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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
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Dec. 31, 2014
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| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements of the Company include its accounts and its consolidated subsidiaries, as well as the Operating Partnership and its consolidated subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements of the Operating Partnership include its accounts and its consolidated subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
We evaluate our real estate joint ventures in accordance with the Consolidation guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC"). As a result of our qualitative assessment, we concluded that our Westgate and Savannah joint ventures are Variable Interest Entities ("VIE") and none of our other joint ventures are VIEs. Westgate and Savannah are each considered a VIE because the voting rights are disproportionate to the economic interests.
After making the determination that Westgate and Savannah are VIEs, we performed an assessment to determine if we would be considered the primary beneficiary and thus be required to consolidate the balance sheets and results of operations. This assessment was based upon whether we had the following:
The operating, development, leasing, and management agreements of Westgate and Savannah provide that the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the ventures require unanimous consent. Accordingly, we determined that we do not have the power to direct the significant activities that affect the economic performance of the ventures and therefore, have applied the equity method of accounting. Our investment in Westgate was approximately $14.3 million and in Savannah was approximately $46.5 million as of December 31, 2014. We are unable to estimate our maximum exposure to loss at this time because our guarantees are limited and based on the future operating performance of Westgate and Savannah.
Noncontrolling interests - In the Company's consolidated financial statements, the “Noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership” reflects the Non-Company LPs percentage ownership of the Operating Partnership's units. The noncontrolling interests in other consolidated partnerships consist of outside equity interests in partnerships not wholly-owned by the Company or the Operating Partnership that are consolidated with the financial results of the Company and Operating Partnership because the Operating Partnership exercises control over the entities that own the properties. Noncontrolling interests are initially recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value based upon purchase price allocations. Income is allocated to the noncontrolling interests based on their respective ownership interest.
Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates are used in the calculations of impairment losses, costs capitalized to originate operating leases, costs incurred for the construction and development of properties, and the values of deferred lease costs and other intangibles related to the acquisition of properties. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Operating Segments - We focus exclusively on developing, acquiring, owning, operating, and managing outlet shopping centers. We aggregate the financial information of all outlet centers into one reportable operating segment because the outlet centers all have similar economic characteristics and provide similar products and services to similar types and classes of customers.
Rental Property - Rental properties are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Buildings, improvements and fixtures consist primarily of permanent buildings and improvements made to land such as infrastructure and costs incurred in providing rental space to tenants.
The pre-construction stage of project development involves certain costs to secure land control and zoning and complete other initial tasks essential to the development of the project. These costs are transferred from other assets to construction in progress when the pre-construction tasks are completed. Costs of unsuccessful pre-construction efforts are charged to operations when the project is no longer probable.
We also capitalize other costs incurred for the construction and development of properties, including interest, real estate taxes and salaries and related costs associated with employees directly involved. Capitalization of costs commences at the time the development of the property becomes probable and ceases when the property is substantially completed and ready for its intended use. We consider a construction project as substantially completed and ready for its intended use upon the completion of tenant improvements. We cease capitalization on the portion that is substantially completed and occupied or held available for occupancy, and capitalize only those costs associated with the portion under construction. The amount of salaries and related costs capitalized for the construction and development of properties, which during 2014, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $1.6 million, $2.2 million and $1.8 million, respectively, is based on our estimate of the amount of costs directly related to the construction or development of these assets.
Interest costs are capitalized during periods of active construction for qualified expenditures based upon interest rates in place during the construction period until construction is substantially complete. This includes interest incurred on funds invested in or advanced to unconsolidated joint ventures with qualifying development activities. Interest costs capitalized during 2014, 2013 and 2012 amounted to approximately $5.1 million, $1.6 million and $1.2 million, respectively.
Depreciation is computed on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. We generally use estimated lives of 33 years for buildings and improvements, 15 years for land improvements and 7 years for equipment. Tenant finishing allowances are amortized over the life of the associated lease. Capitalized interest costs are amortized over lives which are consistent with the constructed assets. Expenditures for ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred while significant renovations and improvements which improve and/or extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful life. Depreciation expense related to rental property included in net income for each of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $80.1 million, $74.7 million and $73.7 million, respectively.
