ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Unless the context suggests otherwise, references to “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company” refer to Kite Realty Group Trust and our business and operations conducted through our directly or indirectly owned subsidiaries, including Kite Realty Group, L.P., our operating partnership (the “Operating Partnership”).
Overview
Kite Realty Group Trust is a publicly-held real estate investment trust which, through its majority-owned subsidiary, Kite Realty Group, L.P., owns interests in various operating subsidiaries and joint ventures engaged in the ownership and operation, acquisition, development and redevelopment of high-quality neighborhood and community shopping centers in select markets in the United States. We derive revenues primarily from activities associated with the collection of contractual rents and reimbursement payments from tenants at our properties. Our operating results therefore depend materially on, among other things, the ability of our tenants to make required lease payments, the health and resilience of the United States retail sector, interest rate volatility, job growth and real estate market and overall economic conditions.
As of December 31, 2020, we owned interests in 90 operating and redevelopment properties totaling approximately 17.3 million square feet. We also owned two development projects under construction as of this date. Our retail operating portfolio was 91.2% leased to a diversified retail tenant base, with no single retail tenant accounting for more than 2.5% of our total annualized base rent. In the aggregate, our largest 25 tenants accounted for 33.3% of our annualized base rent. See Item 2, “Properties” for a list of our top 25 tenants by annualized base rent.
Impact of COVID-19
Since first being reported in December 2019, the novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread globally. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, and subsequently, the United States declared a national emergency with respect to COVID-19.
The Company continues to closely monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of its business and how it impacts the Company's tenants and business partners. Certain segments of retailers and the Company experienced disruption during 2020, and, going forward, the potential adverse effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, including possible resurgences and mutations, on the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and performance of the Company and its tenants, the real estate market, global economy, and financial markets, and the extent of such effects, will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence.
The following operating trends, combined with macroeconomic trends such as a global economic slowdown or recession, reduced consumer spending and increased unemployment, lead us to believe that our operating results will continue to be significantly affected by COVID-19:
•As of December 31, 2020, over 98% of our tenants have reopened. However, many of these retailers are operating at a lower capacity than normal due to COVID-19. Store closures or the inability to return to full capacity, particularly if for an extended period, increase the risk of business failures and lease defaults.
•As of February 11, 2021, we have collected approximately 95% of rent billings for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 92% of rent billings for the period from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.
•Many of our tenants have taken on additional debt as a result of COVID-19, including loans administered by the Small Business Administration. To the extent this debt is not forgiven, the increased debt load may hamper their ability to continue to operate and to pay rent, which could cause the Company to realize decreased cash flow and increased vacancies at its properties.
Starting in March 2020 and continuing through January 2021, the Company received rent relief requests from a significant proportion of its tenants. Some tenants have asserted various legal arguments that they allege relieve them of the obligation to pay rent during the pandemic; the Company and its legal advisers generally disagree with these legal arguments. The Company has evaluated and will continue to evaluate tenant requests for rent relief based on many factors, including the tenant's financial strength, the tenant's operating history, potential co-tenancy impacts, the tenant's contribution to the shopping center in which it operates, the Company's assessment of the tenant's long-term viability, the difficulty or ease with which the tenant could be replaced, and other factors.
As a result of this evaluation, the Company has agreed to defer rent for approximately 375 of its tenants subject to certain conditions. The Company had deferred the collection of $6.1 million of rental income that remained outstanding as of December 31, 2020. To the extent the Company agrees to defer rent or is otherwise unable to collect rent for certain periods, the Company will realize decreased cash flow, which could significantly decrease the cash available for the Company's operating and capital uses.
We have taken various steps to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on our liquidity, including deferrals of certain planned capital expenditures for 2020. In March 2020, we borrowed $300 million on the unsecured revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility") as a precautionary measure in order to increase our cash position and preserve financial flexibility in light of uncertainty in the global markets resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequent to the initial borrowing, we have repaid the $300 million of borrowings.
As of December 31, 2020, we have approximately $43.6 million of cash on hand, $523.2 million of remaining availability under our Credit Facility (based on the unencumbered pool allocated thereto), and no debt maturities until 2022.
The effects of COVID-19 have triggered a global and domestic economic recession, and if the recession continues well beyond the lifting of government restrictions related to COVID-19, many of our tenants could face financial distress. Historically, economic indicators such as GDP growth, consumer confidence and employment are correlated with demand for certain of our tenants’ products and services. These conditions could increase the number of our tenants that are unable to meet their lease obligations to us and could limit the demand for our space from new tenants.
We expect the significance of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the extent of its effects on our business, financial performance and condition, operating results and cash flows and the economic slowdown, to be dictated by, among other things, the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, including possible resurgences and mutations, the success of efforts to contain it, the success of efforts to find and distribute effective drugs or vaccines and the impact of actions taken in response. These uncertainties make it difficult to predict operating results for our business for 2021.
Significant 2020 Activities
Even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company continued to perform at a high level including as follows:
Operating Activities
•The Company realized net loss attributable to common shareholders of $16.2 million;
•The Company generated Funds From Operations, as defined by NAREIT, of $108.7 million and Funds From Operations, as adjusted for severance charges, of $112.0 million;
•Same Property Net Operating Income ("Same Property NOI") decreased by 6.6% in 2020 compared to 2019 as a result of the impact of COVID-19;
•As of February 11, 2021, we have collected approximately 95% of rent billings for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 92% of rent billings for the period from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.
•We executed new and renewal leases on 215 individual spaces for approximately 1.5 million square feet of retail space, achieving a blended cash leasing spread of 7.0% and blended GAAP leasing spread of 14.5% for comparable leases; and
•Our operating portfolio annual base rent ("ABR") per square foot as of December 31, 2020 was $18.42, an increase of $0.59 (or 3.3%) from the end of the prior year.
Financing and Capital Activities.
In 2020, we were able to utilize our strong balance sheet, financial flexibility and liquidity to handle the adversity and deliver strong results in the midst of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company had the following key investment highlights:
•Acquired Eastgate Crossing in Chapel Hill, North Carolina for $65.5 million; and
•Commenced construction on two development projects, consisting of approximately $12.6 million of capital commitments, that are anticipated to produce an average cash yield between 14.0% and 15.0%.
Through the COVID-19 pandemic, we paid $0.4495 in dividends in 2020 and were one of the few open-air peers to continuously pay a dividend.
We ended the year with approximately $566.9 million of combined cash and borrowing capacity on our Credit Facility.
We have no debt scheduled to mature through December 31, 2021, and a debt service coverage ratio of 2.9x as of December 31, 2020. We have been assigned investment grade corporate credit ratings from two nationally recognized credit rating agencies. These ratings were unchanged during 2020.
Business Objectives and Strategies
Our primary business objectives are to increase the cash flow and value of our properties, achieve sustainable long-term growth and maximize shareholder value primarily through the ownership and operation, acquisition, development and redevelopment of high-quality neighborhood and community shopping centers. We invest in properties with well-located real estate and strong demographics, and we use our leasing and management strategies to improve the long-term values and economic returns of our properties. We believe that certain of our properties represent attractive opportunities for profitable redevelopment, renovation, and expansion.
We seek to implement our business objectives through the following strategies, each of which is more completely described in the sections that follow:
•Operating Strategy: Maximizing the internal growth in revenue from our operating properties by leasing and re-leasing to a strong and diverse group of retail tenants at increasing rental rates, when possible, and redeveloping or renovating certain properties to make them more attractive to existing and prospective tenants and consumers;
•Financing and Capital Preservation Strategy: Maintaining a strong balance sheet with flexibility to fund our operating and investment activities. Funding sources include the public equity and debt markets, an existing revolving Credit Facility with $25 million outstanding, new secured debt, internally generated funds, proceeds from selling land and properties that no longer fit our strategy, and potential strategic joint ventures; and
•Growth Strategy: Prudently using available cash flow, targeted asset recycling, equity, and debt capital to selectively acquire additional retail properties and redevelop or renovate our existing properties where we believe that investment returns would meet or exceed internal benchmarks.
Operating Strategy. Our primary operating strategy is to maximize our rental rates, our returns on invested capital, and occupancy levels by attracting and retaining a strong and diverse tenant base. Most of our properties are located in regional and neighborhood trade areas with attractive demographics, which allows us to maximize returns on invested capital, occupancy and rental rates. We seek to implement our operating strategy by, among other things:
•increasing rental rates upon the renewal of expiring leases or re-leasing space to new tenants while minimizing vacancy to the extent possible;
•maximizing the occupancy of our operating portfolio;
•minimizing tenant turnover;
•maintaining leasing and property management strategies that maximize rent growth and cost recovery;
•maintaining a diverse tenant mix that limits our exposure to the financial condition of any one tenant or category of retail tenants;
•maintaining and improving the physical appearance, condition, layout and design of our properties and other improvements located on our properties to enhance our ability to attract customers;
•implementing offensive and defensive strategies against e-commerce competition;
•actively managing properties to minimize overhead and operating costs;
•maintaining strong tenant and retailer relationships in order to avoid rent interruptions and reduce marketing, leasing and tenant improvement costs that result from re-leasing space to new tenants; and
•taking advantage of under-utilized land or existing square footage, reconfiguring properties for more profitable use, and adding ancillary income sources to existing facilities.
We successfully executed our operating strategy in 2020 in a number of ways, as best evidenced in leading our peer group in rent collection rates, based upon publicly reported information by each peer as of February 19, 2021. Additionally, our leasing process continues to perform at a high level as evidence by the execution of 215 new and renewal leases for approximately 1.5 million square feet. We have placed significant emphasis on maintaining a strong and diverse retail tenant mix, which has resulted in no tenant accounting for more than 2.5% of our annualized base rent. See Item 2, “Properties” for a list of our top tenants by gross leasable area ("GLA") and annualized base rent.
Financing and Capital Preservation Strategy. We finance our acquisition, development, and redevelopment activities seeking to use the most advantageous sources of capital available to us at the time. These sources may include the reinvestment of cash flows generated by operations, the sale of common or preferred shares through public offerings or private placements, the reinvestment of net proceeds from the disposition of assets, the incurrence of additional indebtedness through secured or unsecured borrowings, and entering into real estate joint ventures.
Our primary financing and capital preservation strategy is to maintain a strong balance sheet and enhance our flexibility to fund operating and investment activities in the most cost-effective way. We consider a number of factors when evaluating the amount and type of additional indebtedness we may elect to incur. Among these factors are the construction costs or purchase prices of properties to be developed or acquired, the estimated market value of our properties and the Company as a whole upon consummation of the financing, and the ability to generate durable cash flow to cover expected debt service.
Maintaining a strong balance sheet continues to be one of our top priorities. We maintain an investment grade credit rating that we expect will continue to enable us to opportunistically access the public unsecured bond market and will allow us to lower our cost of capital and provide greater flexibility in managing the acquisition and disposition of assets in our operating portfolio.
We intend to continue implementing our financing and capital strategies in a number of ways, which may include one or more of the following actions:
•prudently managing our balance sheet, including maintaining sufficient availability under our Credit Facility so that we have additional capacity to fund our development and redevelopment projects and pay down maturing debt if refinancing that debt is not desired or practical;
•extending the scheduled maturity dates of and/or refinancing our near-term mortgage, construction and other indebtedness;
•expanding our unencumbered asset pool;
•raising additional capital through the issuance of common shares, preferred shares or other securities;
•managing our exposure to interest rate increases on our variable-rate debt through the selective use of fixed rate hedging transactions;
•issuing unsecured bonds in the public markets, and securing property-specific long-term non-recourse financing; and
•entering into joint venture arrangements in order to access less expensive capital and mitigate risk.
Growth Strategy. Our growth strategy includes the selective deployment of financial resources to projects that are expected to generate investment returns that meet or exceed our internal benchmarks. We implement our growth strategy in a number of ways, including:
•continually evaluating our operating properties for redevelopment and renovation opportunities that we believe will make them more attractive for leasing to new tenants, right-sizing of anchor spaces while increasing rental rates, and re-leasing spaces to existing tenants at increased rental rates;
•disposing of selected assets that no longer meet our long-term investment criteria and recycling the net proceeds into properties that provide attractive returns and rent growth potential in targeted markets or using the proceeds to repay debt, thereby reducing our leverage; and
•selectively pursuing the acquisition of retail operating properties, portfolios and companies in markets with strong demographics.
In evaluating opportunities for potential acquisition, development, redevelopment and disposition, we consider a number of factors, including:
•the expected returns and related risks associated with the investments relative to our weighted cost of capital to make such investments;
•the current and projected cash flow and market value of the property and the potential to increase cash flow and market value if the property were to be successfully re-leased or redeveloped;
•the price being offered for the property, the current and projected operating performance of the property, the tax consequences of the transaction, and other related factors;
•opportunities for strengthening the tenant mix at our properties through the placement of anchor tenants such as grocers, value retailers, pet supply stores, hardware stores, or sporting goods retailers, as well as further enhancing a diverse tenant mix that includes restaurants, specialty shops, and other essential retailers that provide staple goods to the community and offer a high level of convenience;
•the configuration of the property, including ease of access, availability of parking, visibility, and the demographics of the surrounding area; and
•the level of success of existing properties in the same or nearby markets.
Competition
The United States commercial real estate market continues to be highly competitive. We face competition from other REITs, including other retail REITs, and other owner-operators engaged in the ownership, leasing, acquisition, and development of shopping centers as well as from numerous local, regional and national real estate developers and owners in each of our markets. Some of these competitors may have greater capital resources than we do, although we do not believe that any single competitor or group of competitors is dominant in any of the markets in which we own properties.
We face significant competition in our efforts to lease available space to prospective tenants at our operating, development and redevelopment properties. The nature of the competition for tenants varies based on the characteristics of each local market in which we own properties. We believe that the principal competitive factors in attracting tenants in our market areas are location, demographics, rental rates, the presence of anchor stores, competitor shopping centers in the same geographic area and the maintenance, appearance, access and traffic patterns of our properties. There can be no assurance in the future that we will be able to compete successfully with our competitors in our development, acquisition and leasing activities.
Government Regulation
We and our properties are subject to a variety of federal, state, and local environmental, health, safety and similar laws, including:
Americans with Disabilities Act and Other Regulations. Our properties must comply with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (the "ADA"), to the extent that such properties are public accommodations as defined by the ADA. The ADA may require removal of structural barriers to access by persons with disabilities in certain public areas of our properties where such removal is readily achievable. We believe our properties are in substantial compliance with the ADA and that we will not be required to make substantial capital expenditures to address the requirements of the ADA. However, noncompliance with the ADA could result in orders requiring us to spend substantial sums to cure violations, pay attorneys' fees, or pay other amounts. The obligation to make readily accessible accommodations is an ongoing one, and we will continue to assess our properties and make alterations as appropriate in this respect. In addition, our properties are subject to fire and safety regulations, building codes and other land use regulations.
Affordable Care Act. We may be subject to excise taxes under the employer mandate provisions of the Affordable Care Act ("ACA") if we (i) do not offer health care coverage to substantially all of our full-time employees and their dependents or (ii) do not offer health care coverage that meets the ACA's affordability and minimum value standards. The excise tax is based on the number of full-time employees. We do not anticipate being subject to a penalty under the ACA; however, even in the event that we are, any such penalty would be less than $0.3 million, as we had 113 full-time employees as of December 31, 2020.
Environmental Regulations. Some properties in our portfolio contain, may have contained or are adjacent to or near other properties that have contained or currently contain underground storage tanks for petroleum products or other hazardous or toxic substances. These storage tanks may have released, or have the potential to release, such substances into the environment.
In addition, some of our properties have tenants which may use hazardous or toxic substances in the routine course of their businesses. In general, these tenants have covenanted in their leases with us to use these substances, if any, in compliance with all environmental laws and have agreed to indemnify us for any damages we may suffer as a result of their use of such substances. However, these lease provisions may not fully protect us in the event that a tenant becomes insolvent. Finally, certain of our properties have contained asbestos-containing building materials ("ACBM"), and other properties may have contained such materials based on the date of its construction. Environmental laws require that ACBM be properly managed and maintained, and fines and penalties may be imposed on building owners or operators for failure to comply with these requirements. The laws also may allow third parties to seek recovery from owners or operators for personal injury associated with exposure to asbestos fibers.
Neither existing environmental, health, safety and similar laws nor the costs of our compliance with these laws has had a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results operations, and management does not believe they will in the future. In addition, we have not incurred, and do not expect to incur, any material costs or liabilities due to environmental contamination at properties we currently own or have owned in the past. However, we cannot predict the impact of new or changed laws or regulations on properties we currently own or may acquire in the future.
With environmental sustainability becoming a national priority, we have continued to demonstrate our strong commitment to be a responsible corporate citizen through resource reduction and employee training that have resulted in reductions of energy consumption, waste and improved maintenance cycles.
COVID-19 Regulations. As discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, during the COVID-19 pandemic, our properties and our tenants have been subject to public health regulations and control measures, including states of emergency, mandatory quarantines, "shelter in place" orders, border closures, restrictions on types of businesses that may continue to operate, "social distancing" guidelines and other travel and gathering restrictions and practices, that have significantly impacted our business, see page 11 of Item 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and presented elsewhere by our management from time to time. These factors, among others, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows, including our ability to make distributions to our shareholders, and you should carefully consider them. It is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. You should not consider this list to be a complete statement of all potential risks or uncertainties. Past performance should not be considered an indication of future performance.
We have separated the risks into three categories:
•risks related to our operations;
•risks related to our organization and structure; and
•risks related to tax matters.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR OPERATIONS
Our business, financial condition, performance, and value are subject to risks and conditions associated with real estate assets and the real estate industry.
Our primary business is the ownership and operation of neighborhood and community shopping centers and other real estate assets. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, per share trading price of our common shares, ability to satisfy debt service obligations, and ability to make distributions to shareholders are subject to, and could be materially and adversely affected by, risks associated with owning and operating such real estate assets including events and conditions that are beyond our control, such as periods of economic slowdown or recession, rising interest rates or declining demand for real estate, or the public perception that any of these events may occur. See the risk factors described in “Forward-Looking Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The COVID-19 pandemic is currently having a significant adverse impact on our business, financial performance and condition, operating results and cash flows, and future outbreaks of highly infectious or contagious disease or other public health crises could have similar adverse effects on our business. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe disruptions in the U.S. and global economy and financial markets and could potentially create widespread business continuity issues of a magnitude and duration not yet known.
Since first being reported in December 2019, COVID-19 has spread globally, including to every state in the United States. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, and subsequently, the United States declared a national emergency with respect to COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and a future outbreak of highly infectious or contagious disease or other public health crisis, could similarly have, significant repercussions across local, regional, national and global economies and financial markets. The global impact of the outbreak has been rapidly evolving and many countries, including the United States, have reacted by instituting a wide variety of control measures including states of emergency, mandatory quarantines, “shelter in place” orders, border closures, restrictions on types of businesses that may continue to operate, “social distancing” guidelines and other travel and gathering restrictions and practices that may significantly impact our business. As a result, the COVID-19 pandemic is negatively impacting almost every industry directly or indirectly, with a particularly adverse effect on many of our tenants. A number of our tenants have announced temporary closures of their stores, reduced hours or significantly limited services, and requested rent deferral or rent abatement during this pandemic. Many economists predict that the outbreak will trigger, or has already triggered, a period of United States and global economic slowdown or recession.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our business and has had a significant adverse effect, and could continue to significantly adversely impact and disrupt, our business, financial performance and condition, operating results and cash flows. The economic slowdown or recession could continue to significantly adversely affect our business, financial performance and condition even as some government restrictions related to COVID-19 are lifted or phased out and stores reopen. Additional factors that have already and/or may in the future negatively impact our ability to operate successfully during or following the COVID-19 pandemic or a similar event, or that could otherwise significantly adversely impact and disrupt our business, financial performance and condition, operating results and cash flows, include, among others:
•the inability of our tenants to meet their lease obligations to us due to (i) continuing or increased closures of stores at our properties resulting from government or tenant actions related to the pandemic; or (ii) local, regional or national economic conditions, including high unemployment and reduced consumer discretionary spending, caused by the pandemic (for example, as of February 11, 2021, approximately 5% of our billed base rent and recoveries for the fourth quarter were uncollected);
•liquidity issues resulting from (i) reduced cash flow from operations due to the pandemic, (ii) the impact that lower operating results could have on the financial covenants in our debt agreements, and (iii) difficulty in our accessing debt and equity capital on attractive terms, or at all, and severe disruptions or instability in the global financial markets or deteriorations in credit and financing conditions;
•our increased indebtedness and decreased operating revenues, which could increase our risk of default on our loans;
•an acceleration of changes in consumer behavior in favor of e-commerce over certain of our tenants’ stores due to responses to the pandemic and concerns about contracting COVID-19 or other highly infectious or contagious diseases;
•business continuity disruptions and a deterioration in the ability of us or our tenants to operate in affected areas or delays in the supply of products or services to us or our tenants from vendors that are needed for our or our tenants’ efficient operations;
•issues related to personnel management and remote working, including increased cybersecurity risk and other technology and communication issues and increased costs and other disruptions in the event that our employees become unable to work as a result of health issues related to COVID-19;
•the scaling back or delay of a significant amount of planned capital expenditures, including planned redevelopment projects, which could adversely affect the value of our properties;
•reduction or elimination of quarterly dividends; and
•continued volatility of our share price.
