XML 31 R11.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.6.0.2
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation. The Company's consolidated financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The financial statements reflect the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. The Company consolidates its wholly-owned subsidiaries, partnerships and joint ventures which it controls (i) through voting rights or similar rights or (ii) by means other than voting rights if the Company is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity ("VIE"). Entities which the Company does not control and entities which are VIEs in which the Company is not the primary beneficiary are accounted for under appropriate GAAP.
On January 1, 2016, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-02 (Topic 810), Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, modifying the analysis it must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. The guidance does not amend the existing disclosure requirements for VIEs or voting interest model entities. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on consolidated entities included in the Company's consolidated financial statements as all entities previously consolidated are still consolidated and all entities previously not consolidated are still not consolidated. However, under the revised guidance, the Company determined that certain of its affiliated limited partnerships and similar entities are now considered, by definition, VIEs. These entities were determined to be VIEs as the unaffiliated partners/members did not have simple majority substantive kick-out rights or participating rights.
The Company determined that it was the primary beneficiary of certain VIEs as it has a controlling financial interest in these entities. LCIF, which continues to be consolidated and in which the Company has an approximate 96% interest, was determined to be a VIE under this new guidance. See the consolidated financial statements of LCIF included within this Annual Report.
The Company has a joint venture limited partnership with a developer which is a consolidated VIE. The joint venture is developing an office campus in Lake Jackson, Texas. The Company currently has a 100% interest in the joint venture; however, the developer has certain protective rights, and, upon project completion, the developer will be credited with a notional capital account for a profit interest and certain cost savings. During 2016, the joint venture completed three of four buildings. As of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the joint venture had $55,960 and $62,353, respectively, in real estate under construction.
The assets of each VIE are only available to satisfy such VIE's respective liabilities. As of December 31, 2016, the VIEs' mortgages and notes payable were non-recourse to the Company. Below is a summary of selected financial data of consolidated VIEs for which the Company is the primary beneficiary included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Real estate, net
$
778,265

 
$
1,072,463

Total assets
$
899,801

 
$
1,192,944

Mortgages and notes payable, net
$
364,099

 
$
431,599

Total liabilities
$
395,332

 
$
448,057


Earnings Per Share. Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) reduced by preferred dividends and amounts allocated to certain non-vested share-based payment awards, if applicable, by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share amounts are similarly computed but include the effect, when dilutive, of in-the-money common share options and non-vested common shares, OP units and put options of certain convertible securities.
Use of Estimates. Management has made a number of significant estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses to prepare these consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP. These estimates and assumptions are based on management's best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the economic environment. The economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in these estimates and assumptions. Management adjusts such estimates when facts and circumstances dictate. The most significant estimates made include the recoverability of accounts receivable, allocation of property purchase price to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, the determination of VIEs and which entities should be consolidated, the determination of impairment of long-lived assets, loans receivable and equity method investments, valuation of derivative financial instruments, valuation of compensation plans and the useful lives of long-lived assets. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Fair Value Measurements. The Company follows the guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("Topic 820"), to determine the fair value of financial and non-financial instruments. Topic 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Topic 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, which 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, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible, as well as considering counterparty credit risk. The Company has formally elected to apply the portfolio exception within Topic 820 with respect to measuring counterparty risk for all of its derivative transactions subject to master netting arrangements.
Revenue Recognition. The Company recognizes lease revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease unless another systematic and rational basis is more representative of the time pattern in which the use benefit is derived from the leased property. Revenue is recognized on a contractual basis for leases with escalations tied to a consumer price index with no floor. Renewal options in leases with rental terms that are lower than those in the primary term are excluded from the calculation of straight-line rent if the renewals are not reasonably assured. If the Company funds tenant improvements and the improvements are deemed to be owned by the Company, revenue recognition will commence when the improvements are substantially completed and possession or control of the space is turned over to the tenant. If the Company determines that the tenant allowances are lease incentives, the Company commences revenue recognition when possession or control of the space is turned over to the tenant for tenant work to begin. The lease incentive is recorded as a deferred expense and amortized as a reduction of revenue on a straight-line basis over the respective lease term. The Company recognizes lease termination fees as rental revenue in the period received and writes off unamortized lease-related intangible and other lease-related account balances, provided there are no further Company obligations under the lease. Otherwise, such fees and balances are recognized on a straight-line basis over the remaining obligation period with the termination payments being recorded as a component of rent receivable-deferred on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Gains on sales of real estate are recognized based upon the specific timing of the sale as measured against various criteria related to the terms of the transactions and any continuing involvement associated with the properties. If the sales criteria are not met, the gain is deferred and the finance, installment or cost recovery method, as appropriate, is applied until the sales criteria are met. To the extent the Company sells a property and retains a partial ownership interest in the property, the Company recognizes gain to the extent of the third-party ownership interest.

