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Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business and Organization

American Assets Trust, Inc. (which may be referred to in these financial statements as the "Company," "we," "us," or "our") is a Maryland corporation formed on July 16, 2010 that did not have any operating activity until the consummation of our initial public offering (the "Offering") and the related acquisition of certain assets of our Predecessor (as defined below) on January 19, 2011. The Company is the sole general partner of American Assets Trust, L.P., a Maryland limited partnership formed on July 16, 2010 (the "Operating Partnership"). The Company's operations are carried on through our Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries, including our taxable REIT subsidiary. Since the formation of our Operating Partnership, the Company has controlled our Operating Partnership as its general partner and has consolidated its assets, liabilities and results of operations.

In connection with the Offering, on January 19, 2011 the following transactions were completed:

 

   

We issued a total of 31,625,000 shares of our common stock at $20.50 per share.

 

   

We acquired, through a series of merger and contribution transactions (the "Formation Transactions," as more fully described below), certain assets of our Predecessor and certain other entities. In exchange for such assets, the prior investors in such assets that were accredited investors were issued a total of 7,030,084 shares of our common stock and 18,145,039 common units of limited partnership interests in our Operating Partnership ("common units"), with an aggregate value of approximately $516.1 million, and non-accredited prior investors were paid a total of approximately $6.1 million in cash from the net proceeds of the Offering.

 

   

We entered into a $250.0 million revolving credit facility (the "credit facility") with an accordion feature to increase availability to $400.0 million under specified circumstances.

 

   

We repaid $342.0 million of indebtedness (including $24.3 million of defeasance costs) and paid $10.8 million, net of $0.7 million prepaid by our Predecessor, for loan transfer and consent fees and credit facility origination fees from the net proceeds of the Offering.

The net proceeds from the Offering were approximately $594.6 million, net of $1.9 million of offering costs prepaid by our Predecessor, including the underwriters' overallotment option which was exercised in full (after deducting the underwriting discount and commissions and expenses of the Offering and Formation Transactions). We contributed the net proceeds of the Offering to our Operating Partnership in exchange for common units.

Our "Predecessor" is not a legal entity but rather a combination of entities whose assets included entities owned and/or controlled by Ernest S. Rady and his affiliates, including the Ernest Rady Trust U/D/T March 13, 1983 (the "Rady Trust"), which in turn owned (1) controlling interests in entities owning 17 properties and the property management business of American Assets, Inc. ("AAI") (the "controlled entities"), and (2) noncontrolling interests in entities owning four properties (the "noncontrolled entities") (the assets described at (1) and (2) are the "Acquired Assets," and do not include our Predecessor's noncontrolling 25% ownership interest in Novato FF Venture, LLC, the entity that owns the Fireman's Fund Headquarters in Novato, California). The Formation Transactions included the acquisition by our Operating Partnership of the (a) Acquired Assets, (b) the entities that own Waikiki Beach Walk (a mixed-use property consisting of a retail portion and a hotel portion) (the "Waikiki Beach Walk entities") and (c) the entities that own Solana Beach Towne Centre and Solana Beach Corporate Centre (the "Solana Beach Centre entities") (including our Predecessor's ownership interest in these entities).

The Formation Transactions enabled us to (1) consolidate the ownership of our property portfolio under our Operating Partnership, (2) succeed to the property management business of AAI, (3) facilitate the Offering, and (4) qualify as a real estate investment trust (a "REIT") for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with the taxable year ending December 31, 2011. As a result of the Formation Transactions, we are a vertically integrated and self-administered REIT with 108 employees providing substantial in-house expertise in asset management, property management, property development, leasing, tenant improvement construction, acquisitions, repositioning, redevelopment and financing.

We determined that our Predecessor was the acquirer for accounting purposes, and therefore the contribution or acquisition by merger of interests in the controlled entities was considered a transaction between entities under common control since our Executive Chairman, Ernest S. Rady or his affiliates, including the Rady Trust, owned the controlling interest in each of the entities comprising our Predecessor, which, in turn, owned a controlling interest in each of the controlled entities. As a result, the acquisition of interests in each of the controlled entities was recorded at our historical cost. The contribution or acquisition by merger of interests in certain of the noncontrolled entities, which include the Waikiki Beach Walk entities and the Solana Beach Centre entities (including our Predecessor's ownership interest in these noncontrolled entities), was accounted for as an acquisition under the acquisition method of accounting and recognized at the estimated fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities on the date of such contribution or acquisition.

