Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Trust, its corporate subsidiaries, and all entities in which the Trust has a controlling interest or has been determined to be the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). The equity interests of other investors are reflected as noncontrolling interests or redeemable noncontrolling interests. All significant intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. We account for our interests in joint ventures, which we do not control, using the equity method of accounting.

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.

Our leases with our tenants are classified as operating leases. When collection of substantially all lease payments during the lease term is considered probable, the lease qualifies for accrual accounting. Lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis from the point in time when the tenant controls the space through the term of the related lease. Variable lease payments relating to percentage rent are recognized at the end of the lease year or earlier if we have determined the required sales level is achieved. Real estate tax and other cost reimbursements are recognized on an accrual basis over the periods in which the related expenditures are incurred. Many of our leases contain tenant options that enable the tenant to extend the term of the lease at expiration at pre-established rental rates that often include fixed rent increases, consumer price index adjustments or other market rate adjustments from the prior base rent. 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 are generally recognized on the termination date if the tenant has relinquished control of the space. 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. Lease concessions (unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic) are evaluated to determine whether the concession represents a modification of the original lease contract. Modifications generally result in a reassessment of the lease term and lease classification, and remeasurement of lease payments received. Remeasured lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the modified lease contract.

In April 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued interpretive guidance relating to the accounting for lease concessions provided as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that allows entities to treat the concession as if it was a part of the existing contract instead of applying lease modification accounting. This guidance is only applicable to the COVID-19 pandemic related lease concessions that do not result in a substantial increase in the rights of the lessor or the obligations of the lessee. We have elected this option relating to qualifying rent deferral and rent abatement agreements. For qualifying lease modifications with rent deferrals, this results in no change to our revenue recognition but an increase in the lease receivable balance until the deferred rent has been repaid. For qualifying lease modifications that include rent abatement concessions, this results in a direct reduction of rental income in the current period. As of December 31, 2021, we executed rent deferral agreements related to the COVID-19 pandemic representing approximately $46 million of rent. We have subsequently collected approximately $27 million of those amounts previously deferred. As of December 31, 2021, we have entered into rent abatement agreements related to the COVID-19 pandemic totaling $26 million and $48 million of rents due in 2021 and 2020, respectively.

When collection of substantially all lease payments during the lease term is not considered probable, total lease revenue is limited to the lesser of revenue recognized under accrual accounting or cash received. Determining the probability of collection of substantially all lease payments during a lease term requires significant judgment. This determination is impacted by numerous factors including our assessment of the tenant’s credit worthiness, economic conditions, tenant sales productivity in that location, historical experience with the tenant and tenants operating in the same industry, future prospects for the tenant and the industry in which it operates, and the length of the lease term. If leases currently classified as probable are subsequently reclassified as not probable, any outstanding lease receivables (including straight-line rent receivables) would be written-off with a corresponding decrease in rental income. If leases currently classified as not probable are subsequently changed to probable, any lease receivables (including straight-line rent receivables) are re-instated with a corresponding increase to rental income.

Since March 2020, federal, state, and local governments have taken various actions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. These actions included the closure of nonessential businesses and ordering residents to generally stay at home at the onset of the pandemic, phased re-openings and capacity limitations, and now generally lifted restrictions. While the overall economy is showing signs of recovery from the initial impacts of COVID-19, workforce shortages, global supply chain bottlenecks and shortages, inflation, as well as COVID-19 variants are impacting the recovery. Closures and restrictions, along with the general concern over the spread of COVID-19, required a significant number of tenants to close their operations or to significantly limit the amount of business they were able to conduct, which impacted their ability to timely pay rent as required under our leases and also caused many tenants to close their business permanently. As a result, we revised our collectibility assumptions for many of our tenants most significantly impacted by COVID-19. Accordingly, during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, we recognized collectibility related adjustments of $24.0 million and $106.6 million, respectively. This includes changes in our collectibility assessments from probable to not probable, disputed rents, and any rent abatements directly related to COVID-19, as well as the write-off of $0.7 million and $12.7 million, respectively of straight-line rent receivables related to tenants changed to a cash basis of revenue recognition during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the revenue from approximately 34% and 35% of our tenants (based on total commercial leases), respectively, is being recognized on a cash basis. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, our straight-line rent receivables balance was $110.7 million and $103.3 million, respectively, and is included in "accounts and notes receivable, net" on our consolidated balance sheet.

