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BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Centerspace conducts a majority of its business activities through a consolidated operating partnership, Centerspace, LP, a North Dakota limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), as well as through a number of other consolidated subsidiary entities. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the Company’s accounts and the accounts of all its subsidiaries in which it maintains a controlling interest, including the Operating Partnership, and have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
The Company’s interest in the Operating Partnership as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was 83.6% and 82.9%, respectively, of the limited partnership units of the Operating Partnership (“Units”), which includes 100% of the general partnership interest.
The Consolidated Financial Statements also reflect the Operating Partnership’s ownership of a joint venture entity in which the Operating Partnership has a general partner or controlling interest. This entity is consolidated into the Company’s operations with noncontrolling interests reflecting the noncontrolling partners’ share of ownership, income, and expenses.
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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 revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current financial statement presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on net income as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, total assets, liabilities or equity as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the classifications within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Centerspace reclassified certain items within the disaggregated revenue table included in Note 2.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
The following table provides a brief description of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) recent accounting standards updates (“ASU”).
StandardDescriptionDate of AdoptionEffect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures
This ASU is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements and address requests from investors for more detailed information about significant segment expenses.
This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted.
The ASU will not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS
Real estate investments are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and an adjustment for impairment, if any. Property, consisting primarily of real estate investments, totaled $1.9 billion and $2.0 billion as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Upon acquisitions of real estate, the Company assesses the fair value of acquired tangible assets (including land, buildings and personal property), which is determined by valuing the property as if it were vacant, and consider whether there were significant intangible assets acquired (for example, above- and below-market leases, the value of acquired in-place leases and resident relationships) and assumed liabilities, and allocate the purchase price based on these assessments. The as-if-vacant value is allocated to land, buildings, and personal property based on the Company’s determination of the relative fair values of these assets. The estimated fair value of the property is the amount that would be recoverable upon the disposition of the property. Techniques used to estimate fair value include discounted cash flow analysis and reference to recent sales of comparable properties. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors, including the historical operating results, known trends, and market/economic conditions that may affect the property. Land value is assigned based on the purchase price if land is acquired separately or based on a relative fair value allocation if acquired in a portfolio acquisition.
Other intangible assets acquired include amounts for in-place lease values that are based upon the Company’s evaluation of the specific characteristics of the leases. Factors considered in the fair value analysis include an estimate of carrying costs and foregone rental income during hypothetical expected lease-up periods, considering current market conditions, and costs to execute similar leases. The Company also considers information about each property obtained during pre-acquisition due diligence, marketing, and leasing activities in estimating the relative fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired.
Acquired above- and below-market lease values are recorded as the difference between the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and management’s estimate of fair market value lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases. The capitalized above- and below-market lease values are amortized as adjustments to rental revenue over the remaining terms of the respective leases.
Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The Company uses a 10-37 year estimated life for buildings and improvements and a 5-10 year estimated life for furniture, fixtures, and equipment. Land is not depreciated.
The Company follows the real estate project costs guidance in ASC 970, Real Estate – General, in accounting for the costs of development and redevelopment projects. As real estate is undergoing development or redevelopment, all project costs directly associated with and attributable to the development and construction of a project, including interest expense and real estate tax expense, are capitalized to the cost of the real property. The capitalization period begins when development activities and expenditures begin and are identifiable to a specific property and ends upon completion, which is when the asset is ready for its intended use. Generally, rental property is considered substantially complete upon issuance of a certificate of occupancy. General and administrative costs are expensed as incurred. The Company did not capitalize interest during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
Expenditures for ordinary maintenance and repairs are expensed to operations as incurred. Renovations and improvements that improve and/or extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful life, generally five to twenty years.
We periodically evaluate our long-lived assets, including real estate investments, for impairment indicators. The judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on factors such as operational performance, market conditions, expected holding period of each property, and legal and environmental concerns. If indicators exist, we compare the estimated future undiscounted cash flows for the property against the carrying amount of that property. If the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is generally recorded for the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying amount. If our anticipated holding period for properties, the estimated fair value of properties or other factors 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. The evaluation of estimated cash flows is subjective and is based, in part, on assumptions regarding future physical 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.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company incurred a loss of $5.2 million for the impairment of two apartment communities. The Company recognized impairments of $3.0 million on one apartment community in Richfield, MN and $2.2 million on one apartment community in New Hope, MN. These properties were written-down to estimated fair value based on receipt of market offers to purchase the apartment communities. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company did not record a loss for impairment on real estate.
The Company classifies properties as held for sale when they meet the GAAP criteria, which include: (a) management commits to and initiates a plan to sell the asset; (b) the sale is probable and expected to be completed within one year under terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets; and (c) actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. The Company generally considers these criteria met when the transaction has been approved by its Board of Trustees, there are no known significant contingencies related to the sale, and management believes it is probable that the sale will be completed within one year. The Company had no properties classified as held for sale at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Real estate held for sale is stated at the lower of its carrying amount or estimated fair value less disposal costs. The Company’s determination of fair value is based on inputs management believes are consistent with those that market participants would use. Estimates are significantly impacted by estimates of sales price, selling velocity, and other factors. Due to uncertainties in the estimation process, actual results could differ from such estimates. Depreciation is not recorded on assets classified as held for sale.
