Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Acadia Realty Trust (the “Trust”) and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), is a fully-integrated equity real estate investment trust (“REIT”) focused on the ownership, acquisition, redevelopment, and management of high-quality retail properties and urban/infill mixed-use properties with a strong retail component located primarily in high-barrier-to-entry, supply constrained, densely-populated metropolitan areas in the United States along the East Coast and in Chicago.
All of the Company’s assets are held by, and all of its operations are conducted through, Acadia Realty Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”) and entities in which the Operating Partnership owns an interest. As of December 31, 2012, the Trust controlled approximately 99% of the Operating Partnership as the sole general partner. As the general partner, the Trust is entitled to share, in proportion to its percentage interest, in the cash distributions and profits and losses of the Operating Partnership. The limited partners primarily represent entities or individuals that contributed their interests in certain properties or entities to the Operating Partnership in exchange for common or preferred units of limited partnership interest (“Common OP Units” or “Preferred OP Units”) and employees who have been awarded restricted Common OP Units (“LTIP Units”) as long-term incentive compensation (Note 15). Limited partners holding Common OP and LTIP Units are generally entitled to exchange their units on a one-for-one basis for common shares of beneficial interest of the Trust (“Common Shares”). This structure is referred to as an umbrella partnership REIT or “UPREIT.”
As of December 31, 2012, the Company has ownership interests in 72 properties within its core portfolio, which consist of those properties either 100% owned, or partially owned through joint venture interests, by the Operating Partnership, or subsidiaries thereof, not including those properties owned through its opportunity funds ("Core Portfolio"). The Company also has ownership interests in 28 properties within its opportunity funds, Acadia Strategic Opportunity Fund I, LP ("Fund I"), Acadia Strategic Opportunity II, LLC ("Fund II"), Acadia Strategic Opportunity Fund III LLC ("Fund III") and Acadia Strategic Opportunity Fund IV LLC (("Fund IV") and together with Funds I, II, and III, the "Opportunity Funds"). The 100 Core Portfolio and Opportunity Fund properties primarily consist of urban/street retail, dense suburban neighborhood and community shopping centers and mixed-use properties with a strong retail component. In addition, the Company, together with the investors in the Opportunity Funds, invest in operating companies through Acadia Mervyn Investors I, LLC ("Mervyns I"), Acadia Mervyn Investors II, LLC ("Mervyns II") and Fund II, all on a non-recourse basis.
The Operating Partnership is the sole general partner or managing member of the Opportunity Funds and Mervyns I and II and earns fees or priority distributions for asset management, property management, construction, redevelopment, leasing, and legal services. Cash flows from the Opportunity Funds and Mervyns I and II are distributed pro-rata to their respective partners and members (including the Operating Partnership) until each receives a certain cumulative return ("Preferred Return"), and the return of all capital contributions. Thereafter, remaining cash flow is distributed 20% to the Operating Partnership ("Promote") and 80% to the partners or members (including the Operating Partnership).
Following is a table summarizing the general terms and Operating Partnership's equity interests in the Opportunity Funds and Mervyns I and II:
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Entity | Formation Date | Operating Partnership Share of Capital | Committed Capital | | Capital Called as of December 31, 2012 | Equity Interest Held By Operating Partnership | Preferred Return | Capital Returned as of December 31, 2012 |
Fund I and Mervyns I (1) | 9/2001 | 22.22 | % | $ | 90.0 |
| | $ | 86.6 |
| 37.78 | % | 9 | % | $ | 86.6 |
|
Fund II and Mervyns II | 6/2004 | 20.00 | % | 300.0 |
| | 300.0 |
| 20.00 | % | 8 | % | 84.5 |
|
Fund III | 5/2007 | 19.90 | % | 475.0 |
| (2 | ) | 341.0 |
| 19.90 | % | 6 | % | 164.0 |
|
Fund IV | 5/2012 | 23.12 | % | 540.6 |
| | 64.6 |
| 23.12 | % | 6 | % | — |
|
| | | | | | | | |
Note:
(1) - Fund I and Mervyns I have returned all capital and preferred return. The Operating Partnership is now entitled to a Promote on all future cash distributions.
