ITEM 1. Business
We are an owner and developer of mixed-use, master-planned communities in California. Our three existing communities have the general plan and zoning approvals necessary for the construction of thousands of homesites and millions of square feet of commercial space, and they represent a significant portion of the real estate available for development in three major markets in California-Los Angeles County, San Francisco County and Orange County.
Structure and Formation of Our Company
In 2009, our company was formed as a limited liability company to acquire ownership of Newhall Land & Farming, which is developing our Valencia community (formerly known as Newhall Ranch). Emile Haddad, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and members of our management team were an integral part of the formation of our company, and Mr. Haddad has served on our board of directors since our inception. Our management company was formed in 2009 as a joint venture between Mr. Haddad and Lennar to originally manage the development of Valencia, and in 2010 it became the development manager of our Great Park Neighborhoods community. In May 2016, we completed the formation transactions to combine our company with the management company, and among other things, we acquired an interest in the San Francisco Venture, which is developing our Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard communities, and we acquired a 37.5% percentage interest in the Great Park Venture, which is developing Great Park Neighborhoods. In August 2017, we acquired a 75% interest in the Gateway Commercial Venture, the entity that owns portions of the Five Point Gateway Campus.
The diagram below presents a simplified depiction of our current organizational structure.
(1) Through a wholly owned subsidiary, we serve as sole managing general partner of the operating company, and as of December 31, 2020, we owned approximately 62.5% of the outstanding Class A units of the operating company. We conduct all of our businesses in or through the operating company, which owns, directly or indirectly, equity interests in, and controls the management of, FPL, the San Francisco Venture and the management company. Class A units of the operating company that we do not own are held by affiliates of Lennar, Castlelake, and Mr. Haddad and can be exchanged on a one-for-one basis, at our option, for either Class A common shares or cash equal to the fair market value of such shares. Until Class A units of the operating
company are exchanged or redeemed, the capital associated with Class A units of the operating company not held by us is presented within "noncontrolling interests" on our consolidated balance sheet. Based on the closing price of our Class A common shares on February 28, 2021 ($6.56), our market capitalization on a fully exchanged basis was approximately $971.0 million.
(2) The operating company owns all of the outstanding Class B units of the San Francisco Venture. The Class A units of the San Francisco Venture, which are owned by affiliates of Lennar and Castlelake, are intended to be economically equivalent to Class A units of the operating company. As the holder of all outstanding Class B units of the San Francisco Venture, the operating company is entitled to receive 99% of available cash from the San Francisco Venture after the holders of Class A units in the San Francisco Venture have received distributions equivalent to the distributions, if any, paid on Class A units of the operating company. Class A units of the San Francisco Venture can be exchanged, on a one-for-one basis, for Class A units of the operating company. Until exchanged or redeemed through the operating company, the capital associated with Class A units of the San Francisco Venture is presented within "noncontrolling interests" on our consolidated balance sheet.
(3) We hold our interest in FPL directly and indirectly through the operating company and the management company.
(4) Through a wholly owned subsidiary, the operating company owns a 37.5% percentage interest in the Great Park Venture. Holders of legacy interests in the Great Park Venture are entitled to receive priority distributions in an amount equal to $565.0 million, of which $431.3 million has been distributed as of February 28, 2021. We are the administrative member of the Great Park Venture. However, management of the Great Park Venture is vested in the four voting members, who have a total of five votes. Major decisions generally require the approval of at least 75% of the votes of the voting members. We have two votes, and the other three voting members each have one vote, so we are unable to approve any major decision without the consent or approval of at least two of the other voting members. We do not include the Great Park Venture as a consolidated subsidiary, but rather as an equity method investee, in our consolidated financial statements.
(5) Through a wholly owned subsidiary, the operating company owns a 75% interest in the Gateway Commercial Venture and serves as its manager. However, the manager’s authority is limited. Major decisions by the Gateway Commercial Venture generally require unanimous approval by an executive committee composed of two people designated by us and two people designated by another investor. Some decisions require approval by all of the members of the Gateway Commercial Venture. The Gateway Commercial Venture owns one of the four buildings and approximately 50 acres of commercial land with additional development rights at the Five Point Gateway Campus. We do not include the Gateway Commercial Venture as a consolidated subsidiary, but rather as an equity method investee, in our consolidated financial statements.
Tax Classification
We have elected to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, an owner of our shares will not report our items of income, gain, loss and deduction on its U.S. federal income tax return, nor will an owner of our shares receive a Schedule K-1. Our shareholders also will not be subject to state income tax filings in the various states in which we conduct operations as a result of owning our shares. Distributions on our shares will be treated as dividends on corporate stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits and will be reported on Form 1099, to the extent applicable.
Our Business
We are primarily engaged in the business of planning and developing our three mixed-use, master-planned communities, and our principal source of revenue is the sale of residential and commercial land sites to homebuilders, commercial developers and commercial buyers. We may also retain a portion of the commercial and multi-family properties in our communities as income-producing assets.
Our planning and development process involves the following components:
Master planning. We design all aspects of our communities, creating highly desirable places to live, work, shop and enjoy an active lifestyle. Our designs include a wide range of amenities, such as high quality public schools, parks and recreational areas, entertainment venues and walking and biking trails. Each community is comprised of several villages or neighborhoods, each of which offers a range of housing types, sizes and prices. In addition to the master land planning we undertake for each community, we typically create the floorplans and elevations for each home, as well as the landscape design for each neighborhood, considering each neighborhood’s individual character within the context of the overall plan for the community. For the commercial aspects of our communities, we look for commercial enterprises that will best add value to the community by providing needed services, additional amenities or local jobs. In designing the overall program at each community, we consider the appropriate balance of housing and employment opportunities, access to transportation, resource conservation and enhanced public open spaces and wildlife habitats. We continually evaluate our plans for each community, and make adjustments that we deem appropriate based on changes in local economic factors and other market dynamics.
Entitlements. We typically obtain all discretionary entitlements and approvals necessary to develop the infrastructure within our communities and prepare our residential and commercial lots for construction. We also typically obtain all discretionary entitlements and approvals that the homebuilder or commercial builder will need to build homes or commercial buildings on our lots, although we may from time to time allocate responsibility for obtaining certain discretionary entitlements to a homebuilder or commercial builder. Although we have general plan and zoning approvals for our communities, individual development areas within our communities are at various stages of planning and development and have received different levels of discretionary entitlements and approvals. For additional information, see “-Our Communities” below.
Horizontal development (infrastructure). We refer to the process of preparing the land for construction of homes or commercial buildings as “horizontal development.” This involves significant investments in a community’s infrastructure and common improvements, including grading and installing roads, sidewalks, gutters, utility improvements (such as storm drains, water, gas, sewer, power and communications), landscaping and shared amenities (such as community buildings, neighborhood parks, trails and open spaces) and other actions necessary to prepare residential and commercial lots for vertical development.
Land sales. After horizontal development for a given development area or parcel is completed, graded lots are typically sold to homebuilders, commercial builders or commercial buyers. We typically sell homesites to a diverse group of high-quality homebuilders in a competitive process, although in some cases we may negotiate directly with a single homebuilder. In addition to the base purchase price, our residential land sales typically involve participation provisions that allow us to share in the profits realized by the homebuilders. We sell commercial lots to developers through a competitive process or negotiate directly with the buyer. We also regularly assess our development plan and may retain a portion of the commercial and multi-family properties within our communities as income-producing assets.
Vertical development (construction). We refer to the process of building structures (buildings or houses) and preparing them for occupancy as “vertical development.” Single-family residences in our communities are built by third-party homebuilders. Commercial buildings in our communities are usually built by a third-party developer or the buyer. For commercial or multi-family properties that we retain, we may construct the building ourselves or enter into a joint venture with an established developer to construct a particular property (such as a retail development).
Community programming. Our community building efforts go beyond development and construction. We offer numerous community events, including music, food and art festivals, outdoor movies, educational programs, health and wellness programs, gardening lessons, cooking lessons, food truck events, bike tours and various holiday festivities. We plan and program all of our events with a goal of building a community that transcends the physical features of our development and connects neighbors through their interests. We believe community building efforts create loyal residents that can become repeat customers within our multi-generational communities.