Since these transactions occurred on January 19, 2011, the financial condition and results of operations for the entities acquired by us in connection with the Offering and related Formation Transactions are not included in certain historical financial statements. More specifically, our financial condition as of December 31, 2010 and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 reflect the financial condition and results of operations for our Predecessor. Our financial condition as of December 31, 2011 and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2011 reflect the financial condition and results of operation for our Predecessor together with the entities we acquired at the time of the Offering, namely, the Waikiki Beach Walk entities and the Solana Beach Centre entities, as well as First & Main, Lloyd District Portfolio and Solana Beach—Highway 101, each acquired subsequent to the Offering. We have included the results of operations for the acquired entities in our consolidated statements of operations from the date of acquisition. Additionally, in August 2011, we sold Valencia Corporate Center, and we have reclassified our financial statements for all periods prior to the sale to reflect Valencia Corporate Center as discontinued operations.

Prior to the Offering, the Predecessor's financial statements included investments in certain real estate joint ventures in which Ernest Rady and his affiliates had significant influence, but not control, over major decisions, including the decision to sell or refinance the properties. These investments, which represent noncontrolling 25% to 80% ownership interests, were accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The Predecessor's investments in certain real estate joint ventures for which it had unilateral control, evidenced by the ability to make all major decisions, such as the acquisition, sale or refinancing of the property without approval of the minority party, were combined in these financial statements as they were under the common control of Ernest Rady and his affiliates.

Any reference to the number of properties and square footage are unaudited and outside the scope of our independent registered public accounting firm's audit of our financial statements in accordance with the standards of the United States Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

 

As of December 31, 2011, we owned or had a controlling interest in 21 office, retail, multifamily and mixed-use operating properties, the operations of which we consolidate. Additionally, as of December 31, 2011, we owned land at five of our properties that we classify as held for development. A summary of the properties owned by us is as follows:

 

Retail

Carmel Country Plaza

Carmel Mountain Plaza

South Bay Marketplace

Rancho Carmel Plaza

Lomas Santa Fe Plaza

Solana Beach Towne Centre

Del Monte Center

The Shops at Kalakaua

Waikele Center

Alamo Quarry Market

Office

Torrey Reserve Campus

Solana Beach Corporate Centre

160 King Street

The Landmark at One Market

First & Main

Lloyd District Portfolio

Multifamily

Loma Palisades

Imperial Beach Gardens

Mariner's Point

Santa Fe Park RV Resort

Mixed-Use

Waikiki Beach Walk Retail and Hotel

Held for Development

Solana Beach Corporate Centre—Land

Solana Beach—Highway 101—Land

Sorrento Pointe—Land

Torrey Reserve—Land

Lloyd District Portfolio—Land

Basis of Presentation

Our consolidated/combined financial statements include the accounts of the Company, our Operating Partnership and our subsidiaries. The equity interests of other investors in our Operating Partnership are reflected as noncontrolling interests. The combined financial statements of our Predecessor include the accounts of our Predecessor and all entities in which our Predecessor had a controlling interest. When our Predecessor was the general partner or managing member of a limited partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, our Predecessor was presumed to control the limited partnership or limited liability company unless the limited partners or non-managing members possessed or possess either (1) the substantive ability to dissolve the partnership or otherwise remove our Predecessor as the general partner or managing member without cause (commonly referred to as "kick-out rights"), or (2) the right to participate in substantive operating and financial decisions of the limited partnership or limited liability company that were expected to be made in the course of their business. The equity interests of other investors were reflected as noncontrolling interests. Our Predecessor accounted for its interests in joint ventures which it did not control using the equity method of accounting.

All significant intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.

In August 2011, we sold Valencia Corporate Center. We have reclassified our financial statements for all periods prior to the sale to reflect Valencia Corporate Center as discontinued operations. Unless noted otherwise, discussions in these notes pertain to our continuing operations.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, referred to as "GAAP," requires management to make estimates and assumptions that in certain circumstances affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and revenues and expenses. These estimates are prepared using management's best judgment, after considering past, current and expected events and economic conditions. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows-Supplemental Disclosures

The following table provides supplemental disclosures related to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2011     2010     2009  

Supplemental cash flow information

      

Cash paid for interest

   $ 52,713      $ 45,634      $ 42,702   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash paid for income taxes

   $ 55      $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities

      

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities for property under development

   $ 2,396      $ 120      $ (105
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Assumption of debt upon acquisition (Note 2)

   $ 268,008      $ 133,000      $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Assumption of notes to affiliates upon acquisition (Note 2)

