Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

When the Company obtains an economic interest in an entity, the Company evaluates the entity to determine if the entity is deemed a variable interest entity (“VIE”), and if the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary, in accordance with the accounting standard for the consolidation of variable interest entities. The accounting standard for the consolidation of VIEs requires the Company to qualitatively assess if the Company was the primary beneficiary of the VIEs based on whether the Company had both (i) the power to direct those matters that most significantly impacted the activities of the VIE and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

Also, for all entities determined to be VIEs, the Company does not provide financial support to the real estate ventures through liquidity arrangements, guarantees or other similar commitments. When an entity is not deemed to be a VIE, the Company considers the provisions of the same accounting standard to determine whether a general partner, or the general partners as a group, controls a limited partnership or similar entity when the limited partners have certain rights. The Company consolidates (i) entities that are VIEs and of which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and (ii) entities that are non-VIEs and controlled by the Company and in which the limited partners neither have the ability to dissolve the entity or remove the Company without cause nor any substantive participating rights. Entities that the Company accounts for under the equity method (i.e., at cost, increased or decreased by the Company's share of earnings or losses, plus contributions, less distributions) include (i) entities that are VIEs and of which the Company is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary (ii) entities that are non-VIEs which the Company does not control, but over which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence and (iii) entities that are non-VIEs that the Company controls through its general partner status, but the limited partners in the entity have the substantive ability to dissolve the entity or remove the Company without cause or have substantive participating rights. The Company continuously assesses its determination of whether an entity is a VIE and who the primary beneficiary is, and whether or not the limited partners in an entity have substantive rights, more particularly if certain events occur that are likely to cause a change in the original determinations. The Company's assessment includes a review of applicable documents such as, but not limited to, applicable partnership agreements, real estate venture agreements, LLC agreements, management and leasing agreements to determine whether the Company has control to direct the business activities of the entities. The portion of the entities that are consolidated but not owned by the Company is presented as non-controlling interest as of and during the periods consolidated. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management 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 revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Management makes significant estimates regarding revenue, valuation of real estate and related intangible assets and liabilities, useful lives of fixed assets, impairment of long-lived assets, equity method investments, allowance for doubtful accounts and deferred costs.

Operating Properties/ Depreciation and Amortization

Operating properties are carried at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. The cost of operating properties reflects their purchase price or development cost. Acquisition related costs are expensed as incurred. Costs incurred for the renovation and betterment of an operating property are capitalized to the Company’s investment in that property. Ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred; major replacements and betterments, which improve or extend the life of the asset, are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Fully-depreciated assets are removed from the accounts.

The costs of buildings and improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method based on the following useful lives: buildings and improvements (five to 55 years) and tenant improvements (the shorter of the lease term or the life of the asset).

Purchase Price Allocation

The Company allocates the purchase price of properties to net tangible and identified intangible assets acquired based on fair values. Above-market and below-market in-place lease values for acquired properties are recorded based on the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and (ii) the Company’s estimate of the fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases, measured over a period equal to the remaining non-cancelable term of the lease (includes the below market fixed renewal period). Capitalized above-market lease values are amortized as a reduction of rental income over the remaining non-cancelable terms of the respective leases. Capitalized below-market lease values are amortized as an increase to rental income over the remaining non-cancelable terms of the respective leases, including any below market fixed-rate renewal periods.

Other intangible assets also include amounts representing the value of tenant relationships and in-place leases based on the Company’s evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenant’s lease and the Company’s overall relationship with the respective tenant. The Company estimates the cost to execute leases with terms similar to the remaining lease terms of the in-place leases, including leasing commissions, legal and other related expenses. This intangible asset is amortized to expense over the remaining term of the respective leases and any fixed-rate bargain renewal periods. Company estimates of value are made using methods similar to those used by independent appraisers or by using independent appraisals. Factors considered by the Company in this analysis include an estimate of the carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, the Company includes real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up periods, which primarily range from three to twelve months. The Company also considers information obtained about each property as a result of its pre-acquisition due diligence, marketing and leasing activities in estimating the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired. The Company also uses the information obtained as a result of its pre-acquisition due diligence as part of its consideration of the accounting standard governing asset retirement obligations and when necessary, will record a conditional asset retirement obligation as part of its purchase price.

