Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation—The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Readers of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should refer to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, which are included in our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the unaudited consolidated financial statements for the periods presented have been included in this Quarterly Report. Our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019, are not necessarily indicative of the operating results expected for the full year.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated upon consolidation.

Leases, Lessor

Leases—We are party to a number of lease agreements, both as a lessor as well as a lessee of various types of assets.

Lessor—The majority of our revenue is lease revenue derived from our real estate assets, which is accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”). We adopted the accounting guidance contained within ASC 842 on January 1, 2019, the effective date of the standard for public companies. We record lease and lease-related revenue as Rental Income on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income, also referred to herein as our “consolidated statements of operations”, in accordance with ASC 842.

We enter into leases primarily as a lessor as part of our real estate operations, and leases represent the majority of our revenue. We lease space in our properties generally in the form of operating leases. Our leases typically provide for reimbursements from tenants for common area maintenance, insurance, and real estate tax expenses. Common area maintenance reimbursements can be fixed, with revenue earned on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, or variable, with revenue recognized as services are performed for which we will be reimbursed.

The terms and expirations of our operating leases with our tenants are generally similar. The majority of leases for inline (non-anchor) tenants have terms that range from 2 to 10 years, and the majority of leases for anchor tenants range from 3 to 13 years. In both cases, the full term of the lease prior to our acquisition or assumption of the lease will generally be longer, however, we are measuring the commencement date for these purposes as being the date that we acquired or assumed the lease, excluding option periods.

The lease agreements frequently contain fixed-price renewal options to extend the terms of leases and other terms and conditions as negotiated. In calculating the term of our leases, we consider whether these options are reasonably certain to be exercised. Our determination involves a combination of contract-, asset-, entity-, and market-based factors and involves considerable judgment. We retain substantially all of the risks and benefits of ownership of the real estate assets leased to tenants. Currently, our tenants have no options to purchase at the end of the lease term, although in a small number of leases, a tenant, usually the anchor tenant, may have the right of first refusal to purchase one of our properties if we elect to sell the center.

Beginning January 1, 2019, we evaluate whether a lease is an operating, sales-type, or direct financing lease using the criteria established in ASC 842. Leases will be considered either sales-type or direct financing leases if any of the following criteria are met:

• if the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the lessee by the end of the term;

• if the lease grants the lessee an option to purchase the underlying asset that is reasonably certain to be exercised;

• if the lease term is for the major part of the remaining economic life of the underlying asset; or

• if the present value of the sum of the lease payments and any residual value guaranteed by the lessee equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset.

We utilize substantial judgment in determining the fair value of the leased asset, the economic life of the leased asset, and the relevant borrowing rate in performing our lease classification analysis. If none of the criteria listed above are met, the lease is classified as an operating lease. Currently all of our leases are classified as operating leases, and we expect that the majority, if not all, of our leases will continue to be classified as operating leases based upon our typical lease terms.

We commence revenue recognition on our leases based on a number of factors. In most cases, revenue recognition under a lease begins when the lessee takes possession of or controls the physical use of the leased asset. The determination of when revenue recognition under a lease begins, as well as the nature of the leased asset, is dependent upon our assessment of who is the owner, for accounting purposes, of any related tenant improvements. If we are the owner, for accounting purposes, of the tenant improvements, then the leased asset is the finished space, and revenue recognition begins when the lessee takes possession of the finished space, typically when the improvements are substantially complete.

If we conclude that we are not the owner, for accounting purposes, of the tenant improvements (i.e. the lessee is the owner), then the leased asset is the unimproved space and any tenant allowances funded under the lease are treated as lease incentives, which reduce revenue recognized over the term of the lease. In these circumstances, we begin revenue recognition when the lessee takes possession of the unimproved space to construct their own improvements. We consider a number of different factors in evaluating whether the lessee or we are the owner of the tenant improvements for accounting purposes. These factors include:

• whether the lease stipulates how and on what a tenant improvement allowance may be spent;

• whether the tenant or landlord retains legal title to the improvements;

• the uniqueness of the improvements;

• the expected economic life of the tenant improvements relative to the length of the lease; and

• who constructs or directs the construction of the improvements.