Purchase Accounting and Acquisition of Real Estate. The fair value of the real estate acquired, which includes the impact of fair value adjustments for assumed mortgage debt related to property acquisitions, is allocated to the acquired tangible assets, consisting of land, building and improvements and identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above-market and below-market leases, other value of in-place leases and value of tenant relationships, based in each case on their fair values. Acquisition costs are expensed as incurred and are included in property operating expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations.
The fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property (which includes land, building and improvements and fixtures and equipment) is determined by valuing the property as if it were vacant. The “as-if-vacant” value is then allocated to land and building and improvements based on management's determination of relative fair values of these assets. Factors considered by management in performing these analyses include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, management includes real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rental revenue during the expected lease-up periods based on current market demand. Management also estimates costs to execute similar leases including leasing commissions.
In allocating the fair value of the identified intangible assets and liabilities of an acquired property, above-market and below-market lease values are recorded based on the difference between the current in-place lease rent and management's estimate of current market rents. Below-market lease intangibles are recorded as part of deferred revenue and amortized into rental revenue over the non-cancelable periods and bargain renewal periods of the respective leases. Above-market leases are recorded as part of intangible assets and amortized as a direct charge against rental revenue over the non-cancelable portion of the respective leases.
The aggregate value of other acquired intangible assets, consisting of in-place leases and tenant relationship values, is measured by the excess of (1) the purchase price paid for a property over (2) the estimated fair value of the property as if vacant, determined as set forth above. This aggregate value is allocated between in-place lease values and tenant relationship values based on management's evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenant's lease. The value of in-place leases is amortized to expense over the remaining non-cancelable periods and any bargain renewal periods of the respective leases. The value of tenant relationships is amortized to expense over the applicable lease term plus expected renewal periods.
Depreciation is determined by the straight-line method over the remaining estimated economic useful lives of the properties. The Company generally depreciates its real estate assets over periods ranging up to 40 years.
Impairment of Real Estate. The Company evaluates the carrying value of all tangible and intangible real estate assets held for investment for possible impairment when an event or change in circumstance has occurred that indicates its carrying value may not be recoverable. The evaluation includes estimating and reviewing anticipated future undiscounted cash flows to be derived from the asset. If such cash flows are less than the asset's carrying value, an impairment charge is recognized to the extent by which the asset's carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value, which may be below the balance of any non-recourse financing. Estimating future cash flows and fair values is highly subjective and such estimates could differ materially from actual results.
Investments in Non-Consolidated Entities. The Company accounts for its investments in 50% or less owned entities under the equity method, unless consolidation is required. If the Company's investment in the entity is insignificant and the Company has no influence over the control of the entity then the entity is accounted for under the cost method.
Impairment of Equity Method Investments. The Company assesses whether there are indicators that the value of its equity method investments may be impaired. An impairment charge is recognized only if the Company determines that a decline in the value of the investment below its carrying value is other-than-temporary. The assessment of impairment is highly subjective and involves the application of significant assumptions and judgments about the Company's intent and ability to recover its investment given the nature and operations of the underlying investment, including the level of the Company's involvement therein, among other factors. To the extent an impairment is deemed to be other-than-temporary, the loss is measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the investment over the estimated fair value of the investment.
Loans Receivable. Loans held for investment are intended to be held to maturity and, accordingly, are carried at cost, net of unamortized loan origination costs and fees, loan purchase discounts, and net of an allowance for loan losses when such loan is deemed to be impaired. Loan origination costs and fees and loan purchase discounts are amortized over the term of the loan. The Company considers a loan impaired when, based upon current information and events, it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due for both principal and interest according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Significant judgments are required in determining whether impairment has occurred. The Company performs an impairment analysis by comparing either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's observable current market price or the fair value of the underlying collateral to the net carrying value of the loan, which may result in an allowance and corresponding loan loss charge. Interest income is recorded on a cash basis for impaired loans.