   $ 14,824      $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Acquisition of working capital deficit, net of cash (Note 2)

   $ (4,176   $ (1,972   $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distribution of investment in joint venture not acquired

   $ 11,480      $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Issuance of common shares and units for acquisition of properties

   $ 33,854      $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Notes receivable from affiliate settled in common units

   $ 21,797      $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Notes payable to affiliates settled in common units

   $ 828      $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reduction to capital for prepaid Offering costs

   $ 1,974      $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transfer taxes accrued at time of Offering

   $ 6,556      $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Offering Costs

In connection with the Offering, affiliates incurred legal, accounting and related costs, which were assumed or reimbursed by the Company upon the consummation of the Offering and such costs were deducted from the gross proceeds of the Offering.

Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable

Our leases with tenants are classified as operating leases. Substantially all such leases contain fixed rent escalations which occur at specified times during the term of the lease. Base rents are recognized on a straight-line basis from when the tenant controls the space through the term of the related lease, net of valuation adjustments, based on management's assessment of credit, collection and other business risks. Percentage rents, which represent additional rents based upon the level of sales achieved by certain tenants, are recognized at the end of the lease year or earlier if we have determined the required sales level is achieved and the percentage rents are collectible. Real estate tax and other cost reimbursements are recognized on an accrual basis over the periods in which the related expenditures are incurred. Other property income includes parking income, general excise tax billed to tenants and fees charged to tenants at our multifamily properties. Other property income is recognized when earned. We recognize general excise tax gross, with the amounts billed to tenants and customers recorded in other property income and the related taxes paid as rental expense, and the general excise tax included in other income was $3.0 million, $1.1 million and $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. For a tenant to terminate its lease agreement prior to the end of the agreed term, we may require that they pay a fee to cancel the lease agreement. Lease termination fees for which the tenant has relinquished control of the space are generally recognized on the termination date. When a lease is terminated early but the tenant continues to control the space under a modified lease agreement, the lease termination fee is generally recognized evenly over the remaining term of the modified lease agreement.

We recognize revenue on the hotel portion of our mixed-use property from the rental of hotel rooms and guest services when the rooms are occupied and services have been provided. Food and beverage sales are recognized when the customer has been served or at the time the transaction occurs. Revenue from room rental is included in rental revenue on the statement of operations. Revenue from other sales and services provided is included in other property income on the statement of operations.

We make estimates of the collectibility of our accounts receivable related to minimum rents, straight-line rents, expense reimbursements and other revenue. Accounts receivable and deferred rent receivable are carried net of this allowance for doubtful accounts. We generally do not require collateral or other security from our tenants, other than letters of credit or security deposits. Our determination as to the collectibility of accounts receivable and correspondingly, the adequacy of this allowance, is based primarily upon evaluations of individual receivables, current economic conditions, historical experience and other relevant factors. The allowance for doubtful accounts is increased or decreased through bad debt expense. In some cases, primarily relating to straight-line rents, the collection of these amounts extends beyond one year. Our experience relative to unbilled straight-line rents is that a portion of the amounts otherwise recognizable as revenue is never billed to or collected from tenants due to early lease terminations, lease modifications, bankruptcies and other factors. Accordingly, the extended collection period for straight-line rents along with our evaluation of tenant credit risk may result in the nonrecognition of a portion of straight-line rental income until the collection of such income is reasonably assured. If our evaluation of tenant credit risk changes indicating more straight-line revenue is reasonably collectible than previously estimated and realized, the additional straight-line rental income is recognized as revenue. If our evaluation of tenant credit risk changes indicating a portion of realized straight-line rental income is no longer collectible, a reserve and bad debt expense is recorded. At December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, our allowance for doubtful accounts was $1.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, and our allowance for deferred rent receivables was $1.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively. Total bad debt expense was $2.0 million, $0.6 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

We recognize gains on sales of properties upon the closing of the transaction with the purchaser. Gains on properties sold are recognized using the full accrual method when (1) the collectibility of the sales price is reasonably assured, (2) we are not obligated to perform significant activities after the sale, (3) the initial investment from the buyer is sufficient and (4) other profit recognition criteria have been satisfied. Gains on sales of properties may be deferred in whole or in part until the requirements for gain recognition have been met.

We receive various fee income from unconsolidated real estate joint ventures including property management fees, construction management fees, acquisition and disposition fees, leasing fees, asset management fees and financing fees. Fee income is recorded as earned in accordance with the respective fee agreement. Profit from these fees, if any, is eliminated to the extent of our ownership interest in these entities. Subsequent to the Formations Transactions and the acquisition of the outside interests in unconsolidated joint ventures, we no longer earn fee revenue (Note 16).