The majority of our leases provide for fixed rental escalations, and we recognize rental income on a straight-line basis over the term of each lease in such instances. The difference between rental income earned on a straight-line basis and the cash rent due under the provisions of the lease agreements is recorded as deferred rent receivable and is included as a component of Other Assets, Net. Due to the impact of the straight-line adjustments, rental income generally will be greater than the cash collected in the early years and will be less than the cash collected in the later years of a lease.

Reimbursements from tenants for recoverable real estate taxes and operating expenses that are fixed per the terms of the applicable lease agreements are recorded on a straight-line basis, as described above. The majority of our lease agreements with tenants, however, provide for tenant reimbursements that are variable depending upon the applicable expenses incurred. These reimbursements are accrued as revenue in the period in which the applicable expenses are incurred. We make certain assumptions and judgments in estimating the reimbursements at the end of each reporting period. We do not expect the actual results to materially differ from the estimated reimbursements. Both fixed and variable tenant reimbursements are recorded as Rental Income in the consolidated statements of operations. In certain cases, the lease agreement may stipulate that a tenant make a direct payment for real estate taxes to the relevant taxing authorities. In these cases, beginning on January 1, 2019, we no longer record any revenue or expense related to these tenant expenditures. Although we expect such cases to be rare, in the event that a direct-paying tenant failed to make their required payment to the taxing authorities, we would potentially be liable for such amounts, although they are not recorded as a liability in our consolidated balance sheets per the requirements of ASC 842. We have made a policy election to exclude amounts collected from customers for all sales tax and other similar taxes from the transaction price in our recognition of lease revenue.

Additionally, we record an immaterial amount of variable revenue in the form of percentage rental income. Our policy for percentage rental income is to defer recognition of contingent rental income until the specified target (i.e. breakpoint) that triggers the contingent rental income is achieved.

In some instances, as part of our negotiations, we may offer lease incentives to our tenants. These incentives usually take the form of payments made to or on behalf of the tenant, and such incentives will be deducted from the lease payment and recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the new lease.

We record lease termination income if there is a signed termination agreement, all of the conditions of the agreement have been met, collectability is reasonably assured and the tenant is no longer occupying the property. Upon early lease termination, we provide for losses related to unrecovered tenant-specific intangibles and other assets. We record lease termination income as rental income in the consolidated statements of operations.

Historically, we periodically reviewed the collectability of outstanding receivables. Following the adoption of ASC 842, as of January 1, 2019, lease receivables are reviewed continually to determine whether or not it is likely that we will realize all amounts receivable for each of our tenants (i.e. whether a tenant is deemed to be a credit risk). If we determine that the tenant is not a credit risk, no reserve or reduction of revenue is recorded, except in the case of disputed charges. If we determine that the tenant is a credit risk, revenue for that tenant is recorded on a cash basis, including any amounts relating to straight-line rent receivables and/or receivables for recoverable expenses. Under ASC 842, the aforementioned adjustments as well as any reserve for disputed charges are recorded as a reduction of Rental Income rather than in Property Operating, where our reserves were previously recorded, on the consolidated statements of operations.

Leases, Lessee

Lessee—We enter into leases as a lessee as part of our real estate operations in the form of ground leases of land, and as part of our corporate operations in the form of office space and office equipment leases. Ground leases typically have initial terms of 15-40 years with one or more options to renew for additional terms of 3-5 years, and may include options that grant us as the lessee the right to terminate the lease, without penalty, in advance of the full lease term. Our office space leases generally have terms of less than ten years with no renewal options. Office equipment leases typically have terms ranging from 3-5 years with options to extend the term for a year or less, but contain minimal termination rights. In calculating the term of our leases, we consider whether we are reasonably certain to exercise renewal and/or termination options. Our determination involves a combination of contract-, asset-, entity-, and market-based factors and involves considerable judgment.

