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Investment in Real Estate and Other Affiliates
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2022
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]  
Investment in Real Estate and Other Affiliates
2. Investment in Real Estate and Other Affiliates
 
As of September 30, 2022, the Company does not consolidate the investments below as it does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the ventures and does not have controlling interests in these investments. As a result, the Company reports its interests in accordance with the equity method. As of September 30, 2022, these ventures had mortgage financing totaling $209.7 million, with the Company’s proportionate share of this debt totaling $105.2 million. All of this indebtedness is without recourse to the Company.

Investments in real estate and other affiliates are reported as follows:
 Economic/Legal OwnershipCarrying ValueShare of Earnings/Dividends
 September 30,December 31,September 30,December 31,Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
thousands except percentages20222021202220212022202120222021
Equity Method Investments  
Operating Assets:  
110 North Wacker (a) %see below$ $194,999 $ $(15,954)$4,914 $(42,966)
The Metropolitan Downtown Columbia (b)50 %50 % — 1,568 (233)4,516 (122)
Stewart Title of Montgomery County, TX50 %50 %3,771 4,185 136 715 848 1,349 
Woodlands Sarofim #120 %20 %3,034 3,215 6 34 (9)87 
m.flats/TEN.M (c)50 %50 % — 2,422 330 6,991 966 
Master Planned Communities:
The Summit (d) (e)see belowsee below67,031 41,536 15,283 8,277 17,635 54,568 
Floreo (e)50 %50 %58,733 59,080 (421)— (645)— 
Seaport:
The Lawn Club (e)see belowsee below2,553 447  —  — 
Ssäm Bar (Momofuku) (e)
see belowsee below5,661 5,852 (216)(1,009)(473)(1,697)
The Tin Building by Jean-Georges (e)
see belowsee below3,730 — (11,366)— (20,565)— 
Jean-Georges Restaurants (f)25 %— %46,215 — 309 — 815 — 
Strategic Developments:
HHMK Development50 %50 %10 10  —  — 
KR Holdings50 %50 %485 127 (18)(8)796 (125)
West End Alexandriasee belowsee below56,613 56,546 5 — 67 — 
247,836 365,997 7,708 (7,848)14,890 12,060 
Other equity investments (g)13,779 3,952  — 4,638 3,755 
Investment in real estate and other affiliates$261,615 $369,949 $7,708 $(7,848)$19,528 $15,815 
(a)During the first quarter of 2022, the Company completed the sale of its ownership interest in 110 North Wacker. Refer to discussion below for additional information.
(b)The Metropolitan Downtown Columbia was in a deficit position of $7.9 million at September 30, 2022, and $11.3 million at December 31, 2021, due to distributions from operating cash flows in excess of basis. These deficit balances are presented in Accounts payable and accrued expenses at September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021.
(c)M.flats/TEN.M was in a deficit position of $0.9 million at September 30, 2022, and $6.0 million at December 31, 2021, due to distributions from operating cash flows in excess of basis. These deficit balances are presented in Accounts payable and accrued expenses at September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021.
(d)In July 2022, the Company contributed an additional 54 acres to the Summit (Phase II land) and recognized a gain of $13.5 million. Excluding this gain, equity earnings at The Summit decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, as a result of lower sales in 2022 due to limited available Phase I inventory and the impact of an increase in projected amenity and completion costs recognized in 2022.
(e)Refer to the discussion below for details on the ownership structure.
(f)On March 1, 2022, the Company purchased a 25% interest in Jean-Georges Restaurants. Refer to discussion below for additional information.
(g)Other equity investments represent equity investments not accounted for under the equity method. The Company elected the measurement alternative as these investments do not have readily determinable fair values. There were no impairments, or upward or downward adjustments to the carrying amounts of these securities either during current year or cumulatively. As of September 30, 2022, Other equity investments includes $10.0 million of warrants, which represents cash paid by HHC for the option to acquire additional ownership interest in Jean-Georges Restaurants. Refer to discussion below for additional details.

Significant activity for Investment in real estate and other affiliates and the related accounting considerations are described below.