Real Estate

Land, buildings and improvements are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives range generally from 30 years to a maximum of 40 years on buildings and major improvements. Minor improvements, furniture and equipment are capitalized and depreciated over useful lives ranging from 3 years to 15 years. Maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the useful lives of the related assets are charged to operations as incurred. Tenant improvements are capitalized and depreciated over the life of the related lease or their estimated useful life, whichever is shorter. If a tenant vacates its space prior to the contractual termination of its lease, the undepreciated balance of any tenant improvements are written off if they are replaced or have no future value. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, real estate depreciation expense was $42.5 million, $31.4 million and $25.3 million, respectively, including amounts from discontinued operations.

Acquisitions of properties are accounted for in accordance with the authoritative accounting guidance on acquisitions and business combinations. Our methodology of allocating the cost of acquisitions to assets acquired and liabilities assumed is based on estimated fair values, replacement cost and appraised values. When we acquire operating real estate properties, the purchase price is allocated to land and buildings, intangibles such as in-place leases, and to current assets and liabilities acquired, if any. Such valuations include a consideration of the noncancelable terms of the respective leases as well as any applicable renewal periods. The fair values associated with below market renewal options are determined based on a review of several qualitative and quantitative factors on a lease-by-lease basis at acquisition to determine whether it is probable that the tenant would exercise its option to renew the lease agreement. These factors include: (1) the type of tenant in relation to the property it occupies, (2) the quality of the tenant, including the tenant's long term business prospects and (3) whether the fixed rate renewal option was sufficiently lower than the fair rental of the property at the date the option becomes exercisable such that it would appear to be reasonably assured that the tenant would exercise the option to renew. The value allocated to in-place leases is amortized over the related lease term and reflected as depreciation and amortization in the statement of operations. The value of above and below market leases associated with the original noncancelable lease terms are amortized to rental income over the terms of the respective noncancelable lease periods and are reflected as either an increase (for below market leases) or a decrease (for above market leases) to rental income in the statement of operations. The value of the leases associated with below market lease renewal options that are likely to be exercised are amortized to rental income over the respective renewal periods. If a tenant vacates its space prior to contractual termination of its lease or the lease is not renewed, the unamortized balance of any in-place lease value is written off to rental income and amortization expense. Acquisition-related expenses are expensed in the period incurred.

We capitalize certain costs related to the development and redevelopment of real estate including pre-construction costs, real estate taxes, insurance and construction costs and salaries and related costs of personnel directly involved. Additionally, we capitalize interest costs related to development and significant redevelopment activities. Capitalization of these costs begins when the activities and related expenditures commence and cease when the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use, at which time the project is placed in service and depreciation commences. Additionally, we make estimates as to the probability of certain development and redevelopment projects being completed. If we determine that the completion of development or redevelopment is no longer probable, we expense all capitalized costs which are not recoverable.

Impairment of Long Lived Assets

We review for impairment on a property by property basis. Impairment is recognized on properties held for use when the expected undiscounted cash flows for a property are less than its carrying amount at which time the property is written-down to fair value. Properties held for sale are recorded at the lower of the carrying amount or the expected sales price less costs to sell. The sale or disposal of a "component of an entity" is treated as discontinued operations. The operating properties sold by us typically meet the definition of a component of an entity and as such the revenues and expenses associated with sold properties are reclassified to discontinued operations for all periods presented.

Financial Instruments

The estimated fair values of financial instruments are determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methods. Considerable judgment is necessary to interpret market data and develop estimated fair values. The use of different market assumptions or estimation methods may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. Accordingly, estimated fair values are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in current market exchanges.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We define cash and cash equivalents as cash on hand, demand deposits with financial institutions and short term liquid investments with an initial maturity of less than three months. Cash balances in individual banks may exceed the federally insured limit of $250,000 by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC"). No losses have been experienced related to such accounts. At December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we had $24.3 million and $6.5 million, respectively, in excess of the FDIC insured limit. At December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we had $82.1 million and $29.0 million, respectively, in money market funds that are not FDIC insured.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consists of amounts held by lenders to provide for future real estate tax expenditures, insurance expenditures and reserves for capital improvements. Activity for accounts related to real estate tax and insurance expenditures is classified as operating activities in the statement of cash flows. Changes in reserves for capital improvements are classified as investing activities in the statement of cash flows.

