Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

The accompanying consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2016 and 2015 and for each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 include the accounts and operating results of the Company and the Operating Partnership. Such financial statements present noncontrolling equity interests in joint ventures under the equity method of accounting. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

In order to conform with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), in preparation of our consolidated financial statements we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications

Interest income, which was included in other income and expense on the consolidated statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, has been reclassified to be included in tenant recoveries and other income to conform to the presentation of the same data as reported for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all cash and liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less. The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short term maturity of these investments.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash includes cash held in escrow in connection with gross proceeds from the sales of certain industrial properties. These sales proceeds will be disbursed as we exchange into properties under Section 1031 of the Code. The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short term maturity of these investments.

Investment in Real Estate and Depreciation

Investment in real estate is carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. We review our properties on a quarterly basis for impairment and provide a provision if impairments exist. To determine if an impairment may exist, we review our properties and identify those that have had either an event of change or event of circumstances warranting further assessment of recoverability (such as a decrease in occupancy, a decline in general market conditions or a change in the expected hold period of an asset or asset group). If further assessment of recoverability is needed, we estimate the future net cash flows expected to result from the use of the property and its eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future net cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the property or group of properties, we will recognize an impairment loss based upon the estimated fair value of the property or group of properties. For properties we consider held for sale, we cease depreciating the properties and value the properties at the lower of depreciated cost or fair value, less costs to dispose. If circumstances arise that were previously considered unlikely, and, as a result, we decide not to sell a property or group of properties previously classified as held for sale, we will reclassify the properties as held and used. Properties are measured at the lower of their carrying amounts (adjusted for any depreciation and amortization expense that would have been recognized had the properties been continuously classified as held and used) or fair value at the date of the subsequent decision not to sell. We classify properties as held for sale when all criteria within the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (the "FASB") guidance on the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets are met.

Interest costs, real estate taxes, compensation costs of development personnel and other directly related costs incurred during construction periods are capitalized and depreciated commencing with the date the property is substantially completed. Upon substantial completion, we reclassify construction in progress to building, tenant improvements and leasing commissions. Such costs begin to be capitalized to the development projects from the point we are undergoing necessary activities to get the development ready for its intended use and cease when the development projects are substantially completed and held available for occupancy.

Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method based on the following useful lives:



	Years
Buildings and Improvements	7 to 50
Land Improvements	5 to 20
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment	3 to 10
Tenant Improvements	Lease Term

Construction expenditures for tenant improvements, leasehold improvements and leasing commissions (inclusive of compensation costs of personnel attributable to leasing) are capitalized and amortized over the terms of each specific lease. Capitalized compensation costs of personnel attributable to leasing relate to time directly attributable to originating leases with tenants that result directly from and are essential to originating those leases and would not have been incurred had these leasing transactions not occurred. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense when incurred. Expenditures for improvements are capitalized.

Upon acquisition of an occupied property, we allocate the purchase price of the property based upon the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which generally consists of land, buildings, tenant improvements, leasing commissions and intangible assets including in-place leases, above market and below market leases, below market ground lease obligations and tenant relationships. We allocate the purchase price to the fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property by valuing the property as if it were vacant. Acquired above and below market leases and below market ground lease obligations are valued based on the present value of the difference between prevailing market rates and the in-place rates measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the lease for above market leases and below market ground lease obligations, and the initial term plus the term of any below market fixed rate renewal options for below market leases. The above market lease values are amortized as a reduction of rental revenue over the remaining term of the respective leases, and the below market lease values are amortized as an increase to base rental revenue over the remaining initial terms plus the terms of any below market fixed rate renewal options of the respective leases.

The purchase price is further allocated to in-place lease values and tenant relationships based on our evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenant’s lease and our overall relationship with the respective tenant. The value of in-place lease intangibles and tenant relationships, which are included as components of deferred leasing intangibles, net are amortized over the remaining lease term (and expected renewal periods of the respective lease for tenant relationships) as adjustments to depreciation and other amortization expense. If a tenant terminates its lease early, the unamortized portion of the tenant improvements, leasing commissions, above and below market leases, the in-place lease value and tenant relationships is immediately written off.

Acquisition related costs associated with business combinations are expensed as incurred. As defined by GAAP, a business is an integrated set of activities and assets that is capable of being conducted and managed for the purpose of providing a return in the form of dividends, lower costs or other economic benefits directly to investors or other owners, members or participants. We do not consider acquisitions of land or unoccupied buildings to be business combinations. Rather, these transactions are treated as asset acquisitions and the acquisition related costs are capitalized to the basis of the assets acquired.