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH
Cash and cash equivalents include all cash and highly liquid investments purchased with maturities of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents consist of bank deposits and deposits in a money market mutual fund. The Company is potentially exposed to credit risk for cash deposited with FDIC-insured financial institutions in accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. Although past bank failures have increased the risk of loss in such accounts, the Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, restricted cash consisted of $639,000 and $1.4 million, respectively, in escrows held by lenders. Escrows include funds deposited with a lender for payment of real estate taxes and insurance and reserves to be used for replacement of structural elements and mechanical equipment at certain communities. The funds are under the control of the lender. Disbursements are made after supplying written documentation to the lender.
LEASES
As a lessor, Centerspace primarily leases multifamily apartment homes which qualify as operating leases with terms that are generally one year or less. Rental revenues are recognized in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842, Leases, using a method that represents a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, rental income represents approximately 98.1%, 97.7%, and 98.2%, respectively, of total revenues and includes gross market rent less adjustments for gain or loss to lease, concessions, vacancy loss, and bad debt. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, other property revenues represent the remaining 1.9%, 2.3%, and 1.8%, respectively, of total revenues and are primarily driven by other fee income, which is typically recognized when earned, at a point in time.
Some of the Company’s apartment communities have commercial spaces available for lease. Lease terms for these spaces typically range from three to fifteen years. The leases for commercial spaces generally include options to extend the lease for additional terms.
Many of the leases contain non-lease components for utility reimbursement from residents and common area maintenance from commercial tenants. Centerspace has elected the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components. The combined components are included in lease income and are accounted for under ASC 842.
The aggregate amount of future scheduled lease income on commercial operating leases, excluding any variable lease income and non-lease components, as of December 31, 2023, was as follows:
(in thousands)
2024$1,824 
20251,769 
20261,608 
20271,318 
2028929 
Thereafter5,366 
Total scheduled lease income - operating leases$12,814 
REVENUES AND GAINS ON SALE OF REAL ESTATE
Revenue is recognized in accordance with the transfer of goods and services to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled for those goods and services.
Revenue streams that are included in revenues from contracts with customers include other property revenues such as application fees and other miscellaneous items. Centerspace recognizes revenue for these rental related items not included as a component of a lease as earned.
The following table presents the disaggregation of revenue streams for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021:
(in thousands)
Year ended December 31,
Revenue StreamApplicable Standard202320222021
Fixed lease income - operating leasesLeases$243,931 $240,031 $189,452 
Variable lease income - operating leasesLeases12,433 10,754 8,565 
Other property revenueRevenue from contracts with customers4,945 5,931 3,688 
Total revenue$261,309 $256,716 $201,705 
In addition to lease income and other property revenue, the Company recognizes gains or losses on the sale of real estate and other investments when the criteria for derecognition of an asset are met, including when (1) a contract exists and (2) the buyer obtained control of the nonfinancial asset that was sold. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Company recognized $71.2 million, $41,000, and $27.5 million, respectively, as a gain on the sale of real estate and other investments. Any gain or loss on real estate dispositions is net of certain closing and other costs associated with the disposition.
MARKET CONCENTRATION RISK
The Company is subject to increased exposure from economic and other competitive factors specific to markets where it holds a significant percentage of the carrying value of its real estate portfolio. As of December 31, 2023, Centerspace held more than 10% of the carrying value of its real estate portfolio in the Minneapolis, Minnesota and Denver, Colorado markets.
INCOME TAXES
The Company operates in a manner intended to enable it to continue to qualify as a REIT under Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code. Under those sections, a REIT which distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, excluding capital gains, as a dividend to its shareholders each year and which meets certain other conditions will not be taxed on that portion of its taxable income which is distributed to shareholders. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Company distributed in excess of 90% of its taxable income and realized capital gains from property dispositions within the prescribed time limits. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal income taxes in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to federal income tax on its taxable income at regular corporate rates (including any alternative minimum tax) and may not be able to qualify as a REIT for the four subsequent taxable years. Even as a REIT, the Company may be subject to certain state and local income and property taxes, and to federal income and excise taxes on undistributed taxable income. In general, however, if the Company qualifies as a REIT, no provisions for federal income taxes are necessary except for taxes on undistributed REIT taxable income and taxes on the income generated by a taxable REIT subsidiary (TRS).
The Company has one TRS, which is subject to corporate federal and state income taxes on its taxable income at regular statutory rates. There were no income tax provisions or material deferred income tax items including any valuation allowances for the TRS for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
The Company conducts its business activity as an Umbrella Partnership Real Estate Investment Trust (“UPREIT”) through its Operating Partnership. UPREIT status allows us to accept the contribution of real estate in exchange for Units. Generally, such a contribution to a limited partnership allows for the deferral of gain by an owner of appreciated real estate. 
