Variable Interest Entities

Consolidated VIEs:

At both December 31, 2017 and 2016, nine of our real estate joint ventures, whose activities primarily consisted of owning and operating 22 and 25 neighborhood/community shopping centers, respectively, were determined to be VIEs. Based on a financing agreement by one of our real estate joint ventures that has a bottom dollar guaranty, which is disproportionate to our ownership, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary and have consolidated this joint venture. For the remaining real estate joint ventures, we concluded we are the primary beneficiary based primarily on our significant power to direct the entities' activities without any substantive kick-out or participating rights.

At December 31, 2016, in conjunction with the acquisition of a property with a net book value of $249.5 million, we had a like-kind exchange agreement with a third party intermediary for tax purposes. The third party purchased the property via our financing, and then leased the property to us. Based on the associated agreements, we had determined that the entity was a VIE, and we were the primary beneficiary based on our significant power to direct the entity's activities without any substantive kick-out or participating rights. Accordingly, we consolidated the property and its operations as of the respective acquisition date. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the ownership of this property was conveyed to us in accordance with the terms of the like-kind exchange agreement, and we no longer have a VIE.

A summary of our consolidated VIEs is as follows (in thousands):



	December 31,
	2017		2016
Assets Held by VIEs ⁽¹⁾	$	235,713	$	504,293
Assets Held as Collateral for Debt ⁽²⁾	42,979		46,136
Maximum Risk of Loss ⁽²⁾	29,784		29,784

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(1)	$249.5 million of assets at December 31, 2016 ceased to be considered a VIE (see above).


(2)	Represents the amount of debt and related assets held as collateral associated with the bottom dollar guaranty at one real estate joint venture.

Restrictions on the use of these assets can be significant because they may serve as collateral for debt. Further, we are generally required to obtain our partner's approval in accordance with the joint venture agreement for any major transactions. Transactions with these joint ventures on our consolidated financial statements have primarily been positive as demonstrated by the generation of net income and operating cash flows, as well as the receipt of cash distributions. We and our partners are subject to the provisions of the joint venture agreements which include provisions for when additional contributions may be required to fund operating cash shortfalls, development expenditures and unplanned capital expenditures. During 2017, $.1 million in additional contributions were made primarily to fund an operating shortfall. During 2016, $2.5 million in additional contributions were made primarily for capital activities. We currently anticipate that $.1 million of additional contributions will be made for 2018.

Unconsolidated VIEs:

At both December 31, 2017 and 2016, two unconsolidated real estate joint ventures were determined to be VIEs. We have determined that one entity was a VIE through the issuance of a secured loan, since the lender had the ability to make decisions that could have a significant impact on the success of the entity. Based on the associated agreements for the future development of a mixed-use project, we concluded that the other entity was a VIE, but we are not the primary beneficiary as the substantive participating rights associated with the entity are shared, and we do not have the power to direct the significant activities of the entity. Our analysis considered that all major decisions require unanimous member consent and those decisions include significant activities such as development, financing, leasing and operations of the entity.

A summary of our unconsolidated VIEs is as follows (in thousands):



	December 31,
	2017		2016
Investment in Real Estate Joint Ventures and Partnerships, net ^{(1) (2)}	$	36,784	$	886
Maximum Risk of Loss ⁽³⁾	34,000		34,000

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(1)	The carrying amount of the investment represents our contributions to the real estate joint ventures, net of any distributions made and our portion of the equity in earnings of the joint ventures. The increase between the periods represents new development funding of a mixed-use project. See Note 4 for additional information.


(2)	As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the carrying amount of the investment for one VIE is $(6) million and $(9) million, respectively, which is included in Other Liabilities and results from the distribution of proceeds from the issuance of debt.


(3)	The maximum risk of loss has been determined to be limited to our debt exposure for the real estate joint ventures.

We and our partners are subject to the provisions of the joint venture agreements that specify conditions, including operating shortfalls, development expenditures and unplanned capital expenditures, under which additional contributions may be required. With respect to our future development of a mixed-used project, we anticipate funding approximately $93 million in equity and debt through 2020.