(2) - Original committed capital of Fund III was $502.5 million. During 2012, this amount was reduced to $475.0 million.
ACADIA REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of the Company and its controlling investments in partnerships and limited liability companies in which the Company has control in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810 “Consolidation” (“ASC Topic 810”). The ownership interests of other investors in these entities are recorded as noncontrolling interests. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in entities for which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over, but does not have financial or operating control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, the Company’s share of the earnings (or losses) of these entities are included in consolidated net income.
Variable interest entities are accounted for within the scope of ASC Topic 810 and are required to be consolidated by their primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity is the enterprise that has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the variable interest entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the variable interest entity that could be significant to the variable interest entity. Management has evaluated the applicability of ASC Topic 810 to its investments in certain joint ventures and determined that these joint ventures are not variable interest entities or that the Company is not the primary beneficiary and, therefore, consolidation of these ventures is not required. These investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
The Company primarily accounts for its investments in unconsolidated joint ventures using the equity method as it does not exercise control over significant asset decisions such as buying, selling or financing nor is it the primary beneficiary under ASC Topic 810, as discussed above in most of these investments. The Company does have significant influence over most of these investments, which requires equity method accounting. Under the equity method, the Company increases its investment for its proportionate share of net income and contributions to the joint venture and decreases its investment balance by recording its proportionate share of net loss and distributions. The Company accounts for some of its investments under the cost method. Due to its minor ownership of three investments as well as the terms of the underlying operating agreements, the Company has no influence over such entities' operating and financial policies. Other than the minority investor rights to which the Company is entitled pursuant to statute, it has no rights other than to receive its pro-rata share of cash distributions as declared by the managers of these investments. The Company has no rights with respect to the control and operation of these investments vehicles, nor with the formulation and execution of business and investment policies. The Company recognizes income for distributions in excess of its investment where there is no recourse to the Company. For investments in which there is recourse to the Company, distributions in excess of the investment are recorded as a liability. Although the Company accounts for its investment in Albertson’s (Note 4) under the equity method of accounting, the Company adopted the policy of not recording its equity in earnings or losses of this unconsolidated affiliate until it receives the audited financial statements of Albertson’s to support the equity earnings or losses in accordance with ASC Topic 323, “Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures.”
The Company periodically reviews its investment in unconsolidated joint ventures for other-than-temporary losses in investment value. Any decline that is not expected to be recovered is considered other than temporary and an impairment charge is recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the investment. During 2012, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $2.0 million in connection with the estimated fair value in its investment in Mervyns. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, there were no impairment charges related to the Company’s investment in unconsolidated joint ventures.
Use of Estimates
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) require the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. The most significant assumptions and estimates relate to the valuation of real estate, depreciable lives, revenue recognition and the collectability of notes receivable and rents receivable. Application of these estimates and assumptions requires the exercise of judgment as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.
Real Estate
Real estate assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Construction in progress includes costs for significant property expansion and redevelopment. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of 30 to
ACADIA REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued
Real Estate, continued
40 years for buildings, the shorter of the useful life or lease term for tenant improvements and five years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.
Upon acquisitions of real estate, the Company assesses the fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities (including land, buildings and improvements, and identified intangibles such as above and below market leases and acquired in-place leases and customer relationships) and acquired liabilities in accordance with ASC Topic 805 “Business Combinations” and ASC Topic 350 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other,” and allocates the acquisition price based on these assessments. Fixed-rate renewal options have been included in the calculation of the fair value of acquired leases where applicable. To the extent there were fixed-rate options at below-market rental rates, the Company included these along with the current term below-market rent in arriving at the fair value of the acquired leases. The discounted difference between contract and market rents is being amortized over the remaining applicable lease term, inclusive of any option periods. The Company assesses fair value based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount and capitalization rates and available market information. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors including the historical operating results, known trends, and market/economic conditions that may affect the property.
The Company capitalizes certain costs related to the development and redevelopment of real estate including pre-construction costs, interest, real estate taxes, insurance, construction costs and salaries and related costs of personnel directly involved with the specific project. Additionally, the Company capitalizes interest costs related to development and redevelopment activities. Capitalization of these costs begin when the activities and related expenditures commence, and cease when the property is held available for occupancy upon substantial completion of tenant improvements, but no later than one year from the completion of major construction activity at which time the project is placed in service and depreciation commences.
