Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and for each of the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 include the accounts and operating results of the Company and the Operating Partnership. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

In order to conform with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), in preparation of our consolidated financial statements we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for each of the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all cash and liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less. The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short term maturity of these investments.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash includes cash held in escrow in connection with gross proceeds from the sales of certain industrial properties. These sales proceeds will be disbursed as we exchange into properties under Section 1031 of the Code. The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short term maturity of these investments. For purposes of our consolidated statements of cash flows, changes in restricted cash are aggregated with cash and cash equivalents.

Investment in Real Estate and Depreciation

Investment in real estate is carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. We review our properties on a quarterly basis for impairment and provide a provision if impairments exist. To determine if an impairment may exist, we review our properties and identify those that have had either an event of change or event of circumstances warranting further assessment of recoverability (such as a decrease in occupancy, a decline in general market conditions or a change in the expected hold period of an asset or asset group). The judgments regarding the existence of indicators of impairment are based on the operating performance, market conditions, as well as our ability to hold and our intent with regard to each property. If further assessment of recoverability is needed, we estimate the future net cash flows expected to result from the use of the property and its eventual disposition. Estimated future net cash flows are based on estimates of future operating performance and market conditions. If the sum of the expected future net cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the property or group of properties, we will recognize an impairment loss based upon the estimated fair value of the property or group of properties. The assessment of fair value requires the use of estimated and assumptions relating to the timing and amounts of cash flow projections, discount rates and terminal capitalization rates. For properties we consider held for sale, we cease depreciating the properties and value the properties at the lower of depreciated cost or fair value, less costs to dispose. If circumstances arise that were previously considered unlikely, and, as a result, we decide not to sell a property or group of properties previously classified as held for sale, we will reclassify the properties as held and used. Properties are measured at the lower of their carrying amounts (adjusted for any depreciation and amortization expense that would have been recognized had the properties been continuously classified as held and used) or fair value at the date of the subsequent decision not to sell.

Interest costs, real estate taxes, compensation costs of development personnel and other directly related costs incurred during construction periods are capitalized and depreciated commencing with the date the property is substantially completed. Upon substantial completion, we reclassify construction in progress to building, tenant improvements and leasing commissions. Such costs begin to be capitalized to the development projects from the point we are undergoing necessary activities to get the development ready for its intended use and cease when the development projects are substantially completed and held available for occupancy. Interest is capitalized using the weighted average borrowing rate during the period.

Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method based on the following useful lives: 

	Years
Buildings and Improvements	7 to 50
Land Improvements	3 to 20
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment	3 to 10
Tenant Improvements	Lease Term

Construction expenditures for tenant improvements, leasehold improvements and leasing commissions (inclusive of incentive compensation costs of personnel directly attributable to executed leases) are capitalized and amortized over the terms of each specific lease. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense when incurred. Expenditures for improvements are capitalized.

Upon acquisition of a property, we allocate the purchase price of the property based upon the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which generally consists of land, buildings, tenant improvements, leasing commissions and intangible assets including in-place leases, above market and below market leases and below market ground lease obligations. We allocate the purchase price to the fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property by valuing the property as if it were vacant. The determination of fair value includes the use of significant assumptions such as land comparables, discount rates, terminal capitalization rates and market rent assumptions. Acquired above and below market leases and below market ground lease obligations are valued based on the present value of the difference between prevailing market rates and the in-place rates measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the lease for above market leases and below market ground lease obligations, or the remaining term of the lease plus the term of any below market fixed rate renewal options for below market leases. The above market lease values are amortized as a reduction of rental revenue over the remaining term of the respective leases, and the below market lease values are amortized as an increase to base rental revenue over the remaining initial term plus the term of any below market fixed rate renewal options of the respective leases.

The purchase price is further allocated to in-place lease values based on an estimate of the lease revenue received during a reasonable lease-up period as if the property was vacant on the date of acquisition. The value of in-place lease intangibles, which are included in the line item Deferred Leasing Intangibles, Net are amortized over the remaining initial lease term (including expected renewal periods) as adjustments to depreciation and other amortization expense. If a tenant terminates its lease early, the unamortized portion of the tenant improvements, leasing commissions, above and below market leases and the in-place lease value is immediately accelerated and fully amortized on the date of the termination.

As defined by GAAP, a business is an integrated set of activities and assets that is capable of being conducted and managed for the purpose of providing a return in the form of dividends, lower costs or other economic benefits directly to investors or other owners, members or participants. Our typical acquisitions consist of properties whereby substantially all the fair value or gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single asset (land, building, and in-place leases) and, therefore, will be accounted for as asset acquisitions, which permits the capitalization of transaction costs to the basis of the acquired property.