Currently, neither our operating leases nor our finance leases have residual value guarantees or other restrictions or covenants, but a small number may contain nonlease components which have been deemed not material. Beginning January 1, 2019, we evaluate whether a lease is a finance or operating lease using the criteria established in ASC 842. The criteria we use to determine whether a lease is a finance lease are the same as those we use to determine whether a lease is sales-type lease as a lessor. If none of the finance lease criteria is met, we classify the lease as an operating lease.

We record right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets based upon the terms and conditions of the applicable lease agreement. We use discount rates to calculate the present value of lease payments when determining lease classification and measuring our lease liability. We use the rate implicit in the lease as our discount rate unless that rate cannot be readily determined, in which case we consider various factors to select an appropriate discount rate. This requires the application of judgment, and we consider the length of the lease as well as the length and securitization of our outstanding debt agreements in selecting an appropriate rate.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition—In addition to our lease-related revenue, we also earn fee revenues by providing services to the Managed Funds. These fees are accounted for within the scope of ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), and are recorded as Fees and Management Income on the consolidated statements of operations. We provide services to the Managed Funds, all of which are considered related parties. These services primarily include asset acquisition and disposition services, asset management, operating and leasing of properties, construction management, and other general and administrative responsibilities. These services are currently provided under various combinations of advisory agreements, property management agreements, and other service agreements (the “Management Agreements”). The wide variety of duties within the Management Agreements makes determining the performance obligations within the contracts a matter of judgment. We have concluded that each of the separately disclosed fee types in the below table represents a separate performance obligation within the Management Agreements.

The table below shows the most significant of these fee types in the Management Agreements:

Fee	Performance Obligation Satisfied	Timing of Payment	Description
Asset Management	Over time	Monthly, in cash and/or ownership units	Because each increment of service is distinct, although substantially the same, revenue is recognized at the end of each reporting period based upon asset base and the applicable rate.
Property Management	Over time	In cash, monthly	Because each increment of service is distinct, although substantially the same, revenue is recognized at the end of each month based on a percentage of the properties’ cash receipts.
Leasing Commissions	Point in time (upon close of a transaction)	In cash, upon completion	Revenue is recognized in an amount equal to the fees charged by unaffiliated persons rendering comparable services in the same geographic location.
Construction Management	Point in time (upon close of a project)	In cash, upon completion	Revenue is recognized in an amount equal to the fees charged by unaffiliated persons rendering comparable services in the same geographic location.
Acquisition	Point in time (upon close of a transaction)	In cash, upon close of the transaction	Revenue is recognized based on a percentage of the purchase price of the property acquired.
Disposition	Point in time (upon close of a transaction)	In cash, upon close of the transaction	Revenue is recognized based on a percentage of the disposition price of the property sold.

Due to the nature of the services being provided under our Management Agreements, each performance obligation has a variable component. Therefore, when we determine the transaction price for the contracts, we are required to constrain our estimate to an amount that is not probable of significant revenue reversal. For most of these fee types, such as acquisition fees and leasing commissions, compensation only occurs if a transaction takes place and the amount of compensation is dependent upon the terms of the transaction. For our property and asset management fees, due to the large number and broad range of possible consideration amounts, we calculate the amount earned at the end of each month.

In addition to the fees listed above, certain of our Management Agreements include the potential for additional revenues if certain market conditions are in place or certain events take place. We have not recognized revenue related to these fees, nor will we until it is no longer highly probable that there would be a material reversal of revenue.

Additionally, effective January 1, 2018, sales or transfers to non-customers of non-financial assets or in substance non-financial assets that do not meet the definition of a business are accounted for within the scope of ASC Topic 610-20, Other Income—Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (“ASC 610-20”). Generally, our sales of real estate would be considered a sale of a non-financial asset as defined by ASC 610-20. Under ASC 610-20, if we determine we do not have a controlling financial interest in the entity that holds the asset and the arrangement meets the criteria to be accounted for as a contract, we would de-recognize the asset and recognize a gain or loss on the sale of the real estate when control of the underlying asset transfers to the buyer. Further, we may defer a tax gain through an Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) Section 1031 like-kind exchange by purchasing another property within a specified time period. For additional information regarding gain on sale of assets, refer to Note 5.