110 North Wacker The Company formed a partnership with a local developer (the Partnership) during the second quarter of 2017. During the second quarter of 2018, the Partnership executed an agreement with USAA related to 110 North Wacker (collectively, the local developer and USAA are the Partners) to construct and operate the building at 110 North Wacker through a separate legal entity (the Venture).

The Company concluded that the Venture was within the scope of the variable interest model (VIE) model, and that it was the primary beneficiary of the Venture during the development phase of the project, and thus consolidated the venture; however, upon the building’s completion in the third quarter of 2020, the Company concluded it was no longer the primary beneficiary, resulting in the deconsolidation of the Venture. As of September 30, 2020, the Company derecognized all assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interest related to the Venture, recognized an equity method investment based on the fair value of its interest in 110 North Wacker and recognized a gain on deconsolidation of $267.5 million.

The Partnership was determined to be a VIE, and as the Company had the power to direct the activities of the Partnership that most significantly impact its economic performance, the Company was considered the primary beneficiary and consolidated the Partnership. Additionally, the local developer had the right to require the Company to purchase its interest in the Partnership if the Venture had not been sold or refinanced (with distributions made to the local developer and Company sufficient to repay all capital contributions) within a specified time period. Therefore, the local developer’s redeemable noncontrolling interest in the Partnership was presented as temporary equity as of December 31, 2021, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Given the nature of the Venture’s capital structure and the provisions for the liquidation of assets, the Company’s share of the Venture’s income-producing activities was recognized based on the Hypothetical Liquidation at Book Value (HLBV) method. In 2021, the Company recorded a $17.7 million impairment of its equity investment in the Venture due to a change in the anticipated holding period as it entered into a plan to sell the Partnership’s interest in the Venture.

On March 30, 2022, the Partnership completed the sale of its ownership interest in the Venture for a gross sales price of $208.6 million. Upon sale, the Company recognized income of $5.0 million in Equity in earnings (losses) from real estate and other affiliates in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The amount recognized represents: (i) the difference between the sales price less related transaction costs of $17.6 million and the $195.0 million carrying value of the equity investment; (ii) a $0.4 million adjustment to the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest to reflect actual cash proceeds and (iii) $8.6 million of net fair value gains that were reclassed out of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) associated with the Venture’s derivative instruments. Based upon the Partnership’s waterfall, $168.9 million of the net sales proceeds were allocated to the Company with the remaining $22.1 million allocated to the local developer.

Upon sale of the equity interest in the Venture, the local developer’s put right that could require the Company to purchase its interest in the Partnership lapsed. Therefore, as of March 31, 2022, the local developer’s redeemable noncontrolling interest in the Partnership was reclassified from temporary equity to Accounts payable and accrued expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The local developer’s share of the sales proceeds were distributed in April 2022, and presented as cash outflows from financing activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
The following table presents changes in Redeemable noncontrolling interest:
thousandsRedeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at December 31, 2021
$22,500 
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest(407)
Disposition of noncontrolling interest related to 110 North Wacker(22,093)
Balance at September 30, 2022
$— 
Balance at December 31, 2020
$29,114 
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest(4,296)
Share of investee’s other comprehensive income582 
Balance at September 30, 2021
$25,400 

The Lawn Club On January 19, 2021, the Company formed HHC Lawn Games, LLC with The Lawn Club NYC, LLC (Endorphin Ventures), to construct and operate an immersive indoor and outdoor restaurant that includes an extensive area of indoor grass, a stylish clubhouse bar and a wide variety of lawn games. This concept is expected to open in 2023. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company will fund 80% of the cost to construct the restaurant, and Endorphin Ventures will contribute the remaining 20%. The Company also entered into a lease agreement with HHC Lawn Games, LLC (Lease Agreement) to lease 20,000 square feet of the Fulton Market Building for this venture. The Company will report its ownership interest in accordance with the equity method.