Sequencing. In order to balance the timing of our revenues and expenditures, we typically sequence the development of individual neighborhoods or villages within our communities. As a result, many of the master planning, entitlement, development, sales and other activities described above may occur at the same time in different locations within a single community. Further, depending on the specific plans for each community and market conditions, we may vary the timing of certain of these activities. Throughout this process, we continually analyze each community relative to its market to determine which portions to sell, which portions to build and then sell, and which portions to retain as part of our portfolio of commercial and multi-family properties.
Our Segments
We have organized our operations into four reportable segments, three of which are tied to our communities (our Valencia (formerly Newhall), San Francisco and Great Park segments) and one relating to our commercial operations (our Commercial segment). Our operations relating to these segments are discussed in more detail below in the sections titled “Our Communities” and “Commercial.”
Our Communities
Valencia (formerly Newhall Ranch)
Valencia is a mixed-use, master-planned community in Los Angeles County that spans approximately 15,000 acres and is designed to include approximately 21,500 homesites, approximately 11.5 million square feet of commercial space, approximately 50 miles of trails, approximately 275 acres of community parks and approximately 10,000 acres of protected open space. The actual commercial square footage and number of homesites are subject to change based on ultimate use and land planning.
Valencia is located in an unincorporated portion of Los Angeles County along the Santa Clara River in the western portion of the Santa Clarita Valley. The property is located approximately 35 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, 15 miles north of the San Fernando Valley and is adjacent to the City of Santa Clarita. Valencia is adjacent to Interstate 5 and State Highway 126. Valencia is also approximately 45 miles north of the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and 21 miles northwest of the Hollywood Burbank (Bob Hope) Airport (BUR) in Burbank.
In December 2019, we completed our first residential land sales in the first development area at Valencia. As of December 31, 2020, we had sold or entered into sales contracts for 1,268 homesites.
Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard
Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard, located on approximately 800 acres of bayfront property in the City of San Francisco, is designed to include approximately 12,000 homesites, approximately 6.3 million square feet of commercial space, approximately 100,000 square feet of community space, artist studios and approximately 355 acres of parks and open space. The actual commercial square footage and number of homesites are subject to change based on ultimate use and land planning.
The Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard communities are located almost equidistant between downtown San Francisco and the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). They consist of two distinct, but contiguous, parcels of real estate. Candlestick, the southern parcel, consists of approximately 280 acres on San Francisco’s waterfront. This nationally recognized site was the location of Candlestick Park stadium, former home of the San Francisco 49ers and the San Francisco Giants. The San Francisco Shipyard, the northern parcel, consists of approximately 495 acres on the former site of the Hunters Point Navy Shipyard. We commenced horizontal development activities at Candlestick in 2015.
At The San Francisco Shipyard, approximately 408 acres are still owned by the U.S. Navy and will not be conveyed to us until the U.S. Navy satisfactorily completes its finding of suitability to transfer, or “FOST,” process, which involves multiple levels of environmental and governmental investigation, analysis, review, comment and approval. Based on our discussions with the U.S. Navy, we had previously expected the U.S. Navy to deliver this property between 2019 and 2022. However, allegations that Tetra Tech, Inc. and Tetra Tech EC, Inc. (collectively, “Tetra Tech”), a contractor hired by the U.S. Navy, misrepresented sampling results at The San Francisco Shipyard have resulted in data reevaluation, governmental investigations, criminal proceedings, lawsuits, and a determination by the U.S. Navy and other regulatory agencies to undertake additional sampling. As part of the 2018 Congressional spending bill, the U.S. Department of Defense allocated $36.0 million to help fund resampling efforts at The San Francisco Shipyard. An additional $60.4 million to fund resampling efforts was approved as part of a 2019 military construction spending bill. These activities have delayed the remaining land transfers from the U.S. Navy and could lead to additional legal claims or government investigations, all of which could in turn further delay or impede our future development of such parcels. Our development plans were designed with the flexibility to adjust for potential land transfer delays, and we have the ability to shift the phasing of our development activities to account for potential delays caused by U.S. Navy retesting, but there can be no assurance that these matters and other related matters that may arise in the future will not materially impact our development plans. Accordingly, our immediate development focus is on our Candlestick community that is not subject to land transfers from the U.S. Navy. For additional information about the finding of suitability to transfer process, see “-Regulation-FOST Process.”
In October 2019, we received approval from the City of San Francisco on a revised development plan for the first phase of Candlestick that is currently planned to include approximately 750,000 square feet of office space, 1,600 homes, and 300,000 square feet of lifestyle amenities centered around retail and entertainment. As currently planned, Candlestick ultimately is expected to include approximately 7,000 homes.
Great Park Neighborhoods
Great Park Neighborhoods, located in Irvine, California, is an approximately 2,100 acre mixed-use, master-planned community that is being developed on the former site of the U.S. Marine Corp’s El Toro Air base (“El Toro Base”) in Orange County. Great Park Neighborhoods is designed to include approximately 10,500 homesites (including up to 1,056 affordable homesites), approximately 4.9 million square feet of commercial space, approximately 61 acres of parks and approximately 138 acres of trails and open space. The actual commercial square footage and number of homesites are subject to change based on ultimate use and land planning.
Great Park Neighborhoods is approximately seven miles from the Pacific Ocean, approximately nine miles from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and approximately 17 miles from Disneyland. It is adjacent to the Orange County Great Park, a metropolitan public park that will be nearly twice the size of New York’s Central Park upon completion. Great Park Neighborhoods is close to Interstate 5, Interstate 405, State Route 133 and John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County.
The first homesites at the Great Park Neighborhoods were sold in April 2013 and, as of December 31, 2020, the Great Park Venture had sold 6,196 homesites (including 709 affordable homesites) and commercial land allowing for development of up to 2 million square feet of commercial (research and development) space. The Great Park Venture reacquired the development rights to approximately one million square feet that had been previously sold. For additional information about the commercial land sale, see “-Commercial” below.
Commercial
We currently expect to develop and operate certain commercial properties within our existing master-planned communities. We may develop and operate these properties on our own, or we may choose from time to time to develop and/or operate a particular property or properties in a strategic joint venture or other financing or entity structure with a third-party.
Factors we consider in determining whether or not to proceed with a particular commercial investment include (1) our existing knowledge of the master-planned communities we are currently developing and understanding their respective needs, (2) whether, in our judgment, a particular commercial property or investment will create additional value for our remaining land within the community, in addition to achieving desired investment returns on such property or investment on a stand-alone basis, (3) existing entitlements and our ability to change them, (4) compatibility of the physical site with our proposed uses, and (5) environmental considerations, traffic patterns and access to the site.
In August 2017, the Gateway Commercial Venture, in which we own a 75% interest, acquired the Five Point Gateway Campus, consisting of approximately 73 acres of commercial land in the Great Park Neighborhoods. The Five Point Gateway Campus currently includes approximately one million square feet planned for research and development, medical and office space in four buildings, which are designed to accommodate thousands of employees. In May 2020, the Gateway Commercial Venture closed on the sale of one building including approximately 11 acres of land within the campus to City of Hope, which intends to develop and operate a comprehensive cancer care center and build a future micro hospital. In August 2020, the Gateway Commercial Venture closed on the sale of two buildings to a real estate management company and operator. Our corporate headquarters are located in the fourth building, which remains owned by the Gateway Commercial Venture. In addition to the fourth building, the Gateway Commercial Venture owns approximately 50 acres of commercial land with additional development rights at the campus.
Other Properties
We own approximately 16,000 acres adjacent to our Valencia community in Ventura County that are primarily used for agriculture and energy operations. We also own approximately 500 acres of remnant commercial, residential and open space land in Los Angeles County that is planned to be sold or deeded to third parties as we develop our Valencia community.
Development Management Services
Through the management company, we receive fees for providing development management services for Great Park Neighborhoods and for providing property management services to the Gateway Commercial Venture. Additionally, we previously provided certain (but not all) development management services to other ventures in which Lennar is an investor (management services with respect to the Treasure Island Community and the Concord Community were terminated in 2018 and early 2020, respectively) and to CPHP in connection with their involvement in real estate activities at The San Francisco Shipyard.
Competition
We compete with other residential, retail and commercial property developers in the development of properties in the Northern and Southern California markets. Significant factors that we believe allow us to compete effectively in this business include:
•the size and scope of our mixed-use, master-planned communities located in desirable and supply constrained California coastal markets;
•the recreational and cultural amenities available within our communities;
•the commercial centers in our communities;
•our relationships with homebuilders;
•the proximity of our communities to major metropolitan areas;
•experienced and proven leadership with expertise in partnering with governmental entities;
•significant discretion in timing and amount of land development expenditures; and
•flexible capital structure with a conservative operating philosophy.
