EX-99.1 2 d192573dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

EMPIRE STATE REALTY TRUST ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER 2021 RESULTS

- Earnings of ($0.04) Per Fully Diluted Share -

- Core FFO of $0.20 Per Fully Diluted Share -

- Observatory Recovery and Continued Expense Discipline -

- $1.4 Billion of Liquidity, No Outstanding Debt Maturity Through 2024 -

New York, New York, October 27, 2021 - Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) (the “Company”), a real estate investment trust with office and retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area, today reported its operational and financial results for the third quarter of 2021.

Third Quarter and Recent Highlights

 

   

Earnings was ($0.04) per fully diluted share.

 

   

Core Funds From Operations (“Core FFO”) was $0.20 per fully diluted share. Excluding lease termination fees, Core FFO would be $0.16 per fully diluted share.

 

   

Same-Store Property Cash Net Operating Income (“NOI”) excluding lease termination fees was down 5.7% from the third quarter of 2020 primarily driven by a reduction in revenues due to write-offs taken over the period and 3Q 2021 revenue from Global Brands Group treated partially as rental revenue and partially as lease termination income.

 

   

Empire State Building Observatory revenue for the third quarter 2021 increased to $12.8 million, from $8.4 million in the second quarter 2021 as visitation continued to ramp up. Observatory NOI was $6.4 million for the third quarter 2021, which is the second consecutive quarter of positive NOI since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and more than double the second quarter 2021 earnings contribution.

 

   

Realized lease termination fees were $11.3 million, or approximately $0.04 per fully diluted share. In keeping with historical practice, the Company includes lease termination fees when calculating FFO and Core FFO.

 

   

Signed 34 new, renewal, and expansion leases, representing a total of 268,055 rentable square feet. This includes 21 leases totaling 212,301 rentable square feet in the Manhattan office portfolio.

 

   

Collected 95% of third quarter 2021 total billings, stable and in-line with recent quarters.

 

1


LOGO

 

   

Earned the highest possible GRESB 5 Star Rating and Green Star recognition for the second consecutive year with a score of 94, a six-point increase from the Company’s first year of participation in 2020. The company additionally received a score of 96 – the highest in the U.S. diversified group – and an “A” rating in the Public Disclosure Agreement, which measures ESG disclosure activities.

 

   

In the third quarter and through October 26, 2021, the Company repurchased $6.5 million of its common stock at a weighted average price of $10.41 per share. This brings the cumulative total, since the stock repurchase program began on March 5, 2020 through October 26, 2021, to $153.8 million at a weighted average price of $8.41 per share.

Investor Presentation Update

The Company has posted on the “Investors” section of its website (www.esrtreit.com) the latest investor presentation, which contains additional information on the current impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its businesses, financial condition and results of operations.

Portfolio Operations

As of September 30, 2021, the Company’s total portfolio contained 10.1 million rentable square feet, which consisted of 9.4 million rentable square feet of office space and 0.7 million rentable square feet of retail space, which was occupied and leased as shown below.

 

2


LOGO

 

     September 30, 2021     June 30, 2021     September 30, 2020  

Percent occupied:

      

Total portfolio

     83.5     85.2     85.9

Total office

     83.5     85.0     85.6

Manhattan office

     84.5     87.2     86.9

GNYMA office

     79.8     76.1     80.1

Total retail

     83.0     88.5     89.4

Percent leased (includes signed leases not commenced):

 

Total portfolio

     86.5     88.2     89.7

Total office

     86.1     87.9     89.4

Manhattan office

     87.4     89.9     90.9

GNYMA office

     80.7     79.8     83.1

Total retail

     91.9     92.0     93.4

Leasing

The tables below summarize leasing activity for the three months ended September 30, 2021:

Total Portfolio

 

Total Portfolio

   Total Leases
Executed
     Total square
footage
executed
     Average cash
rent psf - leases
executed
     Previously
escalated cash
rents psf
     % of new cash
rent over /
under
previously
escalated rents
 

Office

     31        264,132      $  53.39      $ 53.25        0.3

Retail

     3        3,923      $ 99.97      $  179.25        (44.2 %) 