Available cash will be distributed 80% to the Company and 20% to Endorphin Ventures until each member’s unreturned capital account has been reduced to zero. Distributions will then be allocated 60% to the Company and 40% to Endorphin Ventures until the amounts paid to the Company under the Lease Agreement and the aggregate amounts distributed to the Company equal $100 per square foot of the property on an annual basis. Any remaining cash will be distributed equally between both members. Given the nature of The Lawn Club’s capital structure and the provisions for the liquidation of assets, the Company’s share of The Lawn Club’s income-producing activities will be recognized based on the HLBV method.

Ssäm Bar In 2016, the Company formed Pier 17 Restaurant C101, LLC (Ssäm Bar) with MomoPier, LLC (Momofuku), an affiliate of the Momofuku restaurant group, to construct and operate a restaurant and bar at Pier 17 in the Seaport, pursuant to a lease where the Company is the landlord. Under the terms of the LLC agreement, the Company funded 89.75% of the costs to construct the restaurant, and Momofuku contributed the remaining 10.25%.

As of September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021, Ssäm Bar is classified as a VIE because the equity holders, as a group, lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest; however, the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The carrying value of Ssäm Bar as of September 30, 2022, is $5.7 million and is classified as Investments in real estate and other affiliates in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of this investment is limited to the aggregate carrying value of the investment as the Company has not provided any guarantees or otherwise made firm commitments to fund amounts on behalf of this VIE.

After each member receives a 10% preferred return on its capital contributions, available cash will be allocated 75% to the Company and 25% to Momofuku, until each member’s unreturned capital account has been reduced to zero. Any remaining cash will be distributed 50% to each of the members. Given the nature of the Ssäm Bar’s capital structure and the provisions for the liquidation of assets, the Company’s share of the Ssäm Bar’s income-producing activities is recognized based on the HLBV method.

The Tin Building by Jean-Georges In 2015, the Company, together with VS-Fulton Seafood Market, LLC (Fulton Partner), formed Fulton Seafood Market, LLC (The Tin Building by Jean-Georges) to operate a 53,783 square foot culinary marketplace in the historic Tin Building with an expanded focus on experiences including in-person dining, retail shopping and delivery. The Fulton Partner is a wholly owned subsidiary of Jean-Georges Restaurants. The Company purchased a 25% interest in Jean-George Restaurants in March 2022 as discussed below.
The Company owns 100% of the Tin Building and leased 100% of the space to The Tin Building by Jean-Georges joint venture. Throughout this report, references to the Tin Building relate to the Company’s 100% owned landlord operations and references to The Tin Building by Jean-Georges refer to the managed business in which the Company has an equity ownership interest. The Company, as landlord, funded 100% of the development and construction of the Tin Building. Under the terms of The Tin Building by Jean-Georges LLC agreement, the Company contributes the cash necessary to fund pre-opening, opening and operating costs of Fulton Seafood Market LLC. The Fulton Partner is not required to make any capital contributions.

The Tin Building was completed and placed in service during the third quarter of 2022 and The Tin Building by Jean-Georges culinary marketplace began operations with limited operating hours in the third quarter of 2022.

As of September 30, 2022, The Tin Building by Jean-Georges is classified as a VIE because the equity holders, as a group, lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. The Company further concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE as it does not have the power to direct the restaurant-related activities that most significantly impact its economic performance. As such, the Company accounts for its ownership interest in accordance with the equity method. Because the Company is unable to quantify the maximum amount of additional capital contributions that may be funded in the future associated with this investment, the Company’s maximum exposure related to loss as a result of this investment is based upon the carrying value of the investment.

Under The Tin Building by Jean-Georges LLC agreement, available cash (other than available cash attributable to a capital event) will be distributed 100% to the Company until it receives a cumulative preferred return of 18% per year on its costs incurred in excess of a specified threshold. Available cash will then be allocated 65% to the Company and 35% to the Fulton Partner.

Given the nature of The Tin Building by Jean-Georges’ capital structure and the provisions for the liquidation of assets, the Company’s share of The Tin Building by Jean-Georges’ income-producing activity will be recognized based on the HLBV method. The HLBV calculation utilizes a distribution waterfall that returns available cash attributable to a capital event first, to the Company until 100% of the Company’s unreturned capital amount and the preferred return has been paid in full; then, 65% to the Company and 35% to the Fulton Partner.