Deferred leasing intangibles, net of accumulated amortization, included in our total assets and total liabilities consist of the following: 

	December 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
In-Place Leases	$	20,188	$	19,971
Above Market Leases	2,197		2,569
Below Market Ground Lease Obligation	1,597		1,643
Tenant Relationships	4,551		5,495
Total Included in Total Assets, Net of $29,541 and $26,337 of Accumulated Amortization	$	28,533	$	29,678
Below Market Leases	$	11,893	$	9,560
Total Included in Total Liabilities, Net of $13,045 and $11,356 of Accumulated Amortization	$	11,893	$	9,560

Amortization expense related to in-place leases and tenant relationships was $6,303, $6,267 and $6,648 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Rental revenues increased by $1,281, $1,095 and $1,116 related to net amortization of above and below market leases. We will recognize net amortization expense related to deferred leasing intangibles over the next five years, for properties owned as of December 31, 2019 as follows: 

	Estimated Amortization of In-Place Leases and Tenant Relationships		Estimated Net Increase to Rental Revenues Related to Above and Below Market Leases
2020	$	6,166	$	1,716
2021	$	4,052	$	1,262
2022	$	3,631	$	1,225
2023	$	3,197	$	973
2024	$	2,425	$	993

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs include fees and costs incurred to obtain long-term financing. These fees and costs are being amortized over the terms of the respective loans. Unamortized debt issuance costs are written-off when debt is retired before the maturity date. Debt issuance costs are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the respective debt liability, consistent with debt discounts, except for the debt issuance costs related to the unsecured credit facility which are included in the line item Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets, Net on the consolidated balance sheets.

Investment in Joint Venture

Investment in joint venture represents a noncontrolling equity interest in one joint venture. We have determined to account for our investment in this joint venture under the equity method of accounting, as we do not have a majority voting interest, operational control or financial control. Control is determined using accounting standards related to the consolidation of joint ventures and variable interest entities ("VIEs"). Under the equity method of accounting, our share of earnings or losses of a joint venture is reflected in income as earned and contributions or distributions increase or decrease our investment in joint venture as paid or received, respectively. Differences between our carrying value of our investment in this joint venture and our underlying equity in such joint venture are amortized and included as an adjustment to our equity in income (loss).

On a periodic basis, management assesses whether there are any indicators that the value of our investment in this joint venture may be impaired. An investment is impaired only if our estimate of the fair value of the investment is less than the carrying value of the investment, 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 value of the investment over the value of the investment.

Limited Partner Units

Limited Partner Units are reported within Partners' Capital in the Operating Partnership's balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 because they are not redeemable for cash or other assets (a) at a fixed or determinable date, (b) at the option of the Unitholder or (c) upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the Operating Partnership. Redemption can be effectuated, as determined by the General Partner, either by exchanging the Units for shares of common stock of the Company on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment, or by paying cash equal to the fair market value of such shares.

The Operating Partnership is the only significant asset of the Company and economic, fiduciary and contractual means align the interests of the Company and the Operating Partnership. The Company's Board of Directors and officers of the Company direct the Company to act when acting in its capacity as sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. Because of this, the Operating Partnership is deemed to have effective control of the form of redemption consideration. As of December 31, 2019, all criteria were met for the Operating Partnership to control the actions or events necessary to issue the maximum number of the Company's common shares required to be delivered upon redemption of all remaining Limited Partner Units.

Stock Based Compensation

We measure compensation cost for all stock-based awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognize compensation expense over the service period for awards expected to vest.

Net income is allocated to common stockholders or Unitholders and participating securities based upon their proportionate share of weighted average shares or Units plus weighted average participating securities. Participating securities are unvested share-based and Unit-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents. Restricted stock or restricted Unit awards granted to employees and directors are considered participating securities as they receive non-forfeitable dividend or dividend equivalents at the same rate as common stock or Units.

Revenue Recognition

We lease our properties to tenants under agreements that are classified as leases. We recognize, as rental income, the total minimum lease payments under the leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Generally, under the terms of our leases, the majority of property operating expenses, including real estate taxes, insurance, and other property operating expenses are recovered from our tenants and recognized as tenant recovery revenue in the same period we incur the related expenses. As the timing and straight-line pattern of transfer to the lessee for rental revenue and the associated rental recoveries are the same and our leases qualify as operating leases, we account for the present rental revenue and tenant recovery revenue as a single component under Lease Revenue.

