their shares over the then  prevailing  market price or which such holders might
believe to be otherwise in their best interest.

        Transfer Agent and  Registrar.  The transfer agent and registrar for our
common shares will be set forth in the applicable supplement to this prospectus.

        General Description of our Preferred Shares

        General. Subject to limitations prescribed by Maryland law and our trust
agreement,  our board of trustees is  authorized  to issue one or more series of
preferred shares from time to time and, with respect to any such series,  to fix
the  designations,  numbers,  preferences,  conversion or other  rights,  voting
powers, restrictions,  limitations as to dividends,  qualifications and terms or
conditions of redemption of such series.

        Reference is made to any supplement to this  prospectus  relating to the
preferred shares offered thereby for specific items, including:

        o     The title and stated value of such preferred shares;

        o     The number of shares of such preferred shares offered, the
              liquidation preference per share and the offering price of such
              preferred shares;

        o     The distribution rate(s), period(s), and/or payment date(s) or
              method(s) of calculation thereof applicable to such preferred
              shares;

        o     The date from which distributions on such preferred shares shall
              accumulate, if applicable;

        o     The procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for such
              preferred shares;

        o     The provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for such preferred
              shares;

        o     The provision for redemption, if applicable, of such preferred
              shares;


                                       5



        o     Any listing of such preferred shares on any securities exchange;

        o     The terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which such preferred
              shares will be convertible into common shares, including the
              conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof);

        o     A discussion of federal income tax considerations applicable to
              such preferred shares;

        o     The relative ranking and preferences of such preferred shares as
              to distribution rights (including whether any liquidation
              preference as to the preferred shares will be treated as a
              liability for purposes of determining the availability of assets
              for distributions to holders of shares ranking junior to the
              preferred shares as to distribution rights) and rights upon our
              liquidation or winding up of our affairs;

        o     Any limitations on issuance of any series of preferred shares
              ranking senior to or on a parity with such series of preferred
              shares as to distribution rights and rights upon the liquidation,
              dissolution or winding up of our affairs; and

        o     Any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or
              restrictions of such preferred shares.

        Rank.  Unless otherwise  indicated in the applicable  supplement to this
prospectus,  our preferred shares rank, with respect to payment of distributions
and rights upon our  liquidation,  dissolution  or winding up, and allocation of
our earnings and losses:

        o     senior to all classes or series of common shares, and to all
              equity securities ranking junior to such preferred shares;

        o     on a parity with all equity securities issued by us, the terms of
              which specifically provide that such equity securities rank on a
              parity with the preferred shares; and

        o     junior to all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which
              specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to
              the preferred shares.

        Distributions.  Subject to any  preferential  rights of any  outstanding
shares or series of shares,  our preferred  shareholders are entitled to receive
distributions,  when and as authorized by our board of trustees,  out of legally
available  funds,  and share pro rata based on the number of  preferred  shares,
common shares and other parity equity securities outstanding. Distributions will
be made at such rates and on such  dates as will be set forth in the  applicable
supplement to this prospectus.

        Voting Rights.  Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable  supplement
to this  prospectus,  holders of our  preferred  shares will not have any voting
rights.

        Liquidation Preference.  Upon the voluntary or involuntary  liquidation,
dissolution  or winding up of our  affairs,  then,  before any  distribution  or
payment  shall be made to the holders of any common shares or any other class or
series of shares ranking junior to the preferred  shares in our  distribution of
assets  upon any  liquidation,  dissolution  or winding  up, the holders of each
series of preferred  shares are entitled to receive,  after payment or provision
for  payment  of our debts  and other  liabilities,  out of our  assets  legally
available for  distribution to  shareholders,  liquidating  distributions in the
amount of the  liquidation  preference  per share (set  forth in the  applicable
supplement to this  prospectus),  plus an amount,  if  applicable,  equal to all
distributions   accrued  and  unpaid   thereon  (which  shall  not  include  any