The carrying value of The Tin Building by Jean-Georges as of September 30, 2022, is $3.7 million and represents HHC contributions of $24.3 million, partially offset by $20.6 million of equity losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, related to pre-opening expenses.

Jean-Georges Restaurants On March 1, 2022, the Company acquired a 25% interest in JG Restaurant HoldCo LLC (Jean-Georges Restaurants) for $45.0 million from JG TopCo LLC (Jean-Georges). Jean-Georges Restaurants currently has over 40 hospitality offerings and a pipeline of new concepts. The Company concluded that Jean-Georges Restaurants is not a VIE. The Company further concluded that it does not possess a controlling financial interest under the voting model. As such, the Company will account for its ownership interest in accordance with the equity method and recorded its initial investment at cost, inclusive of legal fees and transaction costs. Under the terms of the agreement, all cash distributions and the recognition of income producing activities will be pro rata based on economic ownership interest.

Concurrent with the Company’s acquisition of the 25% interest in Jean-Georges Restaurants, the Company entered into a warrant agreement with Jean-Georges. The Company paid $10.0 million for the option to acquire up to an additional 20% interest in Jean-Georges Restaurants at a fixed exercise price per share subject to certain anti-dilution provisions. Should the warrant agreement be exercised by the Company, the $10.0 million will be credited against the aggregate exercise price of the warrants. The warrant became exercisable on March 2, 2022, subject to automatic exercise in the event of dissolution or liquidation, and will expire on March 2, 2026. Per the agreement, the $10.0 million is to be used for working capital of Jean-Georges Restaurants. The Company elected the measurement alternative for this purchase option as the equity security does not have a readily determinable fair value. As such, the investment is measured at cost, less any identified impairment charges.

Creative Culinary Management Company, LLC (CCMC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Jean-Georges Restaurants, provides management services for certain retail and food and beverage businesses that HHC owns, either wholly or through partnerships with third parties. The Company’s businesses managed by CCMC include The Tin Building by Jean-Georges, The Fulton, The Greens and Malibu Farm. Pursuant to the various management agreements, CCMC is responsible for employment and supervision of all employees providing services for the food and beverage operations and restaurant as well as the day-to-day operations and accounting for the food and beverage operations.
The Summit In 2015, the Company formed DLV/HHPI Summerlin, LLC (The Summit) with Discovery Land Company (Discovery). Given the nature of The Summit’s capital structure and the provisions for the liquidation of assets, the Company’s share of The Summit’s income-producing activities is recognized based on the HLBV method.

Phase I The Company contributed land with a carrying value of $13.4 million (Phase I land) and transferred SID bonds related to such land with a carrying value of $1.3 million to The Summit at the agreed upon capital contribution value of $125.4 million, or $226,000 per acre and has no further capital obligations. Discovery is required to fund up to a maximum of $30.0 million of cash as their capital contribution, of which $3.8 million has been contributed. The gains on the contributed land are recognized in Equity in earnings from real estate and other affiliates as The Summit sells lots. 

Pursuant to the Summit LLC agreement, HHC received distributions equal to its initial capital contribution of $125.4 million and a 5.0% preferred return on such capital contribution and Discovery received cash distributions equal to two times its equity contribution. Once these thresholds were met, cash distributions and income-producing activities associated with the Phase I land were recognized according to equity ownership. As of September 30, 2022, HHC has received $179.1 million in total distributions and Discovery has received $27.0 million in total distributions.

Phase II In July 2022, the Company contributed an additional 54 acres to the Summit (Phase II land) with a fair value of $21.5 million. The Company recognized an incremental equity method investment at the fair value of $21.5 million and recognized a gain of $13.5 million recorded in Equity in earnings (losses) from real estate and other affiliates. This gain is the result of marking the cost basis of the land contributed to its estimated fair value at the time of contribution. The Phase II land is adjacent to the existing Summit development and is currently planned for approximately 28 custom home sites that will be added to the Summit community.

Pursuant to the amended Summit LLC agreement, cash flow generated from the sale of the Phase II land will be distributed first to the Company to the extent of the contribution value plus a 5% preferred return thereon, then 40% to the Company and 60% to Discovery until Discovery has received $32.0 million, then 50% to each member.