 

Marketable Securities

Our portfolio of marketable securities is comprised of debt securities that are classified as trading. Trading securities are presented on our consolidated balance sheets at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Gains and losses resulting from the mark-to-market of these securities are recognized as unrealized gains or losses in income.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets

Prepaid expenses and other assets consist primarily of lease costs, lease incentives, acquired in-place leases, acquired above market leases and debt issuance costs. Capitalized lease costs are direct costs incurred which were essential to originate a lease and would not have been incurred had the leasing transaction not taken place and include third party commissions and internal salaries and personnel costs related to obtaining a lease. Capitalized lease costs are amortized over the life of the related lease and included in depreciation and amortization expense on the statement of operations. If a tenant vacates its space prior to the contractual termination of its lease, the unamortized balance of any lease costs are written off. We view these lease costs as part of the up-front initial investment we made in order to generate a long-term cash inflow. Therefore, we classify cash outflows for lease costs as an investing activity in our consolidated statements of cash flows.

Costs related to the issuance of debt instruments are capitalized and are amortized as interest expense over the estimated life of the related issue using the straight-line method which approximates the effective interest method. If a debt instrument is paid off prior to its original maturity date, the unamortized balance of debt issuance costs are written off to interest expense or, if significant, included in "early extinguishment of debt." For the year ended December 31, 2011, $0.6 million in debt issuance costs were written off and included in early extinguishment of debt.

Variable Interest Entities

Certain entities that do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties or in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest qualify as variable interest entities ("VIEs"). VIEs are required to be consolidated by their primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the party that has a controlling interest in the VIE. Identifying the party with the controlling interest requires a focus on which entity has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and (1) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the VIE or (2) the right to receive the benefits from the VIE. We have evaluated our investments in certain joint ventures and determined that these joint ventures do not meet the requirements of a VIE and, therefore, consolidation of these ventures is not required. These investments are accounted for using the equity method. Our investment balances in our real estate joint ventures are presented separately in our consolidated balance sheets.

Investments in Real Estate Joint Ventures

We analyze our investments in real estate joint ventures under applicable guidance to determine if the venture is considered a VIE and would require consolidation. To the extent that the ventures do not qualify as VIEs, we further assess the venture to determine whether a general partner, or the general partners as a group, controls a limited partnership or similar entity when the limited partners have certain rights in order to determine whether consolidation is required.

 

We consolidate those ventures that are considered to be VIEs where we are the primary beneficiary. For non-VIEs, the Predecessor combined those ventures that Ernest Rady or the Rady Trust controlled through majority ownership interests or where the Predecessor was the managing member and the partner did not have substantive participating rights. Control is further demonstrated by the ability of the general partner to manage day-to-day operations, refinance debt and sell the assets of the venture without the consent of the limited partner and inability of the limited partner to replace the general partner. We use the equity method of accounting for those ventures where we do not have control over operating and financial policies. Under the equity method of accounting, the investment in each venture is included on our balance sheet; however, the assets and liabilities of the ventures for which we use the equity method are not included in the balance sheet. The investment is adjusted for contributions, distributions and our proportionate share of the net earnings or losses of each respective venture.

We assess whether there has been impairment in the value of our investments in real estate joint ventures periodically. An impairment charge is recorded when events or changes in circumstances indicate that a decline in the fair value below the carrying value has occurred and such decline is other-than-temporary. The ultimate realization of the investments in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures is dependent on a number of factors, including the performance of the investments and market conditions.

Notes Receivable from Affiliate

Certain entities made loans to affiliates in order to attain a higher return on excess cash balances, and these loans were classified as notes receivable from affiliate at December 31, 2010. The notes bore interest at LIBOR and were to be repaid upon demand. The notes were settled as part of the Formation Transactions.

Notes Payable to Affiliates

Owners of certain entities made loans to the entities, and these loans were classified as notes payable to affiliates at December 31, 2010. The notes bore interest at 10% and matured in 2013. The notes were repaid using proceeds from the Offering or were settled as part of the Formation Transactions.

Stock-Based Compensation

We grant stock-based compensation awards to our employees and directors typically in the form of restricted shares of common stock, options to purchase common stock and/or shares of common stock. We measure stock-based compensation expense based on the fair value of the award on the grant date and recognize the expense ratably over the vesting period.