Characteristics considered by the Company in allocating value to its tenant relationships include the nature and extent of the Company’s business relationship with the tenant, growth prospects for developing new business with the tenant, the tenant’s credit quality and expectations of lease renewals, among other factors. The value of tenant relationship intangibles is amortized over the remaining initial lease term and expected renewals, but in no event longer than the remaining depreciable life of the building. The value of in-place leases is amortized over the remaining non-cancelable term of the respective leases and any fixed-rate renewal periods.

In the event that a tenant terminates its lease, the unamortized portion of each intangible, including in-place lease values and tenant relationship values, is charged to expense and market rate adjustments (above or below) are recorded to revenue.

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The review of recoverability is based on an estimate of the future undiscounted cash flows (excluding interest charges) expected to result from the long-lived asset’s use and eventual disposition. These cash flows consider factors such as expected future operating income, trends and prospects, as well as the effects of leasing demand, competition and other factors. If impairment exists due to the inability to recover the carrying value of a long-lived asset, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair-value of the property. The Company is required to make subjective assessments as to whether there are impairments in the values of the investments in long-lived assets. These assessments have a direct impact on its net income because recording an impairment loss results in an immediate negative adjustment to net income. The evaluation of anticipated cash flows is highly subjective and is based in part on assumptions regarding future occupancy, rental rates and capital requirements that could differ materially from actual results in future periods. Although the Company’s strategy is generally to hold its properties over the long-term, the Company will dispose of properties to meet its liquidity needs or for other strategic needs. If the Company’s strategy changes or market conditions otherwise dictate an earlier sale date, an impairment loss may be recognized to reduce the property to the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and such loss could be material. If the Company determines that impairment has occurred and the assets are classified as held and used, the affected assets must be reduced to their fair value.

Where properties have been identified as having a potential for sale, additional judgments are required related to the determination as to the appropriate period over which the undiscounted cash flows should include the operating cash flows and the amount included as the estimated residual value. Management determines the amounts to be included based on a probability weighted cash flow. This requires significant judgment. In some cases, the results of whether an impairment is indicated are sensitive to changes in assumptions input into the estimates, including the hold period until expected sale.

Construction in Progress

Project costs directly associated with the development and construction of a real estate project are capitalized as construction in progress. Construction in progress also includes costs related to ongoing tenant improvement projects. In addition, interest, real estate taxes and other expenses that are directly associated with the Company’s development activities are capitalized until the property is placed in service.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are highly-liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. The Company maintains cash equivalents in financial institutions in excess of insured limits, but believes this risk is mitigated by only investing in or through major financial institutions.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consists of cash held as collateral to provide credit enhancement for the Company’s mortgage debt, cash for property taxes, capital expenditures and tenant improvements. Restricted cash is included in other assets as discussed below.

Accounts Receivable and Accrued Rent Receivable

Leases with tenants are accounted for as operating leases. Minimum annual rentals under tenant leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related lease. The cumulative difference between lease revenue recognized under the straight-line method and contractual lease payment terms is recorded as “accrued rent receivable, net” on the accompanying balance sheets. Included in current tenant receivables are tenant reimbursements which are comprised of amounts recoverable from tenants for common area maintenance expenses and certain other recoverable expenses that are recognized as revenue in the period in which the related expenses are incurred.

The allowance is an estimate based on two calculations that are combined to determine the total amount reserved. First, the Company evaluates specific accounts where it has determined that a tenant may have an inability to meet its financial obligations. In these situations, the Company uses its judgment, based on the facts and circumstances, and records a specific reserve for that tenant against amounts due to reduce the receivable to the amount that the Company expects to collect. These reserves are reevaluated and adjusted as additional information becomes available. Second, a reserve is established for all tenants based on a range of percentages applied to receivable aging categories for tenant receivables. For accrued rent receivables, the Company considers the results of the evaluation of specific accounts and also considers other factors including assigning risk factors to different industries based on its tenants SIC classification. Considering various factors including assigning a risk factor to different industries, these percentages are based on historical collection and write-off experience adjusted for current market conditions, which requires management’s judgments.

Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Ventures

The Company accounts for its investments in unconsolidated Real Estate Ventures under the equity method of accounting as it is not the primary beneficiary (for VIE’s) and the Company exercises significant influence, but does not control these entities under the provisions of the entities’ governing agreements pursuant to the accounting standard for the consolidation of VIEs. Under the equity method, investments in unconsolidated Real Estate Ventures are recorded initially at cost, as Investments in Real Estate Ventures, and subsequently adjusted for equity in earnings, cash contributions, less distributions and impairments. On a periodic basis, management also assesses whether there are any indicators that the value of the Company’s investments in unconsolidated Real Estate Ventures may be other than temporarily impaired. An investment is impaired only if the value of the investment, as estimated by management, is less than the carrying value of the investment and the decline is other than temporary. To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss shall be measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the investment over the value of the investment, as estimated by management. The determination as to whether an impairment exists requires significant management judgment about the fair value of its ownership interest. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques, including but not limited to, discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third party appraisals.