In accordance with accounting guidance for business combinations, we allocate the purchase price of acquisitions based on the fair value of land, building, tenant improvements, debt and deferred lease costs and other intangibles, such as the value of leases with above or below market rents, origination costs associated with the in-place leases, the value of in-place leases and tenant relationships, if any. We depreciate the amount allocated to building, deferred lease costs and other intangible assets over their estimated useful lives, which range up to 33 years. The values of the above and below market leases are amortized and recorded as either an increase (in the case of below market leases) or a decrease (in the case of above market leases) to rental income over the remaining term of the associated lease. The values of below market leases that are considered to have renewal periods with below market rents are amortized over the remaining term of the associated lease plus the renewal periods when the renewal is deemed probable to occur. The value associated with in-place leases is amortized over the remaining lease term and tenant relationships is amortized over the expected term, which includes an estimated probability of the lease renewal. If a tenant terminates its lease prior to the contractual termination of the lease and no rental payments are being made on the lease, any unamortized balance of the related intangibles is written off. The tenant improvements and origination costs are amortized as an expense over the remaining life of the lease (or charged against earnings if the lease is terminated prior to its contractual expiration date). We assess fair value based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount and capitalization rates and available market information. These cash flow projections may be derived from various observable and unobservable inputs and assumptions. Also, we may utilize third-party valuation specialists. As a part of acquisition accounting, the amount by which the fair value of our previously held equity method investment exceeds the carrying book value is recorded as a gain on previously held interest in acquired joint venture. Direct costs to acquire existing outlet centers are expensed as incurred.
Cash and Cash Equivalents - All highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents. Cash balances at a limited number of banks may periodically exceed insurable amounts. We believe that we mitigate our risk by investing in or through major financial institutions. Recoverability of investments is dependent upon the performance of the issuer. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, we had cash equivalent investments in highly liquid money market accounts at major financial institutions of $671,000 and $670,000, respectively.
Deferred Charges - Deferred charges includes deferred lease costs and other intangible assets consisting of fees and costs incurred to originate operating leases and are amortized over the expected lease term. Deferred lease costs capitalized, including amounts paid to third-party brokers and salaries and related costs of employees directly involved in originating leases, during 2014, 2013 and 2012 were approximately $6.2 million, $4.0 million and $5.1 million, respectively. Of the amounts capitalized during 2014, 2013 and 2012, approximately $5.1 million, $2.9 million, and $4.5 million, respectively, were related to salaries and related costs. The amount of salaries and related costs capitalized is based on our estimate of the time and amount of costs directly related to originating leases. Deferred lease costs and other intangible assets also include the value of leases and origination costs deemed to have been acquired in real estate acquisitions.
Deferred financing costs include fees and costs incurred to obtain long-term financing and are amortized over the terms of the respective loans. Unamortized deferred financing costs are charged to expense when debt is retired before the maturity date.
Captive Insurance - We have a wholly-owned captive insurance company that is responsible for losses up to certain deductible levels per occurrence for property damage (including wind damage from hurricanes) prior to third-party insurance coverage. Insurance losses are reflected in property operating expenses and include estimates of costs incurred, both reported and unreported.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets - Rental property held and used by us is reviewed for impairment in the event that facts and circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In such an event, we compare the estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset to the asset's carrying amount, and if less, recognize an impairment loss in an amount by which the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined using a market approach whereby we consider the prevailing market income capitalization rates and sales data for transactions involving similar assets. We recognized no impairment losses during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. We believe there are no unrecorded impairment losses as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Rental Property Held For Sale - Rental properties designated as held for sale are stated at the lower of their carrying value or their fair value less costs to sell. We classify rental property as held for sale when our Board of Directors approves the sale of the assets and it meets the requirements of current accounting guidance. Subsequent to this classification, no further depreciation is recorded on the assets.
Impairment of Investments - On a periodic basis, we assess whether there are any indicators that the value of our investments in unconsolidated joint ventures may be impaired. An investment is impaired only if management's estimate of the value of the investment is less than the carrying value of the investments, and such decline in value is deemed to be other than temporary. To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss shall be measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the investment over the value of the investment. Our estimates of value for each joint venture investment are based on a number of assumptions that are subject to economic and market uncertainties including, among others, demand for space, competition for tenants, changes in market rental rates and operating costs of the property. As these factors are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may alter our assumptions, the values estimated by us in our impairment analysis may not be realized. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we do not believe that any of our equity investments were impaired.
Derivatives - We selectively enter into interest rate protection agreements to mitigate the impact of changes in interest rates on our variable rate borrowings. The notional amounts of such agreements are used to measure the interest to be paid or received and do not represent the amount of exposure to loss. None of these agreements are used for speculative or trading purposes.
We recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets and measure those instruments at their fair value. We also measure the effectiveness, as defined by the relevant accounting guidance, of all derivatives. We formally document our derivative transactions, including identifying the hedge instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk management objectives and strategies for entering into the hedge transaction. At inception and on a quarterly basis thereafter, we assess the effectiveness of derivatives used to hedge transactions. If a cash flow hedge is deemed effective, we record the change in fair value in other comprehensive income. If after assessment it is determined that a portion of the derivative is ineffective, then that portion of the derivative's change in fair value will be immediately recognized in earnings.