Seasonality
Our business and results of operations are not materially impacted by seasonality, however, we have historically experienced, and expect to continue to experience, variability in results of operations between comparable periods as a result of the sequencing of the development of our communities.
Regulation
Entitlement Process
Land use and zoning authority is exercised by local municipalities through the adoption of ordinances, regulations or zoning codes to direct the use and development of private property by controlling the use, size, density and location of and access to developments on private land. Such ordinances, regulations or codes typically divide uses of land into two categories-permitted uses and discretionary uses. Permitted uses are presumptively permitted, while discretionary uses are subject to a discretionary approval process, usually involving an application, an environmental review and a public hearing with input from other locally affected property owners and stake holders. In order to grant a discretionary use entitlement, the municipality must find that the use does not negatively impact surrounding properties and may condition such an entitlement with special requirements or limitations unique to each individual case. We typically obtain all discretionary entitlements and approvals necessary to develop the infrastructure within our communities and prepare our residential and commercial lots for construction. We also typically obtain all discretionary entitlements and approvals that the homebuilder or commercial builder will need to build homes or commercial buildings on our lots, although we may from time to time allocate responsibility for obtaining certain discretionary entitlements to a homebuilder or commercial builder.
We have incurred significant costs and expenses over the last 10 to 15 years in order to obtain the primary entitlements (general plan and zoning approvals) for our communities. Once these primary entitlements are obtained, we continue to refine the master plan for each community by planning specific development areas and obtaining the necessary governmental approvals for a development area. Among other things, we typically need to obtain the following approvals for each development area: (1) approval of the subdivision maps (such as vesting tentative tract maps and parcel maps) that allow the land to be divided into separate legal lots for residential, commercial and other improvements; (2) approval of the improvement plans that set forth certain design, engineering and other elements of infrastructure, parks, homes, commercial buildings and other improvements; (3) approval of the final map that allows for the conveyance of individual homesites and commercial lots; and (4) any other discretionary approvals needed to construct, finance, sell, lease or maintain the homes or commercial buildings within a development area.
We may also need to obtain state and federal permits for land development activities in certain development areas, including, for example, permits and approvals issued by state and federal resource agencies authorizing impacts to species covered by endangered species acts or impacts to state and federal waters or wetlands.
Development areas within our communities are at various stages of planning and development and, therefore, have received different levels of discretionary entitlements and approvals. In some cases, development areas have obtained entitlements and approvals allowing homes and commercial buildings to be built and sold, and in other cases development areas require further discretionary entitlements or approvals prior to the commencement of construction. In the past, our approvals have been challenged by third parties.
Environmental Matters
Under various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the environment, as a current or former owner or operator of real property, we may be liable for costs and damages resulting from the presence or discharge of hazardous or toxic substances, waste or petroleum products at, on, in, under or migrating from such property, including costs to investigate and clean up such contamination and liability for damage to natural resources. Such laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such contamination, and the liability may be joint and several. These liabilities could be substantial and the cost of any required remediation, removal, fines or other costs could exceed the value of the property or our aggregate assets. In addition, the presence of contamination or the failure to remediate contamination at our properties may expose us to third-party liability for costs of remediation or personal or property damage or materially adversely affect our ability to sell, lease or develop our properties or to borrow using the properties as collateral. In addition, environmental laws may create liens on contaminated sites in favor of the government for damages and costs it incurs to address such contamination. Moreover, if contamination is discovered on our properties, environmental laws may impose restrictions on the manner in which property may be used or businesses may be operated, and these restrictions may require substantial expenditures. Such remaining contamination encountered during our construction and development activities also may require investigation or remediation, and we could incur costs or experience construction delays as a result of such discoveries.
Some of our properties were used in the past for commercial or industrial purposes, or are currently used for commercial purposes, that involve or involved the use of petroleum products or other hazardous or toxic substances, or are adjacent to or near properties that have been or are used for similar commercial or industrial purposes. As a result, some of our properties have been or may be impacted by contamination arising from the releases of such substances. For example, oil and gas wells have formerly operated or are currently operating at Valencia (formerly Newhall Ranch). In certain cases, prior owners or operators have in the past investigated or remediated, or are currently investigating or remediating, such conditions, but contamination may continue to be present at these sites, and future remedial activities could delay or otherwise impede property development on sites where contamination is present.
In addition, The San Francisco Shipyard and Great Park Neighborhoods properties were formerly operated by the U.S. Navy as defense plants. As a result of these historic operations, portions of these properties have been or currently are listed on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (“USEPA”) National Priorities List as sites requiring cleanup under federal environmental laws. While investigation and cleanup activities have been substantially completed for Great Park Neighborhoods, significant work is contemplated over the next few years for certain parcels within The San Francisco Shipyard, which will delay the transfer of such parcels to us for development.
The National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) requires federal agencies to integrate environmental values into their decision making processes by considering the environmental impacts of their proposed actions and reasonable alternatives to those actions. To meet NEPA requirements federal agencies prepare a detailed statement known as an Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”). Additionally, all Department of Defense installations (such as The San Francisco Shipyard and the El Toro Base) selected for closure or realignment pursuant to the Base Closure and Realignment Acts of 1988 or 1990 and being considered for transfer by deed, and where a release or disposal of hazardous substances or petroleum products has occurred, are subject to an environmental review process and may not be transferred until a finding of suitability for transfer (“FOST”) is documented. In addition, our development projects are subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), which is similar in scope to NEPA, and requires potential environmental impacts of projects subject to discretionary governmental approval to be studied by the California governmental entity approving the proposed projects. Projects with significant expected impacts require an Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”) while more limited projects may be approved based on a Mitigated Negative Declaration. All of our development sites and projects have either been or continue to be investigated, remediated or reviewed (with documented EISs, FOSTs and EIRs, as applicable) in accordance with the above-described and other applicable environmental laws to determine the suitability of their proposed uses and to protect human health and the environment.
New or additional permitting requirements, new interpretations of requirements, changes in our operations or litigation or community objections over the adequacy of conducted reviews and other response and mitigation actions could also trigger the need for either amended or new reviews or actions, which could result in increased costs or delays of, modification of, or denial of rights to conduct, our development programs. For additional information on legal challenges to our projects under environmental laws see “Item 3. Legal Proceedings.”
When we identify conditions that require a response under environmental laws, we endeavor to address identified contamination or mitigate risks associated with such contamination as required (or ensure that such actions are taken by other parties, such as prior owners and operators); however, we cannot assure you that we will not need to take additional action, incur additional costs, or delay or modify our development plans to address these conditions or other environmental conditions that may be discovered in the future. As a result of the foregoing, we could potentially incur material liabilities.
We are also subject to a variety of other local, state, federal and other laws and regulations concerning the environment, including those governing air emissions, wastewater discharges and use and disposal of hazardous or toxic substances. The particular environmental laws that apply to any given property vary according to multiple factors, including the property’s location, its environmental conditions and the present and former uses of the property, as well as adjoining properties. These issues may result in delays, may cause us to incur substantial compliance and other costs, and can prohibit or severely restrict development activity in environmentally sensitive regions or areas. For example, in those cases where wetlands or an endangered or threatened species are impacted by proposed development, environmental rules and regulations can result in the restriction or elimination of development in such identified environmentally sensitive areas.
Environmental laws also govern the presence, maintenance and removal of asbestos-containing materials (“ACM”) and may impose fines and penalties for failure to comply with these requirements or expose us to third-party liability (such as liability for personal injury associated with exposure to asbestos). Such laws require that owners or operators of buildings containing ACM (and employers in such buildings) properly manage and maintain the asbestos, adequately notify or train those who may come into contact with asbestos and undertake special precautions, including removal or other abatement, if asbestos would be disturbed during renovation or demolition of a building. In addition, soils at Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard are known to contain naturally occurring asbestos, which must be managed, including through dust management plans. In the past, we have been subject to penalties for failure to monitor asbestos dust during development activities at The San Francisco Shipyard, and although we endeavor to maintain (and to cause our contractors to maintain) compliance, we could incur such fines or penalties in the future.