The significance, extent and duration of the impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, financial performance and condition, operating results and cash flows and those of our tenants, remains highly uncertain and dependent on future developments that cannot be accurately predicted at this time, such as the continued severity, duration, transmission rate and geographic spread of COVID-19 in the United States, including possible resurgences and mutations, the extent and effectiveness of the containment measures and other actions taken, the success of efforts to find and distribute drugs or vaccines and the responses of the overall economy, the financial markets and the population, particularly in areas in which we operate,
once the current containment measures are lifted. Additional closures by our tenants of their stores, the continuing ability of our tenants to meet their lease obligations and/or the possibility of tenants filing for bankruptcy protection would reduce our cash flows, which would impact our ability to continue paying dividends to our shareholders at expected levels or at all. The rapid development and fluidity of this situation precludes any prediction as to the full adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, we cannot provide an estimate of the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business or when, or if, we will be able to resume normal operations. Nevertheless, the COVID-19 pandemic presents material uncertainty and risk with respect to our business, financial performance and condition, operating results and cash flows.
Ongoing challenging conditions in the United States and global economies and the challenges facing our retail tenants and non-owned anchor tenants, including bankruptcies, financial instability and consolidations, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial performance and condition, operating results and cash flows.
We derive the majority of our revenue from retail tenants who lease space from us at our properties, and our ability to generate cash from operations is dependent on the rents that we are able to charge and collect. Over the past several years, sustained weakness in certain sectors of the U.S. economy has resulted in the bankruptcy or weakened financial condition of a number of retailers, increased store closures, and reduced demand and rental rates for certain retail space. For example, Stein Mart, Ascena, and Tailored Brands have filed for bankruptcy during 2020, and several other retailers, including Bed Bath & Beyond, Office Depot, and Party City, recently announced multiple store closings. Additionally, in the event our tenants are involved in mergers or acquisitions or undertake other restructurings, such tenants may choose to consolidate, downsize or relocate their operations. These events, or other similar events with other retailers, and other economic conditions are beyond our control and could affect the overall economy as well as specific properties in our portfolio, including the following (any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial performance and condition, operating results and cash flows):
•Collections. Tenants may have difficulty paying their rent obligations when due as they struggle to sell goods and services to consumers, or they may request rent deferrals, reductions or abatements, which could adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows.
•Leasing. Tenants may delay or cancel lease commencements, decline to extend or renew leases upon expiration, close stores or declare bankruptcy. Any of these actions could result in the termination of the tenant’s leases with us and the related loss of rental income. Also, lease terminations or failure of a major tenant or non-owned anchor to occupy the premises could result in lease terminations or reductions in rent by other tenants in the same shopping centers because of contractual co-tenancy termination or rent reduction rights contained in some leases.
•Re-leasing. We may be unable to re-lease vacated space at attractive rents or at all. In some cases, it may take extended periods of time to re-lease a space, particularly one previously occupied by a major tenant or non-owned anchor. The occurrence of any of the situations described above, particularly if it involves a substantial tenant or a non-owned anchor with ground leases in multiple locations, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows.
Tenant bankruptcies could present difficulties for our business to collect rent or make claims against a tenant in bankruptcy.
A bankruptcy filing by one of our tenants or a lease guarantor would legally prohibit us from collecting pre-bankruptcy debts, or unpaid rent, from that tenant or the lease guarantor, unless we receive an order from the bankruptcy court permitting us to do so. Such bankruptcies could delay, reduce, or ultimately preclude collection of amounts owed to us. A tenant in bankruptcy may attempt to renegotiate the lease or request significant rent concessions. If a lease is assumed by the tenant in bankruptcy, all pre-bankruptcy balances due under the lease must be paid to us in full. However, if a lease is rejected by a tenant in bankruptcy, we would have only a general unsecured claim for damages, including pre-bankruptcy balances. Any unsecured claim we hold may be paid only to the extent that funds are available and only in the same percentage as is paid to all other holders of unsecured claims. There are restrictions under bankruptcy laws that limit the amount of the claim we can make for future rent under a lease if the lease is rejected. As a result, it is likely that we would recover substantially less than the full value of any unsecured claims we hold from a tenant in bankruptcy, which would result in a reduction in our cash flow and in the amount of cash available for distribution to our shareholders and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
The expansion of e-commerce may impact our tenants and our business.
The prominence of e-commerce continues to increase and its growth is likely to continue or accelerate in the future, which could result in an adverse impact on some of our tenants and affect decisions made by current and prospective tenants in
leasing space or operating their businesses, including reduction of the size or number of their retail locations in the future. We cannot predict with certainty how the growth in e-commerce will impact the demand for space at our properties or the revenue generated at our properties in the future. Although we continue to aggressively respond to these trends, including by entering into or renewing leases with tenants whose businesses are either more resistant to or are synergistic with, e-commerce (such as services, restaurant, grocery, specialty, essential retailers and value retailers that have benefitted from omni-channel consumer trends), the risks associated with e-commerce could have a material adverse effect on the business outlook and financial results of our present and future tenants, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our cash flow and results of operations.
Our business is significantly influenced by demand for retail space generally, a decrease in which may have a greater adverse effect on our business than if we owned a more diversified real estate portfolio.
Because our portfolio of properties consists primarily of community and neighborhood shopping centers, a decrease in the demand for retail space, due to the economic factors discussed above elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or otherwise, may have a greater adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, common share trading price, and ability to satisfy our debt service obligations and to pay distributions to our shareholders than if we owned a more diversified real estate property portfolio.
We face significant competition, which may impact our rental rates, leasing terms and capital improvements.
We compete for tenants with numerous developers, owners and operators of retail shopping centers, regional malls, and outlet malls, including institutional investors, other REITs, and other owner-operators. As of December 31, 2020, leases representing 8.0% of our total annualized base rent were scheduled to expire in 2021. Our competitors may have greater capital resources or be willing to offer lower rental rates or more favorable terms for tenants, such as substantial rent reductions or abatements, tenant improvements, other improvements, early termination rights, which may pressure us to reduce our rental rates, undertake unexpected capital improvements or offer other terms less favorable to us, which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, trading price of our common shares and ability to satisfy our debt service obligations and to pay distributions to our shareholders. Additionally, if retailers or consumers perceive that shopping at other venues, online or by phone is more convenient, cost-effective or otherwise more attractive, our revenues and results of operations also may suffer.
Because of our geographic concentrations, a prolonged economic downturn in certain states and regions could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
The specific markets in which we operate may face challenging economic conditions that could persist into the future. In particular, as of December 31, 2020, rents from our owned square footage in the states of Florida, Indiana, Texas, North Carolina, and Nevada comprised 26%, 15%, 14%, 11%, and 11% of our base rent, respectively. This level of concentration could expose us to greater economic risks than if we owned properties in more geographic regions. Adverse economic or real estate trends in Florida, Indiana, Texas, North Carolina, and Nevada, or the surrounding regions, or any decrease in demand for retail space resulting from the local regulatory environment, business climate or fiscal problems in these states, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, the trading price of our common shares and our ability to satisfy our debt service obligations and to pay distributions to our shareholders.
We depend on external financings to fulfill our capital needs, and disruptions in the financial markets could affect our ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms, or at all, and have other material adverse effects on our business.
Partly because of the distribution requirements of being a REIT, we may not be able to fund all future capital needs, including capital for property development, redevelopment and acquisitions, with income from operations, and we rely on external financings to fulfill our capital needs. Disruptions in the financial markets generally, or relating to the real estate industry specifically, may adversely affect our ability to obtain debt financing on favorable terms or at all, which could impact our ability to acquire or develop properties when strategic opportunities exist, satisfy our principal and interest obligations or make distributions to shareholders. These disruptions could impact the overall amount of equity and debt financing available, lower loan to value ratios, cause a tightening of lender underwriting standards and terms and cause higher interest rate spreads. As a result, we may be unable to refinance or extend our existing indebtedness on favorable terms or at all. We do not have any debt scheduled to mature through December 31, 2021. If we are not successful in refinancing our outstanding debt when it becomes due, we may have to dispose of properties on disadvantageous terms, which could adversely affect our ability to service other debt and to meet our other obligations. While we currently have sufficient capacity under our Credit Facility and operating cash flows to retire outstanding debt maturing through 2025 in the event we are not able to refinance such debt when it becomes due, our Credit Facility has a maturity date in April 2022 (which may be extended for two additional periods of six
months subject to certain conditions), and there can be no assurance that the Credit Facility will remain outstanding or be renewed through 2025 or that our operating cash flows will continue to provide sufficient liquidity to retire any or all of our outstanding debt during this period or beyond. If economic conditions deteriorate in any of our markets, we may have to seek less attractive, alternative sources of financing and adjust our business plan accordingly.
Some of our real estate assets have been subject to impairment charges and others may be subject to impairment charges in the future, which may negatively affect our net income.
Our long-lived assets, primarily real estate held for investment, are carried at cost unless circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable through future operations. In 2019, we recorded impairment charges totaling $37.7 million related to a reduction in the expected holding period of certain operating properties, which impairment charges negatively affected our net income for the applicable periods. There can be no assurances that we will not take additional charges in the future related to the impairment of our assets, which could result in an immediate negative adjustment to net income and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period in which the charge is taken. Management reviews operational and development projects, land parcels and intangible assets on a property-by-property basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. We evaluate whether there are any indicators, including poor operating performance or deteriorating general market conditions, that the carrying value of our real estate properties (including any related amortizable intangible assets or liabilities) may not be recoverable. As part of this evaluation, we compare the current carrying value of the asset to the estimated undiscounted cash flows that are directly associated with the use and ultimate disposition of the asset. This review for possible impairment requires certain assumptions, estimates, and significant judgment. Our estimated cash flows are based on several key assumptions, including projected net operating income, anticipated hold period, expected capital expenditures, and the capitalization rate used to estimate the property's residual value. These key assumptions are subjective in nature and could differ materially from actual results if the property was disposed. Changes in our disposition strategy or changes in the marketplace may alter the hold period of an asset or asset group, which may result in an impairment loss, and such loss could be material to our financial condition or operating performance. To the extent that the carrying value of the asset exceeds the estimated undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the excess of carrying value over estimated fair value. If the above-described negative indicators are not identified during our period property evaluations, management will not assess the recoverability of a property's carrying value.
The estimation of the fair value of real estate assets is highly subjective, involving a significant degree of management judgment regarding various inputs, and is typically determined through comparable sales information and other market data if available or through use of an income approach such as the direct capitalization method or the traditional discounted cash flow approach, which involve a significant degree of management judgment regarding various inputs.
We had $1.17 billion of consolidated indebtedness outstanding as of December 31, 2020, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and reduce our ability to incur additional indebtedness to fund our growth.
Required repayments of debt and related interest charges, along with any applicable prepayment premium, may materially adversely affect our operating performance. We had $1.17 billion of consolidated outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2020. At December 31, 2020, $330.1 million of our debt bore interest at variable rates ($80.1 million when reduced by $250.0 million of fixed interest rate swaps). Interest rates are currently low relative to historical levels and may increase significantly in the future. If our interest expense increased significantly, it could materially adversely affect our results of operations. For example, if market rates of interest on our variable rate debt outstanding, net of cash flow hedges, as of December 31, 2020 increased by 1%, the increase in interest expense on our unhedged variable rate debt would decrease future cash flows by approximately $0.8 million annually.
We may incur additional debt in connection with various development and redevelopment projects and may incur additional debt upon the future acquisition of operating properties. Our organizational documents do not limit the amount of indebtedness that we may incur. We may borrow new funds to develop or acquire properties. In addition, we may increase our mortgage debt by obtaining loans secured by some or all of the real estate properties we develop or acquire. We also may borrow funds if necessary to satisfy the requirement that we distribute to shareholders at least 90% of our annual “REIT taxable income” (determined before the deduction of dividends paid and excluding net capital gains) or otherwise as is necessary or advisable to ensure that we maintain our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise avoid paying taxes that can be eliminated through distributions to our shareholders.
Our substantial debt could materially and adversely affect our business in other ways, including by, among other things:
•requiring us to use a substantial portion of our funds from operations to pay principal and interest, which reduces the amount available for distributions;
•placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt;
•making us more vulnerable to economic and industry downturns and reducing our flexibility in responding to changing business and economic conditions; and
•limiting our ability to borrow more money for operating or capital needs or to finance development and acquisitions in the future.
Agreements with lenders supporting our Credit Facility and various other loan agreements contain acceleration features and other covenants that restrict our operating and acquisition activities.
Our Credit Facility and various other debt agreements contain certain Events of Default which include, but are not limited to, failure to make principal or interest payments when due, failure to perform or observe any term, covenant or condition contained in the agreements, failure to maintain certain financial and operating ratios and other criteria, misrepresentations, acceleration of other material indebtedness and bankruptcy proceedings. In the event of a default under any of these agreements, the lender would have various rights including, but not limited to, the ability to require the acceleration of the payment of all principal and interest due and/or to terminate the agreements and, to the extent such debt is secured, to foreclose on the properties. The declaration of a default and/or the acceleration of the amount due under any such credit agreement could have a material adverse effect on our business, limit our ability to make distributions to our shareholders, and prevent us from obtaining additional funds needed to address cash shortfalls or pursue growth opportunities.
The agreements relating to our Credit Facility, unsecured term loan and seven-year unsecured term loan contain provisions providing that any “Event of Default” under one of these facilities or loans will constitute an “Event of Default” under the other facility or loan. In addition, these agreements relating to our Credit Facility, unsecured term loan and seven-year unsecured term loan, as well as the agreement relating to our senior unsecured notes, include a provision providing that any payment default under an agreement relating to any material indebtedness will constitute an “Event of Default” thereunder. These provisions could allow the lending institutions to accelerate the amount due under the loans. Our Credit Facility also contains certain coverage ratios and limitations on our ability to incur debt, make dividend payments, sell all or substantially all of our assets and engage in mergers and consolidations and certain acquisitions. These restrictions or any acceleration or payment may have a material adverse effect on our cash flow, financial condition and results of operations. We were in compliance with all applicable covenants under the agreements relating to our Credit Facility, seven-year unsecured term loan, and senior unsecured notes as of December 31, 2020, although there can be no assurance that we will continue to remain in compliance in the future.
Mortgage debt obligations expose us to the possibility of foreclosure, which could result in the loss of our investment in a property or group of properties subject to mortgage debt.
A significant amount of our indebtedness is secured by our real estate assets, which if we fail to make required mortgage payments, could be subject to foreclosure by the lender or the holder of the mortgage, resulting in the loss of our investment. For tax purposes, a foreclosure of any of our properties would be treated as a sale of the property for a purchase price equal to the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage. If the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage exceeds our tax basis in the property, we would recognize taxable income on foreclosure, but we would not receive any cash proceeds, which could hinder our ability to meet the REIT distribution requirements imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). If any of our properties are foreclosed on due to a default, our ability to pay cash distributions to our shareholders and our earnings will be limited, and due to cross-collateralization or cross-default provisions, a default under one mortgage loan could result in a default on other indebtedness and cause us to lose other better performing properties, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to risks associated with hedging agreement, including potential performance failures by counterparties and termination costs.
We use a combination of interest rate protection agreements, including interest rate swaps, to manage risk associated with interest rate volatility. This may expose us to additional risks, including a risk that the counterparty to a hedging arrangement may fail to honor its obligations. Developing an effective interest rate risk strategy is complex and no strategy can completely insulate us from risks associated with interest rate fluctuations. There can be no assurance that our hedging activities will have the desired beneficial effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Further, should we choose to terminate
a hedging agreement, there could be significant costs and cash requirements involved to fulfill our initial obligation under such agreement.
We may be adversely affected by changes in LIBOR reporting practices, the method in which LIBOR is determined or the use of alternative reference rates.
As of December 31, 2020, we had approximately $330.1 million of debt outstanding that was indexed to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). In July 2017, the United Kingdom regulator that regulates LIBOR announced its intention to phase out LIBOR rates by the end of 2021. As a result, the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York organized the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, which identified the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as its preferred alternative to LIBOR in derivatives and other financial contracts. At this time, no consensus exists as to what rate or rates may become accepted alternatives to LIBOR, or the exact time when LIBOR rates will cease to be published or supported. If a published U.S. dollar LIBOR rate is unavailable after 2021, the interest rates on our debt which is indexed to LIBOR will be determined using various alternative methods, any of which may result in interest obligations which are more than or do not otherwise correlate over time with the payments that would have been made on such debt if U.S. dollar LIBOR was available in its current form. Further, the same costs and risks that may lead to the unavailability of U.S. dollar LIBOR may make one or more of the alternative methods impossible or impracticable to determine. Any of these proposals or consequences could have a material adverse effect on our financing costs, and as a result, our financial condition, operating results and cash flows.
Our current and any future joint ventures, and the value and performance of such investments, could be adversely affected by the structure and terms thereof and the activities of our joint venture partners.
As of December 31, 2020, we owned interests in two of our operating properties through consolidated joint ventures and interests in four properties through unconsolidated joint ventures, and in the future, we may seek to co-invest with third parties through other joint ventures. Our joint ventures and the value and performance of such investments may involve risks not present with respect to our wholly owned properties, including shared decision-making authority with our joint venture partners, restrictions on the ability to sell our interests in the joint ventures without the other partners' consent, potential conflicts of interest or other disputes between us and our partners (including potential litigation or arbitration), potential losses or increased costs or expenses arising from actions taken in respect of the joint ventures, and potential impacts on our ability to qualify as a REIT.
Our future developments, redevelopments and acquisitions may not yield the returns we expect or may result in dilution in shareholder value.
As of December 31, 2020, we have two development projects under construction and two redevelopment opportunities currently in the planning stage, including de-leasing space and evaluating development plans and costs with potential tenants and partners. Some of these plans include non-retail uses, such as multifamily housing. New development and redevelopment projects and property acquisitions are subject to a number of risks, including abandonment of a project after expending resources on due diligence, feasibility or other upfront costs, construction delays or cost overruns, unknown risks, integration issues, tenant termination or withdrawal rights, and failure to obtain governmental permits or other third-party approvals. In deciding whether to acquire, develop, or redevelop a particular property, we make certain assumptions regarding the expected future performance of that property, and our financial performance may be materially and adversely affected, or in the case of an unsuccessful redevelopment project, our entire investment could be at risk for loss, or an impairment charge could occur. In addition, the issuance of equity securities as consideration for any significant acquisitions could be dilutive to our shareholders.
To the extent that we pursue acquisitions in the future, we may not be successful in acquiring desirable operating properties or identifying development and redevelopment projects that meet our investment criteria, both of which may impede our growth.
From time to time, consistent with our business strategy, we evaluate the market and may acquire properties when we believe strategic opportunities exist. When we pursue acquisitions, we may face competition from other real estate investors with substantial capital, including other REITs and institutional investment funds, which could limit our ability to acquire properties, increase the purchase price we are required to pay, reducing the return to our shareholders, and we may agree to material restrictions or limitations in the acquisition agreements. Additionally, we may not be successful in identifying suitable real estate properties or other assets that meet our development or redevelopment criteria, or we may fail to complete developments, redevelopments, acquisitions or investments on satisfactory terms. These factors and any others could impede our growth and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be able to sell properties when appropriate or on terms favorable to us and could, under certain circumstances, be required to pay a 100% "prohibited transaction" penalty tax related to the properties we sell.
Real estate property investments generally cannot be sold quickly. Our ability to dispose of properties on advantageous terms depends on factors beyond our control, including competition from other sellers and the availability of attractive financing for potential buyers of our properties, and we cannot predict the various market conditions affecting real estate investments that will exist at any particular time in the future. Before a property can be sold, we may need to make expenditures to correct defects or to make improvements. We may not have funds available to correct such defects or to make such improvements, and if we cannot do so, we might not be able to sell the property or might be required to sell the property on unfavorable terms. We may not be able to dispose of any of the properties on terms favorable to us or at all, and each individual sale will depend on, among other things, economic and market conditions, individual asset characteristics and the availability of potential buyers and favorable financing terms at the time. Further, we will incur marketing expenses and other transaction costs in connection with dispositions, and the process of marketing and selling a large pool of properties may distract the attention of our personnel from the operation of our business.
Also, the tax laws applicable to REITs impose a 100% penalty tax on any net income from “prohibited transactions.” In general, prohibited transactions are sales or other dispositions of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. The determination as to whether a particular sale is a prohibited transaction depends on the facts and circumstances related to that sale. The need to avoid prohibited transactions could cause us to forego or defer sales of properties that might otherwise be in our best interest to sell. Therefore, we may be unable to adjust our portfolio mix promptly in response to market conditions, which may adversely affect our financial position. In addition, we will be subject to income taxes on gains from the sale of any properties owned by any taxable REIT subsidiary ("TRS).