Deferred leasing intangibles, net of accumulated amortization, included in our total assets and total liabilities consist of the following:



	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
In-Place Leases	$	17,529	$	19,438
Above Market Leases	2,373		2,520
Below Market Ground Lease Obligation	1,733		1,778
Tenant Relationships	7,864		9,590
Total Included in Total Assets, Net of $27,336 and $26,432 of Accumulated Amortization	$	29,499	$	33,326
Below Market Leases	$	10,400	$	11,841
Total Included in Total Liabilities, Net of $10,193 and $8,911 of Accumulated Amortization	$	10,400	$	11,841

Amortization expense related to in-place leases and tenant relationships, exclusive of amortization expense related to in-place leases and tenant relationships included in discontinued operations, was $6,717, $6,326 and $6,239 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Rental revenues increased by $996, $462 and $925 related to net amortization of above and below market leases, exclusive of net amortization related to above and below market leases included in discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2014. We will recognize net amortization expense related to deferred leasing intangibles over the next five years, for properties owned as of December 31, 2016 as follows:



	Estimated Amortization of In-Place Leases and Tenant Relationships		Estimated Net Increase to Rental Revenues Related to Above and Below Market Leases
2017	$	5,860	$	961
2018	$	4,119	$	817
2019	$	3,251	$	828
2020	$	2,700	$	754
2021	$	2,069	$	740

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation

The assets and liabilities of our operations in Canada were translated to U.S. dollars from the Canadian dollar based on the current exchange rate prevailing at each balance sheet date. The income statement accounts were translated using the average exchange rate for the period. The resulting translation adjustments were included in accumulated other comprehensive income. We sold our sole remaining real estate asset located in Canada during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs include fees and costs incurred to obtain long-term financing. These fees and costs are being amortized over the terms of the respective loans. Unamortized deferred financing costs are written-off when debt is retired before the maturity date.

Effective January 1, 2016, we adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-03, "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs" ("ASU 2015-03"), which amended the presentation of debt issuance costs on a consolidated balance sheet. ASU 2015-03 requires 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, instead of as an asset. We applied ASU 2015-03 retrospectively. The debt issuance costs related to the unsecured credit facility remain classified as an asset and are included in prepaid expenses and other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

Investments in Joint Ventures

Investments in joint ventures represented noncontrolling equity or limited partnership interests in joint ventures. We accounted for investments in joint ventures under the equity method of accounting, as we did not have a majority voting interest, operational control or financial control. Control is determined using accounting standards related to the consolidation of joint ventures and variable interest entities ("VIEs"). In order to assess whether consolidation of a VIE is required, an enterprise is required to qualitatively assess the determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE based on whether the entity (1) has the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the activities of the VIE and (2) has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Additionally, they require an ongoing reconsideration of the primary beneficiary and provide a framework for the events that trigger a reassessment of whether an entity is a VIE.

Under the equity method of accounting, our share of earnings or losses of joint ventures was reflected in income as earned and contributions or distributions increased or decreased our investments in joint ventures as paid or received, respectively. Differences between our carrying value of our investments in joint ventures and our underlying equity of such joint ventures was amortized over the respective lives of the underlying assets. During the year ended 2015, the joint venture in which we held a noncontrolling equity interest, sold it's last remaining industrial property.

Limited Partners Units

Limited Partner Units

Limited Partner Units are reported within Partners’ Capital in the Operating Partnership's balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 because they are not redeemable for cash or other assets (a) at a fixed or determinable date, (b) at the option of the Unitholder or (c) upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the Operating Partnership. Redemption can be effectuated, as determined by the General Partner, either by exchanging the Units for shares of common stock of the Company on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment, or by paying cash equal to the fair market value of such shares.

The Operating Partnership is the only significant asset of the Company and economic, fiduciary and contractual means align the interests of the Company and the Operating Partnership. The Company's Board of Directors and officers of the Company direct the Company to act when acting in its capacity as sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. Because of this, the Operating Partnership is deemed to have effective control of the form of redemption consideration. As of December 31, 2016, all criteria were met for the Operating Partnership to control the actions or events necessary to issue the maximum number of the Company’s common shares required to be delivered upon redemption of all remaining Limited Partner Units.

Stock Based Compensation

We measure compensation cost for all stock-based awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognize compensation expense over the service period for awards expected to vest.

Net income, net of preferred stock dividends or preferred Unit distributions and redemption of preferred stock or preferred Units, is allocated to common stockholders or Unitholders and participating securities based upon their proportionate share of weighted average shares or Units plus weighted average participating securities. Participating securities are unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents. Restricted stock or restricted Unit awards granted to employees and directors are considered participating securities as they receive non-forfeitable dividend or dividend equivalents at the same rate as common stock or Units. See Note 8 for further disclosure about participating securities.