The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment when there is an event or a change in circumstances that indicates that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The Company measures and records impairment losses and reduces the carrying value of properties when indicators of impairment are present and the expected undiscounted cash flows related to those properties are less than their carrying amounts. In cases where the Company does not expect to recover its carrying costs on properties held for use, the Company reduces its carrying costs to fair value, and for properties held for sale, the Company reduces its carrying value to the fair value less costs to sell. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company determined that the value of the Granville Centre owned by Fund I was impaired. Accordingly, an impairment loss of $6.9 million was recorded, of which the Operating Partnership's share was $1.5 million. During the years ended December 31, 2012, and 2010, no impairment charges were recorded. Management does not believe that the values of its properties within the portfolio are impaired as of December 31, 2012.
The Company recognizes property sales in accordance with ASC Topic 970 “Real Estate.” The Company generally records the sales of operating properties and outparcels using the full accrual method at closing when the earnings process is deemed to be complete. Sales not qualifying for full recognition at the time of sale are accounted for under other appropriate deferral methods.
The Company evaluates the held-for-sale classification of its real estate each quarter. Assets that are classified as held for sale are recorded at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Assets are generally classified as held for sale once management has initiated an active program to market them for sale and has received a firm purchase commitment. The results of operations of these real estate properties are reflected as discontinued operations in all periods presented.
On occasion, the Company will receive unsolicited offers from third parties to buy individual Company properties. Under these circumstances, the Company will classify the properties as held for sale when a sales contract is executed with no contingencies and the prospective buyer has funds at risk to ensure performance.
Involuntary Conversion of Asset
The Company experienced significant flooding resulting in extensive damage to one of its properties during September 2011. Costs related to the clean-up and redevelopment were insured for an amount sufficient that would allow for full restoration of the property. Loss of rents during the redevelopment were covered by business interruption insurance subject to a $0.1 million deductible.
ACADIA REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued
Involuntary Conversion of Asset, continued
In accordance with ASC Topic 360 “Property, Plant and Equipment” and as a result of the above-described property damage, the Company had recorded a write-down of the asset's carrying value of approximately $1.4 million, as well as an insurance recovery in the same amount that is included in Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2011. The Company also provided a $0.1 million provision in the 2011 consolidated statement of income for its exposure to the insurance deductible attributable to the loss of rents. During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company received insurance proceeds of approximately $3.7 million and $6.9 million, respectively. The Company recognized a gain on involuntary conversion of $2.4 million as these proceeds exceeded the asset's net basis.
Deferred Costs
Fees and costs paid in the successful negotiation of leases are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases. Fees and costs incurred in connection with obtaining financing are deferred and amortized over the term of the related debt obligation. The Company capitalizes salaries, commissions and benefits related to time spent by leasing and legal department personnel involved in originating leases.
Management Contracts
Income from management contracts is recognized on an accrual basis as such fees are earned. The initial acquisition costs of any management contracts are amortized over the estimated lives of the contracts acquired.
Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable
Leases with tenants are accounted for as operating leases. Minimum rents are recognized, net of any rent concessions or tenant lease incentives, including free rent, on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective leases, beginning when the tenant is entitled to take possession of the space. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, included in Rents Receivable, net on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are unbilled rents receivable relating to the straight-lining of rents of $25.7 million and $22.8 million, respectively. Certain of these leases also provide for percentage rents based upon the level of sales achieved by the tenant. Percentage rent is recognized in the period when the tenants’ sales breakpoint is met. In addition, leases typically provide for the reimbursement to the Company of real estate taxes, insurance and other property operating expenses. These reimbursements are recognized as revenue in the period the related expenses are incurred.
The Company makes estimates of the uncollectability of its accounts receivable related to tenant revenues. An allowance for doubtful accounts has been provided against certain tenant accounts receivable that are estimated to be uncollectible. Once the amount is ultimately deemed to be uncollectible, it is written off. Rents receivable at December 31, 2012 and 2011 are shown net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $6.1 million and $5.3 million, respectively.