Uninsured losses or losses in excess of insurance coverage could materially and adversely affect our cash flow, financial condition and results of operations.
We do not carry insurance for generally uninsurable losses such as loss from riots, war or acts of God, and, in some cases, flooding, and insurance companies may no longer offer coverage against certain types of losses, such as environmental liabilities or other catastrophic events, or, if offered, the expense of obtaining such coverage may not be justified. Some of our policies, such as those covering losses due to terrorism and floods, are insured subject to limitations involving large deductibles or co-payments and policy limits that may not be sufficient to cover all losses, and in the future, we may be unable to renew or duplicate our current insurance coverage at adequate levels or at reasonable prices. In addition, tenants generally are required to indemnify and hold us harmless from liabilities resulting from injury to persons or damage to personal or real property, on the premises, due to activities conducted by tenants or their agents on the properties (including without limitation any environmental contamination) and, at the tenant’s expense, to obtain and keep in full force during the term of the lease, liability and property damage insurance policies. However, tenants may not properly maintain their insurance policies or have the ability to pay the deductibles associated with such policies. If we experience a loss that is uninsured or that exceeds policy limits, we could lose the capital invested in the damaged properties as well as the anticipated future cash flows from those properties, and the loss could seriously disrupt our operations, delay revenue and result in significant expenses. Inflation, changes in building codes and ordinances, environmental considerations, and other factors also might make it impractical or undesirable to use insurance proceeds to replace a property after it has been damaged or destroyed. In addition, if the damaged properties are subject to recourse indebtedness, we would continue to be liable for the indebtedness, even if these properties were irreparably damaged.
Our expenses may remain constant or increase, which could reduce our cash flow and funds available for future distributions, particularly if such expenses are not offset by an increase in corresponding revenues.
Our existing properties and any properties we develop or acquire in the future are and will continue to be subject to operating risks common to real estate in general, any or all of which may negatively affect us. The expenses of owning and operating properties generally do not decrease, and may increase, when circumstances such as market factors and competition cause a reduction in income from the properties. Our properties continue to be subject to increases in real estate and other tax rates, utility costs, operating expenses, insurance costs, repairs and maintenance and administrative expenses, regardless of occupancy rates. As a result, if any property is not fully occupied or if rents are being paid in an amount that is insufficient to cover operating expenses, we could be required to expend funds for that property’s operating expenses. Therefore, constant or rising operating expenses could reduce our cash flow and funds available for future distributions, particularly if such expenses are not offset by corresponding revenues.
Our business faces potential risks associated with natural disasters, severe weather conditions and climate change and related legislation and regulations, which could have an adverse effect on our cash flow and operating results.
Global climate change continues to attract considerable public and scientific attention with widespread concern about the impact of human activity on the environment, including effects on the frequency and scale of natural disasters, and federal and state legislation and regulations in these areas continue to pose risks. Changing weather patterns and climatic conditions may affect the predictability and frequency of natural disasters in some parts of the world and create additional uncertainty as to future trends and exposures, including certain areas in which our portfolio is concentrated such as Texas, Indiana, Florida, North Carolina, and Nevada. Our properties are located in many areas that are subject to or have been affected by natural disasters and severe weather conditions such as hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, earthquakes, droughts, floods and fires. Over time, the occurrence of natural disasters, severe weather conditions and changing climatic conditions can delay new development and redevelopment projects, increase repair costs and future insurance costs and negatively impact the demand for lease space in the affected areas, or in extreme cases, affect our ability to operate the properties at all.
Changes in federal and state legislation and regulations on climate control could result in increased costs and expenses, such as utility expenses and/or capital expenditures to improve the energy efficiency of our existing properties, or potentially result in fines for non-compliance. These risks could have an adverse effect on our cash flow and operating results.
We could incur significant costs related to environmental matters, and our efforts to identify environmental liabilities may not be successful.
Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, an owner or operator of real estate may be required to investigate and clean up hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum product releases at a property and may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage and for investigation and clean-up costs incurred by such parties in connection with contamination. Some of the properties in our portfolio contain, may have contained or are adjacent to or near other properties that have contained or currently contain underground storage tanks for petroleum products or other hazardous or toxic substances, and some of our properties have tenants that may use hazardous or toxic substances in the routine course of their businesses. Indemnities in our leases may not fully protect us in the event that a tenant becomes insolvent. The cost of investigation, remediation or removal of such substances may be substantial, and the presence of such substances, or the failure to properly remediate such substances, may adversely affect the owner’s ability to sell or rent such property or to borrow using such property as collateral. In connection with the ownership, operation and management of real properties, we are potentially liable for removal or remediation costs, as well as certain other related costs, including governmental fines and injuries to persons and property, liens on contaminated sites, and restrictions on operations. We may also be liable to third parties for damage and injuries resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the real estate. Finally, certain of our properties have contained asbestos-containing building materials ("ACBM") and other properties may have contained such materials based on the date of its construction. Environmental laws require that ACBM be properly managed and maintained, and may impose fines and penalties on building owners or operators for failure to comply with these requirements. The laws also may allow third parties to seek recovery from owners or operators for personal injury associated with exposure to asbestos fibers.
We test our properties for compliance with applicable environmental laws on a limited basis, and we cannot give assurance that existing environmental studies with respect to our properties reveal all potential environmental liabilities or that current or future uses or conditions (including, without limitation, changes in applicable environmental laws and regulations or the interpretation thereof) will not result in environmental liabilities.
Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and fire, safety and other regulations may require us to make expenditures that adversely affect our cash flows and results of operations.
Our properties must comply with Title III of the ADA to the extent that such properties are public accommodations as defined by the ADA. Noncompliance with the ADA could result in orders requiring us to spend substantial sums to cure violations, pay attorneys' fees, or pay other amounts. Although we believe the properties in our portfolio substantially comply with present requirements of the ADA, we have not conducted an audit or investigation of all of our properties to determine our compliance, and while our tenants typically under tenant leases are obligated to cover costs associated with compliance, if required changes involve greater expenditures or faster timelines than anticipated, the ability of these tenants to cover costs could be adversely affected. In addition, we are required to operate the properties in compliance with fire and safety regulations, building codes and other land use regulations, as they may be adopted by governmental agencies and bodies and become applicable to the properties. We may be required to make substantial capital expenditures to comply with, and we may be restricted in our ability to renovate the properties subject to, these requirements, which could affect our cash flows and results of operations.
Inflation may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Most of our leases contain provisions requiring the tenant to pay a share of operating expenses, including common area maintenance or other operating expenses based on a fixed amount or fixed percentage, not subject to adjustment for inflation. However, increased inflation could have a more pronounced negative impact on our mortgage and debt interest and general and administrative expenses, as these costs could increase at a rate higher than our rents. Also, inflation may adversely affect tenant leases with stated rent increases or limits on such tenant’s obligation to pay its share of operating expenses, which could be lower than the increase in inflation at any given time. It may also limit our ability to recover all of our operating expenses. Inflation could also have an adverse effect on consumer spending, which could impact our tenants’ sales and, in turn, our average rents, and in some cases, our percentage rents, where applicable. In addition, renewals of leases or future leases may not be negotiated on current terms, in which event we may recover a smaller percentage of our operating expenses.
Rising interest rates could increase our borrowing costs, thereby adversely affecting our cash flows and the amounts available for distributions to our shareholders, as well as decrease our share price, if investors seek higher yields through other investments.
An environment of rising interest rates could lead investors to seek higher yields through other investments, which could adversely affect the market price of our common shares. One of the factors that may influence the price of our common shares in public markets is the rate of annual cash distributions we pay as compared with the yields on alternative investments. Several other factors, such as governmental regulatory action and tax laws, could have a significant impact on the future market price of our common shares. In addition, increases in market interest rates could result in increased borrowing costs for us, which may adversely affect our cash flow and the amounts available for distributions to our shareholders.
We and our tenants face risks relating to cybersecurity attacks that could cause loss of confidential information and other business disruptions.
We and our tenants rely extensively on computer systems to process transactions and manage our respective businesses, and although various measures are utilized to prevent, detect and mitigate threats, we have been targeted by e-mail phishing attempts and scams in the past, and our business is at risk from and may be impacted by cybersecurity attacks. These could include attempts to gain unauthorized access to our data and computer systems. Attacks can be both individual and/or highly organized attempts by very sophisticated hacking organizations. A cybersecurity attack could compromise the confidential information of our employees, tenants, and vendors. Additionally, we rely on a number of service providers and vendors, and cybersecurity risks at these service providers and vendors create additional risks for our information and business. A successful attack could lead to identity theft, fraud or other disruptions to our business operations, any of which may negatively affect our results of operations.
We conduct periodic assessments and use the results of such to create and implement a strategy designed to prevent, detect and respond to cybersecurity threats. However, there is no guarantee such efforts will be successful in preventing a cyber-attack.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE
Our organizational documents contain provisions that generally would prohibit any person (other than members of the Kite family who, as a group, are currently allowed to own up to 21.5% of our outstanding common shares) from beneficially owning more than 7% of our outstanding common shares (or up to 9.8% in the case of certain designated investment entities, as defined in our declaration of trust), which may discourage third parties from conducting a tender offer or seeking other change of control transactions that could involve a premium price for our shares or otherwise benefit our shareholders.
Our organizational documents contain provisions that may have an anti-takeover effect and inhibit a change of control transaction, which could prevent our shareholders from being paid a premium for their common shares over the then-prevailing market prices.
(1) There are ownership limits and restrictions on transferability in our declaration of trust. In order for us to qualify as a REIT, no more than 50% of the value of our outstanding shares may be owned, actually or constructively, by five or fewer individuals at any time during the last half of each taxable year. To make sure that we will not fail to satisfy this requirement and for anti-takeover reasons, our declaration of trust generally prohibits any shareholder (other than an excepted holder or certain designated investment entities, as defined in our declaration of trust) from owning (actually, constructively or by attribution), more than 7% of the value or number of our outstanding common shares. Our declaration of trust provides an excepted holder limit that allows members of the Kite family (Al Kite, John Kite and Paul Kite, their family members and
certain entities controlled by one or more of the Kites), as a group, to own more than 7% of our outstanding common shares, subject to applicable tax attribution rules. Currently, one of the excepted holders would be attributed all of the common shares owned by each other excepted holder and, accordingly, the excepted holders as a group would not be allowed to own in excess of 21.5% of our common shares. If at a later time, there were not one excepted holder that would be attributed all of the shares owned by the excepted holders as a group, the excepted holder limit would not permit each excepted holder to own 21.5% of our common shares. Rather, the excepted holder limit would prevent two or more excepted holders who are treated as individuals under the applicable tax attribution rules from owning a higher percentage of our common shares than the maximum amount of common shares that could be owned by any one excepted holder (21.5%), plus the maximum amount of common shares that could be owned by any one or more other individual common shareholders who are not excepted holders (7%). Certain entities that are defined as designated investment entities in our declaration of trust, which generally include pension funds, mutual funds, and certain investment management companies, are permitted to own up to 9.8% of our outstanding common shares, so long as each beneficial owner of the shares owned by such designated investment entity would satisfy the 7% ownership limit if those beneficial owners owned directly their proportionate share of the common shares owned by the designated investment entity. Our Board of Trustees may waive, and has waived in the past, the ownership limits subject to certain conditions. In addition, our declaration of trust contains certain other ownership restrictions intended to prevent us from earning income from related parties if such income would cause us to fail to comply with the REIT gross income requirements. The various ownership restrictions may discourage a tender offer or other change of control transaction or compel a shareholder who has acquired our shares in excess of these ownership limitations to dispose of the additional shares. Any acquisition of our common shares in violation of these ownership restrictions will be void ab initio and will result in automatic transfers of our common shares to a charitable trust, which will be responsible for selling the common shares to permitted transferees and distributing at least a portion of the proceeds to the prohibited transferees.
(2) Our declaration of trust permits our Board of Trustees to issue preferred shares with terms that may discourage a third party from acquiring us. Our declaration of trust permits our Board of Trustees to issue up to 40,000,000 preferred shares, having those preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications, or terms or conditions of redemption as determined by our Board of Trustees. Any preferred shares that we issue likely would rank senior to our common shares with respect to payment of distributions, in which case we could not pay any distributions on our common shares until full distributions were paid with respect to such preferred shares.
(3) Our declaration of trust and bylaws contain other possible anti-takeover provisions. Our declaration of trust and bylaws contain other provisions, such as advance notice requirements for shareholder proposals, the ability of our Board of Trustees' to reclassify shares or issue additional shares, and the absence of cumulative voting rights that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company or the removal of existing management.
Certain provisions of Maryland law could inhibit changes in control.
Maryland law includes “business combination moratorium/fair price” provisions that, subject to limitations, prohibit certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of our shares or an affiliate thereof) for five years after the most recent date on which the shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, and thereafter imposes stringent fair price and super-majority shareholder voting requirements on business combinations, and “control share” provisions that provide that “control shares” (defined as shares which, when aggregated with other shares controlled by the shareholder, entitle the shareholder to exercise one of three increasing ranges of voting power in electing trustees) acquired in certain acquisitions have no voting rights except to the extent approved by our shareholders by the affirmative vote of at least two thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding all interested shares, and are subject to redemption in certain circumstances. Although we have opted out of these provisions of Maryland law, our Board of Trustees may opt to make these provisions applicable to us at any time, which may have the effect of inhibiting a third party from making a proposal to acquire us or of impeding a change of control under circumstances that otherwise could provide the holders of our common shares with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price of such shares.
A substantial number of common shares eligible for future issuance or sale could cause our common share price to decline significantly and may be dilutive to current shareholders.
Our declaration of trust authorizes our Board of Trustees to, among other things, issue additional common shares without shareholder approval. The issuance of substantial numbers of our common shares in the public market or the sale by existing shareholders, or the perception that such issuances or sales might occur, could adversely affect the per share trading price of our common shares, dilute our existing shareholders' interests in our company or impact our ability to sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate. As of December 31, 2020, we had outstanding 84,187,999 common shares, substantially all of which are freely tradable. In addition, 2,523,861 units of our Operating Partnership were
owned by our executive officers and other individuals as of December 31, 2020, and are redeemable by the holder for cash or, at our election, common shares. Pursuant to registration rights of certain of our executive officers and other individuals, we filed a registration statement with the SEC to register common shares issued (or issuable upon redemption of units in our Operating Partnership) in our formation transactions. As units are redeemed for common shares, the market price of our common shares could drop significantly if the holders of such shares sell them or are perceived by the market as intending to sell them.
Certain officers and trustees may have interests that conflict with the interests of shareholders.
Certain of our officers own limited partner units in our Operating Partnership. These individuals may have personal interests that conflict with the interests of our shareholders with respect to business decisions affecting us and our Operating Partnership, such as interests in the timing and pricing of property sales or refinancing transactions in order to obtain favorable tax treatment. As a result, the effect of certain transactions on these unit holders may influence our decisions affecting these properties.
Departure or loss of our key officers could have an adverse effect on us.
Our future success depends, to a significant extent, upon the continued services of our existing executive officers, whose experience in real estate acquisition, development, finance and management is a critical element of our future success. If one or more of our key executive officers were to die, become disabled or otherwise leave our employ, we may not be able to replace this person with an executive of equal skill, ability, and industry expertise within a reasonable timeframe, which could negatively affect our operations and financial condition.
Our rights and the rights of our shareholders to take action against our trustees and officers are limited.
Maryland law provides that a director or officer has limited liability in that capacity if he or she performs his or her duties in good faith and in a manner that he or she reasonably believes to be in our best interests and that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances. Our declaration of trust and bylaws require us to indemnify our trustees and officers for actions taken by them in those capacities to the extent permitted by Maryland law.
Our shareholders have limited ability to prevent us from making any changes to our policies that they believe could harm our business, prospects, operating results or share price.
Our investment, financing, borrowing and dividend policies and our policies with respect to all other activities, including growth, debt, capitalization and operations, will be determined by our management and, in certain cases, approved by our Board of Trustees. These policies may be amended or revised from time to time at the discretion of our Board of Trustees without a vote of our shareholders. This means that our shareholders will have limited control over changes in our policies. Such changes in our policies intended to improve, expand or diversify our business may not have the anticipated effects and consequently may adversely affect our business and prospects, results of operations and share price.
Our common share price could be volatile and could decline, resulting in a substantial or complete loss of our shareholders’ investment.
The stock markets (including The New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) on which we list our common shares) have experienced and from time to time do experience significant price and volume fluctuations. The market price of our common shares could be similarly volatile, and investors in our shares may experience a decrease in the value of their shares, including decreases that may not be related to our operating performance or prospects, including the risk factors described in "Forward-Looking Statements" included elsewhere in this Annual Report on From 10-K.
Changes in accounting standards may adversely impact our financial results.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”), in conjunction with the SEC, has issued and may issue key pronouncements that impact how we account for our material transactions, including, but not limited to, lease accounting, business combinations and the recognition of other revenues. We are unable to predict which, if any, proposals may be issued in the future or what level of impact any such proposal could have on the presentation of our consolidated financial statements, our results of operations and the financial ratio required by our debt covenants.
The cash available for distribution to shareholders may not be sufficient to pay distributions at expected levels, nor can we assure you of our ability to make distributions in the future, and we may use borrowed funds to make cash distributions and/or may choose to make distributions in part payable in our common shares.
To qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute to our shareholders each year at least 90% of our “REIT taxable income” (determined before the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains). In order to eliminate U.S. federal income tax, we are required to distribute annually 100% of our net taxable income, including capital gains. If cash available for distribution generated by our assets decreases in future periods from expected levels, our inability to make expected distributions could result in a decrease in the market price of our common shares. All distributions will be made at the discretion of our Board of Trustees and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, maintenance of our REIT qualification and other factors as our Board of Trustees may deem relevant from time to time. We may not be able to make distributions in the future. In addition, some of our distributions may include a return of capital. To the extent that we decide to make distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such distributions would generally be considered a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of the holder’s adjusted tax basis in his or her shares. A return of capital is not taxable, but it has the effect of reducing the holder’s adjusted tax basis in its investment. To the extent that distributions exceed the adjusted tax basis of a holder’s shares, they will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such shares. If we borrow to fund distributions, our future interest costs would increase, thereby reducing our earnings and cash available for distribution from what they otherwise would have been. Finally, although we do not currently intend to do so, in order to maintain our REIT qualification, we may make distributions that are in part payable in our common shares. Taxable shareholders receiving such distributions will be required to include the full amount of such distributions as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits and may be required to sell shares received in such distribution or may be required to sell other shares or assets owned by them, at a time that may be disadvantageous, in order to satisfy any tax imposed on such distribution. If a significant number of our shareholders determine to sell common shares in order to pay taxes owed on dividend income, such sale may put downward pressure on the market price of our common shares.
Future offerings of debt securities, which would be senior to our equity securities, may adversely affect the market prices of our common shares.
In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by making offerings of debt securities, including unsecured notes, medium term notes, and senior or subordinated notes, as well as debt securities that are convertible into equity. Holders of our debt securities will generally be entitled to receive interest payments, both current and in connection with any liquidation or sale, prior to the holders of our common shares being entitled to receive distributions. Future offerings of debt securities, or the perception that such offerings may occur, may reduce the market prices of our common shares and/or the distributions that we pay with respect to our common shares. Because we may generally issue such debt securities in the future without obtaining the consent of our shareholders, our shareholders will bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market prices of our equity securities.
RISKS RELATED TO TAX MATTERS
Failure of our company to qualify as a REIT would have serious adverse consequences to us and our shareholders.
We believe that we have qualified for taxation as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2004. We intend to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT, but we cannot assure shareholders that we will qualify as a REIT. We have not requested and do not plan to request a ruling from the IRS that we qualify as a REIT, and the statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are not binding on the IRS or any court. As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our income that we distribute currently to our shareholders. Many of the REIT requirements, however, are highly technical and complex. The determination that we are a REIT requires an analysis of various factual matters and circumstances that may not be totally within our control. For example, to qualify as a REIT, at least 95% of our gross income must come from specific passive sources, such as rent, that are itemized in the REIT tax laws. In addition, to qualify as a REIT, we cannot own specified amounts of debt and equity securities of some issuers. We also are required to distribute to our shareholders with respect to each year at least 90% of our “REIT taxable income” (determined before the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains). The fact that we hold substantially all of our assets through our Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries and joint ventures further complicates the application of the REIT requirements for us. Even a technical or inadvertent mistake could jeopardize our REIT status, and, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs and the ongoing importance of factual determinations, we cannot provide any assurance that we will continue to qualify as a REIT. Furthermore, Congress and the IRS might make changes to the tax laws and regulations, and the courts might issue new ruling, that make it more difficult, or impossible, for us to remain qualified as a REIT.
