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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
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.  Certain prior year balances have been reclassified in order to conform to the current year presentation.
Recently Issued Accounting Literature In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an update (“ASU 2016-02”) establishing ASC Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”), 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 two- method 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 of greater than 12 months. Lease liabilities equal the present value of future lease payments. Right-of-use assets equal the lease liabilities adjusted for accrued rent expense, initial direct costs, lease incentives and prepaid lease payments. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to the previously 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 ASC Topic 840, Leases (“ASC 840”). We adopted this standard effective January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. In transitioning to ASC 842, we elected to use the practical expedient package available to us and did not elect to use hindsight. These elections have been applied consistently to all of our leases. On January 1, 2019, for our Flushing property ground lease, which is classified as an operating lease, we recorded a right- of-use asset of $5,058,000 (included in “other assets”) and a lease liability of $5,428,000 (included in “other liabilities”) (see Note 9 - Leases).
 
In June 2016, the FASB issued an update (“ASU 2016-13”) Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments establishing ASC Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, as amended by subsequent ASUs on the topic. ASU 2016-13 changes how entities will account for credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The guidance replaces the current “incurred loss” model with an “expected loss” model that requires consideration of a broader range of information to estimate expected credit losses over the lifetime of the financial asset. ASU 2016-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on our consolidated financial statements, but do not believe the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued an update (“ASU 2018-13”) Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement to ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”). ASU 2018-13 modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying, and/or adding certain disclosures. ASU 2018-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. We elected to early adopt ASU 2018-13 effective January 1, 2019. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
 
ALEXANDER’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

2.    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
In October 2018, the FASB issued an update (“ASU 2018-16”) Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap (OIS) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes to ASC 815. ASU 2018-16 expands the list of U.S. benchmark interest rates permitted in the application of hedge accounting by adding the OIS rate based on SOFR as an eligible benchmark interest rate. ASU 2018-16 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this update effective January 1, 2019. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Real Estate Real estate is carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization.  As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the carrying amount of our real estate, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization, was $716,843,000 and $730,270,000, respectively.  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. We capitalize all property operating expenses directly associated with and attributable to, the development and construction of a project, including interest expense. The capitalization period begins when development activities are underway and ends when it is determined that the asset is substantially complete and ready for its intended use, which is typically evidenced by the receipt of a temporary certificate of occupancy. General and administrative costs are expensed as incurred.
 
Our properties, 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, including an estimated terminal value calculated using an appropriate capitalization rate.  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 Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less and are carried at cost, which approximates fair value, due to their short-term maturities.  The majority of our cash and cash equivalents consist of (i) deposits at major commercial banks, which may at times exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limit, (ii) United States Treasury Bills, (iii) money market funds, which invest in United States Treasury Bills and (iv) certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service (“CDARS”).  To date we have not experienced any losses on our invested cash.
Restricted Cash Restricted cash primarily consists of security deposits and other cash escrowed under loan agreements, including for debt service, real estate taxes, property insurance and capital improvements.
Marketable Securities Our marketable securities consist of common shares of The Macerich Company (“Macerich”) (NYSE: MAC), which are classified as available-for-sale.  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 mark-to-market of these securities were included in “other comprehensive income (loss).” Effective January 1, 2018, changes in the fair value of these securities are recognized in current period earnings in accordance with ASC Topic 825 (“ASC 825”), Financial Instruments
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.
Income Taxes We operate in a manner intended to enable us to continue to qualify as a 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 and therefore, no provision for Federal income taxes is required.  Dividends distributed for the year ended December 31, 2019 were characterized, for federal income tax purposes, as 99.6% ordinary income and 0.4% long-term capital gain income. Dividends distributed for the year ended December 31, 2018 were characterized, for federal income tax purposes, as 100.0% ordinary income. Dividends distributed for the year ended December 31, 2017 were categorized, for federal income tax purposes, as 99.5% ordinary income and 0.5% long-term capital gain income. 
Revenue Recognition
Our rental revenues include revenues from the leasing of space to tenants at our properties and revenues from parking and tenant services. We have the following revenue recognition policies:
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Lease revenues from the leasing of space to tenants at our properties. Revenues derived from base rent 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 underlying asset is available for use by the lessee. 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. Revenues derived from the reimbursement of real estate taxes, insurance expenses and common area maintenance expenses are generally recognized in the same period as the related expenses are incurred. As lessor, we have elected to combine the lease components (base and variable rent), non-lease components (reimbursements of common area maintenance expenses) and reimbursement of real estate taxes and insurance expenses from our operating lease agreements and account for the components as a single lease component in accordance with ASC 842.

• Parking revenue arising from the rental of parking spaces at our properties. This income is recognized as the services are transferred in accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”).

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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 in accordance with ASC 606.
Fair Value Measurements
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.