Acquisition, Development and Construction Arrangements. The Company evaluates loans receivable where the Company participates in residual profits through loan provisions or other contracts to ascertain whether the Company has the same risks and rewards as an owner or a joint venture partner. Where the Company concludes that such arrangements are more appropriately treated as an investment in real estate, the Company reflects such loan receivable as an equity investment in real estate under construction in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In these cases, no interest income is recorded on the loan receivable and the Company records capitalized interest during the construction period. In arrangements where the Company engages a developer to construct a property or provide funds to a tenant to develop a property, the Company will capitalize the funds provided to the developer/tenant and internal costs of interest and real estate taxes, if applicable, during the construction period.

Properties Held For Sale. Assets and liabilities of properties that meet various held for sale criteria, including whether it is probable that a sale will occur within 12 months, are presented separately in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Commencing January 1, 2015, the operating results of these properties are reflected as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations only if the sale of these assets represents a strategic shift in operations, if not, the operating results are included in continuing operations. Properties classified as held for sale are carried at the lower of net carrying value or estimated fair value less costs to sell and depreciation and amortization are no longer recognized. Properties that do not meet the held for sale criteria are accounted for as operating properties.

Deferred Expenses. Deferred expenses consist primarily of revolving line of credit debt and leasing costs. Debt costs are amortized using the straight-line method, which approximates the interest method, over the terms of the debt instruments and leasing costs are amortized over the term of the related lease.

Derivative Financial Instruments. The Company accounts for its interest rate swap agreements in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging ("Topic 815"). In accordance with Topic 815, these agreements are carried on the balance sheet at their respective fair values, as an asset if fair value is positive, or as a liability if fair value is negative. If the interest rate swap is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the interest rate swap's change in fair value is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss); the ineffective portion, if any, is recognized in earnings as an increase or decrease to interest expense.

Upon entering into hedging transactions, the Company documents the relationship between the interest rate swap agreement and the hedged item. The Company also documents its risk-management policies, including objectives and strategies, as they relate to its hedging activities. The Company assesses, both at inception of a hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether or not the hedge is highly effective. The Company will discontinue hedge accounting on a prospective basis with changes in the estimated fair value reflected in earnings when (1) it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting cash flows of a hedged item (including forecasted transactions), (2) it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur or (3) it is determined that designating the derivative as an interest rate swap is no longer appropriate. The Company does and may continue to utilize interest rate swap and cap agreements to manage interest rate risk, but does not anticipate entering into derivative transactions for speculative trading purposes.
Stock Compensation. The Company maintains an equity participation plan. Non-vested share grants generally vest either based upon (1) time, (2) performance and/or (3) market conditions. Options granted under the plan in 2010 vested over a five-year period and expire ten years from the date of grant. Options granted under the plan in 2008 vested upon attainment of certain market performance measures and expire ten years from the date of grant. All share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations based on their fair values.
Tax Status. The Company has made an election to qualify, and believes it is operating so as to qualify, as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Company generally will not be subject to federal income tax, provided that distributions to its shareholders equal at least the amount of its REIT taxable income as defined under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.
The Company is permitted to participate in certain activities from which it was previously precluded in order to maintain its qualification as a REIT, so long as these activities are conducted in entities which elect to be treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries under the Code. As such, the Company is subject to federal and state income taxes on the income from these activities.

Income taxes, primarily related to the Company's taxable REIT subsidiaries, are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash. Restricted cash is comprised primarily of cash balances held in escrow with lenders.

Environmental Matters. Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations, an owner of real property may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances at, on, in or under such property as well as certain other potential costs relating to hazardous or toxic substances. These liabilities may include government fines, penalties and damages for injuries to persons and adjacent property. Such laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner knew of, or was responsible for, the presence or disposal of such substances. Although most of the tenants of properties in which the Company has an interest are primarily responsible for any environmental damage and claims related to the leased premises, in the event of the bankruptcy or inability of the tenant of such premises to satisfy any obligations with respect to such environmental liability, or if the tenant is not responsible, the Company's property owner subsidiary may be required to satisfy any such obligations, should they exist. In addition, the property owner subsidiary, as the owner of such a property, may be held directly liable for any such damages or claims irrespective of the provisions of any lease. As of December 31, 2016, the Company was not aware of any environmental matter relating to any of its investments that would have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
Segment Reporting. The Company operates generally in one industry segment, single-tenant real estate assets.