If we fail to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and are unable to avail ourselves of certain savings provisions set forth in the Code:
•We would be taxed as a non-REIT "C" corporation, which under current laws, among other things, means not being able to take a deduction for distributions to shareholders in computing our taxable income or pass through long term capital gains to individual shareholders at favorable rates and possibly increased state and local taxes;
•We would not be able to elect to be taxed as a REIT for four years following the year we first failed to qualify;
•We would have to pay significant income taxes, which would reduce our net earnings available for investment or distribution to our shareholders. Moreover, such failure would cause an event of default under our Credit Facility and unsecured term loans and may adversely affect our ability to raise capital and to service our debt. This likely would have a significant adverse effect on our earnings and the value of our securities. In addition, we would no longer be required to pay any distributions to shareholders; and
•We would be required to pay penalty taxes of $50,000 or more for each such failure.
We will pay some taxes even if we qualify as a REIT.
Even if we qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will be required to pay certain U.S. federal, state and local taxes on our income and property. For example, we will be subject to income tax to the extent we distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income (including capital gains). Additionally, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which dividends paid by us in any calendar year are less than the sum of 85% of our ordinary income, 95% of our capital gain net income and 100% of our undistributed income from prior years. Moreover, if we have net income from “prohibited transactions,” that income will be subject to a 100% penalty tax.
In addition, any net taxable income earned directly by our TRS, or through entities that are disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes as entities separate from our TRS, will be subject to U.S. federal and possibly state corporate income tax. We have elected to treat Kite Realty Holdings, LLC as a TRS, and we may elect to treat other subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries in the future. In this regard, several provisions of the laws applicable to REITs and their subsidiaries ensure that a TRS will be subject to an appropriate level of U.S. federal income taxation. For example, a TRS is limited in its ability to deduct interest payments made to an affiliated REIT. In addition, the REIT has to pay a 100% penalty tax on some payments that it receives or on some deductions taken by the taxable REIT subsidiaries if the economic arrangements between the REIT, the REIT’s tenants, and the TRS are not comparable to similar arrangements between unrelated parties. Finally, some state and local jurisdictions may tax some of our income even though as a REIT we are not subject to U.S. federal income tax on that income because not all states and localities treat REITs the same way they are treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the extent that we and our affiliates are required to pay U.S. federal, state and local taxes, we will have less cash available for distributions to our shareholders.
REIT distribution requirements may increase our indebtedness.
We may be required from time to time, under certain circumstances, to accrue income for tax purposes that has not yet been received. In such event, or upon our repayment of principal on debt, we could have taxable income without sufficient cash to enable us to meet the distribution requirements of a REIT. Accordingly, we could be required to borrow funds or liquidate investments on adverse terms in order to meet these distribution requirements. Additionally, the sale of properties resulting in significant tax gains could require higher distributions to our shareholders or payment of additional income taxes in order to maintain our REIT status.
Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively and may cause us to incur tax liabilities.
The REIT provisions of the Code may limit our ability to hedge our assets and operations. Under these provisions, any income that we generate from transactions intended to hedge our interest rate risk will be excluded from gross income for purposes of the REIT 75% and 95% gross income tests if the instrument hedges interest rate risk on liabilities used to carry or acquire real estate assets or manages the risk of certain currency fluctuations, and such instrument is properly identified under applicable Treasury Regulations. Income from hedging transactions that do not meet these requirements will generally constitute non-qualifying income for purposes of both the REIT 75% and 95% gross income tests. As a result of these rules, we
may have to limit our use of hedging techniques that might otherwise be advantageous or implement those hedges through a TRS. This could increase the cost of our hedging activities because our TRS would be subject to tax on gains or expose us to greater risks associated with changes in interest rates than we would otherwise want to bear.
Complying with the REIT requirements may cause us to forgo and/or liquidate otherwise attractive investments.
To qualify as a REIT, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the amounts that we distribute to our shareholders and the ownership of our shares. To meet these tests, we may be required to take actions we would otherwise prefer not to take or forgo taking actions that we would otherwise consider advantageous. For instance, in order to satisfy the gross income or asset tests applicable to REITs under the Code, we may be required to forgo investments that we otherwise would make. Furthermore, we may be required to liquidate from our portfolio otherwise attractive investments. In addition, we may be required to make distributions to shareholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution. These actions could reduce our income and amounts available for distribution to our shareholders. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our investment performance.
Dividends paid by REITs generally do not qualify for effective tax rates as low as dividends paid by non-REIT "C" corporations.
The maximum rate applicable to “qualified dividend income” paid by non-REIT “C” corporations to certain non-corporate U.S. shareholders has been reduced by legislation to 23.8% (taking into account the 3.8% Medicare tax applicable to net investment income). Dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for the reduced rates. Effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, non-corporate shareholders may deduct 20% of their dividends from REITs (excluding qualified dividend income and capital gains dividends). For non-corporate shareholders in the top marginal tax bracket of 37%, the deduction for REIT dividends yields an effective income tax rate of 29.6% on REIT dividends, which is higher than the 20% tax rate on qualified dividend income paid by non-REIT “C” corporations. This does not adversely affect the taxation of REITs, however, it could cause certain non-corporate investors to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the shares of non-REIT “C” corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of our common shares.
If the Operating Partnership fails to qualify as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we could fail to qualify as a REIT and suffer other adverse consequences.
We believe that our Operating Partnership is organized and operated in a manner so as to be treated as a partnership and not an association or a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a partnership, our Operating Partnership is not subject to U.S. federal income tax on its income. Instead, each of the partners is allocated its share of our Operating Partnership’s income. No assurance can be provided, however, that the IRS will not challenge our Operating Partnership’s status as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes or that a court would not sustain such a challenge. If the IRS were successful in treating our Operating Partnership as an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would fail to meet the gross income tests and certain of the asset tests applicable to REITs and, accordingly, would cease to qualify as a REIT. Also, the failure of the Operating Partnership to qualify as a partnership would cause it to become subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax, which would reduce significantly the amount of its cash available for distribution to its partners, including us.
There is a risk that the tax laws applicable to REITs may change.
The IRS, the United States Treasury Department and Congress frequently review U.S. federal income tax legislation, regulations and other guidance. The Company cannot predict whether, when or to what extent new U.S. federal tax laws, regulations, interpretations or rulings will be adopted. Any legislative action may prospectively or retroactively modify the Company's tax treatment and, therefore, may adversely affect our taxation or taxation of our shareholders. We urge you to consult with your tax advisor with respect to the status of legislative, regulatory or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on an investment in our stock. Although REITs generally receive certain tax advantages compared to entities taxed as non-REIT “C” corporations, it is possible that future legislation would result in a REIT having fewer tax advantages, and it could become more advantageous for a company that invests in real estate to elect to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a non-REIT “C” corporation.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Retail Operating Properties
As of December 31, 2020, we owned interests in a portfolio of 83 retail operating properties totaling approximately 16.3 million square feet of total GLA (including approximately 4.6 million square feet of non-owned anchor space). The following table sets forth more specific information with respect to our retail operating properties as of December 31, 2020:
____________________
1All properties are wholly owned, except as indicated through reference to Note 3 below. Unless otherwise noted, each property is owned in fee simple by the Company.
2Percentage of Owned GLA Leased reflects Owned GLA/NRA leased as of December 31, 2020, except for Greyhound Commons and 54th & College.
3Asset is owned in a joint venture.
4Tenants within parentheses are non-owned.
Office Operating Properties and Other
As of December 31, 2020, we owned interests in one office operating property, two parking garages, and one triple-net leased property. In addition, two of our retail properties contain stand-alone office components. Together, these properties have a total of 0.5 million square feet of net rentable area (“NRA”) of space. The following table sets forth more specific information with respect to our office, parking and other properties as of December 31, 2020:
____________
1Annualized Base Rent represents the monthly contractual rent as of December 31, 2020 for each applicable property, multiplied by 12.
2Annualized Base Rent includes $859,256 from the Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020, which is eliminated for purposes of our consolidated financial statement presentation.
3The garage is managed by a third party.
4The Company also owns the Eddy Street Commons retail shopping center in South Bend, Indiana, along with a parking garage that serves a hotel and the office and retail components of the property.
5Property owned in an unconsolidated joint venture.
Development Projects Under Construction
In addition to our retail and office operating properties, as of December 31, 2020, we owned an interest in two development projects currently under construction. The following table sets forth more specific information with respect to the Company’s development projects as of December 31, 2020:
____________________
1Stabilization date represents near completion of project construction and substantial occupancy of the property.
2Projected ROI for redevelopments is an estimate of the expected incremental stabilized annual operating cash flows to be generated divided by the estimated project costs, including construction, development, financing, and other soft costs, when applicable to the project.
3Equity requirement is lower than total project cost due to a $7.1 million TIF received from the City of Indianapolis.
Tenant Diversification
No individual retail or office tenant accounted for more than 2.5% of the portfolio’s annualized base rent for the year ended December 31, 2020. The following table sets forth certain information for the largest 25 tenants open for business at the Company’s retail properties based on minimum rents in place as of December 31, 2020:
TOP 25 TENANTS BY ANNUALIZED BASE RENT
___
1JV Stores represent stores at unconsolidated properties.
2Excludes the estimated size of the structures located on land owned by the Company and ground leased to tenants.
3Annualized base rent represents the monthly contractual rent for December 31, 2020, for each applicable tenant multiplied by 12. Annualized base rent does not include tenant reimbursements. Annualized base rent represents 100% of the annualized base rent at consolidated properties and our share of the annualized base rent at unconsolidated properties.
4Annualized base rent and percent of total portfolio includes ground lease rent.
5Includes TJ Maxx (9), Marshalls (5) and HomeGoods (2).
6Includes Dick's Sporting Goods (6) and Golf Galaxy (1).
7Includes Bed Bath and Beyond (8), Buy Buy Baby (4), and Cost Plus World Market (3).
8Includes Walmart (3) and Sam's Club (2).
9Includes Mattress Firm (12) and Sleepy's (4).
10Includes Kroger (1), Harris Teeter (1), and Smith's (1).
Geographic Diversification - Annualized Base Rent by Region and State
The Company owns interests in 90 operating and redevelopment properties. We also own interests in two development projects under construction. The total operating portfolio consists of approximately 12 million of owned square feet in 16 states. The following table summarizes the Company’s operating properties by region and state as of December 31, 2020:
____________________
1Owned GLA/NRA represents gross leasable area or net leasable area owned by the Company. It also excludes the square footage of Union Station Parking Garage and Pan Am Plaza Parking Garage.
2Represents the three redevelopment and two development projects not in the retail operating portfolio.
3Represents the three operating properties owned in unconsolidated joint ventures.
Lease Expirations
In 2021, leases representing 8.0% of total annualized base rent are scheduled to expire. The following tables show scheduled lease expirations for retail and office tenants and in-process development property tenants open for business as of December 31, 2020, assuming none of the tenants exercise renewal options.
LEASE EXPIRATION TABLE - OPERATING PORTFOLIO
____
1Lease expiration table reflects rents in place as of December 31, 2020 and does not include option periods; 2021 expirations include 8 month-to-month tenants. This column also excludes ground leases.
2Expiring GLA excludes estimated square footage attributable to non-owned structures on land owned by the Company and ground leased to tenants.
3Annualized base rent represents the monthly contractual rent as of December 31, 2020 for each applicable tenant multiplied by 12. Excludes tenant reimbursements and ground lease revenue.
Lease Activity - New and Renewal
In 2020, the Company executed new and renewal leases on 215 individual spaces totaling 1.5 million square feet (7.0% cash leasing spread and 14.5% GAAP leasing spread on 158 comparable leases). New leases were signed on 59 individual spaces for 0.4 million square feet of GLA (9.1% cash leasing spread and 21.3% GAAP leasing spread on 42 comparable leases), while renewal leases were signed on 156 individual spaces for 1.1 million square feet of GLA (6.1% cash leasing spread and 12.0% GAAP leasing spread on 116 comparable leases).
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are not subject to any material litigation nor, to management’s knowledge, is any material litigation currently threatened against us. We are parties to routine litigation, claims, and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that such matters will not have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows taken as a whole.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Our common shares are currently listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol “KRG.” On February 16, 2021, the closing price of our common shares on the NYSE was $18.12.
Holders
The number of registered holders of record of our common shares was 1,082 as of February 16, 2021. This total excludes beneficial or non-registered holders that held their shares through various brokerage firms. This figure does not represent the actual number of beneficial owners of our common shares because our common shares are frequently held in “street name” by securities dealers and others for the benefit of beneficial owners who may vote the shares.
Distributions, if any, will be declared and paid at the discretion of our Board of Trustees and will depend upon a number of factors, including cash generated by operating activities, our financial condition, capital requirements, annual distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Code, and such other factors as our Board of Trustees deem relevant.
Distributions by us to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be taxable to shareholders as either ordinary dividend income or capital gain income if so declared by us. Distributions in excess of taxable earnings and profits generally will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital. These distributions, to the extent that they do not exceed the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in its common shares, have the effect of deferring taxation until the sale of a shareholder’s common shares. To the extent that distributions are both in excess of taxable earnings and profits and in excess of the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in its common shares, the distribution will be treated as gain from the sale of common shares. In order to maintain our qualification as a REIT, we must make annual distributions to shareholders of at least 90% of our “REIT taxable income” (determined before the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains) and we must make distributions to shareholders equal to 100% of our net taxable income to eliminate U.S. federal income tax liability. Under certain circumstances, we could be required to make distributions in excess of cash available for distributions in order to meet such requirements. For the taxable year ended December 31, 2020, approximately 89% of our distributions to shareholders constituted taxable ordinary income dividends and approximately 11% constituted taxable capital gains dividends.
Under our Credit Facility, we are permitted to make distributions to our shareholders provided that no event of default exists. If an event of default exists, we may only make distributions sufficient to maintain our REIT status. However, we may not make any distributions if any event of default resulting from nonpayment or bankruptcy exists, or if our obligations under the Credit Facility are accelerated.
Issuer Repurchases; Unregistered Sales of Securities
During the three months ended December 31, 2020, certain of our employees surrendered common shares owned by them to satisfy their statutory minimum U.S. federal and state tax obligations associated with the vesting of restricted common shares of beneficial interest issued under our Plan. These shares were repurchased by the Company.
The following table summarizes all of these repurchases during the three months ended December 31, 2020:
We did not sell any unregistered securities during 2020.
Issuances Under Equity Compensation Plans
For information regarding the securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans, see Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Performance Graph
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of our filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act that might incorporate SEC filings, in whole or in part, the following performance graph will not be incorporated by reference into any such filings.
The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return of our common shares for the period from December 31, 2015 to December 31, 2020, to the S&P 500 Index and to the published NAREIT All Equity REIT Index over the same period. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in our common shares and each index was $100 at December 31, 2015 and that all cash distributions were reinvested. The shareholder return shown on the graph below is not indicative of future performance
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Not applicable.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto and Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In this discussion, unless the context suggests otherwise, references to “our Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” mean Kite Realty Group Trust and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including Kite Realty Group, L.P.
Overview
In the following overview, we discuss, among other things, the status of our business and properties, the effect that current United States economic conditions is having on our retail tenants and us, and the current state of the financial markets and how it impacts our financing strategy.
Our Business and Properties
Kite Realty Group Trust is a publicly-held real estate investment trust which, through its majority-owned subsidiary, Kite Realty Group, L.P., owns interests in various operating subsidiaries and joint ventures engaged in the ownership and operation, acquisition, development and redevelopment of high-quality neighborhood and community shopping centers in select markets in the United States. We derive revenues primarily from activities associated with the collection of contractual rents and reimbursement payments from tenants at our properties. Our operating results therefore depend materially on, among other things, the ability of our tenants to make required lease payments, the health and resilience of the United States retail sector, interest rate volatility, job growth and real estate market and overall economic conditions.
As of December 31, 2020, we owned interests in 90 operating and redevelopment properties totaling approximately 17.3 million square feet. We also owned two development projects under construction as of this date.
Portfolio Update
As has become more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, strong real estate matters. The strength of the Company's real estate is evidenced by our higher rent collection rates as compared to our peers, based upon publicly reported information by each peer as of February 19, 2021. The Company has continued to improve its asset quality. In addition, the Company's property type lends itself to retailers' current needs including curbside pick-up and buying online and picking up in store (BOPIS) that we believe will benefit from tenant demand for additional space.
The Company's operations were impacted by the bankruptcies of retailers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company had leased space to national retailers that declared bankruptcy during 2020 that comprised 5.9% of our annualized base rent. A portion of the retailers have vacated their space with us, which will lead to an expected decline in occupancy and rental revenue in 2021.
Project Focus, our disposition program completed in 2019, allowed us to dispose of weaker, non-core assets and reduce our exposure to at-risk tenants and resulted in $502 million in combined sales, the majority of which net proceeds were used to repay debt. It also allowed us to focus our geographic footprint on locations that are benefiting from accelerating migration shifts.
In evaluating potential acquisition, development, and redevelopment opportunities, we look for strong sub-markets where average household income, population density, traffic counts and daytime workforce populations are above the broader market average. We also focus on locations that are benefitting from current population migratory patterns, namely major cities in states with no or relatively low income taxes, and mild or temperate climates. In our largest sub-markets, household incomes are significantly higher and state income taxes are relatively lower than the medians for those broader markets.
In addition to targeting sub-markets with strong consumer demographics, we focus on having the most desirable tenant mix at each center. We have aggressively targeted and executed leases with prominent grocers including Publix, Aldi, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's, expanding retailers such as TJ Maxx, Ross Dress for Less, Burlington, and Old Navy, service and restaurant retailers and other retailers such as Ulta, REI, Five Below and Total Wine. Additionally, we have identified cost-efficient ways to relocate, re-tenant and renegotiate leases at several of our properties allowing us to attract more suitable tenants.
Capital and Financing Activities
Our ability to obtain capital on satisfactory terms and to refinance borrowings as they mature is affected by the condition of the economy in general and by the financial strength of properties securing borrowings.
With the successful completion of Project Focus in 2019, we were able to enhance our already-strong balance sheet, increase our financial flexibility, and improve our liquidity to fund future growth. We ended 2020 with approximately $566.9 million of combined cash and borrowing capacity on our Credit Facility. In addition, as of December 31, 2020, we did not have any debt principal scheduled to mature through December 31, 2021.
The amount that we may borrow under our Credit Facility is limited by the value of the assets in our unencumbered asset pool. As of December 31, 2020, the value of the assets in our unencumbered asset pool was $1.3 billion.
The investment grade credit ratings we have received provide us with access to the unsecured public bond market, which we may continue to use in the future to finance acquisition activity, repay maturing debt and fix interest rates.
Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. As disclosed in Note 2, the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We believe that the following discussion addresses our most critical accounting policies, which are those that are most important to the compilation of our financial condition and results of operations and, in some cases, require management’s most difficult, subjective, and complex judgments.
Valuation of Investment Properties
Management reviews operational and development projects, land parcels and intangible assets for impairment on a property-by-property basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. This review for possible impairment requires certain assumptions, estimates, and significant judgment. Impairment losses for investment properties and intangible assets are measured when the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by the investment properties during the expected holding period are less than the carrying amounts of those assets. The evaluation of impairment is subject to certain management assumptions including projected net operating income, anticipated hold period, expected capital expenditures and the capitalization rate used to estimate the property's residual value. Impairment losses are recorded as the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair value of the asset. Our impairment review for land and development properties assumes we have the intent and the ability to complete the developments or projected uses for the land parcels. If we determine those plans will not be completed or our assumptions with respect to operating assets are not realized, an impairment loss may be appropriate.
Depreciation may be accelerated for a redevelopment project, including partial demolition of existing structures after the asset is assessed for impairment.
Operating properties will be classified as held for sale only when those properties are available for immediate sale in their present condition and for which management believes it is probable that a sale of the property will be completed within one year, among other factors. Operating properties classified as held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Depreciation and amortization are suspended during the held-for-sale period.
Acquisition of Real Estate Investments
Upon acquisition of real estate operating properties, we estimate the fair value of acquired identifiable tangible assets and identified intangible assets and liabilities, assumed debt, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the date of acquisition, based on evaluation of information and estimates available at that date. Based on these estimates, we record the estimated fair value to the applicable assets and liabilities. In making estimates of fair values, a number of sources are utilized, including information obtained as a result of pre-acquisition due diligence, marketing and leasing activities. The estimates of fair value were determined to have primarily relied upon Level 2 and Level 3 inputs, as defined below.
Fair value is determined for tangible assets and intangibles, including:
•the fair value of the building on an as-if-vacant basis and the fair value of land determined either by comparable market data, real estate tax assessments, independent appraisals or other relevant data;
•above-market and below-market in-place lease values for acquired properties, which are based on the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and (ii) management’s estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases, measured over the remaining non-cancelable term of the leases. Any below-market renewal options are also considered in the in-place lease values. The capitalized above-market and below-market lease values are amortized as a reduction of or addition to rental income over the term of the lease. Should a tenant vacate, terminate its lease, or otherwise notify us of its intent to do so, the unamortized portion of the lease intangibles would be charged or credited to income;
•the value of having a lease in place at the acquisition date. We utilize independent and internal sources for our estimates to determine the respective in-place lease values. Our estimates of value are made using methods similar to those used by independent appraisers. Factors we consider in our analysis include an estimate of costs to execute similar leases including tenant improvements, leasing commissions and foregone costs and rent received during the estimated lease-up period as if the space was vacant. The value of in-place leases is amortized to expense over the remaining initial terms of the respective leases; and
•the fair value of any assumed financing that is determined to be above or below market terms. We utilize third party and independent sources for our estimates to determine the respective fair value of each mortgage payable. The fair market value of each mortgage payable is amortized to interest expense over the remaining initial terms of the respective loan.