Revenue Recognition

Rental income is recognized on a straight-line method under which contractual rent increases are recognized evenly over the lease term. Tenant recovery income includes payments from tenants for real estate taxes, insurance and other property operating expenses and is recognized as revenue in the same period the related expenses are incurred by us.

If the lease provides for tenant improvements, we determine whether the tenant improvements are owned by the tenant or us. When we are the owner of the tenant improvements, the tenant is not considered to have taken physical possession or have control of the leased asset until the tenant improvements are substantially complete. Also, when we are the owner of the tenant improvements, any tenant improvements funded by the tenant are treated as lease payments which are deferred and amortized into income over the lease term. When the tenant is the owner of the tenant improvements, we record any tenant improvement allowance funded as a lease inducement and amortize it as a reduction of revenue over the lease term.

Revenue is generally recognized on payments received from tenants for early lease terminations upon the effective termination of a tenant’s lease and when we have no further obligations under the lease.

We provide an allowance for doubtful accounts against the portion of tenant accounts receivable including deferred rent receivable, which is estimated to be uncollectible. Tenant accounts receivable in the consolidated balance sheets are shown net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $528 and $1,515 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Deferred rent receivable in the consolidated balance sheets is shown net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,694 and $2,669 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For accounts receivable we deem uncollectible, we use the direct write-off method.

Gain on Sale of Real Estate

Gain on sale of real estate is recognized using the full accrual method, when appropriate. Gains relating to transactions which do not meet the full accrual method of accounting are deferred and recognized when the full accrual method of accounting criteria are met or by using the installment or deposit methods of profit recognition, as appropriate in the circumstances. As the assets are sold, their costs and related accumulated depreciation are written off with resulting gains or losses reflected in net income. Estimated future costs to be incurred by us after completion of each sale are accrued and included in the determination of the gain on sales.

Income Taxes

The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of its adjusted taxable income to its stockholders. Management intends to continue to adhere to these requirements and to maintain the Company's REIT status. As a REIT, the Company is entitled to a tax deduction for some or all of the dividends it pays to shareholders. Accordingly, the Company generally will not be subject to federal income taxes as long as it currently distributes to shareholders an amount equal to or in excess of the Company's taxable income. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to federal income taxes and may not be able to qualify as a REIT for four subsequent taxable years.

REIT qualification reduces, but does not eliminate, the amount of state and local taxes we pay. In addition, our financial statements include the operations of taxable corporate subsidiaries that are not entitled to a dividends paid deduction and are subject to corporate federal, state and local income taxes.

In accordance with partnership taxation, each of the partners of the Operating Partnership is responsible for reporting their share of taxable income or loss.

We may also be subject to certain federal excise and franchise taxes if we engage in certain types of transactions. A benefit or provision has been made for federal, state and local income taxes in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The provision for excise and franchise taxes has been reflected in general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations and has not been separately stated due to its insignificance.

Earnings Per Share/Unit (EPS/EPU)

Earnings Per Share and Earnings Per Unit ("EPS" and "EPU")

Basic net income per common share or Unit is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders or Unitholders by the weighted average number of common shares or Units outstanding for the period.

Diluted net income per common share or Unit is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders or Unitholders by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares or Units outstanding and any dilutive non-participating securities for the period.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Historically, we have used interest rate protection agreements ("Agreements") to fix the interest rate on anticipated offerings of senior unsecured notes. Receipts or payments that result from the settlement of Agreements used to fix the interest rate on anticipated offerings of senior unsecured notes are amortized over the life of the derivative or the life of the debt and included in interest expense. Receipts or payments resulting from Agreements used to convert floating rate debt to fixed rate debt are recognized as a component of interest expense. Agreements which qualify for hedge accounting are marked-to-market and any gain or loss that is effective is recognized in other comprehensive income whereas mark-to-market gains and losses on Agreements which do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognized in net income immediately. Amounts accumulated in other comprehensive income (loss) during the hedge period are reclassified to earnings in the same period during which the forecasted transaction or hedged item affects net income. The credit risks associated with Agreements are controlled through the evaluation and monitoring of the creditworthiness of the counterparty. In the event that the counterparty fails to meet the terms of Agreements, our exposure is limited to the fair value of Agreements, not the notional amounts.

Fair Value

GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants. The guidance establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value based on observable and unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect our assumptions of pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. We estimate fair value using available market information and valuation methodologies we believe to be appropriate for these purposes. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three broad levels:


•	Level 1 - quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date;


•	Level 2 - inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability; and


•	Level 3 - unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists for the asset or liability.