FOST Process
The U.S. Navy is implementing its cleanup program at The San Francisco Shipyard pursuant to various federal laws and authorities. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) requires the U.S. Navy to remediate The San Francisco Shipyard in accordance with a federal facilities agreement entered into with the USEPA and the State of California, which sets forth procedures and timeframes for remedial decisions and deliverables. In accordance with the federal facilities agreement, the National Contingency Plan, 40 C.F.R. Part 300 and Department of Defense procedures, the U.S. Navy’s cleanup process involves (1) preparation of a series of reports documenting various investigative and remedial activities and (2) securing approval of those reports from the USEPA and the State of California. The remedial steps and related reports, each of which is subject to review, comment and approval, are as follows:
Preliminary assessment/site inspection. This is an initial review of the site, including review of historical records and visual inspections. Limited sampling and analysis of soil, surface water and groundwater may also occur.
Remedial investigation. The remedial investigation involves a closer look into each of the areas of concern identified in the preliminary assessment/site inspection and involves collecting and analyzing samples of multiple media (soil, soil gas, sediment, groundwater, etc.). The remedial investigation addresses the nature and extent of contamination at each area of concern identified in the parcel. The remedial investigation also includes preparation of a Human Health Risk Assessment and an Ecological Risk Assessment, as appropriate. The Human Health Risk Assessment identifies the contaminants that could pose a health risk under different exposure scenarios and identifies potential numeric remediation goals.
Feasibility study. The feasibility study evaluates the effectiveness, implementability and cost of various alternative remedial technologies that could be used to reduce site risk to acceptable levels, based on the results of the risk assessment and other data collected during the remedial investigation.
Proposed plan. The proposed plan summarizes the findings of the remedial investigation and proposes a preferred remedial approach for each area of concern in the parcel based on the options evaluated in the feasibility study. This step includes a public meeting to provide the public with relevant information and an opportunity to comment on the preferred cleanup alternative.
Record of decision. Once the U.S. Navy, the USEPA and the State of California select and approve the remedy for the parcel, the U.S. Navy documents and publishes the decision in the record of decision, which responds to all comments on the proposed plan.
Remedial design. The remedial design sets forth details of how the remedies identified in the record of decision will be carried out. The remedial design includes a detailed engineering design for implementing, operating and maintaining the selected cleanup alternative. The U.S. Navy also distributes a fact sheet to the public before beginning work on the cleanup.
Remedial action work plan/remedial action implementation. The U.S. Navy conducts remedial action in accordance with an approved remedial action work plan, which is based on the remedial design.
Remedial action completion report. Once complete, the cleanup is documented in a remedial action completion report.
FOST. Prior to conveyance of real property, CERCLA requires the U.S. Navy to remediate hazardous substances to a level consistent with the protection of human health and the environment. Following the completion and approval of the remedial action completion report, the U.S. Navy documents its findings that such remediation has occurred and that the property is suitable for transfer, consistent with all applicable laws and authorities, in a FOST.
Investment Policies
Investments in Real Estate or Interests in Real Estate
We are a real estate development and operating company that specializes in the development and operation of mixed-use, master-planned communities. Our goal is to create sustainable, long-term growth and value for our shareholders. We do not currently have an investment policy; however, our board of directors may adopt one in the future.
We expect to pursue our investment objectives primarily through the ownership, development, operation and disposition of our communities: (1) Valencia (formerly known as Newhall Ranch); (2) Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard; and (3) Great Park Neighborhoods. Although we currently have no definitive agreements to acquire other properties, we may do so in the future. Our future investment or development activities will not necessarily be limited to any geographic area, product type or to a specified percentage of our assets.
We may also participate with third parties in property ownership, development and operation, through joint ventures, private equity real estate funds or other types of co-ownership. We also may acquire real estate or interests in real estate in exchange for the issuance of our Class A common shares, our preferred shares, options to purchase shares or Class A units of the operating company. These types of investments may permit us to own interests in larger assets without unduly restricting our diversification and, therefore, provide us with flexibility in structuring our portfolio.
We will limit our investment in any securities so that we do not fall within the definition of an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Investments in Real Estate Mortgages
We may, at the discretion of our board of directors, invest in mortgages and other types of real estate interests, but we do not currently, nor do we currently intend to, engage in these activities. If we choose to invest in mortgages, we would expect to invest in mortgages secured by real property interests. We do not have a policy that restricts the proportion of our assets that may be invested in a type of mortgage or any single mortgage or type of mortgage loan.
Securities of, or Interests in, Persons Primarily Engaged in Real Estate Activities and Other Issuers
We do not currently intend to invest in securities of other entities engaged in real estate activities or securities of other issuers, including for the purpose of exercising control over such entities. However, we may do so in the future.
Investments in Other Securities
Other than as described above and for short-term securities pending long-term commitment, we do not currently intend to invest in any additional securities such as bonds, preferred shares or common shares.
Human Capital
We are innovators and collaborators in the evolution of cities in coastal California, and our associates are the force behind the success of our communities. We maintain a relatively flat organizational structure, which encourages our associates to contribute and to grow their roles within the company without the limitations imposed by a rigid hierarchy.
We believe in cultivating a work environment that fosters inclusion, diversity of thought, professional development and opportunities to grow and share innovative ideas across all our community elements. Our associates are expected to exhibit and promote honest, ethical and respectful conduct in the workplace. All of our associates must adhere to a code of business conduct and ethics that sets standards for appropriate behavior and participate in required training on preventing and identifying harassment and discrimination.
We believe that diversity within our employee base helps us to incorporate a wide range of perspectives into the development of our communities. We feel that the many cultures that live in our communities reflect the diverse mix of our associates. At December 31, 2020, females constituted approximately 46% of our workforce, and ethnic and racial minorities constituted approximately 43% of our workforce.
We conduct an annual internship program as a means to developing a pipeline of young professional talent, gaining insight into new and emerging trends, fostering mentorship skills among our existing associates and reducing recruitment expenses.
We have designed our compensation and benefits programs to attract, retain and engage talented individuals. Our compensation programs are aligned with key company-wide and individual objectives, which are evaluated on an annual basis. Our associates are eligible for medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with matching contributions, health savings and flexible spending accounts, paid time off, life and disability insurance, various wellness programs, paid parental leave and employee assistance programs. The compensation committee of our board of directors annually reviews the terms of our benefits programs made available to our associates.
We are dedicated to supporting and engaging with our communities through charitable donations, community outreach programs and the development of public schools, parks and other amenities. In addition to charitable initiatives of the company, we encourage and provide the flexibility to allow our associates to pursue outside interests and to make a difference in their local communities.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we took immediate steps to protect the health and well-being of our associates, sub-contractors and trade partners. Beginning in March 2020, all of our associates started working remotely with access to necessary systems and resources to ensure business continuity. Substantially all of our associates continue to work remotely, and we have utilized various technological resources to expand the use of virtual interactions, including weekly company-wide meetings, which we use to keep the team informed of the company’s plans regarding the evolving nature of the work environment.
We implemented a new COVID-19 Prevention Program, which sets forth COVID-19-related safety protocols and procedures, and we created worksite-specific operational plans for the limited number of locations at which associates have returned to work on site. The COVID-19 Prevention Program and worksite plans incorporate numerous safety protocols, including social distancing, mask wearing, cleaning procedures, daily health checks, and contact tracing and notification procedures. In addition, we provide paid time off for associates directly impacted by COVID-19.
At December 31, 2020, we had approximately 160 employees.
Information about our Executive Officers
The following individuals are our executive officers:
Emile Haddad. Mr. Haddad has been our President and Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our board of directors since May 2016. Mr. Haddad has been a member of our board since 2009. From 2009 until May 2016, Mr. Haddad was President and Chief Executive Officer of the management company, which he co-founded.
Erik R. Higgins. Mr. Higgins is our Chief Financial Officer and Vice President and has been since May 2016. From September 2015 to May 2016, Mr. Higgins was Chief Financial Officer of the management company.
Michael Alvarado. Mr. Alvarado has been our Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary since May 2016. From 2011 until May 2016, Mr. Alvarado served as General Counsel for the management company.
Lynn Jochim. Ms. Jochim was named our Co-Chief Operating Officer in March 2018 and became our sole Chief Operating Officer in March 2020. From May 2016 until her appointment as Co-Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Jochim served as our Executive Vice President. From 2009 until May 2016, Ms. Jochim worked for the management company, being principally responsible for Great Park Neighborhoods.