Income Taxes - We operate in a manner intended to enable the Company to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. A REIT which distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its shareholders each year and which meets certain other conditions is not taxed on that portion of its taxable income which is distributed to its shareholders. We intend to continue to qualify as a REIT and to distribute substantially all of the Company's taxable income to its shareholders. Accordingly, no provision has been made in the Company's consolidated financial statements for Federal income taxes. As a partnership, the allocated share of income or loss for the year with respect to the Operating Partnership is included in the income tax returns for the partners; accordingly, no provision has been made for Federal income taxes in the Operating Partnership's consolidated financial statements. In addition, we continue to evaluate uncertain tax positions. The tax years 2011 - 2014 remain open to examination by the major tax jurisdictions to which we are subject.
With regard to the Company's unconsolidated Canadian joint ventures, deferred tax assets result principally from depreciation deducted under GAAP that exceed capital cost allowances claimed under Canadian tax rules. A valuation allowance is provided if we believe all or some portion of the deferred tax asset may not be realized. We have determined that a full valuation allowance is required as we believe none of the deferred tax assets will be realized.
For income tax purposes, distributions paid to the Company's common shareholders consist of ordinary income, capital gains, return of capital or a combination thereof. Dividends per share for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were taxable as follows:
The following reconciles net income available to the Company's shareholders to taxable income available to common shareholders for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
Revenue Recognition - Base rentals are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Straight-line rent adjustments recorded in other assets were approximately $34.6 million and $30.9 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As a provision of a tenant lease, if we make a cash payment to the tenant for purposes other than funding the construction of landlord assets, we defer the amount of such payments as a lease incentive. We amortize lease incentives as a reduction of base rental revenue over the term of the lease. Substantially all leases contain provisions which provide additional rents based on tenants' sales volume (“percentage rentals”) and reimbursement of the tenants' share of advertising and promotion, common area maintenance, insurance and real estate tax expenses. Percentage rentals are recognized when specified targets that trigger the contingent rent are met. Expense reimbursements are recognized in the period the applicable expenses are incurred. Payments received from the early termination of leases are recognized as revenue from the time the payment is receivable until the tenant vacates the space. The values of the above and below market leases are amortized and recorded as either an increase (in the case of below market leases) or a decrease (in the case of above market leases) to rental income over the remaining term of the associated lease. If a tenant terminates its lease prior to the original contractual termination of the lease and no rental payments are being made on the lease, any unamortized balance of the related above or below market lease value will be written off.
We receive development, leasing, loan guarantee, management and marketing fees from third parties and unconsolidated affiliates for services provided to properties held in joint ventures. Development fees are recognized as revenue when earned over the development period. Leasing fees are charged for newly executed leases and lease renewals, and are recognized as revenue when earned. Profits from development and leasing fees received from unconsolidated affiliates are recognized as revenue to the extent of the third-party partners' ownership interest. Profits earned to the extent of our ownership interest are recorded as a reduction to our investment in the unconsolidated affiliate. Loan guarantee fees are recognized over the term of the guarantee. Management fees are charged as a percentage of revenues (as defined in the management agreement) and are recognized as revenue when earned. Marketing fees are charged as a percentage of marketing expenses incurred by the property. Fees recognized from these activities are shown as management, leasing and other services in our consolidated statements of operations. Fees received from consolidated joint ventures are eliminated in consolidation.
Concentration of Credit Risk - We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our tenants. Although the tenants operate principally in the retail industry, the properties are geographically diverse. No single tenant accounted for 10% or more of combined base and percentage rental income or gross leasable area during 2014, 2013 or 2012.
Supplemental Cash Flow Information - We purchase capital equipment and incur costs relating to construction of new facilities, including tenant finishing allowances. Expenditures for these items included in trade payables as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $23.0 million, $9.8 million and $7.1 million, respectively.
Non-cash investing activities that occurred during 2014 related to the acquisition of the remaining non-controlling interest in The Outlets at Hershey, as discussed in Note 3. In the In September 2011, we purchased substantially all of the economic interests in The Outlets at Hershey, a 248,000 square foot outlet center. A portion of the cash consideration paid to the buyer included a $6.2 million loan, which was included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets, collateralized by their remaining ownership interest in the property. In October 2014, the loan was canceled in exchange for this remaining ownership interest in the property.
