Significant accounting policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation [Text Block]

Basis of Presentation – The accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our consolidated subsidiaries. All intercompany amounts have been eliminated. Our financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recently Issued Accounting Literature [Text Block]

Recently Issued Accounting Literature–In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Update No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (“ASU No. 2011-04”). ASU No. 2011-04 provides a uniform framework for fair value measurements and related disclosures between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and requires additional disclosures, including: (i) quantitative information about unobservable inputs used, a description of the valuation processes used, and a qualitative discussion about the sensitivity of the measurements to changes in the unobservable inputs, for Level 3 fair value measurements; (ii) fair value of financial instruments not measured at fair value but for which disclosure of fair value is required, based on their levels in the fair value hierarchy; and (iii) transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. ASU No. 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this update on January 1, 2012, is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued Update No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income (“ASU No. 2011-05”). ASU No. 2011-05 requires the presentation of net income and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU No. 2011-05 is effective for interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this update on January 1, 2012, will not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued Update No. 2011-09, Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Disclosures about an Employer's Participation in a Multiemployer Plan (“ASU No. 2011-09”). ASU No. 2011-09 requires enhanced disclosures about an entity's participation in multiemployer plans that offer pension and other postretirement benefits. ASU No. 2011-09 became effective for interim and annual periods ending on or after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this update on December 31, 2011 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Real Estate [Text Block]

Real Estate – Real estate is carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation requires an estimate by management of the useful life of each property and improvement as well as an allocation of the costs associated with a property to its various components. If we do not allocate these costs appropriately or incorrectly estimate the useful lives of our real estate, depreciation expense may be misstated. As real estate is undergoing development activities, all property operating expenses directly associated with and attributable to, the development and construction of a project, including interest expense, are capitalized to the cost of the real property to the extent that we believe such costs are recoverable through the value of the property. The capitalization period begins when development activities are underway and ends when the project is substantially complete. General and administrative costs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives which range from 5 to 50 years. Tenant allowances are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lives of the related leases, which approximate the useful lives of the assets. Additions to real estate include interest expense capitalized during construction of $1,269,000 and $3,452,000, for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Real Estate – continued – Our properties and related intangible assets, including properties to be developed in the future, are individually reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. An impairment exists when the carrying amount of an asset exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Estimates of future cash flows are based on our current plans, intended holding periods and available market information at the time the analyses are prepared. For our development properties, estimates of future cash flows also include all future expenditures necessary to develop the asset, including interest payments that will be capitalized as part of the cost of the asset. An impairment loss is recognized only if the carrying amount of the asset is not recoverable and is measured based on the excess of the property's carrying amount over its estimated fair value. If our estimates of future cash flows, anticipated holding periods, or fair values change, based on market conditions or otherwise, our evaluation of impairment charges may be different and such differences could be material to our consolidated financial statements. Estimates of future cash flows are subjective and are based, in part, on assumptions regarding future occupancy, rental rates and capital requirements that could differ materially from actual results. Plans to hold properties over longer periods decrease the likelihood of recording impairment losses.

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. The majority of our cash and cash equivalents are held at major commercial banks which may at times exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limit. To date we have not experienced any losses on our invested cash.

Short-term Investments [Text Block]

Short-term Investments –Short-term investments consist of certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service (“CDARS”) with original maturities greater than three but less than six months. These investments are FDIC insured and classified as available-for-sale.

Restricted Cash [Text Block]

Restricted Cash –Restricted cash consists of cash held in a non-interest bearing escrow account in connection with our Rego Park I 100% cash collateralized mortgage, as well as security deposits and other cash escrowed under loan agreements for debt service, real estate taxes, property insurance and capital improvements.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Text Block]

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – We periodically evaluate the collectibility of amounts due from tenants, including the receivable arising from the straight-lining of rents, and maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts ($1,039,000 and $1,047,000 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively) for the estimated losses resulting from the inability of tenants to make required payments under the lease agreements. We exercise judgment in establishing these allowances and consider payment history and current credit status in developing these estimates.

Deferred Charges [Text Block]

Deferred Charges – Direct financing costs are deferred and amortized over the terms of the related agreements as a component of interest and debt expense. Direct costs related to leasing activities are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the lives of the related leases. All other deferred charges are amortized on a straight-line basis, which approximates the effective interest rate method, in accordance with the terms of the agreements to which they relate.

Revenue Recognition [Text Block]

Revenue Recognition – We have the following revenue sources and revenue recognition policies:

Base Rent– revenue arising from tenant leases. These rents are recognized over the non-cancelable term of the related leases on a straight-line basis, which includes the effects of rent steps and free rent abatements under the leases. We commence rental revenue recognition when the tenant takes possession of the leased space and the leased space is substantially ready for its intended use. In addition, in circumstances where we provide a tenant improvement allowance for improvements that are owned by the tenant, we recognize the allowance as a reduction of rental revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Percentage Rent– revenue arising from retail tenant leases that is contingent upon the sales of tenants exceeding defined thresholds. These rents are recognized only after the contingency has been removed (i.e., when tenant sales thresholds have been achieved).

Expense Reimbursements– revenue arising from tenant leases which provide for the recovery of all or a portion of the operating expenses and real estate taxes of the respective properties. This revenue is accrued in the same periods as the expenses are incurred.

Parking Income– revenue arising from the rental of parking space at our properties. This income is recognized as cash is received.

Income Taxes [Text Block]

Income Taxes – We operate in a manner intended to enable us to continue to qualify as a Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) under Sections 856 – 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). In order to maintain our qualification as a REIT under the Code, we must distribute at least 90% of our taxable income to stockholders each year. We distribute to our stockholders 100% of our taxable income. If we fail to distribute the required amount of income to our stockholders, or fail to meet other REIT requirements, we may fail to qualify as a REIT, which may result in substantial adverse tax consequences.

The following table reconciles our net income to estimated taxable income/(loss) for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

(Unaudited and in thousands)	Years Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Net income attributable to Alexander’s	$	79,423	$	66,429	$	132,190
Straight-line rent adjustments		(12,609)		(15,182)		(23,381)
Depreciation and amortization timing differences		1,263		602		1,385
Reversal of liability for income taxes		-		(3,162)		(37,307)
Interest expense		(2,425)		-		(107)
Stock appreciation rights compensation expense		-		-		(57,113)
Other		(3,429)		6,245		(3,395)
Taxable income before net operating loss ("NOL")		62,223		54,932		12,272
NOL carried forward		-		(16,939)		(29,211)
Estimated taxable income/(loss)	$	62,223	$	37,993	$	(16,939)

At December 31, 2011, the net basis of our assets and liabilities for tax purposes are approximately $209,775,000 lower than the amount reported for financial statement purposes.

Under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740, Income Taxes, deferred income taxes would be recognized for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and for operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards based on enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized or settled. However, deferred tax assets are recognized only to the extent that it is more likely than not that they will be realized based on consideration of available evidence, including tax planning strategies and other factors. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010 there were no deferred tax assets or liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets.

Income Per Share [Text Block]

Income Per Share – Basic income per share is computed based on weighted average shares of common stock outstanding during the period, including deferred stock units. Diluted income per share is computed based on the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding during the period, including deferred stock units, and assumes all potentially dilutive securities were converted into common stock at the earliest date possible.