Greg McWilliams. Mr. McWilliams was named our Chief Policy Officer in March 2018. From May 2016 until his appointment as Chief Policy Officer, Mr. McWilliams served as our Regional President-Southern California. From 2004 until May 2016, Mr. McWilliams was President of Newhall Land & Farming.
Available Information
Our website is www.fivepoint.com. We make available free of charge through our website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(d) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) as soon as reasonably practicable after being filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference and is not a part of this annual report on Form 10-K. In addition, you may obtain the documents that we file with the SEC from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. Risk Factors
You should carefully consider the following material risks, as well as the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and the related notes. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects could be materially and adversely affected. In such an event, the trading price of our Class A common shares could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
Our business has been disrupted by the present outbreak and worldwide spread of COVID-19 and could be materially and adversely affected by COVID-19 or by a similar epidemic or pandemic, or similar public threat, or fear of such an event, and the measures that international, federal, state and local governments, agencies, law enforcement and/or health authorities implement to address it.
The U.S. and other countries have experienced, and may experience in the future, outbreaks of contagious diseases that affect public health and public perception of health risk. The current COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in federal, state and local governments and private entities mandating various restrictions, requiring closure of non-essential businesses and recommending people remain at home in all of the markets we serve. In response to these steps, we temporarily limited development activities at our communities, shifted substantially all of our office functions to work remotely, placed restrictions on business travel for our employees, and imposed mandatory quarantine periods for employees who may have been exposed to COVID-19.
Our results of operations are affected by economic conditions, including macroeconomic conditions and levels of business confidence and consumer confidence. There is significant uncertainty regarding the extent to which and how long COVID-19 and related government directives, actions and economic relief efforts will disrupt the U.S. economy. Our business could be negatively impacted over the medium-to-longer term if the disruptions related to COVID-19 continue. Potential impacts could include asset impairments similar to the impairment of $26.9 million attributed to our investment in the Great Park Venture primarily as a result of expected delays in both the timing of land sales to builders and distributions to us causing a decline in the fair value of our investment in the Great Park Venture (see Part II, Item 7 of this report). If COVID-19 has a significant negative impact on economic conditions over a prolonged period of time, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely impacted. COVID-19 also may have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in the Risk Factors listed below.
There are significant risks associated with our development and construction projects that may prevent completion on budget and on schedule.
At our projects, we are engaged in extensive construction activity to develop each community’s infrastructure, including grading and installing roads, sidewalks, gutters, utility improvements, landscaping and shared amenities and other actions necessary to prepare each residential and commercial lot for construction. In addition, although we primarily rely on homebuilders to purchase homesites at our communities and construct homes, we may in the future construct a portion of the homes ourselves. For commercial or multi-family properties that we retain or acquire in the future, we may also construct the buildings ourselves. Our development and construction activities entail risks that could make our projects less profitable and otherwise adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations, including:
•increased construction costs, unavailability of raw materials when needed, and permitting or construction delays;
•claims for construction-related injuries, as well as claims for warranty, product liability and construction defects;
•labor stoppages or slowdowns and/or disputes with contractors, subcontractors or other third parties on whom we rely;
•federal, state and local grants to complete certain highways, interchange, bridge projects or other public improvements may not be available;
•unforeseen engineering, environmental or geological problems, including the potential impacts of climate change;
•compliance with environmental planning and protection regulations and related legal proceedings, including governmental regulations intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or ameliorate projected climate change impacts;
•liabilities, expenses or project delays, stoppages or interruptions as a result of challenges by third parties in legal proceedings;
•delay or inability to acquire property, rights of way or easements; and
•weather-related and geological interference, including landslides, earthquakes, floods, drought, wildfires and other events, including rising sea-levels due to climate change.
We cannot assure you that projects will be completed on schedule or that construction costs will not exceed budgeted amounts. Failure to complete development or construction activities on budget or on schedule may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We will have to make significant investments at our properties before we realize significant revenues.
We currently plan to spend material amounts on horizontal development at our communities. Those expenditures primarily reflect the costs of developing the infrastructure at our properties, including grading and installing roads, sidewalks, gutters, utility improvements, landscaping and shared amenities and other actions necessary to prepare each residential and commercial lot for construction. We may experience cost increases, our plans may change, new regulations and regulatory plan modifications or court rulings may affect our ability to develop or the cost to develop the project or circumstances may arise that result in our needing additional capital to execute our development plan. We are also required to provide performance bonds and letters of credit in the ordinary course of business to governmental authorities and others to ensure the completion of our projects or in support of obligations to build community improvements. If we are not successful in obtaining additional financing to enable us to complete our projects or are unable to obtain performance bonds or letters of credit when required, we may experience further delays or increased costs, and our financial condition and results of our operations may be adversely affected.
Our communities are all located in California, which makes us susceptible to risks in that state.
Our communities are all located in California. We have no current plans to acquire any additional properties or operations outside of California and we expect, at least for a number of years, to be dependent upon our existing projects for all of our cash flow. As a result, we are susceptible to greater risks than if we owned a larger or more geographically diverse portfolio. California also continues to suffer from severe budgetary constraints, which may result in the layoff or furlough of government employees, and California is regarded as more litigious and more highly regulated and taxed than many other states. Any adverse change in the economic, political, competitive or regulatory climate in California, or the counties and cities where our properties are located, could adversely affect our real estate development activities and have a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, historically, California has been subject to natural disasters, including earthquakes, droughts, floods, wildfires and severe weather, and coastal locations may be particularly susceptible to climate stress events or adverse localized effects of climate change, such as sea-level rise and increased storm frequency or intensity. We therefore have greater exposure to the risks of natural disasters, which can lead to power shortages, shortages of labor and materials, increased costs, and delays in development. The occurrence of natural disasters may also negatively impact the demand for new homes in affected areas. If our insurance does not fully cover losses resulting from these events, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. Additionally, if drought conditions continue in California, state and local authorities could enact restrictions or moratoriums on building permits and access to utilities, such as water and sewer taps, which could delay or prevent our construction activities, as well as the construction of homes and commercial buildings, even when we have obtained water rights for our communities.
We are highly dependent on homebuilders.
We are highly dependent on our relationships with homebuilders to purchase lots at our residential communities. Our business will be adversely affected if homebuilders do not view our residential communities as
desirable locations for homebuilding operations. Also, some homebuilders may be unwilling or unable to close on previously committed land parcel purchases due to factors outside of our control. As a result, we may sell fewer land parcels and may have lower revenues from sales, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Title to our property may be impaired by title defects.
We cannot give any assurance that title to our properties will not be challenged or impugned, and we cannot be certain that we have or will acquire valid title to our properties. Further, we cannot give any assurance that there are not any liens, encumbrances, mortgages, impositions, fines, violations, levies, superior title claims or other title defects or title issues (collectively, “title defects”) with respect to our properties. The lack of good, marketable fee title, or the existence of any existing title defects with respect to our properties, could materially and adversely affect our properties, including by resulting in: (1) chain of title issues (such as impediments to the potential sale, transfer, assignment or grant of any fee or leasehold interests in all or any portion of our properties); (2) financing issues (such as impediments to qualifying for a line of credit, mortgage or private equity financing); (3) development issues (such as impediments to qualifying for governmental licenses and permits or construction financing, delays in operations, or additional costs incurred in connection with any required corrective measures); (4) foreclosure, forfeiture and loss of fee title (such as resulting from a mortgage foreclosure, tax levy or rescission rights); (5) reduction of asset value; or (6) loss of revenue, capital or anticipated profits.
Although the San Francisco Venture holds title insurance on the portions of Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard that it currently owns and the Great Park Venture holds title insurance on Great Park Neighborhoods, we do not hold title insurance on Valencia. In any event, an owner’s title insurance policy only provides insurance coverage as of the issuance date of such policy and does not protect against transfers or other title defects that impact the properties from and after the title policy issuance dates. Accordingly, for all of our properties, whether or not we hold title insurance, it is possible that there may be title defects for which we will have no title insurance coverage.
In addition, the title insurance policies we do hold may not insure for the current aggregate market value of our properties, and we do not intend to increase our title insurance coverage as the market value of our portfolio increases. As a result, we may not have sufficient coverage against all losses that we may experience, including from adverse title claims.