Non-cash financing activities that occurred during the 2013 period related to the acquisition of a controlling interest in Deer Park, as discussed in Note 3, included the assumption of debt totaling $237.9 million, and the issuance of $14.0 million in Class A common limited partnership units of the Operating Partnership as a portion of the consideration given. In addition, rental property and lease related intangible assets increased by $27.9 million related to the fair value of the one-third interest owned by Deer Park's other remaining partner and $26.0 million related to the fair value of our previously held interest in excess of carrying amount.
Interest paid, net of interest capitalized, in 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $55.4 million, $48.0 million and $46.8 million, respectively.
Accounting for Equity-Based Compensation - We may issue non-qualified options and other equity-based awards under the Amended and Restated Incentive Award Plan (the "Incentive Award Plan"). We account for our equity-based compensation plan under the fair value provisions of the relevant accounting guidance.
Foreign Currency Translation - We have entered into a co-ownership agreement with RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust to develop and acquire outlet centers in Canada for which the functional currency is the local currency. The assets and liabilities related to our investments in Canada are translated from their functional currency into U.S. Dollars at the rate of exchange in effect on the balance sheet date. Income statement accounts are translated using the average exchange rate for the period. Our share of unrealized gains and losses resulting from the translation of these financial statements are reflected in shareholders' equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
New Accounting Pronouncements - In November 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-17, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Pushdown Accounting" ("ASU 2014-17"). ASU 2014-17 provides an acquired entity with an option to apply pushdown accounting in its separate financial statements upon occurrence of an event in which an acquirer obtains control of the acquired entity. The acquired entity may elect the option to apply pushdown accounting in the reporting period in which the change-in-control event occurs. If pushdown accounting is not applied in the reporting period in which the change-in-control event occurs, an acquired entity will have the option to elect to apply pushdown accounting in a subsequent reporting period as a change in accounting principle in accordance with ASC Topic 250, "Accounting Changes and Error Corrections". If pushdown accounting is applied to an individual change-in-control event, that election is irrevocable. ASU 2014-17 also requires an acquired entity that elects the option to apply pushdown accounting in its separate financial statements to disclose information in the current reporting period that enables users of financial statements to evaluate the effect of pushdown accounting. We have adopted the amendments in ASU 2014-17, effective November 18, 2014, as the amendments in the update are effective upon issuance. The adoption did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15 Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, which requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, and to provide certain disclosures when it is probable that the entity will be unable to meet its obligations as they become due within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. ASU 2014-15 is effective for the annual period ended December 31, 2016 and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it may have on our consolidated financial statements.
In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (the "Final Standard"). Under the Final Standard, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations (e.g., a disposal of a major geographic area, a major line of business or a major equity method investment) will be presented as discontinued operations. Under current GAAP, companies that sell a single investment property are generally required to report the sale as a discontinued operation, which requires the companies to reclassify earnings from continuing operations for all periods presented.The Final Standard is effective in the first quarter of 2015 for public entities with calendar year ends. The FASB will permit early adoption of the Final Standard, beginning in the first quarter of 2014, but only for disposals or classifications as held for sale that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. We early adopted the standard in the first quarter of 2014. In the fourth quarter of 2014, we entered into an agreement with a private buyer to sell our outlet center in Lincoln City, Oregon along with an option agreement for the buyer to purchase an additional four properties. Subsequently, the buyer purchased the Lincoln City outlet center in December 2014. The buyer now has the option to purchase three properties during the first quarter of 2015 and, should it acquire those properties, one additional property during the first quarter of 2016. The four additional properties subject to the option agreement have been classified as rental property held for sale in our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2014 and their results of operations have remained in continuing operations for both the sold and held for sale rental properties. See Note 4 Disposition of Properties and Properties Held for Sale for further information.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition. This ASU is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. We are required to adopt the new pronouncement in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 using one of two retrospective application methods. We are currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it may have on our consolidated financial statements.
Operating Partnership Unit Split - In August 2013, the Operating Partnership's operating agreement was amended to, among other things, effect a four-for-one split of the outstanding partnership units After the effect of the split, each Class A common limited partnership unit held by Non-Company LPs may be exchanged for one common share of the Company. Prior to the split, each unit held by the Non-Company LPs was exchangeable for four common shares of the Company. All references to the number of units outstanding and per unit amounts reflect the effect of the split for all periods presented.
Reclassifications - The amount related to construction trade payables on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 has been reclassified to the caption "accounts payable and accrued expenses" from the caption "construction trade payables" to conform to the presentation of the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2014.
We have reclassified $3.1 million and $2.0 million related to management, leasing and other services in the consolidated statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, to the caption "management, leasing and other services" from the caption "other income" to conform to the presentation of the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014.
In addition, we have reclassified certain amounts related to interest income and other income (expense) in the consolidated statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 to the caption "interest and other income" from the caption "other income" to conform to the presentation of the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014.
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