Total Overall

     34        268,055      $ 54.11      $ 55.18        (2.0 %) 

Manhattan Office Portfolio

 

Manhattan Office

Portfolio

   Total Leases
Executed
     Total square
footage
executed
     Average cash
rent psf - leases
executed
     Previously
escalated cash
rents psf
     % of new cash
rent over /
under
previously
escalated rents
 

New Office

     13        139,620      $  57.86      $  57.23        1.1

Renewal Office

     8        72,681      $ 54.73      $ 54.26        0.9

Total Office

     21        212,301      $ 56.79      $ 56.21        1.0

 

3


LOGO

 

Leasing Activity Highlights During Third Quarter 2021

 

   

At One Grand Central Place, the Company signed an expansion office lease with Institutional Capital Network Inc., for approximately 29,400 square feet for a term of 12.9 years. Institutional Capital Network now occupies approximately 64,500 square feet in the building.

 

   

At 501 Seventh Avenue, the Company signed a new office lease with Argo Group US, Inc. for approximately 30,000 square feet for a term of 7.6 years.

 

   

At 1333 Broadway, the Company signed a new office lease with Playfly, LLC for approximately 29,600 square feet for a term of 7.7 years.

 

   

Prebuilt leasing activity in the Manhattan office portfolio comprised 15 of the 21 leases.

Observatory Results

As previously disclosed in our investor presentation dated September 21, 2021, we revised our hypothetical Observatory admissions based on the following factors:

 

   

Observatory visitor recapture versus 2019 was above our hypothetical in July and early August.

 

   

Two factors reduced admissions below our hypothetical in balance of 3Q 2021:

 

   

Resurgent Delta variant and impact on travel;

 

   

U.S. borders remain closed to international tourism.

 

   

Historically, September, October, and November (ex-Thanksgiving) are seasonally low volume months with strong international component.

 

   

We have adjusted down October and November to take into account no, and ramp-up of, international tourists, respectively.

 

   

On October 15, 2021, the Biden administration announced that effective November 8, 2021, fully vaccinated international tourists are permitted into the U.S.

The Observatory hosted approximately 255,000 visitors in the third quarter 2021, compared to 162,000 visitors in the second quarter 2021 and 30,000 visitors in the third quarter 2020. Third quarter attendance was approximately 24% of 2019 comparable period attendance. Month-to-date through October 26th, attendance was at 24% of 2019 comparable period attendance, above the Company’s revised hypothetical October admissions forecast of 20%. The Company will monitor developments and update the hypothetical admissions forecast, as warranted. The Company believes attendance will return to pre-COVID-19 levels as tourism and travel normalize in the quarters ahead.

 

4


LOGO

 

Observatory revenue for the third quarter 2021 was $12.8 million and Observatory expenses were $6.4 million in the third quarter 2021. The Company continues to manage expenses given the gradual ramp-up in visitation. Observatory NOI was $6.4 million in the third quarter, marking the second consecutive positive quarter since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in first quarter 2020.

Balance Sheet

The Company had $1.4 billion of total liquidity as of September 30, 2021, which is comprised of $582 million of cash, plus an additional $850 million available under its revolving credit facility.

At September 30, 2021, the Company had total debt outstanding of approximately $2.2 billion, with a weighted average interest rate of 3.9% per annum, and a weighted average term to maturity of 7.4 years. At September 30, 2021, the Company’s net debt to total market capitalization was 34.7% and net debt to adjusted EBITDA was 5.6x. The Company has no outstanding debt maturity until November 2024.

In the third quarter and through October 26, 2021, the Company repurchased $6.5 million of its common stock at a weighted average price of $10.41 per share. This brings the cumulative total, since the stock repurchase program began on March 5, 2020 through October 26, 2021, to $153.8 million at a weighted average price of $8.41 per share, through a combination of open-market purchases and 10b5-1 programs.