Sales of real estate are recognized generally upon the transfer of control, which usually occurs when the real estate is legally sold. When we enter into a transaction to sell a property or a portion of a property, we evaluate the recognition of the sale under ASC 610-20, "Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets." In accordance with ASC 610-20, we apply the guidance in ASC 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," to determine whether and when control transfers and how to measure the associated gain or loss. We determine the transaction price based on the consideration we expect to receive. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of a gain recognized will not occur. We analyze the risk of a significant gain reversal and if necessary limit the amount of variable consideration recognized in order to mitigate this risk. The estimation of variable consideration requires us to make assumptions and apply significant judgment.

Our methodology of allocating the cost of acquisitions to assets acquired and liabilities assumed is based on estimated fair values, replacement cost and/or appraised values. When we acquire operating real estate properties, the purchase price is allocated to land, building, improvements, leasing costs, intangibles such as acquired leases, assumed debt, if any, and to current assets and liabilities acquired, if any. The value allocated to acquired leases is amortized over the related lease term and reflected as rental income in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. We consider qualitative and quantitative factors in evaluating the likelihood of a tenant exercising a below market renewal option and include such renewal options in the calculation of acquired lease value when we consider these to be bargain renewal options. If the value of below market lease intangibles includes renewal option periods, we include such renewal periods in the amortization period utilized. If a tenant vacates its space prior to contractual termination of its lease, the unamortized balance of any acquired lease value is written off to rental income.

We capitalize certain costs related to the development and redevelopment of real estate including pre-construction costs, real estate taxes, insurance, construction costs and salaries and related costs of personnel directly involved, are capitalized. Additionally, we capitalize interest costs related to development and redevelopment activities. Capitalization of these costs begin 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 the development or redevelopment is no longer probable of completion, we expense all capitalized costs which are not recoverable.

There are estimates and assumptions made by management in preparing the consolidated financial statements for which the actual results will be determined over long periods of time. This includes the recoverability of long-lived assets, including our properties that have been acquired or redeveloped and our investment in certain joint ventures. Management’s evaluation of impairment includes review for possible indicators of impairment as well as, in certain circumstances, undiscounted and discounted cash flow analysis. Since most of our investments in real estate are wholly-owned or controlled assets which are held for use, a property with impairment indicators is first tested for impairment by comparing the undiscounted cash flows, including residual value, to the current net book value of the property. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the net book value, the property is written down to expected fair value.

The calculation of both discounted and undiscounted cash flows requires management to make estimates of future cash flows including revenues, operating expenses, required maintenance and development expenditures, market conditions, demand for space by tenants and rental rates over long periods. Because our properties typically have a long life, the assumptions used to estimate the future recoverability of book value requires significant management judgment. Actual results could be significantly different from the estimates. These estimates have a direct impact on net income, because recording an impairment charge results in a negative adjustment to net income.

Prepaid expenses and other assets consist primarily of lease costs, prepaid property taxes and acquired above market leases. Capitalized lease costs are incremental direct costs incurred which were essential to originate a successful leasing arrangement and would not have been incurred had the leasing transaction not taken place. These costs include third party commissions related to obtaining a lease. Capitalized lease costs are amortized over the initial life of the related lease which generally ranges from three to ten years. We view these lease costs as part of the up-front initial investment we made in order to generate a long-term cash inflow and therefore, we classify cash outflows related to leasing costs as an investing activity in our consolidated statements of cash flows. If a tenant vacates its space prior to the contractual termination of its lease, the unamortized balance of any previously capitalized lease costs are written off. See the "Leases" section in this note for further discussion regarding the change in accounting for lease costs.

Costs related to the issuance of debt instruments are deferred 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.” Debt issuance costs related to our revolving credit facility are classified as an asset and are included in "prepaid expenses and other assets" in our consolidated balance sheets. All other debt issuance costs are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability.

Interest rate swaps associated with cash flow hedges are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Effectiveness of cash flow hedges is assessed both at inception and on an ongoing basis. The effective portion of changes in fair value of the interest rate swaps associated with cash flow hedges is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) which is included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the balance sheet and statement of shareholders' equity. 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 rate. In addition, the default risk of the counterparty is evaluated by monitoring the credit worthiness of the counterparty which includes reviewing debt ratings and financial performance. If a cash flow hedge is deemed ineffective, the ineffective portion of changes in fair value of the interest rate swaps associated with cash flow hedges is recognized in earnings in the period affected.