We assess the collectibility of lease receivables (including future minimum rental payments) both at commencement and throughout the lease term. If we conclude that collection of lease payments is not probable at lease commencement, we will recognize lease payments only as they are received. If our assessment of collectibility changes during the lease term, any difference between the revenue that would have been received under the straight-line method and the lease payments that have been collected will be recognized as a current period adjustment to Lease Revenue.

If a lease provides for tenant improvements, we determine whether we or the tenant is the owner of the tenant improvements. When we are the owner of the tenant improvements, any tenant improvements funded by the tenant are treated as lease payments which are deferred and amortized as revenue over the lease term. When the tenant is the owner of the tenant improvements, we record any tenant improvement allowance funded as a lease inducement and amortize it as a reduction of revenue over the lease term.

Revenue is generally recognized on payments received from tenants for early lease terminations upon the effective termination of a tenant's lease and when we have no further obligations under the lease.

Gain on Sale of Real Estate

Asset sales are generally recognized when control of the asset being sold is transferred to the buyer. As the assets are sold, their costs and related accumulated depreciation, if any, are derecognized with resulting gains or losses reflected in net income. Estimated future costs to be incurred by us after completion of each sale are accrued and included in the determination of the gain on sales.

When leases contain purchase options, we assess the probability that the tenant will execute the purchase option both at lease commencement or at the time the tenant communicates their intent to execute the purchase option. If we determine the execution of the purchase option is likely, we will account for the lease as a sales-type lease and derecognize the associated real estate assets on our balance sheet and record a gain or loss on sale.

Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale

We report results of operations from real estate assets that are sold or classified as held for sale as discontinued operations provided the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on our operations and financial results.

We generally classify certain properties and related assets and liabilities as held for sale when the sale of an asset has been duly approved by management, a legally enforceable contract has been executed and the buyer's due diligence period, if any, has expired. At such time, the respective assets and liabilities are presented separately on the consolidated balance sheets. Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of carrying value or estimated fair value less estimated costs to sell.

Income Taxes

The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of its adjusted taxable income to its stockholders. Management intends to continue to adhere to these requirements and to maintain the Company's REIT status. As a REIT, the Company is entitled to a tax deduction for some or all of the dividends it pays to shareholders. Accordingly, the Company generally will not be subject to federal income taxes as long as it currently distributes to shareholders an amount equal to or in excess of the Company's taxable income. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to federal income taxes and may not be able to qualify as a REIT for four subsequent taxable years.

REIT qualification reduces, but does not eliminate, the amount of state and local taxes we pay. In addition, certain activities that we undertake may be conducted by entities which have elected to be treated as a TRS. TRSs are subject to both federal, state and local income taxes. 

We may also be subject to certain federal excise and franchise taxes if we engage in certain types of transactions. A benefit or provision has been made for federal, state and local income taxes in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The provision for excise and franchise taxes has been reflected in general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations and has not been separately stated due to its insignificance.

In accordance with partnership taxation, each of the partners of the Operating Partnership is responsible for reporting their share of taxable income or loss.

Earnings Per Share and Earnings Per Unit ("EPS" and "EPU")

Basic net income per common share or Unit is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders or Unitholders by the weighted average number of common shares or Units outstanding for the period.

Diluted net income per common share or Unit is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders or Unitholders by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares or Units outstanding and any dilutive non-participating securities for the period.

Derivative Financial Instruments

During the normal course of business, we have used derivative instruments for the purpose of managing interest rate risk on anticipated offerings of long term debt. Receipts or payments that result from the settlement of derivative instruments used to fix the interest rate on anticipated offerings of senior unsecured notes are amortized over the life of the derivative or the life of the debt and is included in interest expense. Receipts or payments resulting from derivative instruments used to convert floating rate debt to fixed rate debt are recognized as a component of interest expense.

To qualify for hedge accounting, derivative instruments used for risk management purposes must effectively reduce the risk exposure that they are designed to hedge. In addition, at inception of a qualifying cash flow hedging relationship, the underlying transaction or transactions, must be, and are expected to remain, probable of occurring in accordance with our related assertions. We recognize all derivative instruments in the line items Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets, Net or Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities at fair value. Changes in fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated in hedging relationships or that do not meet the criteria of hedge accounting are recognized in earnings. For derivative instruments designated in qualifying cash flow hedging relationships, changes in fair value related to the effective portion of the derivative instruments are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), whereas changes in fair value of the ineffective portion are recognized in earnings. If it is determined that a derivative instrument ceases to be highly effective as a hedge, or that it is probable the underlying forecasted transaction will not occur, we discontinue its cash flow hedge accounting prospectively and records the appropriate adjustment to earnings based on the current fair value of the derivative instrument. The credit risks associated with derivative instruments are controlled through the evaluation and monitoring of the creditworthiness of the counterparty. In the event that the counterparty fails to meet the terms of the derivative instruments, our exposure is limited to the fair value of agreements, not the notional amounts.