Acquisitions

Earlier this week and referenced in the 8K filed on October 27th, the Company signed conditional agreements for purchase of two multifamily assets in Manhattan totaling 625 residential units, for a total purchase price of approximately $307 million, inclusive of approximately $186 million of assumed debt. An affiliate of one of the principal current owners of the properties would retain a 10% equity stake and would continue to serve as property manager. The transaction is subject to conditions, the satisfaction of which depend upon actions by third parties as well as the Company. As such, there can be no assurance that the transaction can or will be closed.

 

5


LOGO

 

Dividend

On September 30, 2021, the Company paid a dividend of $0.035 per share or unit, as applicable, for the third quarter 2021 to holders of the Company’s Class A common stock (NYSE: ESRT) and Class B common stock and to holders of the Series ES, Series 250 and Series 60 partnership units (NYSE Arca: ESBA, FISK and OGCP, respectively) and Series PR partnership units of Empire State Realty OP, L.P., the Company’s operating partnership (the “Operating Partnership”).

On September 30, 2021, the Company paid a preferred dividend of $0.15 per unit for the third quarter 2021 to holders of the Operating Partnership’s Series 2014 private perpetual preferred units and a preferred dividend of $0.175 per unit for the third quarter 2021 to holders of the Operating Partnership’s Series 2019 private perpetual preferred units.

Webcast and Conference Call Details

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. will host a webcast and conference call, open to the general public, on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at 12:00 pm Eastern time.

The webcast will be accessible on the “Investors” section of the Company’s website at www.esrtreit.com. To listen to the live webcast, go to the site at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register and download and install any necessary audio software. Shortly after the call, a replay of the webcast will be available for 90 days on the Company’s website.

The conference call can also be accessed by dialing 1-877-407-3982 for domestic callers or 1-201-493-6780 for international callers. A dial-in replay will be available starting shortly after the call until November 4, 2021, which can be accessed by dialing 1-844-512-2921 for domestic callers or 1-412-317-6671 for international callers. The passcode for this dial-in replay is 13723868.

The Supplemental Report and Investor Presentation are integral components of quarterly earnings announcement and are now available on the “Investors” section of the Company’s website at www.esrtreit.com.

 

6


LOGO

 

The Company uses, and intends to continue to use, the Investors page of its website, which can be found at www.esrtreit.com, as a means of disclosing material nonpublic information and of complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD, including, without limitation, through the posting of investor presentations that may include material nonpublic information. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investors page, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

About Empire State Realty Trust

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) owns, manages, operates, acquires and repositions office and retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area, including the Empire State Building, the “World’s Most Famous Building.” The company’s office and retail portfolio covers 10.1 million rentable square feet, as of September 30, 2021, which consists of 9.4 million rentable square feet across 14 office properties, including nine in Manhattan, three in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and two in Westchester County, New York; as well as approximately 700,000 rentable square feet in the retail portfolio.

Empire State Realty Trust is a leader in energy efficiency in the built environment and sustainability space, with 76 percent of the eligible portfolio ENERGY STAR certified and 100 percent fully powered by renewable wind electricity. As the first commercial real estate portfolio in the Americas to achieve the evidence-based, third-party verified WELL Health-Safety Rating for health and safety, ESRT additionally earned the highest possible GRESB 5 Star Rating and Green Star recognition for sustainability performance in real estate and was named a Fitwel Champion for healthy, high-performance buildings. To learn more about Empire State Realty Trust, visit esrtreit.com and follow ESRT on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

LOGO LOGO LOGO LOGO

 