We also consider whether there is any value to in-place leases that have a related customer relationship intangible value. Characteristics we consider in determining these values include the nature and extent of existing business relationships with the tenant, growth prospects for developing new business with the tenant, the tenant’s credit quality, and expectations of lease renewals, among other factors. To date, a tenant relationship has not been developed that is considered to have a current intangible value.
Revenue Recognition
As a lessor of real estate assets, the Company retains substantially all of the risks and benefits of ownership and accounts for its leases as operating leases.
Contractual minimum base rent, percentage rent, and expense reimbursements from tenants for common area maintenance costs, insurance and real estate taxes are our principal sources of revenue. Base minimum rents are recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases. Certain lease agreements contain provisions that grant additional rents based on a tenant’s sales volume (contingent overage rent). Overage rent is recognized when tenants achieve the specified sales targets as defined in their lease agreements. Overage rent is included in rental income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. If we determine that collectibility is probable, we recognize income from rentals based on the methodology described above. We have accounts receivable due from tenants and are subject to the risk of tenant defaults and bankruptcies that may affect the collection of outstanding receivables. These receivables are reduced for credit loss that is recognized as a reduction to rental income. We regularly evaluate the collectibility of these lease-related receivables by analyzing past due account balances and consider such facts as the credit quality of our customer, historical write-off experience, tenant credit-worthiness and current economic trends when evaluating the collectibility of rental income. Although we estimate uncollectible receivables and provide for them through charges against income, actual experience may differ from those estimates.
We recognize the sale of real estate when control transfers to the buyer. As part of our ongoing business strategy, we will, from time to time, sell land parcels and outlots, some of which are ground leased to tenants.
Results of Operations
As of December 31, 2020, we owned interests in 90 operating and redevelopment properties and two development project currently under construction. The following table sets forth the total operating and redevelopment properties and development projects that we owned as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
The comparability of results of operations is affected by our development, redevelopment, and operating property disposition activities in 2018 through 2020. Therefore, we believe it is most useful to review the comparisons of our results of operations for these years (as set forth below under “Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019”) in conjunction with the discussion of these activities during those periods, which is set forth below.
Property Acquisition Activities
During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we acquired the properties listed in the table below. We did not acquire any properties in 2018.
Operating Property Disposition Activities
During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, we sold the operating properties listed in the table below.
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1The Company has retained a 20% ownership interest in this property.
Redevelopment Activities
During portions of the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, the following properties were under active redevelopment and removed from our operating portfolio:
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1Transition date represents the date the property was transferred from our operating portfolio into redevelopment status.
2This property was sold in 2020.
3This property has been identified as a redevelopment property and is not included in the operating portfolio or the same property pool.
4This redevelopment would potentially include the creation of a mixed-use (office, retail, and multi-family) development.
5This property was sold in 2019.
Net Operating Income and Same Property Net Operating Income
We use property net operating income (“NOI”), a non-GAAP financial measure, to evaluate the performance of our properties. We define NOI as income from our real estate, including lease termination fees received from tenants, less our property operating expenses. NOI excludes amortization of capitalized tenant improvement costs and leasing commissions and certain corporate level expenses. We believe that NOI is helpful to investors as a measure of our operating performance because it excludes various items included in net income that do not relate to or are not indicative of our operating performance, such as depreciation and amortization, interest expense, and impairment, if any.
We also use same property NOI ("Same Property NOI"), a non-GAAP financial measure, to evaluate the performance of our properties. Same Property NOI excludes properties that have not been owned for the full period presented. It also excludes net gains from outlot sales, straight-line rent revenue, lease termination income in excess of lost rent, amortization of lease intangibles and significant prior period expense recoveries and adjustments, if any. When the Company receives payments in excess of any accounts receivable for terminating a lease, Same Property NOI will include such excess payments as monthly rent until the earlier of the following: the expiration of 12 months or the start date of a replacement tenant. We believe that Same Property NOI is helpful to investors as a measure of our operating performance because it includes only the NOI of properties that have been owned for the full period presented. We believe such presentation eliminates disparities in net income due to the acquisition or disposition of properties during the particular period presented and thus provides a more consistent metric for the comparison of our properties. Same Property NOI includes the results of properties that have been owned for the entire current and prior year reporting periods.
NOI and Same Property NOI should not, however, be considered as alternatives to net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP) as indicators of our financial performance. Our computation of NOI and Same Property NOI may differ from the methodology used by other REITs, and therefore may not be comparable to such other REITs.
When evaluating the properties that are included in the same property pool, we have established specific criteria for determining the inclusion of properties acquired or those recently under development. An acquired property is included in the same property pool when there is a full quarter of operations in both years subsequent to the acquisition date. Development and redevelopment properties are included in the same property pool four full quarters after the properties have been transferred to the operating portfolio. A redevelopment property is first excluded from the same property pool when the execution of a redevelopment plan is likely and we 1) begin recapturing space from tenants or b) the contemplated plan significantly impacts the operations of the property. At December 31, 2020, the same property pool excluded three properties in redevelopment, one recently completed development, two acquired properties, and three commercial properties.
The following table reflects Same Property NOI1 and a reconciliation to net income attributable to common shareholders for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited):
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1Same Property NOI excludes (i) The Corner, Glendale Town Center, and Hamilton Crossing redevelopments, (ii) Eddy Street Commons - Phases II and III developments, (iii) the recently acquired Eastgate Crossing and Nora Plaza, and (iv) office properties.
2Excludes leases that are signed but for which tenants have not yet commenced the payment of cash rent. Calculated as a weighted average based on the timing of cash rent commencement and expiration during the period.
3Includes non-cash activity across the portfolio as well as net operating income from properties not included in the same property pool including properties sold during both periods.
Our Same Property NOI decreased 6.6% in 2020 compared to 2019. This decrease was primarily due to bad debt expense of $12.1 million in 2020 related to certain tenants that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funds From Operations
Funds from Operations ("FFO") is a widely used performance measure for real estate companies and is provided here as a supplemental measure of operating performance. We calculate FFO, a non-GAAP financial measure, in accordance with the best practices described in the April 2002 National Policy Bulletin of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT"), as restated in 2018. The NAREIT white paper defines FFO as net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP), excluding depreciation and amortization related to real estate, gains and losses from the sale of certain real estate assets, gains and losses from change in control, and impairment write-downs of certain real estate assets and investments in entities when the impairment is directly attributable to decreases in the value of depreciable real estate held by the entity.
Considering the nature of our business as a real estate owner and operator, the Company believes that FFO is helpful to investors in measuring our operational performance because it excludes various items included in net income that do not relate to or are not indicative of our operating performance, such as gains or losses from sales of depreciated property and
depreciation and amortization, which can make periodic and peer analyses of operating performance more difficult. FFO (a) should not be considered as an alternative to net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP) for the purpose of measuring our financial performance, (b) is not an alternative to cash flow from operating activities (calculated in accordance with GAAP) as a measure of our liquidity, and (c) is not indicative of funds available to satisfy our cash needs, including our ability to make distributions. Our computation of FFO may not be comparable to FFO reported by other REITs that do not define the term in accordance with the current NAREIT definition or that interpret the current NAREIT definition differently than we do. For informational purposes, we have also provided FFO adjusted for loss on debt extinguishment.
From time to time, the Company may report or provide guidance with respect to “NAREIT FFO as adjusted” which removes the impact of certain non-recurring and non-operating transactions or other items the Company does not consider to be representative of its core operating results including without limitation, gains or losses associated with the early extinguishment of debt, gains or losses associated with litigation involving the Company that is not in the normal course of business, the impact on earnings from employee severance, and the excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred stock redemption, which are not otherwise adjusted in the Company’s calculation of FFO.
Our calculations of FFO1 and reconciliation to consolidated net income and FFO, as adjusted for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 (unaudited) are as follows:
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1“FFO of the Operating Partnership" measures 100% of the operating performance of the Operating Partnership’s real estate properties. “FFO attributable to Kite Realty Group Trust common shareholders” reflects a reduction for the redeemable noncontrolling weighted average diluted interest in the Operating Partnership.
Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA)
We define EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, as net income before depreciation and amortization, interest expense and income tax expense of TRS. For informational purposes, we have also provided Adjusted EBITDA, which we define as EBITDA less (i) EBITDA from unconsolidated entities, (ii) gains on sales of operating properties or impairment charges, (iii) other income and expense, (iv) noncontrolling interest EBITDA and (v) other non-recurring activity or items impacting comparability from period to period. Annualized Adjusted EBITDA is Adjusted EBITDA for the most recent quarter multiplied by four. Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA is our share of net debt divided by Annualized Adjusted EBITDA. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Annualized Adjusted EBITDA and Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA, as calculated by us, are not comparable to EBITDA and EBITDA-related measures reported by other REITs that do not define EBITDA and EBITDA-related measures exactly as we do. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Annualized Adjusted EBITDA do not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP, and should not be considered alternatives to net income as an indicator of performance or as alternatives to cash flows from operating activities as an indicator of liquidity.
Considering the nature of our business as a real estate owner and operator, we believe that EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and the ratio of Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA are helpful to investors in measuring our operational performance because they exclude various items included in net income that do not relate to or are not indicative of our operating performance, such as gains or losses from sales of depreciated property and depreciation and amortization, which can make periodic and peer analyses of operating performance more difficult. For informational purposes, we have also provided Annualized Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted as described above. We believe this supplemental information provides a meaningful measure of our operating performance. We believe presenting EBITDA and the related measures in this manner allows investors and other interested parties to form a more meaningful assessment of our operating results.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Annualized Adjusted EBITDA to consolidated net income (the most directly comparable GAAP measure) and a calculation of Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA.
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1Represents Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2020 (as shown in the table above) multiplied by four.
2Partner share of consolidated joint venture debt is calculated based upon the partner's pro-rata ownership of the joint venture, multiplied by the related secured debt balance.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
The following table reflects changes in the components of our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Rental income decreased $50.7 million, or 16.4%, due to the following:
The net decrease of $19.8 million in rental income for properties that were fully operational during 2019 and 2020 is primarily due to $17.4 million of bad debt expense for certain non-cash straight-line rent and billed rent receivables related to tenants that are financially distressed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Company had a reduction in minimum rent due to a decrease in occupancy due to certain closures, most notably by certain anchor tenants, such as Stein Mart, 24 Hour Fitness, and New York Sports Club that have declared bankruptcy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While leasing activity was reduced during 2020, the Company has been able to continue to generate higher rents on new leases and renewals. The average rents for new comparable leases signed in 2020 were $20.77 per square foot compared to average expiring base rents of $19.04 per square foot in that period. The average base rents for renewals signed in 2020 were $16.10 per square foot compared to average expiring base rents of $15.18 per square foot in that period.
Following the completion of Project Focus in 2019 and the current year leasing activity, the quality of our operating retail portfolio continued to improve. This is evidenced by the increase in the annualized base rent per square foot to $18.42 per square foot as of December 31, 2020 from $17.83 per square foot as of December 31, 2019.
Other property related revenue primarily consists of parking revenues and gains on sales of undepreciated assets. This revenue increased by $2.3 million, primarily as a result of higher gains on sales of undepreciated assets of $5.7 million partially offset by a decrease in parking revenues of $2.0 million.
We recorded fee income of $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, from property management services provided to unconsolidated joint ventures.
Property operating expenses decreased $4.6 million, or 10.0%, due to the following:
The net decrease of $0.4 million in property operating expenses for properties that were fully operational during 2019 and 2020 is primarily due to a continued focus on cost controls over certain operating expense spend in 2020. These provided savings of $1.4 million that were partially offset by an increase in insurance costs of $1.0 million due to higher premiums across the real estate industry that were realized upon renewal.
As a percentage of rental revenue, property operating expenses increased between years from 14.5% to 15.4%. The increase was mostly due to a decline in revenue in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Real estate taxes decreased $2.9 million, or 7.5%, due to the following:
The net increase of $0.6 million in real estate taxes for properties that were fully operational during 2019 and 2020 is primarily due to an increase in current year tax assessments at certain operating properties. The majority of real estate tax expense is recoverable from tenants and such recovery is reflected in rental income.
General, administrative and other expenses increased $2.6 million, or 9.3%. The increase is primarily due to $3.3 million of severance charges incurred during the fourth quarter of 2020.
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $3.5 million, or 2.6%, due to the following:
The net increase of $1.1 million in properties under redevelopment or acquired during 2019 and 2020 is primarily due to a full year of operations for Nora Plaza and Pan Am Plaza Garage that were acquired in 2019. The net increase of $8.3 million in depreciation and amortization at properties fully operational during 2019 and 2020 is primarily due to accelerated depreciation of certain tenant-related assets for tenants that vacated their spaces during 2020.
In 2019, we recorded impairment charges totaling $37.7 million related to a reduction in the expected holding period of certain operating properties. In 2020, we did not record any impairment charges. See additional discussion in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements.
Interest expense decreased $8.9 million or 15.0%. The decrease is due to the significant debt reduction following the successful completion of Project Focus in 2019.
The Company incurred an $11.6 million loss on debt extinguishment for the year ended December 31, 2019 related to costs incurred to retire certain secured loans that were paid off in connection with property sales. There was no such activity in 2020.
We recorded a net gain of $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 on the sale of one redevelopment property, compared to a net gain of $39.0 million on the sale of 23 assets for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Management’s discussion of the financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019, with comparison to the year ended December 31, 2018, was included in Item 7, "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our primary finance and capital strategy is to maintain a strong balance sheet with sufficient flexibility to fund our operating and investment activities in a cost-effective manner. We consider a number of factors when evaluating our level of indebtedness and when making decisions regarding additional borrowings or equity offerings, including the estimated value of properties to be developed or acquired, the estimated market value of our properties and the Company as a whole upon placement of the borrowing or offering, and the ability of particular properties to generate cash flow to cover debt service. We will continue to monitor the capital markets and may consider raising additional capital through the issuance of our common or preferred shares, unsecured debt securities, or other securities.
Our Principal Capital Resources
For a discussion of cash generated from operations, see “Cash Flows,” beginning on page 56. In addition to cash generated from operations, we discuss below our other principal capital resources.
The completion of Project Focus in 2019 has enhanced our liquidity position, reduced our leverage, and reduced our borrowing costs. We continue to focus on a balanced approach to growth and staggering and extending debt maturities in order to retain our financial flexibility.
As of December 31, 2020, we had approximately $523 million available under our Credit Facility for future borrowings based on the unencumbered asset pool allocated to the unsecured revolving credit facility. We also had $43.6 million in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2020.
We were in compliance with all applicable financial covenants under our Credit Facility, our unsecured term loans, and our senior unsecured notes as of December 31, 2020.
We have on file with the SEC a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the offer and sale, from time to time, of an indeterminate amount of equity and debt securities. Equity securities may be offered and sold by the Parent Company, and the net proceeds of any such offerings would be contributed to the Operating Partnership in exchange for additional General Partner Units. Debt securities may be offered and sold by the Operating Partnership with the Operating Partnership receiving the proceeds. From time to time, we may issue securities under this shelf registration statement to fund the repayment of long-term debt upon maturity, for other general corporate purposes or as otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement. We plan to file a new shelf registration statement on Form S-3 prior to or upon expiration of the current registration statement.
In the future, we will continue to monitor the capital markets and may consider raising additional capital through the issuance of our common shares, preferred shares or other securities. We may also raise capital by disposing of properties, land parcels or other assets that are no longer core components of our growth strategy. The sale price may differ from our carrying value at the time of sale.
Our Principal Liquidity Needs
Short-Term Liquidity Needs
Near-Term Debt Maturities. As of December 31, 2020, we did not have any debt scheduled to mature in 2021, excluding scheduled monthly principal payments.
Other Short-Term Liquidity Needs. The requirements for qualifying as a REIT and for a tax deduction for some or all of the dividends paid to shareholders necessitate that we distribute at least 90% of our taxable income on an annual basis. Such requirements cause us to have substantial liquidity needs over both the short term and the long term. Our short-term liquidity needs consist primarily of funds necessary to pay operating expenses associated with our operating properties, interest expense and scheduled principal payments on our debt, expected dividend payments to our common shareholders and to Common Unit holders, and recurring capital expenditures.
In February 2021, our Board of Trustees declared a cash distribution of $0.17 per common share and Common Unit for the first quarter of 2021. This distribution is expected to be paid on or about April 15, 2021 to common shareholders and Common Unit holders of record as of April 8, 2021.
Other short-term liquidity needs also include expenditures for tenant improvements, renovation costs, external leasing commissions and recurring capital expenditures. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we incurred $1.7 million of costs for recurring capital expenditures on operating properties, $12.0 million of costs for tenant improvements and external leasing commissions, and $17.4 million to re-lease anchor space at our operating properties related to tenants open and operating as of December 31, 2020 (excluding development and redevelopment properties). We currently anticipate incurring approximately $16 million to $20 million of additional major tenant improvements costs related to releasing vacant space at a number of our operating properties.
As of December 31, 2020, we had two development projects under construction: Eddy Street Commons in South Bend, Indiana and Glendale Town Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Total estimated costs for these projects are $56.9 million, of which our share is estimated to be $12.6 million. We anticipate incurring the majority of the remaining costs for the projects over the next 18 months. We believe we have the ability to fund these projects through cash flow from operations or by borrowing on the Credit Facility.
Long-Term Liquidity Needs
Our long-term liquidity needs consist primarily of funds necessary to pay for any new development projects, redevelopment of existing properties, non-recurring capital expenditures, acquisitions of properties, and payment of indebtedness at maturity.
Potential Redevelopment Opportunities. We are currently evaluating additional redevelopment of several other properties. We believe we will have sufficient funding for these projects through cash flow from operations, borrowings on our Credit Facility and proceeds from asset sales.
Selective Acquisitions, Developments and Joint Ventures. We may selectively pursue the acquisition and development of other properties, which would require additional capital. It is unlikely that we would have sufficient funds on hand to meet these long-term capital requirements, requiring us to satisfy these needs through additional borrowings, sales of common or preferred shares, issuance of Operating Partnership units, cash generated through property dispositions and/or participation in joint venture arrangements. We cannot be certain that we would have access to these sources of capital on satisfactory terms, if at all, to fund our long-term liquidity requirements. We evaluate all future opportunities against pre-established criteria including, but not limited to, location, demographics, expected return, tenant credit quality, tenant relationships, and the amount of existing retail space in the market. Our ability to access the capital markets will be dependent on a number of factors, including general capital market conditions.
Capitalized Expenditures on Consolidated Properties
The following table summarizes cash capital expenditures for our development and redevelopment properties and other capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2020:
We capitalize certain indirect costs such as interest, payroll, and other general and administrative costs related to these development activities. If we had experienced a 10% reduction in development and redevelopment activities, without a corresponding decrease in indirect project costs, we would have recorded additional expense of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Impact of Changes in Credit Ratings on Our Liquidity
We have been assigned investment grade corporate credit ratings from two nationally recognized credit rating agencies. These ratings were unchanged during 2020.
In the future, the ratings could change based upon, among other things, the impact that prevailing economic conditions may have on our results of operations and financial condition. Credit rating reductions by one or more rating agencies could also adversely affect our access to funding sources, the cost and other terms of obtaining funding, as well as our overall financial condition, operating results and cash flow.
Cash Flows
As of December 31, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents on hand of $43.6 million. We may be subject to concentrations of credit risk with regard to our cash and cash equivalents. We place our cash and short-term cash investments with highly rated financial institutions. While we attempt to limit our exposure at any point in time, occasionally, such cash and investments may temporarily be in excess of FDIC and SIPC insurance limits. We also maintain certain compensating balances in several financial institutions in support of borrowings from those institutions. Such compensating balances were not material to the consolidated balance sheets.
Comparison of the Year Ended December 31, 2020 to the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Cash provided by operating activities was $95.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, a decrease of $42.4 million from the same period of 2019. The cash flows were negatively impacted due to the significant property sales activity throughout 2019 and reduced collection activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cash used in investing activities was $80.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to cash provided by investing activities of $416.6 million in the same period of 2019. The major changes in cash used in and provided by investing activities are as follows:
•Net proceeds of $23.0 million related to the sale of one redevelopment property and five parcels of land in 2020 compared to sale proceeds of $529.4 million from the sale of 23 assets in 2019;
•Acquisition of Eastgate Crossing in 2020 for $65.3 million compared to the acquisition of Nora Plaza and Pan Am Plaza Parking Garage in 2019 for $58.2 million; and
•Decrease in capital expenditures of $15.0 million, partially offset by a change in construction payables of $2.4 million in 2020.
