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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 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 on January 19, 2011 of certain assets of a combination of entities whose assets included entities owned and/or controlled by Ernest S. Rady and his affiliates, including the Rady Trust, which in turn owned (1) controlling interests in entities owning 17 properties and the property management business of American Assets, Inc. and (2) noncontrolling interests in entities owning four properties. 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.
We are a vertically integrated and self-administered REIT with 228 employees providing substantial in-house expertise in asset management, property management, property development, leasing, tenant improvement construction, acquisitions, repositioning, redevelopment and financing.
 
Any reference to the number of properties or units, square footage or acres, employees; or references to beneficial ownership interests, 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, 2023, we owned or had a controlling interest in 31 office, retail, multifamily and mixed-use operating properties, the operations of which we consolidate. Additionally, as of December 31, 2023, we owned land at three of our properties that we classify as held for development and construction in progress. A summary of the properties owned by us is as follows:
Retail
Carmel Country PlazaGateway MarketplaceAlamo Quarry Market
Carmel Mountain PlazaDel Monte CenterHassalo on Eighth - Retail
South Bay MarketplaceGeary Marketplace
Lomas Santa Fe PlazaThe Shops at Kalakaua
Solana Beach Towne CentreWaikele Center
Office
La Jolla CommonsOne Beach StreetCorporate Campus East III
Torrey Reserve CampusFirst & MainBel-Spring 520
Torrey PointLloyd Portfolio
Solana CrossingCity Center Bellevue
The Landmark at One MarketEastgate Office Park
Multifamily
Loma PalisadesHassalo on Eighth - Multifamily
Imperial Beach Gardens
Mariner's Point
Santa Fe Park RV Resort
Pacific Ridge Apartments
Mixed-Use
Waikiki Beach Walk Retail and Embassy Suites™ Hotel
Held for Development and Construction in Progress
La Jolla Commons - Construction in Progress
Solana Crossing – Land
Lloyd Portfolio – Construction in Progress
Basis of Presentation
Our consolidated 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 Company follows the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and requires the performance of a qualitative rather than a quantitative analysis to determine the primary beneficiary of a VIE. Under this guidance, an entity would be required to consolidate a VIE if it has (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. American Assets Trust, Inc. has concluded that the Operating Partnership is a VIE, and because American Assets Trust, Inc. has both the power and the rights to control the Operating Partnership, American Assets Trust, Inc. is the primary beneficiary and is required to continue to consolidate the Operating Partnership. Substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the Company are related to the operating partnership VIE.
All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.
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,
 202320222021
Supplemental cash flow information   
Total interest costs incurred$72,479 $63,997 $61,578 
Interest capitalized$7,773 $5,765 $2,991 
Interest expense, net$64,706 $58,232 $58,587 
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized$62,003 $56,060 $50,970 
Cash paid for income taxes$1,427 $865 $356 
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities   
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities for construction in progress$16,103 $20,832 $18,697 
Accrued leasing commissions$1,726 $2,442 $2,628 
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, based on management's assessment of credit, collection and other business risks. When we determine that we are the owner of tenant improvements and the tenant has reimbursed us for a portion or all of the tenant improvement costs, we consider the amount paid to be additional rent, which is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related lease. For first generation tenants, in instances in which we fund tenant improvements and the improvements are deemed to be owned by us, revenue recognition will commence when the improvements are substantially completed and possession or control of the space is turned over to the tenant. When we determine that the tenant is the owner of tenant improvements, tenant allowances are recorded as lease incentives and we commence revenue recognition and lease incentive amortization when possession or control of the space is turned over to the tenant for tenant work to begin. 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 we satisfy performance obligations as evidenced by the transfer of control of our services to customers. We measure other property income based on the amount of consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for the services provided. 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. The general excise tax included in other property income was $3.7 million, $3.4 million and $2.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, 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 later of the termination date or the satisfaction of all conditions precedent to the lease termination, including, without limitation, payment of all lease termination fees. 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.

Current accounts receivable from tenants primarily relate to contractual minimum rent and percentage rent as well as real estate tax and other cost reimbursements. Accounts receivable from straight-line rent is typically longer term in nature and relates to the cumulative amount by which straight-line rental income recorded to date exceeds cash rents billed to date under the contractual lease agreement.
We recognize revenue on the hotel portion of our mixed-use property from the rental of hotel rooms and guest services when we satisfy performance obligations as evidenced by the transfer of control 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 comprehensive income. Revenue from other sales and services provided is included in other property income on the statement of comprehensive income.
We make estimates of the collectability of our current accounts receivable and straight-line rents receivable which requires significant judgment by management. The collectability of receivables is affected by numerous different factors including current economic trends, including the impact of the COVID-19 on tenant's businesses and changes in tenants' payment patterns, tenant bankruptcies, the status of collectability of current cash rents receivable, tenants' recent and historical financial and operating results, changes in our tenants' credit ratings, communications between our operating personnel and tenants, the extent of security deposits and letters of credits held with respect to tenants, and the ability of the tenant to perform under the terms of their lease agreement when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. If our assessment of these factors indicates that it is no longer probable that we will be able to collect substantially all rents, we recognize a charge to rental income and limit our rental income to the lesser of lease income on a straight-line basis plus variable rents when they become accruable or cash collected. If we change our conclusion regarding the probability of collecting rent payments required by a lessee, we may recognize an adjustment to rental income in the period we make a change to our prior conclusion.
At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our allowance for doubtful accounts was $1.4 million and $2.1 million, respectively. Total collectability related adjustments for rental income, which includes the allowance for doubtful accounts and deferred rent receivables, was $1.5 million, $2.3 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
 