Our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to their fair value measurement. Considerable judgment and a high degree of subjectivity are involved in developing these estimates and, accordingly, they are not necessarily indicative of amounts that we would realize on disposition.

Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale

Effective January 1, 2015, we adopted ASU No. 2014-08, "Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity" ("ASU 2014-08") for all properties not previously sold. ASU 2014-08 revised the reporting requirements to only allow a component of an entity, or group of components of an entity, to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. Going forward, we expect the majority of our property dispositions will not qualify as discontinued operations and the results of the dispositions, including the gain on sale of real estate, will be presented in income from continuing operations.

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2014-08, the FASB’s guidance on financial reporting for the disposal of long lived assets required that the results of operations and gains or losses on the sale of property or property held for sale be presented in discontinued operations if both of the following criteria were met: (a) the operations and cash flows of the property have been (or will be) eliminated from the ongoing operations of the Company and the Operating Partnership as a result of the disposal transaction and (b) we will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the property after the disposal transaction. The guidance also required prior period results of operations for these properties to be reclassified and presented in discontinued operations in prior consolidated statements of operations.

We classify certain properties and related assets and liabilities as held for sale when certain criteria are met. At such time, the respective assets and liabilities are presented separately on the consolidated balance sheets. Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of carrying value or estimated fair value less estimated costs to sell.

Segment Reporting

Management views the Company, inclusive of the Operating Partnership, as a single segment based on its method of internal reporting.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases" ("ASU 2016-02"), which amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting and sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract. Under ASU 2016-02, we will be required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. We are a lessee on certain ground and operating leases as disclosed in Note 14. Due to the length of lease terms of some of these ground and operating leases, we expect to record a right-of-use asset and lease liability upon adoption of this standard. ASU 2016-02 also requires that lessors expense certain initial direct costs, which are capitalizable under existing leasing standards, as incurred. ASU 2016-02 requires the use of a modified retrospective approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest period presented in the consolidated financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. We are continuing the process of evaluating and quantifying the effect that ASU 201-02 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We plan to adopt ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 requires entities to recognize revenue when they transfer promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. While lease contracts with customers, which constitute a vast majority of our revenues, are a specific scope exception, certain of our revenue streams may be impacted by the new guidance. Once the new guidance setting forth principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases (ASU 2016-02, as discussed above) goes into effect, the new revenue standard may apply to executory costs and other components of revenue due under leases that are deemed to be non-lease components (such as common area maintenance and provision of utilities), even when the revenue for such activities is not separately stipulated in the lease. ASU 2014-09 provides the option of using a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach. We have not decided which method of adoption we will use. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on our financial position or results of operations and we plan to adopt the standard January 1, 2018.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" ("ASU 2016-09"). ASU 2016-09 intends to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, the classification of certain items on the statement of cash flows, statutory tax withholding requirements and the accounting for forfeitures. The adoption of ASU 2016-09 is not expected to impact our consolidated financial statements.We plan to adopt ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2017.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments" ("ASU 2016-13"). ASU 2016-13 requires, among other things, the use of a new current expected credit loss ("CECL") model in determining our allowances for doubtful accounts with respect to accounts receivable, accrued straight-line rents receivable and notes receivable. The CECL model requires that we estimate our lifetime expected credit loss with respect to these receivables and record allowances that, when deducted from the balance of the receivables, represent the net amounts expected to be collected. We will also be required to disclose information about how we developed the allowances, including changes in the factors that influenced our estimate of expected credit losses and the reasons for those changes. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. We are in the process of evaluating ASU 2016-13.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” ("ASU 2016-15"). ASU 2016-15 addresses eight specific cash flow issues and intends to reduce the diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with retrospective application required. We expect ASU 2016-15 to impact the presentation of our consolidated statement of cash flows and we will adopt on January 1, 2018.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash" ("ASU 2016-18"). ASU 2016-18 requires that the statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We expect ASU 2016-18 to impact the presentation of our consolidated statement of cash flows and we will adopt on January 1, 2018.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business" ("ASU 2017-01"). ASU 2017-01 clarifies the framework for determining whether an integrated set of assets and activities meets the definition of a business. The revised framework establishes a screen for determining whether an integrated set of assets and activities is a business and narrows the definition of a business, which is expected to result in fewer transactions being accounted for as business combinations. Acquisitions of integrated sets of assets and activities that do not meet the definition of a business are accounted for as asset acquisitions. ASU 2017-01 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and is to be applied prospectively on or after the effective date. We plan to adopt ASU 2017-01 on January 1, 2017 and we anticipate that our acquisitions of real estate in the future will generally not meet the definition of a business combination and accordingly transaction costs which have historically been expensed, will be capitalized as part of the basis of the real estate assets acquired.