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                                                                    Exhibit 10.9

                                OPTION AGREEMENT


                  THIS OPTION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made as of this
22nd day of August, 1996, by and between C/N HORSHAM TOWNE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
a Pennsylvania limited partnership, having an address c/o The Nichols Company,
16 Campus Boulevard, Newtown Square, PA 19073 (hereinafter called "Optionor"),
and BRANDYWINE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership,
having an address c/o Brandywine Realty Trust, Suite 100, Two Greentree Center,
Marlton, NJ 08053 (hereinafter called "Optionee").


                                   Background

                  A. Optionor is the owner of all those certain tracts or
parcels of ground, and all improvements thereon, located at 255, 355, 455 and
555 Business Center Drive, Horsham, Pennsylvania, as more fully described on
Exhibit "A" (collectively, the "Property").

                  B. Pursuant to a Contribution Agreement dated as of July 30,
1996 (the "Contribution Agreement") by and among Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.
("SSI"), The Nichols Company ("TNC") and Brandywine Realty Trust ("BRT"), SSI,
TNC and BRT have today conveyed certain properties to Optionee in exchange for
the issuance of units of Class A limited partnership interests in Optionee (the
"LP Units"). Optionor is an affiliate of TNC. Optionor desires to grant to
Optionee and Optionee desires to receive an option to acquire the Property from
Optionor upon the terms and conditions contained herein.

                                    Agreement

                  The parties hereto, in consideration of the sum of Ten Dollars
($10.00), the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and the
mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and intending to be legally
bound hereby, agree as follows:

                  1. Grant of Option. Optionor does hereby grant to Optionee the
right and option (the "Option") to acquire the Property in exchange for issuance
of LP Units based on the Exchange Price (as defined below) and otherwise upon
the terms and conditions set forth herein. The Optionee may exercise the Option
by delivering written notice to the Optionor and New England Mutual Life
Insurance Company (the "Lender") in accordance with Section 16 of this Agreement
at any time during the Option Period (as defined below) or during any extension
thereof.



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                  2. Term of Option. The Option may be exercised by Optionee at
any time during the term commencing on the date hereof and continuing thereafter
for a period of twenty-four (24) months (the "Option Period"). If the Option is
not exercised by Optionee within the Option Period, or is exercised by Optionee
and Optionee thereafter fails to close title in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement, then, except as hereinafter otherwise provided, the Option shall
terminate without liability to Optionee. The Optionor and Optionee understand
and agree that the price of the Option is Ten Dollars ($10.00), which sum,
together with the execution of the Contribution Agreement and all related
documentation, constitute adequate consideration for the Option.

                  3. Extension of Option Period. Optionee may extend the Option
Period for two (2) additional periods of twelve (12) months each. Optionee may
extend the Option Period by delivering to Optionor written notice to that effect
prior to, as applicable, the expiration of the Option Period or the first
extension thereof in accordance with Section 16 hereof. Except as forth in this
Section, Optionee shall have no right to extend the Option Period.

                  4. Exchange Price and Issuance of Units.

                           (a) Determination of the Exchange Price. The Exchange
Price for the Property (the "Exchange Price") shall equal (i) the Net Operating
Income of the Property divided by .11; less (ii) all sums due and owing under
the note, mortgage and any other loan document evidencing or securing the loan
encumbering the Property at the time the Option is exercised. The Exchange Price
shall be determined at the time of the exercise of the Option. For purposes of
such determination, "Net Operating Income" shall be determined in the same
manner as net operating income was determined for each of the properties
contributed by SSI and TNC to Optionee pursuant to the Contribution Agreement
for purposes of determining the number of LP Units in Optionee issued to
Optionor with respect to such properties. In the event the Exchange Price is a
negative number, Optionee's exercise of its option to purchase the Property
shall be deemed withdrawn, but this Agreement, including, but not limited to,
Sections 2 and 3 above, shall remain in full force and effect.

                           (b) Issuance of Units. The Exchange Price shall be
payable to Optionor in the form of LP Units. Optionee shall issue that number of
LP Units to Optionor equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the Exchange
Price by $5.50. The $5.50 divisor in the preceding formula shall be
proportionately adjusted in the event there is a split or reverse split of BRT's
stock or a dividend payable in BRT stock after the date hereof and prior to the
Closing.

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                  5. Exclusive Option. Except (i) in the event of a foreclosure
or the tender of a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure or (ii) the lease of space in the
ordinary course of business, at no time during the term of the Option shall
Optionor convey, transfer, sell, lease, option or otherwise dispose of the
Property or any part thereof. No such sale, transfer or other disposition shall
be effective unless the Option shall have first expired or been terminated.

                  6. Condition to Exercise of Option. The Option granted by this
Agreement and Optionor's obligations hereunder are specifically conditioned upon
either (a) Optionor obtaining the consent of the holder of the mortgage on the
Property for conveyance of the Property to Optionee under and subject to the
mortgage encumbering the Property or (b) Optionee paying to the holder of the
mortgage, at Closing, such sums as are necessary to pay off and satisfy such
mortgage. In the event Optionor is unable to satisfy the conditions set forth in
this Section 6, Optionee's exercise of its option to purchase the Property shall
be deemed withdrawn, but this Agreement, including, but not limited to, Sections
2 and 3 above, shall remain in full force and effect.