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, 2023, 2022 and 2021, real estate depreciation expense was $106.3 million, $108.1 million and $102.0 million, respectively.
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 comprehensive income.
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 comprehensive income. 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.
Transaction costs related to the acquisition of a business, such as broker fees, transfer taxes, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional and consulting fees, are expensed as incurred and included in “general and administrative expenses” in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. For asset acquisitions not meeting the definition of a business, transaction costs are capitalized as part of the acquisition cost.
Capitalized Costs
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 whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a property may not be fully recoverable. 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. Accordingly, the reduction of estimated future cash flows could result in the recognition of an impairment charge on certain of our long-lived assets. Management has not identified indicators that the value of our real estate investments was impaired at December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022. There were no impairment charges during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
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.
Derivative Instruments
At times, we may use derivative instruments to manage exposure to variable interest rate risk. We may enter into interest rate swaps to manage our exposure to variable interest rate risk. If and when we enter into derivative instruments, we ensure that such instruments qualify as cash flow hedges and would not enter into derivative instruments for speculative purposes.
Any interest rate swaps associated with our cash flow hedges are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. We assess effectiveness of our cash flow hedges both at inception and on an ongoing basis. The effective portion of changes in fair value of the interest rate swaps associated with our cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is subsequently reclassified into interest expense as interest is incurred on the related variable rate debt. Our cash flow hedges become ineffective if critical terms of the hedging instrument and the debt instrument do not perfectly match such as notional amounts, settlement dates, reset dates, calculation period and LIBOR or Secured Overnight Financing Rate. In addition, we evaluate the default risk of the counterparty by monitoring the credit worthiness of the counterparty. When ineffectiveness exists, the ineffective portion of changes in fair value of the interest rate swaps associated with our cash flow hedges is recognized in earnings in the period affected. See the discussion under Note 8 for certain quantitative details related to interest rate swaps and for a discussion on how we value derivative financial instruments.  
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 3 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, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had $64.1 million and $39.9 million, respectively, in excess of the FDIC insured limit. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had $12.3 million and $0.5 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. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had no restricted cash.
Other Assets
Other assets consist primarily of lease costs, lease incentives, acquired in-place leases and acquired above market leases. 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 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 comprehensive income. 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.
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 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. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 we had no investments in real estate joint ventures, and no other interests in VIEs to be evaluated for consolidated.
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. For the grants of market-based restricted stock awards in December 2020 (the “2020 grant”), 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.
For the grants of performance and market-based restricted stock awards in December 2021 (the “2021 grant”), December 2022 (the "2022 grant"), and December 2023 (the "2023 grant"), we measure stock-based compensation expense based on the fair value of the award on the grant date, adjusted for changes to probabilities of achieving performance targets, and recognize expense ratably over the vesting period.
Modifications of stock-based compensation awards are treated as an exchange of the original award for a new award with the resulting total compensation cost equal to the grant-date fair value of the original award plus the incremental value of the modification to the award. The calculation of the incremental value is based on the excess of the fair value of the new (modified) award based on current circumstances over the fair value of the original award measured immediately before its terms are modified. For the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we incurred incremental compensation cost of approximately $0.7 million, $1.4 million and $2.6 million respectively, related to the discretionary vesting of previously granted restricted stock awards that did not meet the original vesting criteria.
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 American Assets, Inc. ("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
We elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), commencing with the taxable year ended December 31, 2011. To maintain our qualification 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 maintain our qualification for taxation as a REIT, we are generally not subject to corporate level income tax on the earnings distributed currently to our stockholders. If we fail to maintain our qualification 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 regular U.S. federal income tax. We are subject to certain state and local income taxes.
 We, together with one of our subsidiaries, have elected 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 reportable segments: the acquisition, redevelopment, ownership and management of office real estate, retail 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.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we entered into the Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement, which increased the aggregate unsecured borrowings from $150 million to $225 million and extended the maturity date of Term Loan B and Term Loan C from March 1, 2023 to January 5, 2025. The amended debt and related interest rate swap agreements are based on the applicable Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). As a result of these amendments, the Company applies ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) related to contract modifications and changes in critical terms, as qualifying changes were made to applicable debt and derivative contracts.