At December 31, 2021, we have two interest rate swap agreements that effectively fix the interest rate on a mortgage payable associated with our Hoboken property at 3.67%. Both swaps were designated and qualify for cash flow hedge accounting. As of December 31, 2021, our Assembly Row hotel joint venture is a party to two interest rate swap agreements that effectively fix the interest rate on the joint venture's mortgage debt at 5.206%. Both swaps were designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. Hedge ineffectiveness has not impacted earnings in 2021, 2020 and 2019.

We have invested in certain mortgage loans that, because of their nature, qualify as loan receivables. At the time of investment, we did not intend for the arrangement to be anything other than a financing and did not contemplate a real estate investment. We evaluate each investment to determine whether the loan arrangement qualifies as a loan, joint venture or real estate investment and the appropriate accounting thereon. Such determination affects our balance sheet classification of these investments and the recognition of interest income derived therefrom.

Mortgage notes receivable are recorded at cost, net of any valuation adjustments. Effective January 1, 2020, (upon the adoption of ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses," as amended and interpreted), we account for mortgage notes receivable using the "expected credit loss" model, and accordingly impairment losses are estimated and recorded for the entire life of the loan. Prior to the implementation of ASC 326, we recognized impairment losses as incurred. Interest income is accrued as earned. Mortgage notes receivable are considered past due based on the contractual terms of the note agreement. On a quarterly basis, we evaluate the collectability of each mortgage note receivable and update our expected credit loss model based on various factors which may include payment history, expected fair value of the collateral securing the loan, internal and external credit information and/or economic trends. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due under the existing contractual terms. When a loan is considered impaired, the amount of the loss accrual

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 has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact economic performance of the VIE and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

On January 4, 2021, we acquired our partner's interest in the Pike & Rose hotel joint venture, which was previously considered a variable interest in a VIE. See Note 3 for additional details of this transaction. Our equity method investments in the Assembly Row hotel joint venture and the La Alameda shopping center and our mortgage notes receivable are considered variable interests in a VIE. As we do not control the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the joint ventures related to the Assembly Row hotel, the La Alameda shopping center, or the borrower entities related to our mortgage notes receivable, we are not the primary beneficiary and do not consolidate. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, our investment in the Assembly Row hotel and La Alameda shopping center joint ventures and maximum exposure to loss was $8.9 million and $9.9 million, respectively, and $8.8 million for our Pike & Rose hotel joint venture as of December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, our investment in mortgage notes receivable and maximum exposure to loss was $9.5 million and $39.9 million, respectively.

In addition, we have 21 entities that meet the criteria of a VIE in which we hold a variable interest. For each of these entities, we control the significant operating decisions and consequently have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entities. As we also have the obligation to absorb the majority of the losses and/or the right to receive a majority of the benefits for each of these entities, all are consolidated in our financial statements. Net real estate assets related to VIEs included in our consolidated balance sheets were approximately $1.8 billion and $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and mortgages related to VIEs included in our consolidated balance sheets were approximately $335.3 million and $413.7 million, as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

We have certain noncontrolling interests that are redeemable for cash upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely in our control and therefore are classified outside of permanent equity. We adjust the carrying amounts of these noncontrolling interests that are currently redeemable to redemption value at the balance sheet date. Adjustments to the carrying amount to reflect changes in redemption value are recorded as adjustments to additional paid-in capital in shareholders' equity. These amounts are classified within the mezzanine section of the consolidated balance sheets.

We adopted ASC 842 effective January 1, 2019 under the modified retrospective approach and elected the optional transition method to apply the provisions of ASC 842 as of the adoption date, rather than the earliest period presented. We elected to apply certain adoption related practical expedients for all leases that commenced prior to the election date. These practical expedients included not reassessing whether any expired or existing contracts were or contained leases; not reassessing the lease classification for any expired or existing leases; and not reassessing initial direct costs for any existing leases. We also elected the practical expedient for lessors to combine our lease and non-lease components (primarily impacts common area maintenance recoveries).

We have ground leases at 12 properties which are accounted for as operating leases. The operating lease right of use ("ROU") assets and related liabilities are shown separately on the face of our consolidated balance sheet and reflect the present value of the minimum lease payments. A key input in the calculation is the discount rate. As the rate implied in the lease agreements is not readily determinable, we utilize our incremental borrowing rate that correspond to the remaining term of the lease, our credit spread, and and adjustment to reflect the collateralized payment terms present in the lease. Our operating lease agreements may include options to extend the lease term or terminate it early. We include options to extend or terminate leases in the ROU operating lease asset and liability when it is reasonably certain we will exercise these options. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the non-cancellable lease term and is included in rental expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. We elected to apply the short-term lease exemption within ASC 842, and as such we have not recorded an ROU asset or lease liability for leases with terms of less than 12 months.