7


LOGO

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “contemplates,” “aims,” “continues,” “would” or “anticipates” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements: (i) economic, political and social impact of, and uncertainty relating to, the COVID-19 pandemic; (ii) a failure of conditions or performance regarding any event or transaction described above, (iii) resolution of legal proceedings involving the Company; (iv) reduced demand for office or retail space, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; (v) changes in our business strategy; (vi) changes in technology and market competition that affect utilization of our office, retail, broadcast or other facilities; (vii) changes in domestic or international tourism, including due to health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical events and/or currency exchange rates, which may cause a decline in Observatory visitors; (viii) defaults on, early terminations of, or non-renewal of, leases by tenants; (ix) increases in the Company’s borrowing costs as a result of changes in interest rates and other factors, including the potential phasing out of LIBOR after 2021; (x) declining real estate valuations and impairment charges; (xi) termination or expiration of our ground leases; (xii) changes in our ability to pay down, refinance, restructure or extend our indebtedness as it becomes due and potential limitations on our ability to borrow additional funds in compliance with drawdown conditions and financial covenants; (xiii) decreased rental rates or increased vacancy rates; (xiv) our failure to redevelop and reposition properties, or to execute any newly planned capital project successfully or on the anticipated timeline or at the anticipated costs; (xv) difficulties in identifying properties to acquire and completing acquisitions; (xvi) risks related to our development projects (including our Metro Tower development site) and capital projects, including the cost of construction delays and cost overruns; (xvii) impact of changes in governmental regulations, tax laws and rates and similar matters; (xviii) our failure to qualify as a REIT; (xix) environmental uncertainties and risks related to adverse weather conditions, rising sea levels and natural disasters; and (xx) the accuracy of our methodologies and estimates regarding ESG metrics, goals and targets, tenant willingness and ability to collaborate towards reporting ESG metrics and meeting ESG goals and targets, and the impact of governmental regulation on our ESG efforts. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could impact the Company’s future results, performance or transactions, see the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and other risks described in documents subsequently filed by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

8


LOGO

 

While forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, data or methods, future events, or other changes after the date of this press release, except as required by applicable law. Prospective investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are based only on information currently available to the Company (or to third parties making the forward-looking statements).

Contact:

Investors and Media

Empire State Realty Trust Investor Relations

(212) 850-2678

IR@esrtreit.com

 

9


LOGO

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited and amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,  
     2021     2020  

Revenues

    

Rental revenue

   $  139,558     $  139,909  

Observatory revenue

     12,796       4,419  

Lease termination fees

     11,321       331  

Third-party management and other fees

     314       283  

Other revenue and fees

     1,059       1,633  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     165,048       146,575  

Operating expenses

    

Property operating expenses

     33,357       33,836  

Ground rent expenses

     2,331       2,331  

General and administrative expenses

     14,427       14,517  

Observatory expenses

     6,370       5,931  

Real estate taxes

     29,566       31,196  

Impairment charge

     —         2,103  

Depreciation and amortization

     65,794       44,733  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     151,845       134,647  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating income

     13,203       11,928  

Other income (expense):

    

Interest income

     211       366  

Interest expense

     (23,577     (23,360

IPO litigation expense

     —         (1,165
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (10,163     (12,231

Income tax (expense)

     (20     (38
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss)

     (10,183     (12,269

Preferred unit distributions

     (1,050     (1,050

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

     4,256       5,115  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) attributable to common stockholders

   $ (6,977   $ (8,204
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total weighted average shares

    

Basic

     172,494       173,048  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     277,716       280,940  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders

 

Basic

   $ (0.04   $ (0.05
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ (0.04   $ (0.05
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

10


LOGO

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited and amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2021     2020  

Revenues

    

Rental revenue

   $  420,586     $  426,021  

Observatory revenue

     23,758       24,049  

Lease termination fees

     15,949       1,575  

Third-party management and other fees

     917       930  

Other revenue and fees

     2,550       5,254  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     463,760       457,829  

Operating expenses

    

Property operating expenses

     92,429       105,054  

Ground rent expenses

     6,994       6,994  

General and administrative expenses

     42,369       48,617  

Observatory expenses

     16,226       18,087  

Real estate taxes

     92,367       90,029  

Impairment charge

     —         6,204  

Depreciation and amortization

     155,339       143,609  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     405,724       418,594  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating income

     58,036       39,235  

Other income (expense):

    

Interest income

     497       2,529  

Interest expense

     (70,553     (66,906

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     (214     (86

IPO litigation expense

     —         (1,165
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (12,234     (26,393

Income tax benefit

     3,271       2,794  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

     (8,963     (23,599

Preferred unit distributions

     (3,151     (3,147

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

     4,591       10,244  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (7,523   $  (16,502
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total weighted average shares

    

Basic

     172,487       176,299  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     277,829       285,640  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders

 

Basic

   $ (0.04   $ (0.09
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ (0.04   $ (0.09
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

11


LOGO

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.