Cash used in financing activities was $20.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to cash used in financing activities of $547.2 million in the same period of 2019. Highlights of significant cash sources and uses in financing activities during 2020 are as follows:
•In March 2020, we borrowed $300.0 million on the Credit Facility as a precautionary measure in order to increase our cash position and preserve financial flexibility in light of uncertainty in the global markets resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic;
•During the remainder of 2020, we repaid the $300.0 million borrowing on the Credit Facility as we became incrementally more confident in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic;
•We borrowed $25.0 million on the Credit Facility to fund a portion of the purchase price of Eastgate Crossing;
•In 2019, we used the proceeds from the sale of operating properties to pay down $395.5 million of secured and unsecured debt;
•In 2019, we paid $14.5 million of debt extinguishment costs; and
•In 2020, we made distributions to common shareholders and Common Unit holders of $39.7 million, compared to distributions of $137.1 million in 2019.
Management’s discussion of the cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2018, with comparison to the year ended December 31, 2019, was included in Item 7, "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Other Matters
Financial Instruments
We are exposed to capital market risk, such as changes in interest rates. In order to reduce the volatility relating to interest rate risk, we may enter into interest rate hedging arrangements from time to time. We do not utilize derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
Obligations in Connection with Projects Under Construction
We are obligated under various completion guarantees with tenants to complete tenant-specific spaces currently under construction. We believe we currently have sufficient financing in place to fund our investment in any existing or future projects through cash from operations or borrowings on our Credit Facility.
In addition, we have provided a repayment guaranty on a $33.8 million construction loan with the development of Embassy Suites at the University of Notre Dame consistent with our 35% ownership interest. As of December 31, 2020, the current outstanding loan balance is $33.6 million, of which our share is $11.8 million.
Our share of estimated future costs for under construction and future developments and redevelopments is further discussed on page 55 in the "Short and Long-Term Liquidity Needs" section.
Outstanding Indebtedness
The following table presents details of outstanding consolidated indebtedness as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 adjusted for hedges:
Consolidated indebtedness, including weighted average maturities and weighted average interest rates at December 31, 2020, is summarized below:
Mortgage indebtedness is collateralized by certain real estate properties and leases. Mortgage indebtedness is generally repaid in monthly installments of interest and principal and matures over various terms through 2030.
Variable interest rates on mortgage indebtedness is based on LIBOR plus 160 basis points. At December 31, 2020, the one-month LIBOR interest rate was 0.14%. Fixed interest rates on mortgage loans range from 3.78% to 5.73%.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our future income, cash flows and fair values relevant to financial instruments depend upon prevailing interest rates. We are exposed to interest rate changes primarily through our Credit Facility and unsecured term loans and other property-specific variable-rate mortgages. Our objectives with respect to interest rate risk are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on operations and cash flows, and to lower its overall borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives, we may borrow at fixed rates and may enter into derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps, hedges, etc., in order to mitigate its interest rate risk on a related variable-rate financial instrument. As a matter of policy, we do not utilize financial instruments for trading or speculative transactions.
We had $1.2 billion of outstanding consolidated indebtedness as of December 31, 2020 (inclusive of net unamortized net debt premiums and issuance costs of $5.3 million). As of December 31, 2020, we were party to various consolidated interest rate hedge agreements totaling $250.0 million, with maturities over various terms through 2025. Reflecting the effects of these hedge agreements, our fixed and variable rate debt would have been $1.1 billion (94%) and $80.1 million (6%), respectively, of our total consolidated indebtedness at December 31, 2020.
We do not have any fixed rate debt scheduled to mature during 2021. A 100-basis point change in interest rates on our unhedged variable rate debt as of December 31, 2020 would change our annual cash flow by $0.8 million. Based upon the terms of our variable rate debt, we are most vulnerable to a change in short-term LIBOR interest rates.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The consolidated financial statements of the Company included in this Report are listed in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this report.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Kite Realty Group Trust
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Parent Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Parent Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in the Parent Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of December 31, 2020 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.
Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Parent Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as that term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Under the supervision of and with the participation of the Parent Company's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Parent Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting based on the 2013 framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on its evaluation under the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework, the Parent Company's management has concluded that its internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020.
The Parent Company's independent auditors, KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, have issued a report on its internal control over financial reporting as stated in their report which is included herein.
The Parent Company's internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Trustees regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Kite Realty Group, L.P.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Operating Partnership’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Operating Partnership's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of December 31, 2020 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.
Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Operating Partnership is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as that term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Under the supervision of and with the participation of the Operating Partnership's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Operating Partnership conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting based on the 2013 framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on its evaluation under the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework, the Operating Partnership's management has concluded that its internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020.
The Operating Partnership's independent auditors, KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, have issued a report on its internal control over financial reporting as stated in their report which is included herein.
The Operating Partnership's internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Trustees regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Kite Realty Group Trust:
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Kite Realty Group Trust and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and financial statement schedule III - Consolidated Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated February 22, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Indianapolis, Indiana
February 22, 2021
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Partners of Kite Realty Group, L.P. and subsidiaries and Board of Trustees of Kite Realty Group Trust:
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Kite Realty Group, L.P. and subsidiaries’ (the Partnership) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Partnership maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheet of the Partnership as of December 31, 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, partner’s equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and financial statement schedule III - Consolidated Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated February 22, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Partnership’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Partnership in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Indianapolis, Indiana
February 22, 2021
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The information required by this Item is hereby incorporated by reference to the material appearing in our 2021 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement (the “Proxy Statement”), which we intend to file within 120 days after our fiscal year-end in accordance with Regulation 14A.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this Item is hereby incorporated by reference to the material appearing in our Proxy Statement.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this Item is hereby incorporated by reference to the material appearing in our Proxy Statement.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this Item is hereby incorporated by reference to the material appearing in our Proxy Statement.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this Item is hereby incorporated by reference to the material appearing in our Proxy Statement.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)Documents filed as part of this report:
(1)Financial Statements:
Consolidated financial statements for the Company listed on the index immediately preceding the financial statements at the end of this report.
(2)Financial Statement Schedule:
Financial statement schedule for the Company listed on the index immediately preceding the financial statements at the end of this report.
(3)Exhibits:
The Company files as part of this report the exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index.
(b)Exhibits:
The Company files as part of this report the exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index. Other financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
(c)Financial Statement Schedule:
The Company files as part of this report the financial statement schedule listed on the index immediately preceding the financial statements at the end of this report.
EXHIBIT INDEX
____________________
* Denotes a management contract or compensatory, plan contract or arrangement.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
KITE REALTY GROUP TRUST
(Registrant)
/s/ John A. Kite
John A. Kite
February 22, 2021 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Date) (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Heath R. Fear
Heath R. Fear
February 22, 2021 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Date) (Principal Financial Officer)
KITE REALTY GROUP L.P.
(Registrant)
By: Kite Realty Group Trust, its sole general partner
/s/ John A. Kite
John A. Kite
February 22, 2021 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Date) (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Heath R. Fear
Heath R. Fear
February 22, 2021 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Date) (Principal Financial Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Kite Realty Group Trust and Kite Realty Group, L.P. and subsidiaries
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Kite Realty Group Trust:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Kite Realty Group Trust and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and financial statement schedule III - Consolidated Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 22, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Partnership in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Evaluation of investment properties for potential impairment
As discussed in Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements, land, buildings, and improvements as of December 31, 2020 was $3,109,122 thousand. The Company’s investment properties are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. This review for possible impairment triggering events requires certain assumptions, estimates, and significant judgment. The evaluation of investment properties for potential impairment is subject to certain management assumptions which includes the anticipated holding period for a real estate investment property.
We identified the evaluation of investment properties for potential impairment as a critical audit matter. Subjective and challenging auditor judgment was required to evaluate the Company’s intent and ability to hold investment properties for particular periods of time. A shortening of the anticipated holding period could indicate a potential impairment.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of an internal control over the Company’s process to evaluate potential impairment triggering events, including evaluation of holding period. We compared the holding period assumed in the
Company’s analysis to the Company’s historical holding period for similar assets. We inquired of Company officials and inspected documents, such as meeting minutes of the board of trustees and sub-committees and the capital allocation committee to evaluate the Company’s intent and ability to hold investment properties for particular periods of time. We read external communications with investors and analysts in order to identify information regarding potential sales of the Company’s investment properties.
/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.
Indianapolis, Indiana
February 22, 2021
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Partners of Kite Realty Group, L.P. and subsidiaries and Board of Trustees of Kite Realty Group Trust:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Kite Realty Group, L.P. and subsidiaries (the Partnership) as of December 31, 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, partner’s equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and financial statement schedule III - Consolidated Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Partnership as of December 31, 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 22, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Evaluation of investment properties for potential impairment
As discussed in Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements, land, buildings, and improvements as of December 31, 2020 was $3,109,122 thousand. The Partnership’s investment properties are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. This review for possible impairment triggering events requires certain assumptions, estimates, and significant judgment. The evaluation of investment properties for potential impairment is subject to certain management assumptions which includes the anticipated holding period for a real estate investment property.
We identified the evaluation of investment properties for potential impairment as a critical audit matter. Subjective and challenging auditor judgment was required to evaluate the Partnership’s intent and ability to hold investment properties for particular periods of time. A shortening of the anticipated holding period could indicate a potential impairment.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of an internal control over the Partnership’s process to evaluate potential impairment triggering events, including evaluation of holding period. We compared the holding period assumed in the Partnership’s analysis to the Partnership’s historical holding period for similar assets. We inquired of Partnership officials and inspected documents, such as meeting minutes of the Parent Company’s board of trustees and sub-committees and the capital allocation committee to evaluate the Partnership’s intent and ability to hold investment properties for particular periods of time. We read external communications with investors and analysts in order to identify information regarding potential sales of the Partnership’s investment properties.
/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Partnership’s auditor since 2020.
Indianapolis, Indiana
February 22, 2021
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Kite Realty Group Trust:
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Kite Realty Group Trust (the Company) as of December 31, 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-02
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for leases in 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), and the related amendments.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We served as the Company’s auditor from 2004 until 2020.
Indianapolis, Indiana
February 20, 2020
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Partners of Kite Realty Group, L.P. and subsidiaries and the Board of Trustees of Kite Realty Group Trust:
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Kite Realty Group, L.P. and subsidiaries (the Partnership) as of December 31, 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, partner’s equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Partnership at December 31, 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-02
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Partnership changed its method of accounting for leases in 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), and the related amendments.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Partnership’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Partnership in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We served as the Partnership’s auditor from 2015 until 2020.
Indianapolis, Indiana
February 20, 2020
Kite Realty Group Trust
Consolidated Balance Sheets
($ in thousands, except share data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Kite Realty Group Trust
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
($ in thousands, except share and per share data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Kite Realty Group Trust
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
($ in thousands, except share data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Kite Realty Group Trust
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
($ in thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Kite Realty Group, L.P. and subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
($ in thousands, except unit data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Kite Realty Group, L.P. and subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
($ in thousands, except unit and per unit data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Kite Realty Group, L.P. and subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Partner's Equity
($ in thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Kite Realty Group, L.P. and subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
($ in thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Kite Realty Group Trust and Kite Realty Group, L.P. and subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2020
($ in thousands, except share, per share, unit and per unit amounts and where indicated in millions or billions.)
Note 1. Organization
Kite Realty Group Trust (the "Parent Company"), through its majority-owned subsidiary, Kite Realty Group, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), owns interests in various operating subsidiaries and joint ventures engaged in the ownership and operation, acquisition, development and redevelopment of high-quality neighborhood and community shopping centers in select markets in the United States. The terms "Company," "we," "us," and "our" refer to the Parent Company and the Operating Partnership, collectively, and those entities owned or controlled by the Parent Company and/or the Operating Partnership.
The Operating Partnership was formed on August 16, 2004, when the Parent Company contributed properties and the net proceeds from an initial public offering of shares of its common stock to the Operating Partnership. The Parent Company was organized in Maryland in 2004 to succeed in the development, acquisition, construction and real estate businesses of its predecessor. We believe the Company qualifies as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
The Parent Company is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, and as of December 31, 2020 owned approximately 97.1% of the common partnership interests in the Operating Partnership (“General Partner Units”). The remaining 2.9% of the common partnership interests (“Limited Partner Units” and, together with the General Partner Units, the “Common Units”) were owned by the limited partners. As the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, the Parent Company has full, exclusive and complete responsibility and discretion in the day-to-day management and control of the Operating Partnership. The Parent Company and the Operating Partnership are operated as one enterprise. The management of the Parent Company consists of the same members as the management of the Operating Partnership. As the sole general partner with control of the Operating Partnership, the Parent Company consolidates the Operating Partnership for financial reporting purposes, and the Parent Company does not have any significant assets other than its investment in the Operating Partnership.
At December 31, 2020, we owned interests in 90 operating and redevelopment properties totaling approximately 17.3 million square feet. We also owned two development projects under construction as of this date. Of the 90 properties, 87 are consolidated in these financial statements, and the remaining three are accounted for under the equity method.
At December 31, 2019, we owned interests in 90 operating and redevelopment properties totaling approximately 17.4 million square feet. We also owned one development project under construction as of this date. Of the 90 properties, 87 are consolidated in these financial statements and the remaining three are accounted for under the equity method.
Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Components of Investment Properties
The Company’s investment properties as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were as follows:
Consolidation and Investments in Joint Ventures
The accompanying financial statements are presented on a consolidated basis and include all accounts of the Parent Company, the Operating Partnership, the TRS of the Operating Partnership, subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership that are controlled and any variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in which the Operating Partnership is the primary beneficiary. In general, a VIE is a corporation, partnership, trust or any other legal structure used for business purposes that either (a) has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities, (b) does not have equity investors with voting rights or (c) has equity investors whose votes are disproportionate from their economics and substantially all of the activities are conducted on behalf of the investor with disproportionately fewer voting rights.
The Operating Partnership accounts for properties that are owned by joint ventures in accordance with the consolidation guidance. The Operating Partnership evaluates each joint venture and determines first whether to follow the VIE or the voting interest entity ("VOE") model. Once the appropriate consolidation model is identified, the Operating Partnership then evaluates whether it should consolidate the joint venture. Under the VIE model, the Operating Partnership consolidates an entity when it has (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Under the VOE model, the Operating Partnership consolidates an entity when (i) it controls the entity through ownership of a majority voting interest if the entity is not a limited partnership or (ii) it controls the entity through its ability to remove the other partners or owners in the entity, at its discretion, when the entity is a limited partnership.
In determining whether to consolidate a VIE with the Operating Partnership, we consider all relationships between the Operating Partnership and the applicable VIE, including development agreements, management agreements and other contractual arrangements, in determining whether we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the VIE's performance. As of December 31, 2020, we owned investments in two consolidated joint ventures that were VIEs in which the partners did not have substantive participating rights and we were the primary beneficiary. As of this date, these VIEs had total debt of $55.1 million, which were secured by assets of the VIEs totaling $113.3 million. The Operating Partnership guarantees the debt of these VIEs.
The Operating Partnership is considered a VIE as the limited partners do not hold kick-out rights or substantive participating rights. The Parent Company consolidates the Operating Partnership as it is the primary beneficiary in accordance with the VIE model.
TH Real Estate Joint Venture
On June 29, 2018, the Company formed a joint venture involving TH Real Estate (the "TH Real Estate joint venture"). The Company sold three properties to the joint venture valued in the aggregate at $99.8 million and, after considering third party debt obtained by the venture upon formation, the Company contributed $10.0 million for a 20% noncontrolling ownership interest in the venture. The Company serves as the operating member responsible for day-to-day management of the properties and receives property management and leasing fees. Both members have substantive participating rights over major decisions that impact the economics and operations of the joint venture. The Company is accounting for the joint venture on the equity method as it has the ability to exercise influence, but not control over operating and financial policies.
Embassy Suites at the University of Notre Dame
In December 2017, we formed a new joint venture with an unrelated third party to develop and own an Embassy Suites full-service hotel next to our Eddy Street Commons operating property at the University of Notre Dame. We contributed $1.4 million of cash to the joint venture in return for a 35% ownership interest in the venture. The joint venture has entered into a $33.8 million construction loan, against which $33.6 million was drawn as of December 31, 2020. The joint venture is not considered a VIE. We are accounting for the joint venture under the equity method as both members have substantive participating rights and we do not control the activities of the venture.
Glendale Multifamily Joint Venture
In May 2020, the Company formed a joint venture for the planned development of a multifamily project adjacent to our Glendale Town Center retail property. The Company contributed land valued at $1.6 million to the joint venture and retained a 12% interest in the joint venture. The Company's partner serves as the operating member responsible for day-to-day management. Both members have substantive participating rights over major decisions that impact the economics and
operations of the joint venture. The Company is accounting for the joint venture on the equity method as it has the ability to exercise influence but not control over operating and financial policies.
Acquisition of Real Estate Properties
Upon acquisition of real estate operating properties, we estimate the fair value of acquired identifiable tangible assets and identified intangible assets and liabilities, assumed debt, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the date of acquisition, based on evaluation of information and estimates available at that date. Based on these estimates, we record the estimated fair value to the applicable assets and liabilities. In making estimates of fair values, a number of sources are utilized, including information obtained as a result of pre-acquisition due diligence, marketing and leasing activities. The estimates of fair value were determined to have primarily relied upon Level 2 and Level 3 inputs, as defined below.
Fair value is determined for tangible assets and intangibles, including:
•the fair value of the building on an as-if-vacant basis and the fair value of land determined either by comparable market data, real estate tax assessments, independent appraisals or other relevant data;
•above-market and below-market in-place lease values for acquired properties, which are based on the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and (ii) management’s estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases, measured over the remaining non-cancelable term of the leases. Any below-market renewal options are also considered in the in-place lease values. The capitalized above-market and below-market lease values are amortized as a reduction of or addition to rental income over the term of the lease. Should a tenant vacate, terminate its lease, or otherwise notify us of its intent to do so, the unamortized portion of the lease intangibles would be charged or credited to income;
•the value of having a lease in place at the acquisition date. We utilize independent and internal sources for our estimates to determine the respective in-place lease values. Our estimates of value are made using methods similar to those used by independent appraisers. Factors we consider in our analysis include an estimate of costs to execute similar leases including tenant improvements, leasing commissions and foregone costs and rent received during the estimated lease-up period as if the space was vacant. The value of in-place leases is amortized to expense over the remaining initial terms of the respective leases; and
•the fair value of any assumed financing that is determined to be above or below market terms. We utilize third party and independent sources for our estimates to determine the respective fair value of each mortgage payable. The fair market value of each mortgage payable is amortized to interest expense over the remaining initial terms of the respective loan.
We also consider whether there is any value to in-place leases that have a related customer relationship intangible value. Characteristics we consider in determining these values include the nature and extent of existing business relationships with the tenant, growth prospects for developing new business with the tenant, the tenant’s credit quality, and expectations of lease renewals, among other factors. To date, a tenant relationship has not been developed that is considered to have a current intangible value.
Investment Properties
Capitalization and Depreciation
Investment properties are recorded at cost and include costs of land acquisition, development, pre-development, construction, certain allocated overhead, tenant allowances and improvements, and interest and real estate taxes incurred during construction. Significant renovations and improvements are capitalized when they extend the useful life, increase capacity, or improve the efficiency of the asset. If a tenant vacates a space prior to the lease expiration, terminates its lease, or otherwise notifies the Company of its intent to do so, any related unamortized tenant allowances are expensed over the shortened lease period. Maintenance and repairs that do not extend the useful lives of the respective assets are reflected in property operating expense.
Pre-development costs are incurred prior to vertical construction and for certain land held for development during the due diligence phase and include contract deposits, legal, engineering, cost of internal resources and other professional fees related to evaluating the feasibility of developing or redeveloping a shopping center or other project. These pre-development
costs are capitalized and included in construction in progress in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. If we determine that the completion of a development project is no longer probable, all previously incurred pre-development costs are immediately expensed. Land is transferred to construction in progress once construction commences on the related project.
We also capitalize costs such as land acquisition, building construction, interest, real estate taxes, and the costs of personnel directly involved with the development of our properties. As a portion of a development property becomes operational, we expense a pro rata amount of related costs.
Depreciation on buildings and improvements is provided utilizing the straight-line method over estimated original useful lives ranging from 10 to 35 years. Depreciation on tenant allowances and tenant improvements are provided utilizing the straight-line method over the term of the related lease. Depreciation on equipment and fixtures is provided utilizing the straight-line method over 5 to 10 years. Depreciation may be accelerated for a redevelopment project including partial demolition of existing structure after the asset is assessed for impairment.
Impairment
Management reviews operational and development projects, land parcels and intangible assets for impairment on a property-by-property basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. This review for possible impairment requires certain assumptions, estimates, and significant judgment. Impairment losses for investment properties and intangible assets are measured when the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by the investment properties during the expected holding period are less than the carrying amounts of those assets. The evaluation of impairment is subject to certain management assumptions including projected net operating income, anticipated hold period, expected capital expenditures and the capitalization rate used to estimate the property's residual value. Impairment losses are recorded as the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair value of the asset. Our impairment review for land and development properties assumes we have the intent and the ability to complete the developments or projected uses for the land parcels. If we determine those plans will not be completed or our assumptions with respect to operating assets are not realized, an impairment loss may be appropriate.