Reclassifications. Certain amounts included in prior years' financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.

The Company adopted ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, on January 1, 2016. ASU 2015-03 amended presentation guidance by requiring that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts.  Prior to the issuance of ASU 2015-03, debt issuance costs were presented as an asset in the balance sheet. As shown in the table below and pursuant to the guidance in ASU 2015-03, the Company has reclassified unamortized debt issuance costs associated with certain debt obligations in the Company's previously reported consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 as follows:
 
As previously reported December 31, 2015
 
Reclassifications
 
As adjusted December 31, 2015
Deferred expenses, net
$
63,832

 
$
(21,832
)
 
$
42,000

Mortgages and notes payable, net
882,952

 
(10,309
)
 
872,643

Term loans payable, net
505,000

 
(4,924
)
 
500,076

Senior notes payable, net
497,947

 
(4,421
)
 
493,526

Convertible guaranteed notes payable, net
12,180

 
(54
)
 
12,126

Trust preferred securities, net
129,120

 
(2,124
)
 
126,996


Recently Issued Accounting Guidance. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which amends the guidance for revenue recognition to eliminate the industry-specific revenue recognition guidance and replace it with a principle based approach for determining revenue recognition. Leases are specifically excluded from this ASU and will be governed by the applicable lease codifications; however, this update may have implications in certain variable payment terms included in lease agreements and in sale and leaseback transactions. The effective date of the new guidance was updated by ASU 2015-14 and is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company will adopt ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2018 and anticipates using the modified retrospective with cumulative-effective transition method. The Company is identifying applicable revenue streams and continues to evaluate the impact of the adoption of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires lessees to recognize a right of use asset and related lease liability for those leases classified as operating leases at the commencement date that have lease terms of more than 12 months. The accounting applied to lessors under this new guidance is largely unchanged from prior guidance. Lessors in most cases will continue to record operating leases as operating leases and recognize lease income from those leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The ASU is expected to result in the recognition of a right-to-use asset and related liability to account for our future obligations under our ground lease arrangements for which the Company is the lessee. As of December 31, 2016, the remaining contractual payments under the Company's ground lease agreements aggregated $53,863. Additionally, the new ASU will require that the Company capitalize, as initial direct costs, only those costs that are incurred due to the execution of a lease. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those years, and requires a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements; with early adoption permitted. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of the adoption of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation-Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Topic 718), which involves several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period; with early adoption permitted. The Company does not believe this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Statements, which requires more timely recognition of credit losses associated with financial assets. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and for interim periods within those fiscal years; however, early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which addresses how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years; with early adoption permitted. The Company does not believe this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, which clarifies guidance on the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted, and will be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. Upon adoption, restricted cash balances will be included along with cash and cash equivalents as of the end of the period and beginning of period, respectively, in the Company's consolidated statement of cash flows for all periods presented. Upon adoption, separate line items showing changes in restricted cash balances will be eliminated from the Company's consolidated statement of cash flows.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which clarifies the definition of a business when evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company expects that acquisitions of real estate or in-substance real estate will not meet the revised definition of a business and thus will be treated as asset acquisitions.
In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Topic 610-20), which requires that all entities account for the derecognition of a business in accordance with ASC 810, including instances in which the business is considered in-substance real estate.  The ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2017.  Early application is permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
LCIF [Member]  
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation. The Partnership's consolidated financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The financial statements reflect the accounts of the Partnership and its consolidated subsidiaries. The Partnership consolidates its wholly-owned subsidiaries, partnerships and joint ventures which it controls (i) through voting rights or similar rights or (ii) by means other than voting rights if the Partnership is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). Entities which the Partnership does not control and entities which are VIEs in which the Partnership is not the primary beneficiary are accounted for under appropriate GAAP.

Earnings Per Unit. Net income (loss) per unit is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of units outstanding during the period. There are no potential dilutive securities.
 