The following table indicates how distributions were characterized for federal income tax purposes for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021:
CALENDAR YEAR 202320222021
Tax status of distributions
Capital gain48.79 %— 0.92 %
Ordinary income28.46 %13.42 %7.82 %
Return of capital22.75 %86.58 %91.26 %
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY
Centerspace has determined that its Operating Partnership and each of its less-than-wholly owned real estate partnerships are variable interest entities (each, a “VIE”), as the limited partners or the functional equivalent of limited partners lack substantive kick-out rights and substantive participating rights. The Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs, and the VIEs are required to be consolidated on the balance sheet because the Company has a controlling financial interest in the VIEs and has both the power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIEs as well as the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIEs that could potentially be significant to the VIEs. Because the Operating Partnership is a VIE, all of the Company’s assets and liabilities are held through a VIE.
OTHER ASSETS 
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, other assets consisted of the following amounts:
in thousands
December 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Receivable arising from straight line rents$347 $556 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance
267 217 
Real estate related notes receivable7,039 5,871 
Prepaid assets7,828 6,520 
Other assets(1)
5,294 1,954 
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization
2,723 2,112 
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
2,798 3,120 
Goodwill491 866 
Deferred charges and leasing costs862 1,471 
Total Other Assets$27,649 $22,687 
(1)See Involuntary Conversion of Assets discussion below for additional information on insurance receivable included here.
Intangible Assets. Intangible assets consist of in-place leases valued at the time of acquisition. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Company recognized $2.6 million, $12.3 million, and $13.5 million, respectively, of amortization expense related to these intangibles, included within depreciation and amortization in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The intangible assets remaining at December 31, 2023 will be fully amortized in 2024.
Property and equipment. Property and equipment consists primarily of office equipment located at the Company’s corporate offices in Minot, North Dakota and in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, property and equipment cost was $4.6 million and $4.9 million, respectively. The Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect these assets at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of $1.8 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and are included within other assets.
Real estate related notes receivable. In connection with the acquisition of Ironwood, an apartment community in New Hope, Minnesota, the Company acquired a tax increment financing note receivable (“TIF”) with an initial principal balance of $6.6 million. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the principal balance was $5.7 million and $6.1 million, respectively, which appears within other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. The note bears an interest rate of 4.5% with payments due in February and August of each year.
In 2023, the Company originated a $15.1 million mezzanine loan for the development of an apartment community located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. The mezzanine loan bears interest at 10.0% per annum. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had funded $1.6 million of the mezzanine loan, which appears within other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The loan matures in December 2027 unless extended to December 2028 in accordance with the terms of the mezzanine loan agreement. The loan is secured by a pledge of and first priority security interest against 100% of the membership interests in the mezzanine borrower and the agreement provides the Company with an option to purchase the development. The loan represents an investment in an unconsolidated variable interest entity. The Company is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE as Centerspace does not have the power to direct the activities which most significantly impact the entity’s economic
performance nor does Centerspace have significant influence over the entity. As of December 31, 2023, the note receivable appears within other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value.
ADVERTISING COSTS
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and reported on the Consolidated Statement of Operations within the Property operating expenses, excluding real estate taxes line item. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 total advertising expense was $3.2 million, $3.2 million, and $2.5 million, respectively.
SEVERANCE AND TRANSITION
On March 23, 2023, the Company entered into a Separation and General Release Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”) in connection with the departure of former CEO, Mark Decker, Jr. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company incurred total severance costs of $2.2 million for the cash severance and benefits for Mr. Decker, $737,000 in share-based compensation expense for the acceleration of certain equity awards, and $306,000 in other CEO transition related expenses. These expenses are included within general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Refer to Note 13 for additional information on the share-based compensation expense.
INVOLUNTARY CONVERSION OF ASSETS
In April 2023, a portion of an apartment community was destroyed by fire. The Company recorded a write-down of the apartment community asset, in accordance with ASC 610-30 on involuntary conversion of non-monetary assets, totaling $1.3 million with an offsetting insurance receivable recorded within other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2023, the estimated insurance claim was $1.9 million. Any amounts received in excess of the write-down will be recognized when received.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, Centerspace recorded $2.0 million in write-downs to three apartment community assets due to separate insurance events with offsetting insurance receivables totaling $1.2 million recorded within other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with ASC 610-30.
LITIGATION SETTLEMENT
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a loss on litigation settlement of $3.9 million due to a trial judgment entered against Centerspace for property damage, resulting in monetary losses. Centerspace was the named defendant in a lawsuit where the owner of a neighboring property claimed a retaining wall at one of the Company’s properties was causing water damage to the neighboring property. The original judgment was ordered on October 9, 2023 for $2.9 million which the Company immediately paid. In November 2023, the claimant filed motions requesting additional interest on the judgment and trial costs. Subsequent to December 31, 2023, the claimant was awarded an additional $1.0 million in judgment related interest and costs. The Company paid the additional amount and recorded the loss on litigation for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company cannot, with any level of certainty, predict or estimate if there will be additional costs incurred as a result of the lawsuit as the matter is still ongoing.