                                       6



accumulation in respect of unpaid  distributions for prior distribution  periods
if such preferred shares do not have a cumulative  distribution).  After payment
of the full amount of the liquidating  distributions to which they are entitled,
the  holders  of  preferred  shares  will  have no  right or claim to any of our
remaining  assets.  In the  event  that,  upon  any  such  of our  voluntary  or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the legally available assets
are  insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating  distributions  on all of
our outstanding preferred shares and the corresponding amounts payable on all of
our  shares of other  classes or series of equity  security  ranking on a parity
with the  preferred  shares  in the  distribution  of assets  upon  liquidation,
dissolution  or winding  up, then the  holders of our  preferred  shares and all
other such  classes or series of equity  securities  shall share  ratably in any
such distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating  distributions
to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.

        If the  liquidating  distributions  are made in full to all  holders  of
preferred shares, our remaining assets shall be distributed among the holders of
any other classes or series of equity  security  ranking junior to the preferred
shares  upon our  liquidation,  dissolution  or winding up,  according  to their
respective rights and preferences and in each case according to their respective
number of shares.

        Conversion Rights.  The terms and conditions,  if any, upon which shares
of any series of preferred shares are convertible into common shares will be set
forth in the applicable  supplement to this prospectus.  Such terms will include
the number of common shares into which the preferred shares are convertible, the
conversion  price (or manner of calculation  thereof),  the  conversion  period,
provisions as to whether  conversion will be at the option of the holders of the
preferred  shares or us, the events  requiring an adjustment  of the  conversion
price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of such
preferred shares.

        Redemption.  If  so  provided  in  the  applicable  supplement  to  this
prospectus,  our  preferred  shares will be subject to mandatory  redemption  or
redemption at our option,  in whole or in part, in each case upon the terms,  at
the times and at the  redemption  prices  set forth in such  supplement  to this
prospectus.

        Registrar and Transfer  Agent.  The registrar and transfer agent for our
preferred  shares  will  be set  forth  in the  applicable  supplement  to  this
prospectus.


                                       7



                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

        Unless otherwise described in a supplement to this prospectus, we expect
to use the net  proceeds  of the sale of our  securities  primarily  to acquire,
redevelop and manage commercial retail properties, as described in detail in the
prospectus  supplement  depending  upon  the  circumstances  at the  time of the
related  offering,   and  for  other  general  Company  purposes.  Any  specific
allocation  of the net  proceeds  of an  offering  of  securities  to a specific
purpose will be determined at the time of such offering and will be described in
the related supplement to this prospectus.

                     INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL

        Martin L. Edelman,  one of our  trustees,  is counsel to the law firm of
Paul, Hastings,  Janofsky & Walker LLP. Paul Hastings is rendering an opinion as
to certain tax matters in the registration statement of which this prospectus is
a part.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may sell our securities in or outside the United States to or through
underwriters  or dealers,  through agents or directly to other  purchasers.  The
applicable  supplement to this prospectus  with respect to our securities,  will
set forth the terms of the  offering of our  securities,  including  the name or
names of any  underwriters,  dealers or agents,  the public offering price,  any
underwriting  discounts and other items constituting  underwriter  compensation,
any discounts or  concessions  allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers,  and any
securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed.

        Our securities  may be sold directly by us or through agents  designated
by us from  time to time at  fixed  prices,  which  may be  changed.  Any  agent
involved  in the  offer  or  sale  of our  securities  will  be  named,  and any
commissions  payable by us to such agent will be set forth, in the supplement to
this prospectus relating thereto.

        The  distribution of our securities may be effected from time to time in
one or more  transactions at a fixed price or prices,  which may be changed,  at
market  prices  prevailing  at the  time of  sale,  at  prices  related  to such
prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices.