Floreo (formerly named Trillium) In the fourth quarter of 2021, simultaneous with the Teravalis land acquisition, the Company entered into a Limited Liability Company Agreement (LLC Agreement) with JDM Partners and El Dorado Holdings to form Trillium Development Holding Company, LLC (Floreo) for the purpose of developing the first village within the new Teravalis MPC in Phoenix’s West Valley.

Within the 3,029-acre Floreo development located in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area, JDM Partners owned approximately 2,579 acres and El Dorado Holdings owned approximately 450 acres. Simultaneously with the LLC Agreement, all parties executed the Contribution and Purchase Agreement under which the Company acquired a 50% interest in the land owned by JDM Partners and a 50% interest in the land owned by El Dorado Holdings for $59.0 million, and immediately contributed its ownership interest in the property to Floreo in exchange for a 50% equity interest. At the same time, JDM Partners contributed its remaining 50% interest in its land and El Dorado Holdings contributed its remaining 50% interest in its land to Floreo in exchange for the remaining equity interest. Subsequent to these contributions, member equity interest in Floreo was 50% for the Company, 42.5% for JDM Partners and 7.5% for El Dorado Holdings. The Company will report its ownership interest in accordance with the equity method. Under the terms of the agreement, all future capital contributions, cash distributions and the recognition of income producing activities will be pro rata based on economic ownership interest. The first Floreo land sales are expected to occur in the second half of 2023.

On October 25, 2022, Floreo closed on a $165.0 million financing, and at initial closing, outstanding borrowings were $57.5 million. The Company provided a guarantee on this financing and received a guarantee fee of $5.0 million.

West End Alexandria In the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company entered into an Asset Contribution Agreement with Foulger-Pratt Development, LLC (Foulger-Pratt) and Seritage SRC Finance (Seritage). Prior to this agreement, Foulger-Pratt owned 100% interest in Landmark Land Holdings, LLC (West End Alexandria). Pursuant to this agreement, the Company conveyed its 33-acre Landmark Mall property with an agreed upon fair value of $56.0 million and Seritage conveyed an additional 19 acres of land with an agreed upon fair value of $30.0 million to West End Alexandria in exchange for equity interest. Additionally, Foulger-Pratt agreed to contribute $10.0 million to West End Alexandria. Subsequent to these conveyances and contributions, each member received an equity interest proportionate to the agreed upon values, defined as 58.33% for the Company, 31.25% for Seritage, and 10.42% for Foulger-Pratt.

Also in the fourth quarter of 2021, West End Alexandria executed a Purchase and Sale Agreement with the City of Alexandria to sell approximately 11 acres to the City of Alexandria for $54.0 million. The City will lease this land to Inova Health Care Services for construction of a new hospital.
Development plans for the remaining 41 acre property includes approximately four million square feet of residential, retail, commercial, and entertainment offerings integrated into a cohesive neighborhood with a central plaza, a network of parks and public transportation. Foulger-Pratt will manage construction of the development. Demolition began in the second quarter of 2022, with completion of the first buildings expected in 2025.Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated November 17, 2021, the distribution waterfall provides that: (i) each member other than Foulger-Pratt is to receive a 15% preferred return, compounded annually, on any preferred capital contributions made to fund controllable cost overruns; (ii) return of any preferred capital contributions on a pro rata basis in proportion to the outstanding preferred capital contributions; (iii) 100% to all members pro rata in accordance with each member’s respective Percentage Interests until each member has received an internal rate of return of 10% on its capital contributions: (iv) 20% to Foulger-Pratt and 80% to all members pro rata in accordance with their respective percentage interests until each member has received an internal rate of return of 15% percent; (v) 100% to Foulger-Pratt until they have received an amount equal to all of its unreturned controllable cost overrun contributions; and (vi) 30% to Foulger-Pratt and 70% to all members pro rata in accordance with their respective percentage interests. Given the nature of the capital structure, the Company recognizes its allocable share of earnings of the investee based upon the HLBV method.