To the extent that the Company acquires an interest in or contributes assets to a Real Estate Venture project, the difference between the Company’s cost basis in the investment and the value of the Real Estate Venture or asset contributed is amortized over the life of the related assets, intangibles and liabilities and such adjustment is included in the Company’s share of equity in income of unconsolidated Real Estate Ventures. For purposes of cash flow presentation, distributions from unconsolidated Real Estate Ventures are presented as part of operating activities when they are considered as return on investments. Distributions in excess of the Company’s share in the cumulative unconsolidated Real Estate Ventures’ earnings are considered as return of investments and are presented as part of investing activities in accordance with the accounting standard for cash flow presentation.

Deferred Costs

Costs incurred in connection with property leasing are capitalized as deferred leasing costs. Deferred leasing costs consist primarily of leasing commissions and internal leasing costs that are amortized using the straight-line method over the life of the respective lease which generally ranges from one to 15 years. Management re-evaluates the remaining useful lives of leasing costs as economic and market conditions change.

Costs incurred in connection with debt financing are capitalized as deferred financing costs and charged to interest expense over the terms of the related debt agreements. Deferred financing costs consist primarily of loan fees which are amortized over the related loan term on a basis that approximates the effective interest method.

Revenue Recognition

eferred rents on the balance sheet represent rental revenue received prior to their due dates and amounts paid by the tenant for certain improvements considered to be landlord assets that will remain as the Company’s property at the end of the tenant’s lease term. The amortization of the amounts paid by the tenant for such improvements is calculated on a straight-line basis over the term of the tenant’s lease and is a component of straight-line rental income and increased revenue

Rental revenue is recognized on the straight-line basis from the later of the date of the commencement of the lease or the date of acquisition of the property subject to existing leases, which averages minimum rents over the terms of the leases.

Lease incentives, which are included as reductions of rental revenue in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Leases also typically provide for tenant reimbursement of a portion of common area maintenance and other operating expenses to the extent that a tenant’s pro rata share of expenses exceeds a base year level set in the lease or to the extent that the tenant has a lease on a triple net basis. For certain leases, significant assumptions and judgments are made by the Company in determining the lease term such as when termination options are provided to the tenant. The lease term impacts the period over which minimum rents are determined and recorded and also considers the period over which lease related costs are amortized. Termination fees received from tenants, bankruptcy settlement fees, third party management fees, labor reimbursement and leasing income are recorded when earned.

Income Taxes

The Operating Partnership may elect to treat one or more of its subsidiaries as REITs under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code. Each subsidiary REIT has met or intends to meet the requirements for treatment as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code, and, accordingly, no provision has been made for federal and state income taxes in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. If any subsidiary REIT fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, that subsidiary REIT will be subject to federal and state income taxes and may not be able to qualify as a REIT for the four subsequent taxable years. Also, each subsidiary REIT may be subject to certain local income taxes.

The Operating Partnership has elected to treat several of its subsidiaries as taxable TRSs, which are subject to federal, state and local income tax.

Operating Partnership

In general, the Operating Partnership is not subject to federal and state income taxes, and accordingly, no provision for income taxes has been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The partners of the Operating Partnership are required to include their respective share of the Operating Partnership’s profits or losses in their respective tax returns. The Operating Partnership’s tax returns and the amount of allocable Partnership profits and losses are subject to examination by federal and state taxing authorities. If such examination results in changes to the Operating Partnership profits or losses, then the tax liability of the partners would be changed accordingly.

The Parent Company may elect to treat one or more of its subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries (each a “TRS”). A TRS is subject to federal, state and local income tax. In general, a TRS may perform non-customary services for tenants, hold assets that the Parent Company, as a REIT, cannot hold directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate related business.