        In connection  with the sale of our  securities,  underwriters or agents
may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of our securities,  for whom
they may act as agents,  in the form of discounts,  concessions or  commissions.
Underwriters may sell our securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may
receive  compensation in the form of discounts,  concessions or commissions from
the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as
agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of
our securities may be deemed to be  underwriters  under the Securities  Act, and
any discounts or  commissions  they receive from us and any profit on the resale
of our securities  they realize may be deemed to be  underwriting  discounts and
commissions  under the  Securities  Act. Any such  underwriter  or agent will be
identified, and any such compensation received from us will be described, in the
applicable  supplement  to this  prospectus.  Unless  otherwise set forth in the
supplement  to  this  prospectus  relating  thereto,   the  obligations  of  the
underwriters  or agents to purchase our securities will be subject to conditions
precedent and the underwriters  will be obligated to purchase all our securities
if any are purchased. The public offering price and any discounts or concessions
allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.


                                       8



        Any  securities   sold  pursuant  to  this   prospectus  and  applicable
prospectus supplement, will be approved for trading, upon notice of issuance, on
the New York Stock Exchange.

        Under  agreements  into which we may enter,  underwriters,  dealers  and
agents who participate in the  distribution of our securities may be entitled to
indemnification  by us against  and  contribution  toward  certain  liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.

        Underwriters,  dealers and agents may engage in  transactions  with,  or
perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

        In order to  comply  with the  securities  laws of  certain  states,  if
applicable,  our  securities  will be sold in such  jurisdictions  only  through
registered  or  licensed  brokers or dealers.  In  addition,  in certain  states
securities  may not be sold unless they have been  registered  or qualified  for
sale  in  the  applicable  state  or  an  exemption  from  the  registration  or
qualification requirement is available and complied with.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERENCE DIVIDENDS

        The  following  table sets forth our  historical  ratio of  earnings  to
combined fixed charges and preference dividends for the periods indicated:


                               Year Ended December 31,
                               -----------------------

                1998          1999       2000        2001        2002
              ------------------------------------------------------------

                0.23          1.34       1.41        1.53        2.00
              ============================================================


        For the purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and
preference  dividends,  earnings were  calculated  using income before  minority
interests,  adding back total fixed charges less  preference  security  dividend
requirements  of  consolidated  subsidiaries.  Fixed charges consist of interest
expense,  minority  interest  in  income  of  subsidiary,   recurring  fees  and
amortization  of  capitalized  costs  related  to  indebtedness  and  preference
security dividend requirements of consolidated subsidiaries. Other than in 1998,
there are no years in which earnings were  insufficient  to cover combined fixed
charges and preference  dividends.  In 1998, earnings were adversely affected by
certain  non-recurring charges associated with the acquisition of properties and
issuance of common  shares and OP Units to  affiliates  of RD Capital,  Inc., as
well as  expenses  recognized  in  connection  with the  settlement  of  certain
litigation.

                                     EXPERTS

        Our consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by
reference  from our Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31,
2002 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent  auditors, as stated in
their  report  which  is  incorporated  herein  by  reference,  and has  been so
incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority
as experts in accounting and auditing.

                                  LEGAL MATTERS

        Certain  legal  matters  will be passed  upon for us by Paul,  Hastings,
Janofsky & Walker LLP, New York, New York.  The validity of the securities  will
be passed upon for us by Berliner, Corcoran & Rowe L.L.P., Washington, DC.


                                       9



                       WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION


        We are  subject  to the  informational  requirements  of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended (the  "Exchange  Act").  As a result,  we file
annual,  quarterly and special reports,  proxy statements and other  information
with the Securities and Exchange Commission  ("SEC").  You may read and copy any
document we file at the SEC's  regional  offices at Citigroup  Center,  500 West
Madison Street, Room 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511.  Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further  information on the operation of the Public Reference
Rooms.  The SEC  maintains an internet  site that  contains  reports,  proxy and
information  statements,  and other information that we file electronically with
the SEC and which are available at the SEC's web site at: http://www.sec.gov.

        We have filed with the SEC a  registration  statement  on Form S-3 under
the  Securities  Act to register  the shares  offered by this  prospectus.  This
prospectus  is part of the  registration  statement.  This  prospectus  does not
contain all the information  contained in the registration  statement because we
have omitted certain parts of the registration  statement in accordance with the
rules and  regulations  of the SEC.  You can  obtain a copy of the  registration
statement  from the SEC at the address  listed  above or from the SEC's web site
listed above.

