Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

(a) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following provides information about the methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the Company's financial instruments, including their estimated fair values.

Notes Receivable

The fair value of the Company's notes receivable is estimated based on the current market rates available for notes of the same terms and remaining maturities adjusted for customer specific credit risk. The fair value of notes receivable was determined using Level 3 inputs of the fair value hierarchy. Based on the estimates made by the Company, the fair value of notes receivable was $35.3 million at December 31, 2011.

Trading Securities Held in Trust

The Company has investments in marketable securities that are classified as trading securities held in trust on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value of the trading securities held in trust was determined using quoted prices in active markets, considered Level 1 inputs of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the trading securities held in trust was $21.7 million and $20.9 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Changes in the value of trading securities are recorded within loss (income) from deferred compensation plan in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Notes Payable

The fair value of the Company's notes payable is estimated based on the current market rates available to the Company for debt of the same terms and remaining maturities. Fixed rate loans assumed in connection with real estate acquisitions are recorded in the accompanying consolidated financial statements at fair value at the time the property is acquired including those loans assumed in distribution-in-kind liquidations. The fair value of the notes payable was determined using Level 3 inputs of the fair value hierarchy. Based on the estimates used by the Company, the fair value of notes payable was $2.1 billion at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Unsecured Line of Credit

The fair value of the Company's Line is estimated based on the interest rates currently offered to the Company by the Company's bankers. Based on the recent amendment to the Line, the Company has determined that fair value approximates carrying value.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty's nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements.

Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads, to evaluate the likelihood of default by the Company and its counterparties.

(b) Fair Value Measurements

The following are fair value measurements recorded on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively (in thousands):

		Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2011
December 31, 2011				Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets	Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
Assets		Balance		(Level 1)	(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Trading securities held in trust	$	21,713		21,713	—		—
Total	$	21,713		21,713	—		—
Liabilities:
Interest rate derivatives	$	(37	)		(38	)	1

		Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2010
			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets	Significant Other Observable Inputs	Significant Unobservable Inputs
Assets		Balance	(Level 1)	(Level 2)	(Level 3)
Trading securities held in trust		20,891	20,891	—	—
Total	$	20,891	20,891	—	—

The following table presents fair value measurements of assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2011:

			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets	Significant Other Observable Inputs	Significant Unobservable Inputs	Total Gains (Losses)
Assets		Balance	(Level 1)	(Level 2)	(Level 3)
Long-lived assets held and used
Operating and development properties (1)	$	5,520	—	—	5,520	(11,843	)
Investment in real estate partnerships (1)		1,893			1,893	(4,580	)
Total	$	7,413	—	—	7,413	(16,423	)
(1)Represents real estate investments for which the Company has recorded a provision for impairment during 2011.

Long-lived assets held and used are comprised primarily of real estate. The provision for impairment recognized during the year ended December 31, 2011 related to two operating properties. These properties exhibited weak operating fundamentals, including low economic occupancy for an extended period of time, which lead to the impairment. As a result, the Company evaluated the current fair value of the properties and recorded impairment losses.

Fair value was determined through the use of an income approach. The income approach estimates an income stream for a property (typically 10 years) and discounts this income plus a reversion (presumed sale) into a present value at a risk adjusted rate. Yield rates and growth assumptions utilized in this approach are derived from market transactions as well as other financial and industry data. The terminal cap rate and discount rate are significant inputs to this valuation. The Company has determined that the inputs used to value this long-lived asset falls within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.