Deferred Compensation

Our Operating Partnership has adopted the American Assets Trust Executive Deferral Plan V ("EDP V") and the American Assets Trust Executive Deferral Plan VI ("EDP VI"). These plans were adopted by our Operating Partnership as successor plans to those deferred compensation plans maintained by AAI in which certain employees of AAI, who were transferred to us in connection with the Offering (the "Transferred Participants"), participated prior to the Offering. EDP V and EDP VI contain substantially the same terms and conditions as these predecessor plans. AAI transferred to our Operating Partnership the Transferred Participants' account balances under the predecessor plans. These transferred account balances represent amounts deferred by the Transferred Participants prior to the Offering while they were employed by AAI.

 

At the time eligible participants defer compensation, we record compensation cost and a corresponding deferred compensation plan liability, which is included in other liabilities and deferred credits on our consolidated balance sheets. This liability is adjusted to fair value at the end of each accounting period based on the performance of the benchmark funds selected by each participant, and the impact of adjusting the liability to fair value is recorded as an increase or decrease to compensation cost.

Income Taxes

Prior to the Offering, we were comprised primarily of limited partnerships and limited liability companies. Under applicable federal and state income tax rules, the allocated share of net income or loss from the limited partnerships and limited liability companies was reportable in the income tax returns of the respective partners and members.

Subsequent to the Offering, we intend to elect to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") commencing with the taxable year ending December 31, 2011. To qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income to our stockholders and meet the various other requirements imposed by the Code relating to such matters as operating results, asset holdings, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership. Provided we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we are generally not subject to corporate level income tax on the earnings distributed currently to our stockholders that we derive from our REIT qualifying activities. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, and are unable to avail ourselves of certain savings provisions set forth in the Code, all of our taxable income would be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates, including any applicable alternative minimum tax.

We, together with one of our subsidiaries, will elect to treat such subsidiary as a taxable REIT subsidiary (a "TRS") for federal income tax purposes. Certain activities that we undertake must be conducted by a TRS, such as non-customary services for our tenants, and holding assets that we cannot hold directly. A TRS is subject to federal and state income taxes.

Segment Information

Segment information is prepared on the same basis that our management reviews information for operational decision-making purposes. We operate in four business segments: the acquisition, redevelopment, ownership and management of retail real estate, office real estate, multifamily real estate and mixed-use real estate. The products for our retail segment primarily include rental of retail space and other tenant services, including tenant reimbursements, parking and storage space rental. The products for our office segment primarily include rental of office space and other tenant services, including tenant reimbursements, parking and storage space rental. The products for our multifamily segment include rental of apartments and other tenant services. The products of our mixed-use segment include rental of retail space and other tenant services, including tenant reimbursements, parking and storage space rental and operation of a 369-room all-suite hotel.

Reclassifications

Certain items in the consolidated financial statements for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to current classifications.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2010-29, Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations ("ASU 2010-29"), which amended ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations ("ASC 805"). The objective of this guidance is to eliminate diversity in the interpretation of pro forma revenue and earnings disclosures requirements for business combinations. The guidance specifies that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The guidance also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures under ASC 805 to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination(s) included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. ASU 2010-29 is effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date occurs following the first annual reporting period which commences after December 15, 2010. The guidance is required in interim and annual reporting periods. Our adoption of this guidance effective January 1, 2011 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs ("ASU 2011-04"), which amended ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2011-04 clarifies the application of certain existing fair value measurement guidance and expands the disclosures for fair value measurements that are estimated using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs. ASU 2011-04 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The new guidance is to be adopted prospectively and early adoption is not permitted. We do not believe that adoption of ASU 2011-04 will have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income ("ASU 2011-05"), which amended ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income. ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in equity and requires that all non owner changes in equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In December 2011, the FASB deferred the requirement to present reclassification adjustments for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income in both net income and other comprehensive income on the face of the financial statements. ASU 2011-05 requires retrospective application and will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. We do not believe the adoption of ASU 2011-05 will have significant impact on our disclosures of comprehensive income.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-10, Derecognition of in Substance Real Estate—a Scope Clarification (Topic 360) ("ASU 2011-10"). This ASU modifies ASC Subtopic 360-20, which specifies circumstances under which the parent (reporting entity) of an "in substance real estate" entity derecognizes that in substance real estate. Generally, if the parent ceases to have a controlling financial interest (as described under ASC Subtopic 810-10) in the subsidiary as a result of a default on the subsidiary's nonrecourse debt, then the subsidiary's in substance real estate and related debt, as well as the corresponding results of operations, will continue to be included in the consolidated financial statements and not be removed from the consolidated results until legal title to the real estate is transferred. ASU 2011-10 will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after June 15, 2012. We do not expect ASU 2011-10 to have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.