                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

        The SEC allows us to  "incorporate by reference" the information we file
with them,  which means that we can  disclose  important  information  to you by
referring you to those documents.  The information  incorporated by reference is
considered to be part of this  prospectus,  and  information  that we file later
with the SEC will  automatically  update  and  supersede  this  information.  We
incorporate  by reference the documents  listed below and any future  filings we
will make with the SEC under Section 13(a),  13(c),  14 or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act:

        o     Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
              31, 2002, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2003 (SEC File No.
              001-12002);

        o     The description of our common shares of beneficial interest
              contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A together with
              all amendments and reports updating such description dated May 21,
              1993 (SEC File No. 33-6008).

        You may request a copy of these  filings (not  including the exhibits to
such documents unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in
the  information  contained  in this  prospectus),  at no cost,  by  writing  or
telephoning us at the following address:

                               Acadia Realty Trust

                            20 Soundview Marketplace

                         Port Washington, New York 11050

                                Attn: Jon Grisham

              Telephone requests may be directed to (516) 767-8830.

        This  prospectus is part of a  registration  statement we filed with the
SEC. You should rely only on the information or representations provided in this
prospectus. We have authorized no one to provide you with different information.
We are not making an offer of these  securities  in any state where the offer is


                                       10



not permitted.  You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is
accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.

        Statements  contained  in  this  prospectus  as to the  contents  of any
contract or document are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference
is made to the copy of that  contract  or  document  filed as an  exhibit to the
registration  statement or as an exhibit to another filing,  each such statement
being qualified in all respects by such reference and the exhibits and schedules
thereto.


                                       11



================================================================================



                                   $75,000,000


                               ACADIA REALTY TRUST


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


                                   Prospectus


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





                                  ______, 2003



================================================================================





                                    PART II.
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14     OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

      The estimated expenses in connection with the offering are as follows:

      Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee......... $    6,067.50
      Accounting fees and expenses................................      5,000.00
      Legal fees and expenses.....................................     15,000.00
      Miscellaneous...............................................      1,000.00
                                                                   -------------
            TOTAL................................................. $   27,067.50
                                                                   =============


ITEM 15     INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS.

      Our bylaws and declaration of trust authorize our Company, to the extent
permitted under Maryland law, to indemnify its trustees and officers in their
capacity as such. Section 8-301(15) of the Maryland General Corporation Law
("MGCL") permits a Maryland REIT to indemnify or advance expenses to trustees
and officers to the same extent as is permitted for directors and officers of a
Maryland corporation under the MGCL. The MGCL requires a Maryland corporation
(unless its charter provides otherwise, which our declaration of trust does not)
to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or
otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he is made a party by
reason of his service in that capacity. The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation
to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others,
against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses
actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be
made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it
is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was
material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in
bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the
director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money,
property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director
or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was
unlawful. However, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse
judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of
liability on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received, unless
in either case a court orders indemnification and then only for expenses. In
addition, the MGCL permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a
director or officer upon the corporation's receipt of a written affirmation by
the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met
the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and a
written undertaking by such director or officer on his or her behalf to repay
the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it shall ultimately be
determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

      Our bylaws also permit our Company, subject to the approval of our board
of trustees, to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served as a
predecessor of our Company in any of the capacities described above and to any
employee or agent of our Company or a predecessor of our Company.

      In addition to the above, our Company has purchased and maintains
insurance on behalf of all of its trustees and executive officers against
liability asserted against or incurred by them in their official capacities with
our Company, whether or not our Company is required or has the power to
indemnify them against the same liability.





Item 16.    Exhibits.