Inflation may adversely affect us by increasing costs that we may not be able to recover.
Inflation can adversely affect us by increasing costs of materials and labor. In addition, inflation is often accompanied by higher interest rates, which could have a negative impact on demand for homes and the cost of debt financing. In a highly inflationary environment, depending on industry and other economic conditions, we may be unable to raise prices enough to keep up with the rate of inflation, which would reduce our profit margins. Although the overall rate of inflation has been low for the last several years, we have been experiencing increases in the prices of labor and materials, especially at Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard, and there could be a significant increase in inflation in the future.
Significant competition could have an adverse effect on our business.
We compete with other residential, retail and commercial property developers in the development of properties in the Northern and Southern California markets. We compete with a number of residential, retail and commercial developers, some with greater financial resources, in seeking resources for development and prospective purchasers. Competition from other real estate developers may adversely affect our ability to attract purchasers and sell or lease residential, retail and commercial properties, attract and retain experienced real estate development personnel or obtain construction materials and labor. These competitive conditions could make it difficult to sell properties at desirable prices and could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Fluctuations in real estate values may require us to write down the carrying value of our real estate assets or real estate investments.
Our industry is subject to significant variability and fluctuations in real estate values. The valuation of our real estate assets or real estate investments is inherently subjective and based on the individual characteristics of each asset. Factors such as competitive market supply and demand for inventory, changes in laws and regulations,
political and economic conditions and interest and inflation rate fluctuations subject our valuations to uncertainty. Our valuations are made on the basis of assumptions that may not prove to reflect economic or demographic reality. If the real estate market deteriorates, we may reevaluate the assumptions used in our analysis. As a result, adverse market conditions may require us to write down the book value of certain real estate assets or real estate investments and some of those write-downs could be material. Any material write-downs of assets could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Also, a material write-down of assets could adversely affect our ability to meet specified financial ratios or satisfy financial condition tests under the terms of our indebtedness and could adversely affect our ability to utilize certain exceptions from various debt covenants that impose operating restrictions on us, including limitations on our ability to: pay dividends, redeem or repurchase capital stock or make other restricted payments; make certain investments; incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock; create certain liens; or consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets. See “-Risks Related to Our Organization and Structure-Our substantial indebtedness may have a material adverse effect on our business, our financial condition and results of operations and our ability to secure additional financing in the future.”
Our property taxes could increase due to rate increases or reassessments or the imposition of new taxes or assessments, which may adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.
We will be required to pay state and local real property taxes and assessments on our properties. The real property taxes and assessments on our properties may increase as property or special tax rates increase or if our properties are assessed or reassessed at a higher value by taxing authorities. If we are obligated to pay new taxes or if there are increases in the property taxes and assessments that we currently pay, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Risks Related to Laws and Regulations
Zoning and land use laws and regulations may increase our expenses, limit the number of homes or commercial square footage that can be built or delay completion of our projects and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our communities are subject to numerous local, state, and federal laws and other statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations concerning zoning, development, building design, construction and similar matters that impose restrictive zoning and density requirements in order to limit the number of homes or commercial square feet that can eventually be built within the boundaries of a particular area, as well as governmental taxes, fees and levies on the acquisition and development of land parcels. These regulations often provide broad discretion to the administering governmental authorities as to the conditions for our projects being approved, if approved at all. Further, if the terms and conditions of our existing development agreements with the Cities of Irvine and San Francisco are not complied with, existing entitlements under those agreements could be lost, including (in the case of San Francisco) the right to acquire certain portions of the land on which development activity is expected. New housing and commercial developments are often subject to determinations by the administering governmental authorities as to the adequacy of water and sewage facilities, roads and other local services, and may also be subject to various assessments for schools, parks, streets, affordable housing and other public improvements. As a result, the development of properties may be subject to periodic delays in certain areas due to the conditions imposed by the administering governmental authorities. Due to building moratoriums, zoning changes or “slow-growth” or “no-growth” initiatives that could be implemented in the future in the areas in which our properties are located, our communities may also be subject to periodic delays, or we could be precluded entirely from developing in certain communities or otherwise restricted in our business activities. Such moratoriums or zoning changes can occur either prior or subsequent to commencement of our development operations, without notice or recourse. Local and state governments also have broad discretion regarding the imposition of development fees for projects in their jurisdictions. Projects for which we have received land use and development entitlements or approvals may still require a variety of other governmental approvals and permits during the development process and can also be impacted adversely by unforeseen health, safety, and welfare issues, which can further delay these projects or prevent their development. As a result, revenue from land sales or leasing of retail or other commercial space may be adversely affected, or costs may increase, which could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We incur significant costs, and may be subject to delays, in obtaining entitlements, permits and approvals before we can begin development or construction of our projects and begin to recover our costs.
Before any of our projects can generate revenues, we make material expenditures to obtain entitlements, permits and development approvals. It generally takes several years to complete this process and completion times vary based on complexity of the project and the community and regulatory issues involved. Changing market conditions during the entitlement period could negatively impact our revenue from land sales or leasing of retail or other commercial space. Historically, certain of our entitlements, permits and development approvals have been challenged by third parties, such as environmental groups. Future entitlements, permits and development approvals that we will need to obtain for development areas within our communities may be similarly challenged.
As a result of the time and complexity involved in obtaining approvals for our projects, we face the risk that demand for residential and commercial properties may decline, and we may be forced to sell or lease properties at prices or rates that generate lower profit margins than we anticipated or that would result in losses. If values decline, we may be required to make material write-downs of the book value of our real estate assets or real estate investments.
Our projects are subject to environmental planning and protection laws and regulations that require us to obtain permits and approvals that may be delayed, withheld or challenged by third parties in legal proceedings.
Our projects are subject to various environmental and health and safety laws and regulations. These laws and regulations require us to obtain and maintain permits and approvals, undergo environmental review processes and implement environmental and health and safety programs and procedures to mitigate the physical impact our communities will have on the environment (such as traffic impacts, health and safety impacts, impacts on public services and impacts on endangered, threatened or other protected plants and species) and to control risks associated with the siting, development, construction and operation of our projects, all of which involve a significant investment of time and expense. The particular environmental requirements that apply to a project vary depending on, among other things, location, environmental conditions, current and former uses of a property, the presence or absence of certain wildlife or habitats, and nearby conditions. We expect that increasingly stringent environmental requirements will be imposed on developers in the future.
These future environmental requirements could affect the timing or cost of our development. In addition, future environmental requirements could reduce the number of homesites or amount of commercial square feet we are able to develop, increase our financial commitments to local or state agencies or organizations or otherwise reduce the profitability of the project. Failure to comply with these laws, regulations and permit requirements may result in delays, administrative, civil and criminal penalties, denial or revocation of permits or other authorizations, other liabilities and costs, the issuance of injunctions to limit or cease operations and the imposition of additional requirements for future compliance as a result of past failures.
Certain of our environmental permits and approvals have been challenged in the past by third parties, such as environmental groups. Future environmental permits and approvals that we will need to obtain for development areas within our communities may be similarly challenged.
As an owner and operator of real property, we could incur liability for environmental contamination issues.
We have incurred costs and expended funds, and may do so again in the future, to comply with environmental requirements, such as those relating to discharges or threatened discharges to air, water and land, the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous waste and the cleanup of properties affected by hazardous substances, including asbestos-containing materials. Under these and other environmental requirements, as a property owner or operator, we may be required to investigate and clean up hazardous or toxic substances or chemical releases at our communities or properties currently or formerly owned or operated by us, including as a result of the current and former oil and gas leasing operations at Valencia or as a result of prior activities conducted at the El Toro Base or The San Francisco Shipyard. Some of our properties have been or may be impacted by contamination arising from these or other prior uses of these properties or adjacent properties. In this regard, certain portions of the El Toro Base and The San Francisco Shipyard have been or currently are listed on the USEPA’s National Priorities List as sites requiring cleanup under federal environmental law. Although the U.S. Navy has been primarily responsible for investigation and cleanup activities at these properties and will continue to have liability for future contamination that is discovered, we also may incur costs for investigation or cleanup of contamination that is discovered or
disturbed during the course of our future development activities or otherwise. Similarly, in the event that oil and gas operators at Valencia do not fully remediate contamination resulting from such operations, we may incur such costs. As an owner and operator of real property, we could be held responsible to a governmental entity or third parties for property damage, personal injury and investigation and cleanup costs incurred by them in connection with any contamination at or from such real property. We may also be liable for the costs of remediating contamination at off-site disposal or treatment facilities when we arrange for disposal or treatment of hazardous substances or waste at such facilities, without regard to whether we comply with environmental laws in doing so.