Income Tax

Income Taxes—Our consolidated financial statements include the operations of wholly owned subsidiaries that have jointly elected to be treated as Taxable REIT Subsidiaries (“TRS”) and are subject to U.S. federal, state, and local income taxes at regular corporate tax rates.

Newly Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting pronouncements that could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements:

Standard	Description	Date of Adoption	Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ASU 2018-19, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Codification Improvements	The amendments in this update replace the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. It clarifies that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of Topic 326. Instead, impairment of receivables arising from operating leases should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 842. This update is effective for public entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted after December 15, 2018.	January 1, 2020	We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)	This ASU eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements as part of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s disclosure framework project. It is effective for annual and interim reporting beginning after December 15, 2019, but early adoption is accepted.	January 1, 2020	We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2018-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities	This Update amends two aspects of the related-party guidance in ASC 810: (1) adds an elective private-company scope exception to the variable interest entity guidance for entities under common control and (2) indirect interests held through related parties in common control arrangements should be considered on a proportional basis for determining whether fees paid to decision makers and service providers are variable interests. For entities other than private companies, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. All entities are required to apply the amendments in this update retrospectively with a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings at the beginning of the earliest period presented. Early adoption is permitted.	January 1, 2020	We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

The following table provides a brief description of newly adopted accounting pronouncements and their effect on our consolidated financial statements:

Standard	Description	Date of Adoption	Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ASU 2018-01, Leases (Topic 842): Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842 ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements ASU 2018-20, Leases (Topic 842): Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors ASU 2019-01, Lease (Topic 842): Codification Improvements	These updates amended existing guidance by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements.	January 1, 2019	We adopted this standard on January 1, 2019 and a modified retrospective transition approach was required. We determined that the adoption had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements; please refer to Note 3 for additional details. We elected to utilize the following optional practical expedients upon adoption: - Package of practical expedients which permits us not to reassess our prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification, and initial direct costs. - Practical expedient permitting us not to assess whether existing, expired, or current land easements either are or contain a lease. - Practical expedient which permits us as a lessor not to separate non-lease components, such as common area maintenance reimbursements, from the associated lease component, provided that the timing and pattern of transfer of the services are substantially the same. Because of our decision to elect this practical expedient, we will no longer present our Rental Income and Tenant Recovery Income amounts separately on our statements of income, and have reclassified Tenant Recovery Income amounts to Rental Income for all periods presented on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). - Practical expedient which permits us not to record a right of use asset or lease liability related to leases of twelve months or fewer, but instead allows us to record expense related to any such leases as it is incurred.
ASU 2018-07, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Non-employee Share-Based Payment Accounting	The amendments in this update expanded the scope of Topic 718: Compensation - Stock Compensation to include share-base payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from non-employees, except for specific guidance on inputs to an option pricing model and the attribution of cost (that is, the period of time over which share-based payment awards vest and the pattern of cost recognition over that period).	January 1, 2019	The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2018-16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap (OIS) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes	This update permitted use of the OIS rate based on the SOFR as a US benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes under Topic 815. The purpose of this was to facilitate the LIBOR to SOFR transition and provide sufficient lead time for entities to prepare for changes to interest rate risk hedging strategies for both risk management and hedge accounting purposes.	January 1, 2019	The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications

The following line item on our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2018, was reclassified to conform to current year presentation:

• Tenant Recovery was combined with Rental Income.

The following line items on our consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018, were reclassified to conform to current year presentation:

• Accounts Receivable - Affiliates was combined with Other Assets;

• Share-based Compensation Expense was reclassified from Other; and

• Accounts Payable - Affiliates was combined with Accounts Payable and Other Liabilities.