                  7. Title. Optionor shall convey title to the Property to
Optionee at Closing by Special Warranty Deed (the "Deed"), free and clear of (a)
all liens, restrictions, easements and other encumbrances, except for those set
forth on the attached Exhibit "B", and (b) any additional liens, restrictions,
easements or other encumbrances created after the date hereof with Optionee's
prior consent (the "Permitted Encumbrances"). At Closing (as defined below), the
title conveyed by Optionor shall be good and marketable and insurable as such by
any reputable title insurance company selected by the Optionee, at such
company's regular rates, pursuant to a standard ALTA owner's form of policy,
free of all exceptions, other than the Permitted Encumbrances.

                  8. Closing. The closing of the transaction contemplated herein
("Closing") shall take place at 10:00 a.m. on the thirtieth (30th) day following
the date Optionee gives notice of its exercise of the Option, or sooner by
mutual agreement of the parties hereto (the "Closing Date"). If said thirtieth
(30th) day shall not be a business day, then the Closing shall occur on the
first business day thereafter. In the event of a casualty loss on the Property,
Optionor may, but is not obligated to, extend the Closing Date, by written
notice to Optionee, for up to ninety (90) days to permit the repair of the
damage caused by such casualty. For purposes hereof, a "business day" shall mean
any day other than a day on which commercial banks in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania are required or permitted by law to close. The Closing shall occur
at the offices of Drinker Biddle & Reath, The Philadelphia National Bank
Building, 1345 Chestnut

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Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-3496, or at such other location as the parties
may mutually agree.

                  9. Transfer Taxes. All Commonwealth and county, township or
municipal real property transfer taxes shall be apportioned equally between the
Optionor and the Optionee.

                  10. Adjustments. Closing adjustments shall be made in
accordance with Section 7 of the Contribution Agreement.

                  11. Representations and Warranties of Optionor. Optionor makes
the representations and warranties as of the date of this Agreement as set forth
on the attached Exhibit "C." As a condition precedent to Closing, Optionor shall
deliver to Optionee a certification stating that all of Optionor's
representations and warranties as set forth on the attached Exhibit "C" are true
and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date. In the event that
Optionor's representations and warranties as set forth on the attached Exhibit
"C" are not true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date,
Optionee may withdraw Optionee's exercise of the Option, in which event
Optionee's right to acquire the Property shall continue in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement.

                  12. Representations of Optionee. Optionee represents and
warrants as of the date of this Agreement as follows:

                           (a) Optionee has full power and authority to enter
into this Agreement and to perform all obligations hereunder.

                           (b) The performance by Optionee of Optionee's
obligations under this Agreement will not violate any law, result in any breach,
constitute a default under, or require any consent pursuant to any contract or
other agreement, lease, license or permit to which Optionee is a party, or
require Optionee to obtain the consent of any person, entity or governmental
authority.

                  13. Representations Limited. All representations and
warranties made by the parties in this Agreement shall survive the execution of
this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder
for a period of two (2) years from the Closing Date, and claims made prior to
the expiration of such two (2) year period shall survive if not resolved within
such two (2) year period. Any claim made after Closing alleging
misrepresentation or breach of any of such representations and warranties shall
be made solely pursuant to the indemnification provisions provided in the
Agreement of Limited Partnership dated as of August 22, 1996 by and among
Optionor, TNC and BRT.


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                  14. Condition of Premises. Optionee shall be afforded the
opportunity to inspect the Property and Optionee, if it exercises the Option,
shall automatically and without further action, be deemed to have released
Optionor from all responsibility and liability regarding the condition or
utility of the Property and any personal property located thereon. OPTIONEE
SHALL PURCHASE THE PROPERTY IN "AS IS - WHERE IS" CONDITION, SUBJECT TO
REASONABLE USE, WEAR AND TEAR AND NORMAL DEPRECIATION BETWEEN THE DATE HEREOF
AND CLOSING. Optionor shall not be obligated to make any alterations, repairs or
improvements to the Property or any personal property located thereon and shall
not be obligated to remove any items of personal property from the Property on
the Closing Date.

                  15. Brokers. Optionor and Optionee each represent and affirm
to the other that neither Optionor nor Optionee has made any agreement or taken
any action which may cause any broker or finder to become entitled to a
commission as a result of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement. Each
of the parties hereto agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the other harmless
against any claims, demands, suits, judgments or liabilities which arise by
reason of a breach of the foregoing representation. The provisions of this
Section shall survive the Closing or other termination of this Agreement.