Environmental laws and requirements typically impose cleanup responsibility and liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of or caused the presence of the contaminants. The liability under the laws related to such requirements has been interpreted to be joint and several, meaning a governmental entity or third party may seek recovery of the entire amount from us even if there are other responsible parties, unless the harm is divisible and there is a reasonable basis for allocation of the responsibility. The costs of investigation, remediation or removal of those substances, or fines, penalties and other sanctions and damages from third-party claims for property damage or personal injury, may be substantial, and the presence of those substances, or the failure to remediate a property properly, may impair our ability to sell, lease or otherwise use our property. While we currently have and may maintain insurance policies from time to time to mitigate some or all of these risks, insurance coverage for such claims may be limited or nonexistent. In addition, to the extent that we have indemnification rights against third parties relating to any such environmental liability or remediation costs, the indemnification may not fully cover such costs or we may not be able to collect the full amount of the indemnification from the third party. Significant investigation and cleanup activities are contemplated over the next few years for certain of The San Francisco Shipyard parcels, which will delay transfer of such parcels to us for development.
Although most of our properties have been subjected to environmental assessments by independent environmental consultants or in the case of Great Park Neighborhoods and The San Francisco Shipyard, extensive environmental assessments by the U.S. government, these environmental assessments may not include or identify all potential environmental liabilities or risks associated with the properties. We cannot assure you that these or other environmental assessments identified all potential environmental liabilities or that we will not incur material environmental liabilities in the future. We cannot predict with any certainty the magnitude of our future expenditures relating to environmental compliance or the long-range effect, if any, of environmental laws on our operations. Compliance with such laws could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and competitive position in the future.
We may from time to time be subject to litigation, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We may from time to time be subject to various claims and routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Among other things, we are, and are likely to continue to be, affected by litigation against governmental agencies related to environmental and similar approvals that we receive or seek to obtain or relating to historical contamination at our properties that have had prior industrial uses, such as The San Francisco Shipyard. For additional information on recent litigation relating to our properties, see “Item 3. Legal Proceedings.”
Litigation and other claims may result in potentially significant defense costs, settlements, fines or judgments against us, some of which may not be covered by insurance. Payment of any such costs, settlements, fines or judgments that are not insured or that exceed our insurance limits could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, certain litigation or the resolution of certain litigation may affect the availability or cost of some of our insurance coverage and adversely affect our results of operations, expose us to increased risks that would be uninsured or adversely impact our ability to attract officers and directors. Such litigation could adversely affect the length of time and the cost required to obtain the necessary governmental approvals. In addition, adverse decisions or publicity arising from any litigation could increase the cost and length of time to obtain ultimate approval of a project, could require us to abandon all or portions of a project and could adversely affect the design, scope, plans and profitability of a project, any of which could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We may be subject to increased costs of insurance or limitations on coverage.
We maintain comprehensive insurance coverage for general liability, property, workers’ compensation and other risks on all of our properties and operations, including insurance covering certain environmental risks and liabilities. We believe the policy specifications and insured limits of these policies are adequate and appropriate. There are some risks of loss for which we may be unable to purchase insurance coverage. For example, losses associated with certain environmental risks or liabilities, floods, landslides, earthquakes and other weather-related or geologic events may not be insurable and other losses, such as those arising from terrorism, may not be economically insurable. In addition, there is no assurance that certain types of risks that are currently insurable will continue to be insurable on an economically feasible basis, and we may discontinue certain insurance coverage on some or all of our properties in the future if the cost of premiums for any of these policies in our judgment exceeds the value of the coverage discounted for the loss. If an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occurs, we may have to incur uninsured costs to mitigate such losses or lose all or a portion of the capital invested in a property, as well as the anticipated future revenue from the property. We might also remain obligated for any financial obligations related to the property, even if the property is irreparably damaged. Future changes in the insurance industry’s risk assessment approach and pricing structure could increase the cost of insuring our properties and operations or decrease the scope of insurance coverage, either of which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Moreover, we carry several different lines of insurance, placed with several large insurance carriers. If any one of these large insurance carriers were to become insolvent, we would be forced to replace the existing insurance coverage with another suitable carrier and any outstanding claims would be at risk for collection. In such an event, we cannot be certain that we would be able to replace the coverage at similar or otherwise favorable terms. Replacing insurance coverage at unfavorable rates and the potential of uncollectible claims due to carrier insolvency could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Organization and Structure
We depend on key personnel.
Our success depends to a significant degree upon the contributions of certain key personnel, including Mr. Haddad, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. These key personnel would be difficult to replace because of their experience in identifying, acquiring, developing, financing and managing real estate assets and their long-term relationships across, and strong reputation in, the real estate industry generally and for our communities specifically. If any of our key personnel were to cease employment with us, our results of operations could suffer. Our ability to retain our key personnel or to attract suitable replacements should any members of our management team leave is dependent on the competitive nature of the employment market. The loss of services from key personnel or a limitation in their availability could materially and adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations. Further, such a loss could be negatively perceived in the capital markets.
As a holding company, we are entirely dependent upon the operations of the operating company and its ability to make distributions to provide cash flow to us or to pay taxes and other expenses.
We are a holding company and our only investment is our interest in the operating company. The operating company conducts all of our operations and owns all of our assets. As a result, our cash flow depends upon the cash flow of the operating company and its ability to provide funds to us in the form of distributions, loans or otherwise. The distributions that we receive from the operating company are based on our ownership interest in it, which was 62.5%, as of December 31, 2020. The operating company is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, as such, is generally not subject to U.S. federal income tax. Instead, taxable income is allocated to the operating company’s partners, including us. Accordingly, we incur income taxes on our proportionate share of any net taxable income of the operating company. Under the terms of the limited partnership agreement for the operating company, the operating company is obligated to make tax distributions to its partners, including us, subject to the restrictions described below. These tax distributions generally will be made on a pro rata basis. In addition to tax expenses, we also incur expenses related to our operations, including expenses under the tax receivable agreement (“TRA”), which we expect could be significant.
The ability of the operating company to make distributions in an amount sufficient to allow us to pay our taxes and operating expenses, including any payments under the TRA, is subject to the obligations of the operating company and its subsidiaries to their respective creditors. In addition, future financing arrangements may contain
negative covenants limiting the ability of the operating company to make distributions to us. Furthermore, the ability of the operating company’s subsidiaries and the Great Park Venture to pay distributions to the operating company may be limited by their obligations to their respective creditors and other investors. For example, the distribution rights of the holders of legacy interests in the Great Park Venture and the Class B partnership interests in Five Point Communities, LP will reduce the cash available for distribution to the operating company. Similarly, we may be limited in our ability to move capital among the operating company and its subsidiaries as a result of future financing arrangements and obligations to creditors.
As an equity investor in the operating company and, indirectly, in our other subsidiaries and the Great Park Venture and the Gateway Commercial Venture, our right (and, therefore, the rights of our shareholders) to receive assets upon the liquidation or reorganization of the operating company and its subsidiaries, or the Great Park Venture or the Gateway Commercial Venture, will be structurally subordinated to the claims of their creditors. Even if we are recognized as a creditor of the operating company, our claims may still be subordinated to any security interest in or other lien on its assets and any debt or other obligations. Therefore, in the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization, our consolidated assets will be available to satisfy the claims of our shareholders only after all of our liabilities and the liabilities of the operating company have been paid in full.
Lennar is our largest equity owner and will be engaging in transactions with us and may compete with us.
As of December 31, 2020, Lennar owned Class A common shares and Class B common shares representing approximately 39% of our outstanding voting interests. One of our directors is the Executive Chairman of Lennar. Lennar is one of the nation’s largest homebuilders and has in the past purchased properties from us. In the future, we expect that we will sell additional properties to Lennar. Transactions between Lennar and us must be approved by our conflicts committee. Transactions between the Great Park Venture and Lennar must be approved by a majority of the members of the Great Park Venture (excluding us). Nonetheless, Lennar’s relationship with us could give it an advantage in bidding for properties that we own.