Asset Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations
Operating properties will be classified as held for sale only when those properties are available for immediate sale in their present condition and for which management believes it is probable that a sale of the property will be completed within one year, among other factors. Operating properties classified as held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Depreciation and amortization are suspended during the held-for-sale period.
Restricted Cash and Escrow Deposits
Escrow deposits consist of cash held for real estate taxes, property maintenance, insurance and other requirements at specific properties as required by lending institutions and certain municipalities. In addition at December 31, 2019, escrow deposits included $13.2 million of proceeds from the sale of an operating property to be utilized to acquire a potential asset in a tax-deferred exchange.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash and cash equivalents. From time to time, such investments may temporarily be held in accounts that are in excess of FDIC and SIPC insurance limits; however the Company attempts to limit its exposure at any one time.
The following is a summary of our cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash total as presented in our statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018:
Fair Value Measurements
We follow the framework established under accounting standard FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, for measuring fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities that are not required or permitted to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis but only in certain circumstances, such as a business combination or upon determination of impairment.
Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:
•Level 1 fair value inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments to which we have access.
•Level 2 fair value inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for similar instruments, either directly or indirectly, and appropriately consider counterparty creditworthiness in the valuations.
•Level 3 fair value inputs reflect our best estimate of inputs and assumptions market participants would use in pricing an instrument at the measurement date. The inputs are unobservable in the market and significant to the valuation estimate.
In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. As discussed in Note 8 to the Financial Statements, we have determined that derivative valuations are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, escrows and deposits, and other working capital balances approximate fair value.
Note 6 to the Financial Statements includes a discussion of the fair values recorded when we recognized impairment charges in 2019 and 2018. Level 3 inputs to these transactions include our estimations of disposal values.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company accounts for its derivative financial instruments at fair value calculated in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. Gains or losses resulting from changes in the fair values of those derivatives are accounted for depending on the use of the derivative and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. We use derivative instruments such as interest rate swaps or rate locks to mitigate interest rate risk on related financial instruments.
Changes in the fair values of derivatives that qualify as cash flow hedges are recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) while any ineffective portion of a derivative’s change in fair value is recognized immediately in earnings. Gains and losses associated with the transaction are recorded in OCI and amortized over the underlying term of the hedged transaction. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, all of our derivative instruments qualify for hedge accounting.
Revenue Recognition
As a lessor of real estate assets, the Company retains substantially all of the risks and benefits of ownership and accounts for its leases as operating leases.
Contractual minimum base rent, percentage rent, and expense reimbursements from tenants for common area maintenance costs, insurance and real estate taxes are our principal sources of revenue. Base minimum rents are recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases. Certain lease agreements contain provisions that grant additional rents based on a tenant’s sales volume (contingent overage rent). Overage rent is recognized when tenants achieve the specified sales targets as defined in their lease agreements. Overage rent is included in rental income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. If we determine that collectibility is probable, we recognize income from rentals based on the methodology described above. We have accounts receivable due from tenants and are subject to the risk of tenant defaults and bankruptcies that may affect the collection of outstanding receivables. These receivables are reduced for credit loss that is recognized as a reduction to rental income. We regularly evaluate the collectibility
of these lease-related receivables by analyzing past due account balances and consider such facts as the credit quality of our customer, historical write-off experience, tenant credit-worthiness and current economic trends when evaluating the collectibility of rental income. Although we estimate uncollectible receivables and provide for them through charges against income, actual experience may differ from those estimates.
We recognize the sale of real estate when control transfers to the buyer. As part of our ongoing business strategy, we will, from time to time, sell land parcels and outlots, some of which are ground leased to tenants. Net gains realized on such sales were $5.9 million, $0.2 million, and $3.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively, and are classified as other property related revenue in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Tenant and Other Receivables and Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts
Tenant receivables consist primarily of billed minimum rent, accrued and billed tenant reimbursements, and accrued straight-line rent. The Company generally does not require specific collateral from its tenants other than corporate or personal guarantees. Other receivables consist primarily of amounts due from municipalities and from tenants for non-rental revenue related activities.
An allowance for uncollectible accounts is maintained for estimated losses resulting from the inability of certain tenants or others to meet contractual obligations under their lease or other agreements. Accounts are written off when, in the opinion of management, the balance is uncollectible.
The provision for revenues deemed uncollectible, represented 6.0%, 1.1%, 1.0% of total revenues in each of the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Concentration of Credit Risk
We may be subject to concentrations of credit risk with regards to our cash and cash equivalents. We place cash and temporary cash investments with high-credit-quality financial institutions. From time to time, such cash and investments may temporarily be in excess of insurance limits.
In addition, our accounts receivable from and leases with tenants potentially subjects us to a concentration of credit risk related to our accounts receivable and revenue.
Total billed receivables due from tenants leasing space in the states of Florida, Indiana, Texas, North Carolina, and Nevada, consisted of the following as of December 31, 2020:
For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company's revenue recognized from tenants leasing space in the states of Florida, Indiana, Texas, North Carolina, and Nevada, were as follows:
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share or unit is calculated based on the weighted average number of common shares or units outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share or unit is determined based on the weighted average common number of shares or units outstanding during the period combined with the incremental average common shares or units that would have been outstanding assuming the conversion of all potentially dilutive common shares or units into common shares or units as of the earliest date possible.
Potentially dilutive securities include outstanding options to acquire common shares; Limited Partner Units, which may be exchanged for either cash or common shares, at the Parent Company’s option and under certain circumstances; appreciation only LTIP units, and deferred common share units, which may be credited to the personal accounts of non-employee trustees in lieu of the payment of cash compensation or the issuance of common shares to such trustees. Limited Partner Units have been omitted from the Parent Company’s denominator for the purpose of computing diluted earnings per share since the effect of including these amounts in the denominator would have no dilutive impact. Weighted average Limited Partner Units outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were 2.2 million, 2.1 million and 2.0 million, respectively.
These potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share due to the net loss position in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
Segment Reporting
Our primary business is the ownership and operation of neighborhood and community shopping centers. We do not distinguish or group our operations on a geographical basis, or any other basis, when measuring and evaluating financial performance. Accordingly, we have one operating segment, which also serves as our reportable segment for disclosure purposes in accordance with GAAP.
Income Taxes and REIT Compliance
Parent Company
The Parent Company has been organized and operated, and intends to continue to operate, in a manner that will enable it to maintain its qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, it generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the earnings that it distributes to the extent it distributes its “REIT taxable income” (determined before the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains) to shareholders of the Parent Company and meets certain other requirements on a recurring basis. To the extent that it satisfies this distribution requirement, but distributes less than 100% of its taxable income, it will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its undistributed REIT taxable income. REITs are subject to a number of organizational and operational requirements. If the Parent Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its taxable income at regular corporate rates for a period of four years following the year in which qualification is lost. We may also be subject to certain U.S. federal, state and local taxes on our income and property and to U.S. federal income and excise taxes on our undistributed taxable income even if the Parent Company does qualify as a REIT. The Operating Partnership intends to continue to make distributions to the Parent Company in amounts sufficient to assist the Parent Company in adhering to REIT requirements and maintaining its REIT status.
We have elected to treat Kite Realty Holdings, LLC as a TRS of the Operating Partnership, and we may elect to treat other subsidiaries as TRSs in the future. This election enables us to receive income and provide services that would otherwise be impermissible for a REIT. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between the financial reporting bases and the tax bases of assets and liabilities at the tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company records interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in selling, general, and administrative expenses.
On March 27, 2020 and December 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed and enacted into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA). Among other provisions, the CARES Act and the CAA provide relief to U.S. federal corporate taxpayers through temporary adjustments to net operating loss rules, changes to limitations on interest expense deductibility, and the acceleration of available refunds for minimum tax credit carryforwards. The CARES Act and the CAA did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Our tax return for the year ended December 31, 2020 has not been filed. The taxability information presented for our dividends paid in 2020 is based upon management's estimate. Consequently, the taxability of dividends is subject to change. A summary of the tax characterization of the dividends paid by the Parent Company for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 is as follows:
Operating Partnership
The allocated share of income and loss, other than the operations of our TRS, is included in the income tax returns of the Operating Partnership's partners. Accordingly, the only U.S. federal income taxes included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are in connection with the TRS.
Noncontrolling Interests
We report the non-redeemable noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries as equity and the amount of consolidated net income attributable to these noncontrolling interests is set forth separately in the consolidated financial statements. The non-redeemable noncontrolling interests in consolidated properties for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 were as follows:
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests - Limited Partners
Limited Partner Units are redeemable noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership. We classify redeemable noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets outside of permanent equity because we may be required to pay cash to holders of Limited Partner Units upon redemption of their interests in the Operating Partnership or deliver registered shares upon their conversion. The carrying amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership is reflected at the greater of historical book value or redemption value with a corresponding adjustment to additional paid-in capital. At December 31, 2020, the redemption value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership did not exceed the historical book value, and the balance was accordingly adjusted to historical book value. At December 31, 2019, the redemption value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership exceeded the historical book value, and the balance was accordingly adjusted to redemption value.
We allocate net operating results of the Operating Partnership after noncontrolling interests in the consolidated properties based on the partners’ respective weighted average ownership interest. We adjust the redeemable noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership at the end of each reporting period to reflect their interests in the Operating Partnership or redemption value. This adjustment is reflected in our shareholders’ and Parent Company's equity. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, the weighted average interests of the Parent Company and the limited partners in the Operating Partnership were as follows:
At December 31, 2020, the Parent Company's interest and the limited partners' redeemable noncontrolling ownership interests in the Operating Partnership were 97.1% and 2.9%. At December 31, 2019, the Parent Company's interest and the limited partners' redeemable noncontrolling ownership interests in the Operating Partnership were 97.5% and 2.5%.
Concurrent with the Parent Company’s initial public offering and related formation transactions, certain individuals received Limited Partner Units of the Operating Partnership in exchange for their interests in certain properties. The limited partners have the right to redeem Limited Partner Units for cash or, at the Parent Company's election, common shares of the Parent Company in an amount equal to the market value of an equivalent number of common shares of the Parent Company at the time of redemption. Such common shares must be registered, which is not fully in the Parent Company’s control. Therefore, the limited partners’ interest is not reflected in permanent equity. The Parent Company also has the right to redeem the Limited Partner Units directly from the limited partner in exchange for either cash in the amount specified above or a number of its common shares equal to the number of Limited Partner Units being redeemed.
There were 2,532,861 and 2,110,037 Limited Partner Units outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase in Limited Partner Units outstanding from December 31, 2019 is due to non-cash compensation awards made to our executive officers.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests - Subsidiaries
Prior to our merger with Inland Diversified Real Estate Trust, Inc. ("Inland Diversified") in 2014, Inland Diversified formed joint ventures with the previous owners of certain properties and issued Class B units in three joint ventures that indirectly own those properties. The Class B units related to one of these three joint ventures remain outstanding and are accounted for as noncontrolling interests in these properties. The remaining Class B units will become redeemable at our partner's election in October 2022 based on the joint venture agreement and the fulfillment of certain redemption criteria. Beginning in November 2022, with respect to the remaining joint venture, the Class B units can be redeemed at the election of either our partner or us for cash or Limited Partner Units in the Operating Partnership. None of the issued Class B units have a maturity date and none are mandatorily redeemable unless either party has elected for the units to be redeemed. We consolidate this joint venture because we control the decision making and our joint venture partner has limited protective rights.
In 2018, certain Class B unit holders exercised their right to redeem their remaining Class B units for cash. We funded $10.0 million of the redemption in August 2018 and the remaining $12.0 million in November 2018.
We classify the remainder of the redeemable noncontrolling interests in a subsidiary in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets outside of permanent equity because, under certain circumstances, we may be required to pay cash to Class B unitholders in specific subsidiaries upon redemption of their interests. The carrying amount of these redeemable noncontrolling interests is required to be reflected at the greater of initial book value or redemption value with a corresponding adjustment to additional paid-in capital. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the redemption amounts of these interests did not exceed their fair value, nor did they exceed the initial book value.
The redeemable noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership and subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 were as follows:
Effects of Accounting Pronouncements
Adoption of New Standards
Reference Rate Reform
In the first quarter of 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). ASU 2020-04 contains practical expedients for reference rate reform related activities that impact debt, leases, derivatives and other contracts. The guidance in ASU 2020-04 is optional and may be elected over time as reference rate reform activities occur. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company has elected to apply the hedge accounting expedients related to probability and the assessments of effectiveness for future LIBOR-indexed cash flows to assume that the index upon which future hedged transactions will be based matches the index on the corresponding derivatives. Application of these expedients preserves the presentation of derivatives consistent with past presentation.
Financial Instruments - Credit Losses
On January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses," which introduced new guidance for an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments. It also modified the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination. Instruments in scope include loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, and net investments in leases as well as reinsurance and trade receivables. In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, which clarifies that operating lease receivables are outside the scope of the new standard. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Leases
In April 2020, the FASB issued a question-and-answer document focused on the application of lease accounting guidance to lease concessions provided as a result of COVID-19. Under Topic 842, Leases, the Company would have to evaluate, on a lease by lease basis, if a lease concession was the result of a new arrangement reached with the tenant or if a lease concession was under the enforceable rights and obligations within the existing lease agreement. The FASB clarified that entities may elect to not evaluate whether lease-related relief that lessors provide to mitigate the economic effects of COVID-19 is a lease modification. The Company made this election to evaluate COVID-related lease modifications on a disaggregated basis, with such election applied consistently to leases with similar characteristics and similar circumstances.
The Company entered into rent deferral agreements during the year ended December 31, 2020 that provided for legally due rent to be paid back over a period of time, typically twelve to eighteen months. The Company has deferred the payment by tenants of $6.1 million of contractually due rental income that remains outstanding as of December 31, 2020.
The future impact of such modifications is dependent upon the extent of lease concessions granted to tenants as a result of COVID-19 in future periods and the elections made by the Company at the time of entering into such concessions. There was not a material amount of rent abatement provided to tenants as a result of COVID-19 during 2020.
Note 3. Share-Based Compensation
Overview
The Company's 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), as amended and restated as of February 28, 2019, authorizes options to acquire common shares and other share-based compensation awards to be granted to employees and trustees for up to an additional 3,000,000 common share equivalents of the Company. The Company accounts for its share-based compensation in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions provided under Topic 718-“Stock Compensation” in the Accounting Standards Codification.
The total share-based compensation expense, net of amounts capitalized, included in general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $5.6 million, $5.3 million, and $4.9 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, total share-based compensation cost capitalized for development activities was $1.2 million, $1.1 million, and $1.7 million, respectively. The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur.
As of December 31, 2020, there were 1,604,930 shares and units available for grant under the Plan.
Share Options
Pursuant to the Plan, the Company may periodically grant options to purchase common shares at an exercise price equal to the grant date fair value of the Company's common shares. Granted options typically vest over a five year period and expire 10 years from the grant date. The Company issues new common shares upon the exercise of options.
A summary of option activity under the Plan as of December 31, 2020, and changes during the year then ended, is presented below:
There were no options granted in 2020, 2019 or 2018.
The aggregate intrinsic value of the 2,500, 33,375 and 3,125 options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $2,000, $86,000 and $23,000, respectively.
Restricted Shares
In addition to share option grants, the Plan also authorizes the grant of share-based compensation awards in the form of restricted common shares. Under the terms of the Plan, these restricted shares, which are considered to be outstanding shares from the date of grant, typically vest over a period ranging from three to five years. The Company pays dividends on restricted shares and such dividends are charged directly to shareholders’ equity.
The following table summarizes all restricted share activity to employees and non-employee members of the Board of Trustees as of December 31, 2020 and changes during the year then ended:
The following table summarizes the restricted share grants and vestings during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018:
As of December 31, 2020, there was $3.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted shares granted under the Plan, which is expected to be recognized in the consolidated statements of operations over a weighted-average period of 0.91 years. We expect to incur $1.8 million of this expense in 2021, $1.1 million in 2022, and the remainder in 2023.
Performance Awards
In 2016, the Compensation Committee established overall target values for incentive compensation for each executive officer, with 40% of the target value being granted in the form of time-based awards and the remaining 60% being granted in the form of performance awards.
In 2018, the Compensation Committee awarded each of the named executive officers a three-year performance award in the form of PSUs. The PSUs may be earned over a three-year performance period from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020. The performance criteria will be based 60% on the relative TSR achieved by the Company measured against a peer group over the three-year measurement period and 40% on the achievement of a defined funds available for distribution ("FAD"). The total number of PSUs issued to the executive officers was based upon a target value of $2.4 million, but may be earned in a range of 0% to 200% of the target. Additionally, any PSUs earned based on the achievement of the pre-established FAD goals will be subject to adjustment (either up or down 25%) based on the Company's absolute TSR over the three-year measurement period. Approximately 172,000 PSU's were earned based upon the Company's performance on the relative TSR measurement.
The PSUs were valued at an aggregate value of $2.2 million utilizing a Monte Carlo simulation. There is no remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to the 2018 performance awards.
Restricted Units
Time-based restricted unit awards were made on a discretionary basis in 2018, 2019, and 2020 based on review of each prior year's performance.
The following table summarizes the activity for time-based restricted unit awards for the year ended December 31, 2020:
The following table summarizes the time-based restricted unit grants and vestings during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018:
As of December 31, 2020, there was $5.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted units granted under the Plan, which is expected to be recognized in the consolidated statements of operations over a weighted-average period of 2.15 years. We expect to incur $1.7 million of this expense in 2021, $1.4 million in 2022, $0.8 million in 2023, $0.8 million in 2024, and the remainder in 2025.
AO LTIP Units - 2019 Awards
During 2019, in connection with its annual review of executive compensation and as described in the table below, the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Trustees approved an aggregate grant of AO LTIP Units (the “2019 awards”) to the Company’s executive officers under the Plan.
The Company entered into an award agreement with each executive officer with respect to his awards, which provide terms of vesting, conversion, distribution, and other terms. AO LTIP Units are designed to have economics similar to stock options and allow the recipient, subject to vesting requirements, to realize value above a threshold level set as of the grant date of the award (the “Participation Threshold”). The value of vested AO LTIP Units is realized through conversion into a number of vested LTIP Units in the Operating Partnership determined on the basis of how much the value of a common share of the Company has increased over the Participation Threshold.
The AO LTIP Units are only exercisable and convertible into vested LTIP Units of the Operating Partnership to the extent that they become vested AO LTIP Units. The awards of AO LTIP Units are subject to both time-based and stock price performance-based vesting requirements. Subject to the terms of the award agreement, the AO LTIP Units shall vest and become fully exercisable as of the date that both of the following requirements have been met: (i) the grantee remains in continuous service from the grant date through the third anniversary of the grant date; and (ii) at any time during the five-year period following the grant date, the reported closing price per common share of the Company appreciates at least 20% over the applicable Participation Threshold per AO LTIP Unit (as set forth in the table above) for a minimum of 20 consecutive trading days. Any AO LTIP Units that do not become vested will be forfeited and become null and void as of the fifth anniversary of the grant date, but AO LTIP Units may also be forfeited earlier in connection with a corporate transaction or with the holder’s termination of service.
The AO LTIP Units were valued using a Monte Carlo simulation, and the resulting compensation expense of is being amortized over three years. We recognized $1.1 million of compensation expense in 2020. We expect to incur $1.1 million of this expense in 2021 and $1.1 million in 2022.
AO LTIP Units - 2020 Awards
During 2020, in connection with its annual review of executive compensation and as described in the table below, the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Trustees approved an aggregate grant of AO LTIP Units (the “2020 awards”) to the Company’s executive officers under the Plan.
The Company entered into an award agreement with each executive officer with respect to his awards, which provide terms of vesting, conversion, distribution, and other terms. AO LTIP Units are designed to have economics similar to stock options and allow the recipient, subject to vesting requirements, to realize value above a threshold level set as of the grant date of the award (the “Participation Threshold”). The value of vested AO LTIP Units is realized through conversion into a number of vested LTIP Units in the Operating Partnership determined on the basis of how much the value of a common share of the Company has increased over the Participation Threshold.
The AO LTIP Units are only exercisable and convertible into vested LTIP Units of the Operating Partnership to the extent that they become vested AO LTIP Units. The awards of AO LTIP Units are subject to both time-based and stock price performance-based vesting requirements. Subject to the terms of the award agreement, the AO LTIP Units shall vest and become fully exercisable as of the date that both of the following requirements have been met: (i) the grantee remains in continuous service from the grant date through the third anniversary of the grant date; and (ii) at any time during the period beginning in the second year and ending at the end of the fifth year following the grant date, the reported closing price per common share of the Company appreciates at least 15% over the applicable Participation Threshold per AO LTIP Unit (as set forth in the table above) for a minimum of 20 consecutive trading days. Any AO LTIP Units that do not become vested will be forfeited and become null and void as of the fifth anniversary of the grant date, but AO LTIP Units may also be forfeited earlier in connection with a corporate transaction or with the holder’s termination of service.