Notes Receivable
Notes receivable are intended to be held to maturity and are carried at amortized cost. Interest income from notes receivable are recognized on the effective interest method over the expected life of the loan. Under the effective interest method, interest or fees collected at the origination of the loan or the payoff of the loan are recognized over the term of the loan as an adjustment to yield.
Allowances for real estate notes receivable are established based upon management’s quarterly review of the investments. In performing this review, management considers the estimated net recoverable value of the loan as well as other factors, including the fair value of any collateral, the amount and status of any senior debt, and the prospects for the borrower. Because this determination is based upon projections of future economic events, which are inherently subjective, the amounts ultimately realized from the loans may differ materially from their carrying values at the balance sheet date. Interest income recognition is generally suspended for loans when, in the opinion of management, a full recovery of income and principal becomes doubtful. Income recognition is resumed when the suspended loan becomes contractually current and performance is demonstrated to be resumed.
During 2012, the Company provided a $0.4 million net reserve on note receivables as a result of changes in the value of the underlying collateral properties.
ACADIA REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained at financial institutions and, at times, balances may exceed the federally insured limit by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company has never experienced any losses related to these balances.
Restricted Cash and Cash in Escrow
Restricted cash and cash in escrow consist principally of cash held for real estate taxes, construction costs, property maintenance, insurance, minimum occupancy and property operating income requirements at specific properties as required by certain loan agreements.
Income Taxes
The Company has made an election to be taxed, and believes it qualifies, as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To maintain REIT status for Federal income tax purposes, the Company is generally required to distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its shareholders as well as comply with certain other income, asset and organizational requirements as defined in the Code. Accordingly, the Company is generally not subject to Federal corporate income tax to the extent that it distributes 100% of its REIT taxable income each year.
Although it may qualify for REIT status for Federal income tax purposes, the Company is subject to state income or franchise taxes in certain states in which some of its properties are located. In addition, taxable income from non-REIT activities managed through the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRS”) is fully subject to Federal, state and local income taxes.
The Company accounts for TRS income taxes under the liability method as required by ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” Under the liability method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the temporary differences between the GAAP basis and tax basis of the TRS income, assets and liabilities.
In accordance with ASC Topic 740, the Company believes that it has appropriate support for the income tax positions taken and, as such, does not have any uncertain tax positions that, if successfully challenged, could result in a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operation. The prior three years' income tax returns are subject to review by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company recognizes potential interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of the provision for income taxes.
Stock-based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation pursuant to ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation.” As such, all equity based awards are reflected as compensation expense in the Company’s consolidated financial statements over their vesting period based on the fair value at the date of grant.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
During February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-03, "Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income." ASU 2013-03 requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. ASU is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2013-03 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
During April 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-02, “A Creditor's Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring.” ASU 2011-02 requires a creditor to evaluate whether a restructuring constitutes a troubled debt restructuring by concluding that the restructuring constitutes a concession and that the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties and was effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2011-02 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
ACADIA REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued
Recent Accounting Pronouncements, continued
During May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.” ASU No. 2011-04 amended ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, to converge the fair value measurement guidance in GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The amendments, which primarily require additional fair value disclosure, are to be applied prospectively. ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of ASU No. 2011-04 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
During June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” which revises the manner in which companies present comprehensive income. Under ASU No. 2011-05, companies may present comprehensive income, which is net income adjusted for the components of other comprehensive income, either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or by using two separate but consecutive statements. Regardless of the alternative chosen, companies must display adjustments for items reclassified from other comprehensive income into net income within the presentation of both net income and other comprehensive income. ASU 2011-05 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, on a retrospective basis. The Company adopted ASU 2011-05 as of December 31, 2011 and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
During December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-10, “Property, Plant and Equipment (Topic 360): Derecognition of In substance Real Estate - a Scope Clarification" which clarifies current guidance found in ASC Topic 810 as to how to account when a reporting entity ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary that is in substance real estate as a result of default on the subsidiary's nonrecourse debt. ASU No. 2011-10 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after June 15, 2012. The adoption of ASU No. 2011-10 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