                                                        
1.1       Underwriting Agreement                              To be filed by amendment

4.1       Specimen Share Certificate                          Filed herewith

5.1       Opinion  of   Berliner,   Corcoran  &  Rowe         Filed herewith
          L.L.P.   regarding   the  legality  of  the
          securities being registered

8.1       Opinion  of  Paul,  Hastings,   Janofsky  &         Filed herewith
          Walker LLP regarding certain tax matters

12.1      Statement  regarding  computation of Ratios         Filed herewith
          of Earnings to Fixed Charges

23.1      Consent  of   Berliner,   Corcoran  &  Rowe         Filed herewith
          L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1)

23.2      Consent  of  Paul,  Hastings,   Janofsky  &         Filed herewith
          Walker LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1)

23.3      Consent  of Ernst & Young  LLP  (New  York,         Filed herewith
          New York)

24.1      Power of Attorney  (included  on  signature         Filed herewith
          page hereto)



Item 17.    Undertakings.

    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

            (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement;

                  (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act of 1933;

                  (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration
statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of
securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not
exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high and of
the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of a
prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume
and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering
price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective
registration statement; and

                  (iii) To include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or
any material change to such information in the registration statement;

            Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply
if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration
statement.





            (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offering therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.

            (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

      The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.

      Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the provisions referred to in Item 15 of this
Registration Statement, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in
the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim
for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit, or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer, or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question as to whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the act, and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.





                                   SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Acadia
Realty Trust certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Port Washington, State of New York,
on this 24th day of April, 2003.


                            ACADIA REALTY TRUST
                            A Maryland real estate investment trust (registrant)

                            By:   /s/ Kenneth F. Bernstein
                                  ------------------------
                                  Name:  Kenneth F. Bernstein
                                  Title: Chief Executive Officer


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

      Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints
[Kenneth F. Bernstein] and [Robert Masters], and each or either of them, his
true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments)
to this Registration Statement (or any registration statement for the same
offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the
Securities Act of 1933) and to cause the same to be filed, with all exhibits
thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, hereby granting to said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and
each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing whatsoever requisite or desirable to be done in and about the premises, as
fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all acts and things that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them, or their substitutes or
substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.


Signature                      Title                           Date
---------                      -----                           ----

/s/ Kenneth F. Bernstein       Chief Executive Officer,        April 24, 2003
------------------------       President and Trustee
Kenneth F. Bernstein           (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Michael Nelsen             Senior Vice President and       April 24, 2003
------------------             Chief Financial Officer
Michael Nelsen                 (Principal Financial and
                               Accounting Officer)

/s/ Ross Dworman               Chairman and Trustee            April 24, 2003
----------------
Ross Dworman

/s/ Martin L. Edelman          Trustee                         April 24, 2003
---------------------
Martin L. Edelman

/s/ Alan S. Forman             Trustee                         April 24, 2003
------------------
Alan S. Forman

/s/ Marvin L. Levine           Trustee                         April 24, 2003
--------------------
Marvin L. Levine




/s/ Lawrence J. Longua         Trustee                         April 24, 2003
----------------------
Lawrence J. Longua

/s/ Gregory White              Trustee                         April 24, 2003
-----------------
Gregory White

/s/ Lee S. Wielansky           Trustee                         April 24, 2003
--------------------
Lee S. Wielansky





                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.             Description
-----------             -----------


1.1               Underwriting Agreement

4.1*              Specimen Share Certificate

5.1*              Opinion  of   Berliner,   Corcoran  &  Rowe
                  L.L.P.   regarding   the  legality  of  the
                  securities being registered

8.1*              Opinion  of  Paul,  Hastings,   Janofsky  &
                  Walker LLP regarding certain tax matters

12.1*             Statement  regarding  computation of Ratios
                  of Earnings to Fixed Charges

23.1*             Consent  of   Berliner,   Corcoran  &  Rowe
                  L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1)

23.2*             Consent  of  Paul,  Hastings,   Janofsky  &
                  Walker LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1)

23.3*             Consent  of Ernst & Young  LLP  (New  York,
                  New York)

24.1*             Power of Attorney  (included  on  signature
                  page hereto)


------------------------
* Filed herewith