Parent Company

The Parent Company has elected to be treated as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). In order to continue to qualify as a REIT, the Parent Company is required to, among other things, distribute at least 90% of its annual REIT taxable income to its shareholders and meet certain tests regarding the nature of its income and assets. As a REIT, the Parent Company is not subject to federal and state income taxes with respect to the portion of its income that meets certain criteria and is distributed annually to its shareholders. Accordingly, no provision for federal and state income taxes is included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements with respect to the operations of the Parent Company. The Parent Company intends to continue to operate in a manner that allows it to meet the requirements for taxation as a REIT. If the Parent Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to federal and state income taxes and may not be able to qualify as a REIT for the four subsequent tax years. The Parent Company is subject to certain local income taxes. Provision for such taxes has been included in general and administrative expenses in the Parent Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

Earnings Per Unit

Basic earnings per unit is calculated by dividing income allocated to common units by the weighted-average number of units outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per unit includes the effect of common unit equivalents outstanding during the period.

Tresaury Shares

The Company accounts for its treasury share purchases using the cost method. Since repurchase, shares have been reissued at an amount less than their cost basis. The losses on reissuances are charged to the cumulative earnings of the Company using the FIFO basis.

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

The Parent Company maintains a shareholder-approved equity-incentive plan known as the Amended and Restated 1997 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “1997 Plan”). The 1997 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Parent Company’s Board of Trustees. Under the 1997 Plan, the Compensation Committee is authorized to award equity and equity-based awards, including incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted shares and performance-based shares.

The expensed amounts are included in general and administrative expense on the Company’s consolidated income statement in the respective periods.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income or loss is recorded in accordance with the provisions of the accounting standard for comprehensive income. The accounting standard establishes standards for reporting comprehensive income and its components in the financial statements. Comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities and the effective portions of changes in the fair value of derivatives.

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The ineffective portions of the hedges are recognized in earnings.

The Company accounts for its derivative instruments and hedging activities in accordance with the accounting standard for derivative and hedging activities. The accounting standard requires the Company to measure every derivative instrument (including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) at fair value and record them in the balance sheet as either an asset or liability. See disclosures below related to the Company’s adoption of the accounting standard for fair value measurements and disclosures.

For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, the changes in fair value of both the derivative instrument and the hedged item are recorded in earnings. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are reported in other comprehensive income while the ineffective portions are recognized in earnings.

The Company actively manages its ratio of fixed-to-floating rate debt. To manage its fixed and floating rate debt in a cost-effective manner, the Company, from time to time, enters into interest rate swap agreements as cash flow hedges, under which it agrees to exchange various combinations of fixed and/or variable interest rates based on agreed upon notional amounts.

Fair Value Measurements

Non-financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis to which the Company would apply the accounting standard where a measurement was required under fair value would include:

• Non-financial assets and liabilities initially measured at fair value in an acquisition or business combination that are not remeasured at least annually at fair value,

• Long-lived assets measured at fair value due to an impairment in accordance with the accounting standard for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets,

• Equity and cost method investments measured at fair value due to an impairment in accordance with the accounting standard for investments,

• Notes receivable adjusted for any impairment in its value in accordance with the accounting standard for loan receivables; and

• Asset retirement obligations initially measured at fair value under the accounting standard for asset retirement obligations.

The Company estimates the fair value of its outstanding derivatives and available-for-sale-securities in accordance with the accounting standard for fair value measurements and disclosures. The accounting standard defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. It also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value. Financial assets and liabilities recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

• Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access;

• Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability (other than quoted prices), such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals; and

• Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which is typically based on an entity’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity or information.

In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted During 2011

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an amendment to the accounting standard for the presentation of comprehensive income. The amendment requires entities to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In addition, the amendment requires entities to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. This amendment is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company's adoption of the new standard will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial position or results of operations as the amendment relates only to changes in financial statement presentation.

In May 2011, the FASB issued amendments to the accounting standard for fair value measurements and disclosures. The amendments change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. The amendments are intended to create comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. These amendments are effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company's adoption of the new standard will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In December 2010, the FASB issued a new accounting standard for the disclosure of supplementary pro-forma information for business combinations. This guidance clarifies that the disclosure of supplementary pro-forma information for business combinations should be presented such that revenues and earnings of the combined entity are calculated as though the relevant business combinations that occurred during the current reporting period had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period. The guidance also seeks to improve the usefulness of the supplementary pro-forma information by requiring a description of the nature and amount of material, non-recurring pro-forma adjustments that are directly attributable to the business combinations. This new standard is effective for business combinations with an acquisition date on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The Company's adoption of this new standard did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.