Basis of Presentation (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited and include the accounts of Alexander’s and its consolidated subsidiaries. All intercompany amounts have been eliminated. In our opinion, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and changes in cash flows have been made. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as filed with the SEC.

We have made estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.

We operate in one reportable segment.

Fair value of financial instruments

In January 2016, the FASB issued an update (“ASU 2016-01”) Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities to ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments (“ASC 825”). ASU 2016-01 amends certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted this update effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. While the adoption of this update requires us to continue to measure “marketable securities” at fair value at each reporting date, the changes in fair value will be recognized in current period earnings as opposed to “other comprehensive loss.”

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued an update (“ASU 2016-02”) establishing ASC Topic 842, Leases, as amended by subsequent ASUs on the topic, which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both lessees and lessors. ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase. Lessees are required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term greater than 12 months. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases. Lessees will recognize expense based on the effective interest method for finance leases or on a straight-line basis for operating leases. The accounting applied by the lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under the existing lease standard. We are currently evaluating the overall impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-02 on our consolidated financial statements and believe that the standard will more significantly impact the accounting for leases in which we are a lessee. We will be required to record a right-of-use asset and lease liability for our Flushing property ground lease, equal to the present value of the remaining minimum lease payments, and will continue to recognize expense on a straight-line basis upon adoption of this standard. ASU 2016-02 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years that begin after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this standard effective January 1, 2019 and will elect to use the practical expedients provided by this standard.

Recently Issued Accounting Literature

In February 2017, the FASB issued an update (“ASU 2017-05”) Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets to ASC Subtopic 610-20, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets. ASU 2017-05 clarifies the scope of recently established guidance on nonfinancial asset derecognition, as well as the accounting for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. This update conforms the derecognition guidance on nonfinancial assets with the model for transactions in ASC 606. ASU 2017-05 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted this update effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach to all contracts not yet completed. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Hedging Activities

In August 2017, the FASB issued an update (“ASU 2017-12”) Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities to ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). ASU 2017-12 amends the hedge accounting recognition and presentation requirements in ASC 815. The update is intended to more closely align hedge accounting with companies’ risk management strategies, simplify the application of hedge accounting and increase transparency as to the scope and results of hedge programs. The update ASU 2017-12 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We elected to early adopt ASU 2017-12 effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Marketable Securities

Available-for-sale securities are presented at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets. Prior to January 1, 2018, unrealized gains and losses resulting from the change in fair value of these securities were included in “other comprehensive loss.”  Effective January 1, 2018, changes in the fair value of these securities are recognized in current period earnings in accordance with ASC 825.

Fair Value Measurement

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”) defines fair value and establishes a framework for measuring fair value. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three levels: Level 1 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities; Level 2 – observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted in active markets, but corroborated by market data; and Level 3 – unobservable inputs that are used when little or no market data is available. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs and the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs. In determining fair value, we utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible, as well as consider counterparty credit risk in our assessment of fair value.

Revenue recognition

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an update (“ASU 2014-09”) establishing Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). ASU 2014-09, as amended by subsequent ASUs on the topic, establishes a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most of the existing revenue recognition guidance. This standard, which is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years that begin after December 15, 2017, requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services and also requires certain additional disclosures (see Note 4). We adopted this standard effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach, which allows us to apply the new standard to all existing contracts not yet completed as of the effective date and record a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Our revenues consist of property rentals and expense reimbursements. We have the following revenue sources and revenue recognition policies:

• Base Rent is 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 rent abatements.  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 is 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).

• Parking Revenue arising from the rental of parking spaces at our properties.  This income is recognized as the services are provided.

• Operating Expense Reimbursements is revenue arising from tenant leases which provide for the recovery of all or a portion of the operating expenses and real estate taxes of our properties. Revenue is recognized in the same period as the related expenses are incurred.

• Tenant Services is revenue arising from sub-metered electric, elevator and other services provided to tenants at their request. This revenue is recognized as the services are transferred.