Fair Value

GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants. The guidance establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value based on observable and unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect our assumptions of pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. We estimate fair value using available market information and valuation methodologies we believe to be appropriate for these purposes. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three broad levels:

• Level 1 - quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date;

• Level 2 - inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability; and

• Level 3 - unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists for the asset or liability.

Our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to their fair value measurement. Considerable judgment and a high degree of subjectivity are involved in developing these estimates and, accordingly, they are not necessarily indicative of amounts that we would realize on disposition.

Segment Reporting

Management views the Company, inclusive of the Operating Partnership, as a single segment based on its method of internal reporting.

Reclassifications

We adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification 842 Leases effective January 1, 2019. Upon adoption of the new standard, tenant recovery revenue and fee revenue collected for delinquent lease payments for 2018 and 2017 have been reclassified to the Lease Revenue line item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations to conform to the 2019 financial statement presentation. This reclassification had no impact to the 2018 or 2017 results of operations.

 Certain amounts included in the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for 2018 have been reclassified to conform to the 2019 financial statement presentation.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02"), which amended the existing accounting standards for lease accounting to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet.

We adopted the standard effective January 1, 2019 and have elected to use January 1, 2019 as our date of initial application. Consequently, financial information will not be updated and disclosures required under the new standard will not be provided for periods presented before January 1, 2019 as these prior periods conform to Accounting Standards Codification 840. We elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard. By adopting these practical expedients, we were not required to reassess (1) whether an existing contract meets the definition of a lease; (2) the lease classification for existing leases; or (3) costs previously capitalized as initial direct costs.

As a lessor, our rental revenue remained mainly consistent with previous guidance, apart from the narrower definition of initial direct costs that can be capitalized. The new standard defines initial direct costs as only the incremental costs of signing a lease. As such, certain compensation and certain external legal fees related to the execution of successful lease agreements no longer meet the definition of initial direct costs under the new standard and will be accounted for in the line item General and Administrative Expense. However, the adoption of the standard, along with the adoption of ASU No. 2018-11, Leases - Targeted Improvements which the FASB issued in July 2018, did change our presentation of our results from operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The main changes caused by the adoption of the standards are:

• The new standard provided a practical expedient, which allows lessors to combine non-lease components with the related lease components if both the timing and pattern of transfer are the same for the non-lease components(s) and the related lease component, and the lease component would be classified as an operating lease. Lessors are permitted to apply the practical expedient to all existing leases on a retrospective or prospective basis. We elected the practical expedient to combine our lease and non-lease components that meet the defined criteria. The non-lease components of our leases primarily consist of common area maintenance reimbursements from our tenants.

• The new standard also requires lessors to exclude from variable payments recorded in lease revenues certain lessor costs, such as real estate taxes, that the lessor contractually requires the lessee to pay directly to a third party on its behalf. Several of our leases require tenants to pay real estate taxes directly to taxing authorities. For periods prior to January 1, 2019, we recorded these payments in the line item Property Expenses with an offset in the line item Lease Revenue. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, $7,517 and $7,734, respectively, of these payments are included in the aforementioned line items.

• The new standard requires our expected credit loss related to the collectibility of lease receivables to be reflected as an adjustment to the line item Lease Revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the credit loss related to the collectibility of lease receivables was recognized in the line item Property Expenses and was not significant.

We are a lessee on a limited number of ground and office leases. Under the new standard, the expense pattern for these leases is generally consistent with that of our historical recognition; however, we are required to record right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement of the lease based on the present value of the lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on information available at lease commencement to determine the present value of lease payments. For leases that commenced prior to the effective date of the standard, we recognized right-of-use assets and lease liabilities based on the present value of remaining lease payments and the incremental borrowing rate on the date of adoption. We have elected the short term lease exemption for certain qualifying leases with lease terms of twelve months or less and, accordingly, did not record right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. We have also elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components. For additional disclosures related to leases, refer to Note 10.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeting Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities" ("ASU 2017-12"). ASU 2017-12 is intended to better align financial reporting for hedging activities with the economic objectives of those activities. We adopted ASU 2017-02 effective January 1, 2019, and the adoption did not impact our financial condition or results of operations.