                  16. Notices. All notices, requests and other communications
under this Agreement, to be effective, shall be in writing and shall be sent by
certified mail, return receipt requested or by overnight delivery by recognized
courier, addressed as follows:

                  If to Optionor:

                           Anthony A. Nichols, Sr.
                           The Nichols Company
                           16 Campus Boulevard, Suite 150
                           Newtown Square, PA 19073

                  With a copy to:

                           John W. Fischer, Esq.
                           Drinker Biddle & Reath
                           1000 Westlakes Drive
                           Suite 300
                           Berwyn, PA  19312


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                  If to Optionee:

                           Gerard Sweeney
                           President
                           Brandywine Realty Trust
                           Suite 100
                           Two Greentree Center
                           Marlton, NJ  08053

                  With a copy to:

                           Michael H. Friedman, Esq.
                           Pepper, Hamilton & Scheetz
                           3000 Two Logan Square
                           18th & Arch Streets
                           Philadelphia, PA 19103-2799




                  If to Lender:     New England Mutual Life
                                      Insurance Company
                                    501 Boylston Street
                                    Boston, MA  02116-3700
                                    Attention: Law Department Mortgage Group



                  With a copy to:




or such other person or address which Optionor or Optionee shall have given
notice as herein provided.

                  17. Loans for Capital Improvements. During the term of this
Agreement, Optionor shall have the right to fund the costs incurred by Optionor
with respect to new leases for space in the Property (including but not limited
to costs of tenant improvements, brokerage commissions and legal fees) through
loans made by Optionor or an affiliate for such purpose ("Capital Improvement
Loans"). All such Capital Improvement Loans shall bear interest at the prime
rate and shall be payable out of cash flow from the Property remaining after
payments of third party debt. Upon exercise by Optionee of the Option, Optionor
shall advise Optionee if any Capital Improvement Loans will remain outstanding
at Closing hereunder. Any Capital Improvement Loans (included accrued but unpaid
interest) that are outstanding at Closing shall (i) reduce the Exchange Price on
a dollar for dollar basis and (ii) shall be payable by Optionee on a pari-passu
basis with any loans made by Optionor to Optionee pursuant

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to that certain Distribution Support and Loan Agreement of even date herewith
between Optionor and Optionee. Optionee shall assume all obligations under any
such Capital Improvement Loan outstanding at Closing and shall indemnify and
hold Optionor harmless from any obligations accruing under any such Loan after
the date of Closing. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, from and
after this date, Optionor shall not assume or incur additional indebtedness for
capital improvements to the Property without the prior written consent of
Optionee, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or
delayed.

                  18. Recording. At the request of either party this Agreement
or a memorandum thereof may be recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds
for the county in which the Property is located.

                  19. Miscellaneous.

                           (a) Entire Agreement; Merger. This Agreement together
with the Exhibits attached hereto embodies and constitutes the entire
understanding between the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated
herein, and all prior or contemporaneous agreements, understandings,
representations and statements, oral or written, are merged into this Agreement.
Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, modified,
amended, discharged or terminated except by an instrument in writing signed by
the party against which the enforcement of such waiver, modification, amendment,
discharge or termination is sought, and then only to the extent set forth in
such instrument.

                           (b) Time of the Essence. Time is of the essence as to
the performance of all terms and conditions of this Agreement.

                           (c) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.

                           (d) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be
binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors
and assigns.

                           (e) Headings. All headings are for convenience only,
and shall not be used in construing any of the provisions of this Agreement.

                           (f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.

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                           (g) Non-Recourse. No recourse shall be had for any
obligation of Optionee hereunder, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in
respect thereof, against any past, present or future trustee, shareholder,
officer or employee of Optionee, whether by virtue of any statute or rule of
law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such
liability being expressly waived and released by Optionor. In the event Optionee
exercises its option to purchase the Property and thereafter fails to complete
Closing by reason of the default of Optionee hereunder, Optionor shall have the
right to terminate this Agreement, in which event Optionee's right to acquire
the Property shall lapse. In the event Optionee exercises its option to purchase
the Property and thereafter fails to complete Closing for a cause other than the
default of Optionee hereunder, including but not limited to a title defect or
casualty loss, Optionee may withdraw Optionee's exercise of the Option, in which
event Optionee's right to acquire the Property shall continue in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed,sealed and
delivered this Agreement the day and year first above written.

                                    OPTIONOR:

                                    C/N HORSHAM TOWNE LIMITED
                                    PARTNERSHIP, acting by and through
                                    its general partner, C/N HORSHAM
                                    TOWNE, INC.


                                    By: /s/ Anthony A. Nichols
                                       ----------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                             [Corporate Seal]


                                    OPTIONEE:

                                    BRANDYWINE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.

                                    By:      BRANDYWINE REALTY TRUST, its
                                             general partner


                                    By: /s/ Gerard H. Sweeney
                                       ----------------------------------
                                             Name: Gerard H. Sweeney
                                             Title: President

                                             [Corporate Seal]


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                  The address of the above named Optionee is:

                  c/o Brandywine Realty Trust
                  Suite 100
                  Two Greentree Center
                  Marlton, New Jersey 08053



                  By: /s/ Gerard H. Sweeney
                      ----------------------------------
                      On behalf of the Optionee


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