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Investments in Partially Owned Entities
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Investments In Partially Owned Entities [Abstract]  
Investments in Partially Owned Entities

6.

Investments in Partially Owned Entities

The Company has co-invested in various properties with unrelated third parties which are either consolidated or accounted for under the equity method of accounting (unconsolidated).  

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”)

In accordance with accounting standards for consolidation of VIEs, the Company consolidates ERPOP on EQR’s financial statements.  As the sole general partner of ERPOP, EQR has exclusive control of ERPOP’s day-to-day management.  The limited partners are not able to exercise substantive kick-out or participating rights.  As a result, ERPOP qualifies as a VIE.  EQR has a controlling financial interest in ERPOP and, thus, is ERPOP’s primary beneficiary.  EQR has the power to direct the activities of ERPOP that most significantly impact ERPOP’s economic performance as well as the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from ERPOP that could potentially be significant to ERPOP.  

The Company has various equity interests in certain joint ventures owning 17 properties containing 3,535 apartment units.  The Company is the general partner or managing member of these joint ventures and is responsible for managing the operations and affairs of the joint ventures as well as making all decisions regarding the businesses of the joint ventures.  The limited partners or non-managing members are not able to exercise substantive kick-out or participating rights.  As a result, the joint ventures qualify as VIEs.  The Company has a controlling financial interest in the VIEs and, thus, is the VIEs’ primary beneficiary.  The Company has both the power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact the VIEs’ economic performance 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.  As a result, the joint ventures are required to be consolidated on the Company’s financial statements.  

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company entered into a consolidated joint venture which is owned 90% by the Company and 10% by its joint venture partner, who is the general partner and developer.  The joint venture has been deemed to be a VIE and is consolidated due to the Company being the primary beneficiary.  The joint venture owns a land parcel which it is currently developing into a multifamily rental property.

The consolidated assets and liabilities related to the VIEs discussed above were approximately $711.5 million and $325.5 million, respectively, at September 30, 2019 and approximately $713.6 million and $313.9 million, respectively, at December 31, 2018.

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

The following table and information summarizes the Company’s investments in unconsolidated entities, which are accounted for under the equity method of accounting as the requirements for consolidation are not met, as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (amounts in thousands except for ownership percentage):

 

 

September 30, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

 

Ownership Percentage

 

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wisconsin Place Developer (VIE) (1)

$

40,896

 

 

$

42,365

 

 

33.3%

 

Operating Properties (Non-VIE) (2)

 

 

 

 

10,494

 

 

20.0%

 

Real Estate Technology/Other

 

11,578

 

 

 

5,490

 

 

Varies

 

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

$

52,474

 

 

$

58,349

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Represents an unconsolidated interest in an entity that owns the land underlying one of the consolidated joint venture properties noted above

and owns and operates a related parking facility.  The joint venture, as a limited partner, does not have substantive kick-out or participating rights in the entity.  As a result, the entity qualifies as a VIE.  The joint venture does not have a controlling financial interest in the VIE and is not the VIE’s primary beneficiary.  The joint venture does not have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance or the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.  As a result, the entity that owns the land and owns and operates the parking facility is unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting.

(2)

Includes two joint ventures under separate agreements with the same partner totaling 945 apartment units as of December 31, 2018.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company and its joint venture partner sold both properties under separate agreements to unaffiliated parties.  See Note 4 for additional discussion.