Reconciliation of Net Income to Funds From Operations (“FFO”),

Modified Funds From Operations (“Modified FFO”) and Core Funds From Operations (“Core FFO”)

(unaudited and amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 
     2021     2020  

Net loss

   $  (10,183   $  (12,269

Preferred unit distributions

     (1,050     (1,050

Real estate depreciation and amortization

     64,565       43,029  

Impairment charge

     —         1,259  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

FFO attributable to common stockholders and non-controlling interests

     53,332       30,969  

Amortization of below-market ground leases

     1,957       1,957  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Modified FFO attributable to common stockholders and non-controlling interests

     55,289       32,926  

Severance expenses

     —         805  

IPO litigation expense

     —         1,165  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Core FFO attributable to common stockholders and non-controlling interests

   $ 55,289     $ 34,896  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total weighted average shares

    

Basic

     277,716       280,940  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     277,716       280,940  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

FFO per share

    

Basic

   $ 0.19     $ 0.11  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.19     $ 0.11  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Modified FFO per share

    

Basic

   $ 0.20     $ 0.12  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.20     $ 0.12  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Core FFO per share

    

Basic

   $ 0.20     $ 0.12  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.20     $ 0.12  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

12


LOGO

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.

Reconciliation of Net Income to Funds From Operations (“FFO”),

Modified Funds From Operations (“Modified FFO”) and Core Funds From Operations (“Core FFO”)

(unaudited and amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
     2021     2020  

Net loss

   $ (8,963   $  (23,599

Preferred unit distributions

     (3,151     (3,147

Real estate depreciation and amortization

     151,149       138,555  

Impairment charge

     —         5,360  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

FFO attributable to common stockholders and non-controlling interests

     139,035       117,169  

Amortization of below-market ground leases

     5,873       5,873  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Modified FFO attributable to common stockholders and non-controlling interests

     144,908       123,042  

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     214       86  

Severance expenses

     —         3,813  

IPO litigation expense

     —         1,165  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Core FFO attributable to common stockholders and non-controlling interests

   $ 145,122     $  128,106  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total weighted average shares

    

Basic

     277,829       285,640  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     277,829       285,640  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

FFO per share

    

Basic

   $ 0.50     $ 0.41  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.50     $ 0.41  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Modified FFO per share

    

Basic

   $ 0.52     $ 0.43  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.52     $ 0.43  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Core FFO per share

    

Basic

   $ 0.52     $ 0.45  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.52     $ 0.45  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

13


LOGO

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited and amounts in thousands)

 

     September 30,
2021
    December 31,
2020
 

Assets

    

Commercial real estate properties, at cost

   $ 3,187,734     $  3,133,966  

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (1,055,731     (941,612
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commercial real estate properties, net

     2,132,003       2,192,354  

Cash and cash equivalents

     582,188       526,714  

Restricted cash

     38,779       41,225  

Tenant and other receivables

     21,664       21,541  

Deferred rent receivables

     228,394       222,508  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     60,522       77,182  

Deferred costs, net

     189,327       203,853  

Acquired below market ground leases, net

     338,862       344,735  

Right of use assets

     28,945       29,104  

Goodwill

     491,479       491,479  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 4,112,163     $ 4,150,695  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and equity

    

Mortgage notes payable, net

   $ 773,925     $ 775,929  

Senior unsecured notes, net

     973,320       973,159  

Unsecured term loan facility, net

     388,095       387,561  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     94,216       103,203  

Acquired below market leases, net

     23,512       31,705  

Ground lease liabilities

     28,945       29,104  

Deferred revenue and other liabilities

     90,427       88,319  

Tenants’ security deposits

     26,042       30,408  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     2,398,482       2,419,388  

Total equity

     1,713,681       1,731,307  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 4,112,163     $ 4,150,695  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

14