Unit Redemptions. The Partnership's limited partner units that are issued and outstanding, other than those held by Lexington, are currently redeemable at certain times, only at the option of the holders, for Lexington shares of beneficial interests, par value $0.0001 per share classified as common stock (“common shares”), on a one to approximately 1.13 basis, subject to future adjustments. These units are not otherwise mandatorily redeemable by the Partnership. As of December 31, 2016, Lexington's common shares had a closing price of $10.80 per share. The estimated fair value of these units was $40,734, assuming all outstanding limited partner units not held by Lexington were redeemed on such date.
 
Allocation of Overhead Expenses. The Partnership does not pay a fee to the General Partner for the day-to-day management of the Partnership. Certain expenses incurred by the General Partner and its affiliates, including Lexington, such as corporate-level interest, amortization of deferred loan costs, payroll and general and administrative expenses are allocated to the Partnership and reimbursed to the General Partner in accordance with the Partnership's partnership agreement. The allocation is based upon gross rental revenues.

Distributions; Allocations of Income and Loss. As provided in the Partnership's partnership agreement, distributions and income and loss for financial reporting purposes are allocated to the partners based on their ownership of units. Special allocation rules included in the partnership agreement affect the allocation of taxable income and loss. The Partnership paid or accrued gross distributions of $66,815 ($0.80 per weighted average unit), $60,846 ($0.84 per weighted-average unit) and $56,178 ($0.82 per weighted-average unit) to its partners during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Certain units owned indirectly by Lexington are entitled to distributions of $3.25 per unit.
 
Use of Estimates. The Partnership has made a number of significant estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses to prepare these consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP. These estimates and assumptions are based on management's best estimates and judgment. The Partnership evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the economic environment. The economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in these estimates and assumptions. The Partnership adjusts such estimates when facts and circumstances dictate. The most significant estimates made include the recoverability of accounts receivable, allocation of property purchase price to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, the determination of VIEs and which entities should be consolidated, the determination of impairment of long-lived assets, loans receivable and equity method investments and the useful lives of long-lived assets. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
 
Fair Value Measurements. The Partnership follows the guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("Topic 820"), to determine the fair value of financial and non-financial instruments. Topic 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Topic 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, which 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, the Partnership utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible, as well as considering counter-party credit risk.
 
Revenue Recognition. The Partnership recognizes lease revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease unless another systematic and rational basis is more representative of the time pattern in which the use benefit is derived from the leased property. Revenue is recognized on a contractual basis for leases with escalations tied to a consumer price index with no floor. Renewal options in leases with rental terms that are lower than those in the primary term are excluded from the calculation of straight-line rent if the renewals are not reasonably assured. If the Partnership funds tenant improvements and the improvements are deemed to be owned by the Partnership, revenue recognition will commence when the improvements are substantially completed and possession or control of the space is turned over to the tenant. If the Partnership determines that the tenant allowances are lease incentives, the Partnership commences revenue recognition when possession or control of the space is turned over to the tenant for tenant work to begin. The lease incentive is recorded as a deferred expense and amortized as a reduction of revenue on a straight-line basis over the respective lease term. The Partnership recognizes lease termination fees as rental revenue in the period received and writes off unamortized lease-related intangible and other lease-related account balances, provided there are no further Partnership obligations under the lease. Otherwise, such fees and balances are recognized on a straight-line basis over the remaining obligation period with the termination payments being recorded as a component of rent receivable-deferred on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Gains on sales of real estate are recognized based upon the specific timing of the sale as measured against various criteria related to the terms of the transactions and any continuing involvement associated with the properties. If the sales criteria are not met, the gain is deferred and the finance, installment or cost recovery method, as appropriate, is applied until the sales criteria are met. To the extent the Partnership sells a property and retains a partial ownership interest in the property, the Partnership recognizes gain to the extent of the third-party ownership interest.
 
Purchase Accounting and Acquisition of Real Estate. The fair value of the real estate acquired, which includes the impact of fair value adjustments for assumed mortgage debt related to property acquisitions, is allocated to the acquired tangible assets, consisting of land, building and improvements and identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above-market and below-market leases, other value of in-place leases and value of tenant relationships, based in each case on their fair values. Acquisition costs are expensed as incurred and are included in property operating expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations.
 
The fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property (which includes land, building and improvements and fixtures and equipment) is determined by valuing the property as if it were vacant. The “as-if-vacant” value is then allocated to land and building and improvements based on management's determination of relative fair values of these assets. Factors considered by management in performing these analyses include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, management includes real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rental revenue during the expected lease-up periods based on current market demand. The Partnership also estimates costs to execute similar leases including leasing commissions.
 
In allocating the fair value of the identified intangible assets and liabilities of an acquired property, above-market and below-market lease values are recorded based on the difference between the current in-place lease rent and the Partnership's estimate of current market rents. Below-market lease intangibles are recorded as part of deferred revenue and amortized into rental revenue over the non-cancelable periods and bargain renewal periods of the respective leases. Above-market leases are recorded as part of intangible assets and amortized as a direct charge against rental revenue over the non-cancelable portion of the respective leases.
 
The aggregate value of other acquired intangible assets, consisting of in-place leases and tenant relationship values, is measured by the excess of (1) the purchase price paid for a property over (2) the estimated fair value of the property as if vacant, determined as set forth above. This aggregate value is allocated between in-place lease values and tenant relationship values based on management's evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenant's lease. The value of in-place leases is amortized to expense over the remaining non-cancelable periods and any bargain renewal periods of the respective leases. The value of tenant relationships are amortized to expense over the applicable lease term plus expected renewal periods.
 
Depreciation is determined by the straight-line method over the remaining estimated economic useful lives of the properties. The Partnership generally depreciates its real estate assets over periods ranging up to 40 years.
 
Impairment of Real Estate. The Partnership evaluates the carrying value of all tangible and intangible real estate assets held for investment for possible impairment when an event or change in circumstance has occurred that indicates its carrying value may not be recoverable. The evaluation includes estimating and reviewing anticipated future undiscounted cash flows to be derived from the asset. If such cash flows are less than the asset's carrying value, an impairment charge is recognized to the extent by which the asset's carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value, which may be below the balance of any non-recourse financing. Estimating future cash flows and fair values is highly subjective and such estimates could differ materially from actual results.
 
Investments in Non-Consolidated Entities. The Partnership accounts for its investments in 50% or less owned entities under the equity method, unless consolidation is required. If the Partnership's investment in the entity is insignificant and the Partnership has no influence over the control of the entity then the entity is accounted for under the cost method.
 
Impairment of Equity Method Investments. The Partnership assesses whether there are indicators that the value of its equity method investments may be impaired. An impairment charge is recognized only if the Partnership determines that a decline in the value of the investment below its carrying value is other-than-temporary. The assessment of impairment is highly subjective and involves the application of significant assumptions and judgments about the Partnership's intent and ability to recover its investment given the nature and operations of the underlying investment, among other factors. To the extent an impairment is deemed to be other-than-temporary, the loss is measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the investment over the estimated fair value of the investment.

Properties Held For Sale. Assets and liabilities of properties that meet various held for sale criteria, including whether it is probable that a sale will occur within 12 months, are presented separately in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Commencing January 1, 2015, the operating results of these properties are reflected as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations only if the sale of these assets represents a strategic shift in operations, if not, the operating results are included in continuing operations. Properties classified as held for sale are carried at the lower of net carrying value or estimated fair value less costs to sell and depreciation and amortization are no longer recognized. Properties that do not meet the held for sale criteria are accounted for as operating properties.
 
Acquisition, Development and Construction Arrangements. The Partnership evaluates loans receivable where the Partnership participates in residual profits through loan provisions or other contracts to ascertain whether the Partnership has the same risks and rewards as an owner or a joint venture partner. Where the Partnership concludes that such arrangements are more appropriately treated as an investment in real estate, the Partnership reflects such loan receivable as an equity investment in real estate under construction in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In these cases, no interest income is recorded on the loan receivable and the Partnership records capitalized interest during the construction period. In arrangements where the Partnership engages a developer to construct a property or provide funds to a tenant to develop a property, the Partnership will capitalize the funds provided to the developer/tenant and internal costs of interest and real estate taxes, if applicable, during the construction period.
 
Deferred Expenses. Deferred expenses consist primarily of leasing costs, which are amortized over the term of the related lease.
 