We operate in a manner intended to enable us to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. A REIT that distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its shareholders each year and meets certain other conditions is not taxed on that portion of its taxable income which is distributed to its shareholders. Therefore, federal income taxes on our taxable income have been and are generally expected to be immaterial. We are obligated to pay state taxes, generally consisting of franchise or gross receipts taxes in certain states. Such state taxes also have not been material.

Our primary business is the ownership, management, and redevelopment of retail and mixed-use properties. We review operating and financial information for each property on an individual basis and therefore, each property represents an individual operating segment. We evaluate financial performance using property operating income, which consists of rental income, and mortgage interest income, less rental expenses and real estate taxes. No individual commercial or residential property constitutes more than 10% of our revenues or property operating income and we have no operations outside of the United States of America. Therefore, we have aggregated our properties into one reportable segment as the properties share similar long-term economic characteristics and have other similarities including the fact that they are operated using consistent business strategies, are typically located in major metropolitan areas, and have similar tenant mixes.

On February 24, 2021, we replaced our existing at-the-market (“ATM”) equity program with a new ATM equity program in which we may from time to time offer and sell common shares having an aggregate offering price of up to $500.0 million. The new ATM equity program also allows shares to be sold through forward sales contracts. Our forward sales contracts currently meet all the conditions for equity classification; and therefore, we record common stock on the settlement date at the purchase price contemplated by the contract. Furthermore, we consider the potential dilution resulting from forward sales contracts in our earnings per share calculations. We use the treasury method to determine the dilution, if any, from the forward sales contracts during the period of time prior to settlement. See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements for details of our 2021 forward sales transactions.

Issued in 2021:

ASU 2021-05, July 2021, Lessors - Certain Leases with Variable Lease Payments (Topic 842)

This ASU amends the lessor lease classification in ASC 842 for leases that include variable lease payments that are not based on an index or rate. Under the amended guidance, lessors will classify a lease with variable payments that do not depend on an index or rate as an operating lease if the lease would have been classified as a sales-type lease or a direct financing lease under the previous ASU 842 classification criteria, and sales-type or direct financing lease classification would result in a Day 1 loss.

This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods therein.

The adoption of this standard does not have an impact to our consolidated financial statements.

Issued in 2020:

ASU 2020-04, March 2020, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)

This ASU provides companies with optional practical expedients to ease the accounting burden for contract modifications associated with transitioning away from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates that are expected to be discontinued as part of reference rate reform. For hedges, the guidance generally allows changes to the reference rate and other critical terms without having to de-designate the hedging relationship, as well as allows the shortcut method to continue to be applied. For contract modifications, changes in the reference rate or other critical terms will be treated as a continuation of the prior contract.

This guidance can be applied immediately, however, is generally only available through December 31, 2022.

We are still evaluating the impact of reference rate reform and whether we will apply any of these practical expedients.

ASU 2020-06, August 2020, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity

This ASU simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments by removing the requirements to separately present certain conversion features in equity, simplifying the settlement assessment that entities are required to perform to determine whether a contract qualifies for equity classification, and generally requiring the use of the if-converted method for all convertible instruments in the diluted EPS calculation and include the effect of potential share settlement (if the effect is more dilutive). The guidance is effective for annual period beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods therein.

The adoption of this standard does not have an impact to our consolidated financial statements.


	Year Ended December 31,
	2021		2020		2019
	(In thousands)
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:
Total interest costs incurred	$	150,324	$	159,718	$	130,110
Interest capitalized	(22,626)		(23,429)		(20,487)
Interest expense	$	127,698	$	136,289	$	109,623
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	$	123,585	$	130,248	$	106,180
Cash paid for income taxes	$	386	$	580	$	483
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING TRANSACTIONS:

DownREIT operating partnership units issued with acquisition	$	—	$	18,920	$	—
Mortgage loans assumed with acquisition (1)	$	—	$	8,903	$	98,041




DownREIT operating partnership units redeemed for common shares	$	7,545	$	—	$	14,105
Settlement of partner loan receivable via dilution of partner interests	$	—	$	—	$	5,379
Shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan	$	1,727	$	1,734	$	1,784