The AO LTIP Units were valued using a Monte Carlo simulation, and the resulting total compensation expense of $3.6 million is being amortized over five years. We recognized $0.6 million of compensation expense in 2020. We expect to annually incur $0.7 million of this expense in 2021 through 2024 and the remainder in 2025.
Note 4. Deferred Costs and Intangibles, net
Deferred costs consist primarily of acquired lease intangible assets, broker fees and capitalized salaries and related benefits incurred in connection with lease originations. Deferred leasing costs, lease intangibles and similar costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related leases. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, deferred costs consisted of the following:
The estimated net amounts of amortization from acquired lease intangible assets for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:
Amortization of deferred leasing costs, leasing intangibles and other is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The amortization of above market lease intangibles is included as a reduction to revenue. The amounts of such amortization included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations are as follows:
Note 5. Deferred Revenue, Intangibles, Net and Other Liabilities
Deferred revenue and other liabilities consist of the unamortized fair value of below market lease liabilities recorded in connection with purchase accounting, retainage payables for development and redevelopment projects, tenant rent payments received in advance of the month in which they are due, and lease liabilities recorded upon adoption of ASU 2016-02. The amortization of below market lease liabilities is recognized as revenue over the remaining life of the leases (including option periods for leases with below market renewal options) through 2046. Tenant rent payments received in advance are recognized as revenue in the period to which they apply, which is typically the month following their receipt.
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, deferred revenue, intangibles, net and other liabilities consisted of the following:
The amortization of below market lease intangibles is included as a component of minimum rent in the accompanying consolidated statements was $4.8 million, $5.0 million and $8.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The estimated net amounts of amortization of in-place lease liabilities and the increasing effect on minimum rent for each of the next five years and thereafter is as follows:
Note 6. Disposals of Operating Properties and Impairment Charges
There were no operating properties sold during the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company sold one redevelopment property during the year ended December 31, 2020 for gross proceeds of $14.0 million and a net gain of $3.1 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, we sold 23 operating properties for aggregate gross proceeds of $543.8 million as part of a program designed to improve the Company's portfolio quality, reduce its leverage, and focus operations on markets where the Company believes it can gain scale and generate attractive risk-adjusted returns.
The following summarizes our 2019 operating property dispositions:
The Company recorded a net gain of $39.0 million as a result of the 2019 disposal activity.
During 2019, in connection with the preparation and review of the financial statements for the applicable periods, we evaluated a total of seven operating properties for impairment and recorded a cumulative $37.7 million impairment charge due
to changes in facts and circumstances underlying the Company's expected future hold period of these properties. A shortening of the expected future hold period is considered an impairment indicator under applicable accounting rules, and this indicator caused us to further evaluate the carrying value of these properties. We concluded the estimated undiscounted cash flows over the expected holding period did not exceed the carrying value of these assets given the new holding period, leading to the charge. We estimated the fair value using the market approach by utilizing recent sales offers without adjustment. We compared the estimate aggregate fair value of $176 million to the carrying values, which resulted in the recording of the non-cash impairment charge of $37.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, we sold six operating properties for aggregate gross proceeds of $122.2 million. The following summarizes our 2018 operating property dispositions:
In addition, we entered into a joint venture with TH Real Estate by selling an 80% interest in three operating assets for an agreed upon value of $99.8 million. The properties sold to the joint venture were the following:
The Company recorded a net gain of $3.4 million as a result of the 2018 disposal activity.
During 2018, in connection with the preparation and review of the financial statements for the applicable periods, we evaluated a total of seven operating properties and land previously held for development for impairment and recorded a cumulative $70.4 million impairment charge due to changes in facts and circumstances underlying the Company's expected future hold period of these properties and decision to not move forward with development of the land. A shortening of an expected future hold period is considered an impairment indicator under applicable accounting rules, and this indicator caused us to further evaluate the carrying value of these properties. We concluded the estimated undiscounted cash flows over the expected holding period did not exceed the carrying value of these assets given the new holding period, leading to the charge. We estimated the fair value using the market approach by utilizing recent sales offers without adjustment. We compared the estimated aggregate fair value of $130.2 million to the carrying values, which resulted in the recording of the non-cash impairment charges totaling $70.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.
The results of all the operating properties sold in 2020, 2019, and 2018 are not included in discontinued operations in the accompanying statements of operations as none of the operating properties individually, nor in the aggregate, represent a strategic shift that has had or will have a material effect on our operations or financial results.
Note 7. Mortgage and Other Indebtedness
Mortgage and other indebtedness consisted of the following as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
____________________
1The Company can extend the maturity date for two additional periods of six months each, subject to certain conditions.
2The interest rates on our unsecured revolving credit facility and unsecured term loan varied at certain parts of the year due to provisions in the agreement and the amendment and restatement of the agreement.
The one month LIBOR interest rate was 0.14% and 1.76% as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt issuance costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective loan agreements.
The accompanying consolidated statements of operations include the following amounts of amortization of debt issuance costs as a component of interest expense:
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility and Unsecured Term Loans
On April 24, 2018, the Company and Operating Partnership entered into the First Amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Existing Credit Agreement,” and as amended by the Amendment, the “Amended Credit Agreement”), dated as of July 28, 2016, by and among the Operating Partnership, as borrower, the Company, as guarantor (pursuant to a springing guaranty, dated as of July 28, 2016), KeyBank National Association, as administrative agent, and the other lenders party thereto. The Amendment increases (i) the aggregate principal amount available under the
unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) from $500 million to $600 million, (ii) the amount of the letter of credit issuances the Operating Partnership may utilize under the Credit Facility from $50 million to $60 million, and (iii) swingline loan capacity from $50 million to $60 million in same day borrowings. Under the Amended Credit Agreement, the Operating Partnership has the option to increase the Credit Facility to $1.2 billion (increased from $1 billion under the Existing Credit Agreement) upon the Operating Partnership’s request, subject to certain conditions, including obtaining commitments from any one or more lenders, whether or not currently party to the Amended Credit Agreement, to provide such increased amounts.
The Amendment extends the scheduled maturity date of the Credit Facility from July 28, 2020 to April 22, 2022 (which maturity date may be extended for up to two additional periods of six months at the Operating Partnership’s option subject to certain conditions). Among other things, the Amendment also improves the Operating Partnership’s leverage ratio calculation by changing the definition of capitalization rate to six and one-half percent (6.5%) from six and three-fourths percent (6.75%), which increases the Operating Partnership’s total asset value as calculated under the Amended Credit Agreement
On October 25, 2018, the Operating Partnership entered into a Term Loan Agreement (the “Agreement”) with KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent (the “Agent”), and the other lenders party thereto, providing for an unsecured term loan facility of up to $250 million (the “Term Loan”). The Term Loan ranks pari passu with the Operating Partnership’s existing $600 million unsecured revolving credit facility documented in the Operating Partnership’s Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 28, 2016, as amended (the “Existing Credit Agreement”), and other unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership.
The Term Loan has a scheduled maturity date of October 24, 2025, which maturity date may be extended for up to three additional periods of one year at the Operating Partnership’s option subject to certain conditions.
The Operating Partnership has the option to increase the Term Loan to $300 million, subject to certain conditions, including obtaining commitments from any one or more lenders, whether or not currently party to the Agreement, to provide such increased amounts. The Operating Partnership is permitted to prepay the Term Loan in whole or in part, at any time, subject to a prepayment fee if prepaid on or before October 25, 2023.
As of December 31, 2020, there was $25 million outstanding under the Credit Facility. Additionally, we had letters of credit outstanding which totaled $1.2 million, against which no amounts were advanced as of December 31, 2020.
The amount that we may borrow under our Credit Facility is limited by the value of the assets in our unencumbered asset pool. As of December 31, 2020, the value of the assets in our unencumbered asset pool, calculated pursuant to the Credit Facility agreement, was $1.3 billion. Taking into account outstanding borrowings on the line of credit, term loans, unsecured
notes and letters of credit, we had $523.2 million available under our Credit Facility for future borrowings as of December 31, 2020.
Our ability to borrow under the Credit Facility is subject to our compliance with various restrictive and financial covenants, including with respect to liens, indebtedness, investments, dividends, mergers and asset sales. As of December 31, 2020, we were in compliance with all such covenants.
Senior Unsecured Notes
The Operating Partnership has $550 million of senior unsecured notes maturing at various dates through September 2027 (the "Notes"). The Notes contain a number of customary financial and restrictive covenants. As of December 31, 2020, we were in compliance with all such covenants.
Mortgage Loans
Mortgage loans are secured by certain real estate and in some cases by guarantees from the Operating Partnership, and are generally due in monthly installments of interest and principal and mature over various terms through 2030.
Debt Maturities
The following table presents maturities of mortgage debt and corporate debt as of December 31, 2020:
Other Debt Activity
For the year ended December 31, 2020, we had total new borrowings of $325.0 million and total repayments of $302.2 million. The components of this activity were as follows:
•In March 2020, we borrowed $300 million on the Credit Facility as a precautionary measure in order to increase our cash position and preserve financial flexibility in light of uncertainty in the global markets resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequent to the initial borrowing, we have repaid the $300 million of borrowings;
•In December 2020, we borrowed $25 million on the Credit Facility to fund a portion of the purchase price of Eastgate Crossing; and
•We made scheduled principal payments on indebtedness during the year totaling $2.2 million.
The amount of interest capitalized in 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $1.5 million, $1.9 million, and $1.8 million, respectively.
Fair Value of Fixed and Variable Rate Debt
As of December 31, 2020, the estimated fair value of fixed rate debt was $872.8 million compared to the book value of $846.0 million. The fair value was estimated using Level 2 and 3 inputs with cash flows discounted at current borrowing rates for similar instruments, which ranged from 3.37% to 3.88%. As of December 31, 2020, the estimated fair value of variable rate
debt was $329.1 million compared to the book value of $330.1 million. The fair value was estimated using Level 2 and 3 inputs with cash flows discounted at current borrowing rates for similar instruments, which ranged from 1.28% to 3.62%.
Note 8. Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Other Comprehensive Income
In order to manage potential future variable interest rate risk, we enter into interest rate derivative agreements from time to time. We do not use such agreements for trading or speculative purposes nor do we have any that are not designated as cash flow hedges. The agreements with each of our derivative counterparties provide that, in the event of default on any of our indebtedness, we could also be declared in default on our derivative obligations.
As of December 31, 2020, we were party to various cash flow derivative agreements with notional amounts totaling $250.0 million. These derivative agreements effectively fix the interest rate underlying certain variable rate debt instruments over expiration dates through 2025. Utilizing a weighted average interest rate spread over LIBOR on all variable rate debt resulted in fixing the weighted average interest rate at 4.20%.
These interest rate derivative agreements are the only assets or liabilities that we record at fair value on a recurring basis. The valuation of these assets and liabilities is determined using widely accepted techniques including discounted cash flow analysis. These techniques consider the contractual terms of the derivatives (including the period to maturity) and use observable market-based inputs such as interest rate curves and implied volatilities. We also incorporate credit valuation adjustments into the fair value measurements to reflect nonperformance risk on both our part and that of the respective counterparties.
We determined that the majority of the inputs used to value our derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, although the credit valuation adjustments associated with our derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by us and our counterparties. As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of our derivative positions and determined the credit valuation adjustments were not significant to the overall valuation of our derivatives. As a result, we determined our derivative valuations were classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
As of December 31, 2020, the estimated fair value of our interest rate derivatives represented a liability of $32.1 million, including accrued interest of $0.4 million. As of December 31, 2020, this balance is reflected in accounts payable and accrued expenses on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. At December 31, 2019 the estimated fair value of our interest rate derivatives was a liability of $16.8 million, including accrued interest of $0.1 million. As of December 31, 2019, this was reflected in accounts payable and accrued expenses on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to earnings over time as the hedged items are recognized in earnings. Approximately $4.0 million and $0.8 million was reclassified as a reduction to earnings during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2018, respectively. Approximately $0.6 million was reclassified as an increase to earnings during the year ended December 31, 2019. As the interest payments on our derivatives are made over the next 12 months, we estimate the increase to interest expense to be $6.4 million, assuming the current LIBOR curve.
Unrealized gains and losses on our interest rate derivative agreements are the only components of the change in accumulated other comprehensive loss.
Note 9. Lease Information
Rental Income
The Company receives rental income from the leasing of retail and office space. The leases generally provide for certain increases in base rent, reimbursement for certain operating expenses, and may require tenants to pay contingent rent to the extent their sales exceed a defined threshold. Certain tenants have the option in the lease agreement to extend their lease upon the expiration of their contractual term. Variable lease payments are based upon tenant sales information and are recognized once a tenant's sales volume exceeds a defined threshold. Variable lease payments for reimbursement of operating expenses are based upon the operating expense activity for the period.
From a lessor perspective, the new accounting guidance adopted in 2019 remained mostly similar to legacy GAAP as the Company elected the practical expedient to not separate non-lease components from lease components. This election resulted in a change on the Company's consolidated statements of operations as the Company no longer presents minimum rents
and tenant reimbursements as separate amounts because the Company now accounts for these amounts as a single combined lease component, rental income, on the basis of the lease component being the predominant component of the contract. As such, non-lease components, including common area maintenance reimbursements that are of a fixed nature are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Further, bad debt, which has previously been recorded in property operating expenses, has now been classified as a contra-revenue account in rental income in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
The Company recognized the following lease rental income for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively:
The weighted average remaining term of the lease agreements is approximately 4.5 years. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, the Company earned overage rent of $0.2 million, $1.3 million, and $1.2 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2020, future minimum rentals to be received under non-cancelable operating leases for each of the next five years and thereafter, excluding variable lease payments, are as follows:
Commitments under Ground Leases
As of December 31, 2020, we are obligated under nine ground leases for approximately 47 acres of land. Most of these ground leases require fixed annual rent payments. The expiration dates of the remaining initial terms of these ground leases range from 2023 to 2092 with a weighted-average remaining term of 52.2 years. Certain of these leases have five- to ten-year extension options ranging in total from 20 to 25 years.
Upon adoption of the Leases standard, the Company did not recognize value during the option period for the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities as it was not probable the extension options will be exercised. Upon adoption, the Company recorded a right of use asset of $27.0 million and corresponding liability of $27.3 million. The right of use asset is included in prepaid and other assets and the lease liability is included in deferred revenue and other liabilities. This value was determined utilizing an estimate of our incremental borrowing rate that was specific to each lease based upon the term and underlying asset. These rates ranged from 3.93% to 6.33% with a weighted-average incremental borrowing rate of 5.86%.
Ground lease expense incurred by the Company on these operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $1.9 million, $1.8 million, and $1.7 million, respectively. The Company made payments of $1.8 million and $1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which were included in operating cash flows.
Future minimum lease payments due under ground leases for the next five years ending December 31 and thereafter are as follows:
Note 10. Shareholders’ Equity
Common Equity
Our Board of Trustees declared a cash distribution of $0.1500 per common share and Common Unit for the fourth quarter of 2020. This distribution was paid on January 15, 2021 to common shareholders and Common Unit holders of record as of January 8, 2021.
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, we declared cash distributions of $0.4495, $1.27, and $1.27 respectively per common share and Common Units.
Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan
We maintain a Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan, which offers investors the option to invest all or a portion of their common share dividends in additional common shares. Participants in this plan are also able to make optional cash investments with certain restrictions.
Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies
Other Commitments and Contingencies
We are not subject to any material litigation nor, to management’s knowledge, is any material litigation currently threatened against us. We are parties to routine litigation, claims, and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that such matters will not have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows taken as a whole.
We are obligated under various completion guarantees with lease agreements with tenants to complete all or portions of a development project and tenant-specific space currently under construction. We believe we currently have sufficient financing in place to fund our investment in any existing or future projects through cash from operations and borrowings on our unsecured revolving credit facility.
In 2017, we provided a repayment guaranty on a $33.8 million construction loan associated with the development of the Embassy Suites at the University of Notre Dame consistent with our 35% ownership interest. As of December 31, 2020, the current outstanding loan balance is $33.6 million, of which our share is $11.8 million.
As of December 31, 2020, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $1.2 million. At that date, there were no amounts advanced against these instruments.
Note 12. Related Parties and Related Party Transactions
Subsidiaries of the Company provide certain management, construction management and other services to certain entities owned by certain members of the Company’s management. During each of the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, we earned less than $0.1 million, from entities owned by certain members of management.
We reimburse an entity owned by certain members of our management for certain travel and related services. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, we paid $0.5 million, $0.8 million and $0.5 million, respectively, to this related entity.
Note 13. Acquisitions
In 2020, we acquired one retail operating property for $65.3 million. The fair value of the real estate and other assets acquired were primarily determined using the income approach. The income approach required us to make assumptions about market leasing rates, tenant-related costs, discount rates, and disposal rates. The estimates of fair value primarily relied upon Level 2 and Level 3 inputs, as previously defined.
The following table summarizes the estimation of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the property acquired in 2020:
The leases at the acquired property had a weighted average remaining life at acquisition of approximately 3.2 years.
The range of the most significant Level 3 assumptions utilized in determining the value of the real estate and related assets acquired are as follows:
In 2019, we acquired one retail operating property for $29.0 million and one parking garage for $29.5 million. The fair value of the real estate and other assets acquired were primarily determined using the income approach. The income approach required us to make assumptions about market leasing rates, tenant-related costs, discount rates, and disposal values. The estimates of fair value primarily relied upon Level 2 and Level 3 inputs, as previously defined.
The following table summarizes the estimation of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the properties acquired in 2019:
The leases at the acquired properties had a weighted average remaining life at acquisition of approximately 5.6 years.
The range of the most significant Level 3 assumptions utilized in determining the value of the real estate and related assets acquired are as follows:
The results of operations for each of the properties acquired during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 have been included in operations since their respective dates of acquisition. We did not acquire any properties in 2018.
Note 14. Impact of COVID-19
Since first being reported in December 2019, the novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread globally. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, and subsequently, the United States declared a national emergency with respect to COVID-19.
The Company continues to closely monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of its business and how it impacts the Company's tenants and business partners. Certain segments of retailers and the Company experienced disruption during 2020, and, going forward, the potential adverse effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, including possible resurgences and mutations, on the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and performance of the Company and its tenants, the real estate market, global economy, and financial markets, and the extent of such effects, will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence.
The following operating trends, combined with macroeconomic trends such as a global economic slowdown or recession, reduced consumer spending and increased unemployment, lead us to believe that our operating results for the rest of 2020 and potentially beyond will continue to be significantly affected by COVID-19:
•As of December 31, 2020, over 98% of our tenants have reopened. However, many of these retailers are operating at a lower capacity than normal due to COVID-19. Store closures or the inability to return to full capacity, particularly if for an extended period, increase the risk of business failures and lease defaults.
•As of February 11, 2021, we have collected approximately 95% of rent billings for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 92% of rent billings for the period from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.
•Many of our tenants have taken on additional debt as a result of COVID-19, including loans administered by the Small Business Administration. To the extent this debt is not forgiven, the increased debt load may hamper their ability to continue to operate and to pay rent, which could cause the Company to realize decreased cash flow and increased vacancies at its properties.
Starting in March and continuing through January 2021, the Company received rent relief requests from a significant proportion of its tenants. Some tenants have asserted various legal arguments that they allege relieve them of the obligation to pay rent during the pandemic; the Company and its legal advisers generally disagree with these legal arguments. The Company has evaluated and will continue to evaluate tenant requests for rent relief based on many factors, including the tenant's financial strength, the tenant's operating history, potential co-tenancy impacts, the tenant's contribution to the shopping center in which it operates, the Company's assessment of the tenant's long-term viability, the difficulty or ease with which the tenant could be replaced, and other factors.
As a result of this evaluation, the Company has agreed to defer rent for approximately 375 of its tenants subject to certain conditions. The Company had deferred the collection of $6.1 million of rental income that remains outstanding as of December 31, 2020. To the extent the Company agrees to defer rent or is otherwise unable to collect rent for certain periods, the Company will realize decreased cash flow, which could significantly decrease the cash available for the Company's operating and capital uses.
Kite Realty Group Trust and Kite Realty Group, L.P. and subsidiaries
Schedule III
Consolidated Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
____________________
*This property or a portion of the property is included as an unencumbered asset used in calculating our line of credit borrowing base.
**This category generally includes land held for development. We also have certain additional land parcels at our development and operating properties, which amounts are included elsewhere in this table.
Kite Realty Group Trust and Kite Realty Group, L.P. and subsidiaries
Notes to Schedule III
Consolidated Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
($ in thousands)
Note 1. Reconciliation of Investment Properties
The changes in investment properties of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 are as follows:
The unaudited aggregate cost of investment properties for U.S. federal tax purposes as of December 31, 2020 was $2.3 billion.
Note 2. Reconciliation of Accumulated Depreciation
The changes in accumulated depreciation of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 are as follows:
Depreciation of investment properties reflected in the statements of operations is calculated over the estimated original lives of the assets as follows:
All other schedules have been omitted because they are inapplicable, not required or the information is included elsewhere in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.