Income Taxes. Because the Partnership is a limited partnership, taxable income or loss of the Partnership is reported in the income tax returns of its partners. Accordingly, no provision for income taxes is made in the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Partnership. However, the Partnership is required to pay certain state and local entity level taxes which are expensed as incurred. The Partnership does not have any unrecognized tax benefits or any additional tax liabilities as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Partnership considers all highly liquid instruments with maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
 
Restricted Cash. Restricted cash is comprised primarily of cash balances held in escrow with lenders.

Co-borrower Debt. In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-04, Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation is Fixed at the Reporting Date (“ASU 2013-04”), requiring recognition of such obligations as the sum of (a) the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and (b) any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors.

Environmental Matters. Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations, an owner of real property may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances at, on, in or under such property as well as certain other potential costs relating to hazardous or toxic substances. These liabilities may include government fines, penalties and damages for injuries to persons and adjacent property. Such laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner knew of, or was responsible for, the presence or disposal of such substances. Although most of the tenants of properties in which the Partnership has an interest are primarily responsible for any environmental damage and claims related to the leased premises, in the event of the bankruptcy or inability of the tenant of such premises to satisfy any obligations with respect to such environmental liability, or if the tenant is not responsible, the Partnership's property owner subsidiary may be required to satisfy any such obligations, should they exist. In addition, the property owner subsidiary, as the owner of such a property, may be held directly liable for any such damages or claims irrespective of the provisions of any lease. As of December 31, 2016, the Partnership was not aware of any environmental matter relating to any of its investments that would have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
Segment Reporting. The Partnership operates generally in one industry segment, single-tenant real estate assets.
Reclassifications. Certain amounts included in prior years' financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.
The Partnership adopted ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs on January 1, 2016. ASU 2015-03 amended presentation guidance by requiring that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts.  Prior to the issuance of ASU 2015-03, debt issuance costs were presented as an asset in the balance sheet.  As shown in the table below, pursuant to the guidance in ASU 2015-03, the Partnership has reclassified unamortized debt issuance costs associated with certain debt obligations in the Partnership's previously reported Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015 as follows:
 
As previously reported
December 31, 2015
 
Reclassifications
 
As adjusted
December 31, 2015
Deferred expenses, net
$
14,352

 
$
(5,893
)
 
$
8,459

Mortgages and notes payable, net
437,492

 
(5,893
)
 
431,599


Recently Issued Accounting Guidance. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which amends the guidance for revenue recognition to eliminate the industry-specific revenue recognition guidance and replace it with a principle based approach for determining revenue recognition. The effective date of the new guidance was updated by ASU 2015-14 and is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Partnership will adopt ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2018 and anticipates using the modified retrospective with cumulative-effective transition method. The Partnership is identifying applicable revenue streams and continues to evaluate the impact of the adoption of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810) - Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis,” which provides guidance on the consolidation evaluation for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. In accordance with the guidance, all legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. The guidance was effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Partnership.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires lessees to recognize a right of use asset and related lease liability for those leases classified as operating leases at the commencement date and have lease terms of more than 12 months. The accounting applied to lessors under this new guidance is largely unchanged from prior guidance. Lessors in most cases will continue to record operating leases as operating leases and recognize lease income from these leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The ASU is expected to result in the recognition of a right-to-use asset and related liability to account for our future obligations under our ground lease arrangements for which the Partnership is the lessee. As of December 31, 2016, the remaining contractual payments under the Partnership's ground lease agreements aggregated $3,810. Additionally, the new ASU will require that the Partnership capitalize, as initial direct costs, only those costs that are incurred due to the execution of a lease. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those years, and requires a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted. The Partnership continues to evaluate the impact of the adoption of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which addresses how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years; however early adoption is permitted. The Partnership does not believe this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, which clarifies guidance on the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted, and will be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. Upon adoption, restricted cash balances will be included along with cash and cash equivalents as of the end of the period and beginning of period, respectively, in the Partnership's consolidated statement of cash flows for all periods presented. Upon adoption, separate line items showing changes in restricted cash balances will be eliminated from the Partnership's consolidated statement of cash flows.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which clarifies the definition of a business when evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Partnership expects that acquisitions of real estate or in-substance real estate will not meet the revised definition of a business and thus will be treated as asset acquisitions.
In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Topic 610-20), which requires that all entities account for the derecognition of a business in accordance with ASC 810, including instances in which the business is considered in-substance real estate.  The ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2017.  Early application is permitted.  The Partnership is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.