Lennar may also compete with us and may in the future bid for, and acquire for itself, properties that we may seek to acquire. Our operating agreement contains provisions that will permit Lennar to engage in such activities and transactions.
Lennar and Castlelake and their respective affiliates control approximately 56% of the voting power of our outstanding common shares and, as a result, are able to exercise significant influence over all matters requiring shareholder approval.
Holders of our Class A common shares and our Class B common shares vote together as a single class on all matters (including the election of directors) submitted to a vote of shareholders, with a share of each class entitling the holder to one vote. As of December 31, 2020, Lennar and Castlelake and their respective affiliates beneficially owned, in the aggregate, Class A common shares and Class B common shares representing approximately 39% and 17%, respectively, of the voting power of our outstanding common shares. As a result, if these shareholders act together (which they have not agreed to do), they and their affiliates are able to exercise significant influence over all matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions, which may have the effect of delaying or preventing a third party from acquiring control of us. These transactions may include those that other shareholders deem to be in their best interests and in which those other shareholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over their current prices.
We will be required to pay certain investors for certain expected tax benefits.
Holders of Class A units of the operating company may exchange their units for, at our option, either Class A common shares on a one-for-one basis (subject to adjustment in the event of share splits, distributions of shares, warrants or share rights, specified extraordinary distributions and similar events), or cash in an amount equal to the market value of such shares at the time of exchange. This exchange right is currently exercisable by all holders of outstanding Class A units of the operating company. We expect that basis adjustments resulting from these transactions, if they occur, will reduce the amount of income tax we would otherwise be required to pay in the future.
Moreover, Section 704(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, require that items of income, gain, loss and deduction that are attributable to the operating company’s directly and indirectly held property, including property contributed to the operating company pursuant to the formation transactions, must be allocated among the partners of the operating company to take into account the difference between the fair market value and the adjusted tax basis of such assets on the date the formation transactions are consummated. As a result, the operating company will be required to make certain special allocations of its items of income, gain, loss and deduction that are attributable to such assets. These allocations, like the increases in tax basis described above, are likely to reduce the amount of income tax we would otherwise be required to pay.
Simultaneously with the completion of the formation transactions, we entered into a TRA with the holders of Class A units of the operating company and the holders of Class A units of the San Francisco Venture. The TRA provides for payments by us to such investors or their successors equal to 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in income tax we realize as a result of the structure of the formation transactions.
We expect that during the expected term of the TRA, the payments that we make to the parties to the TRA could be substantial. The actual amount and timing of any payments under the TRA will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the timing of exchanges of Class A units of the operating company, the price of our Class A common shares at the time of such exchanges, the extent to which such exchanges are taxable and our ability to use the potential tax benefits, which will depend on the amount and timing of our taxable income and the rate at which we pay income tax.
Due to the various factors that will affect the amount and timing of the tax benefits we will receive, it is not possible to determine the exact amount of payments that will be made under the TRA. If the TRA had been terminated on December 31, 2020, we estimate that the termination payment would have been approximately $108.5 million, assuming no material changes to the relevant tax law, that the aggregate value of our properties is equal to the value implied by such per share price and that LIBOR is 0.34%. However, this is merely an estimate, and the actual payments made under the TRA in the event that it is terminated or otherwise could be significantly greater.
In certain circumstances, payments under the tax receivable agreement could exceed the actual tax benefits we realize.
The TRA provides that, upon a merger, asset sale or other form of business combination or certain other changes of control or if, at any time, we materially breach any of our obligations under the TRA or elect an early termination, our (or our successor’s) obligations with respect to exchanged or acquired units (whether exchanged or acquired before or after such change of control, early termination or breach) will be based on certain assumptions, including that (1) we will have sufficient taxable income to fully utilize the increased tax deductions and other benefits anticipated by the TRA, (2) all of our properties will be disposed of ratably over a 15 year period for fair market value and (3) any Class A units of the operating company that have not been exchanged will be deemed exchanged for the market value of our Class A common shares at the time of such change of control, early termination or breach. Consequently, it is possible in these circumstances that the actual cash tax savings realized by us may be significantly less than the corresponding TRA payments.
We will not be able to recover payments made under the tax receivable agreement if the related tax benefits are subsequently disallowed.
The Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) may challenge all or part of the tax basis increases or the special allocations upon which we calculate payments under the TRA, and a court might sustain such a challenge. Although we are not aware of any issue that would cause the IRS to challenge potential tax basis increases or other tax benefits covered under the TRA, if such basis increases or other benefits are subsequently disallowed (in whole or in part), the parties to the TRA will not be required to return any payments made in respect of such disallowed basis or other tax benefit. Consequently, it is possible in these circumstances that the actual tax savings realized by us may be significantly less than the corresponding TRA payments. However, because payments under the TRA in a year are based upon the amount by which 85% of the Company’s cumulative net tax savings exceed the payments previously made under the TRA, disallowance of basis increases or other tax benefits would reduce payments under the TRA in years after the disallowance.
Certain provisions in the operating company’s limited partnership agreement may delay or prevent acquisitions of us.
Provisions in the operating company’s limited partnership agreement may delay, or make more difficult, an acquisition or change of control of us. These provisions could discourage third parties from making proposals involving an acquisition or change of control of us, although some holders of our Class A common shares might consider such proposals, if made, desirable. These provisions include:
•a requirement that the partners consent to a merger, consolidation or other combination involving the company or any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all of our assets or all or any portion of our interest in the operating company unless certain criteria are satisfied; and
•our ability, as sole managing general partner, to cause the operating company to issue units with terms that could delay, defer or prevent a merger or other change of control without the consent of the other partners.
Anti-takeover provisions in our operating agreement or provisions of Delaware law could prevent or delay a change in control, even if a change of control would benefit our shareholders.
Provisions of our operating agreement, as well as provisions of Delaware law, could discourage, delay or prevent a merger, acquisition or other change in control, even if a change in control would benefit our shareholders. These provisions include the following: (1) there is no cumulative voting in the election of directors; (2) our board of directors is classified so that approximately one-third of the directors are elected at each annual meeting of shareholders; (3) our board of directors is authorized to issue “blank check” preferred shares to increase the number of outstanding shares without shareholder approval; (4) shareholder action by written consent is not permitted; and (5) there are advance notice requirements for nominations for election to the board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by shareholders at shareholder meetings.
In addition, our operating agreement provides that Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) will be deemed to apply to us as if we were a Delaware corporation. Section 203 of the DGCL may affect the ability of an “interested shareholder” to engage in certain business combinations, including mergers, consolidations or acquisitions of additional shares, for a period of three years following the time that the shareholder becomes an “interested shareholder.” An “interested shareholder” is defined to include persons owning directly or indirectly 15% or more of the outstanding voting shares of a company.
Risks Related to Financing and Indebtedness
We may need additional capital to execute our development plan, and we may be unable to raise additional capital on favorable terms.
We may need additional capital to execute our development plan with respect to vertical development. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain new debt or equity financing on favorable terms, or at all, including as a result of volatility in the credit and capital markets, increases in interest rates or a decline in the value of our properties or portions thereof.
In addition, we currently expect to obtain a portion of our capital from forms of public financing, including Community Facilities District (“CFD”) bond issuances, tax increment financing, and state and federal grants, which depend, in part, on factors outside of our control. CFDs are established when local government agencies impose a special property tax on real estate located within a specific district for the purpose of financing public improvements, including streets, water, sewage, drainage, electricity, public schools, parks and fire and police protection. Our ability to obtain funds from CFDs is dependent on the value of developed property in the specific district, the collection of general property taxes from property owners in the specific district, collection of special taxes from property owners in the specific district and market interest rates at the time the CFD bonds are issued. For tax increment financing, the amount of property tax that a specific district generates is set at a base amount and as property values increase, property tax growth above that base amount, net of property taxes retained by the municipal agencies, can be used to fund redevelopment projects within the district. Our ability to obtain funds from tax increment financing is dependent on the value of developed property in the specific district, the collection of general property taxes from property owners in the specific district, the time it takes the tax assessor to update the tax rolls and market interest rates at the time the tax increment bonds are issued.
If we need to obtain additional financing, and such financing is not available in a timely manner or on terms substantially similar to our existing financing, it could increase our cost of capital and we may experience delays or increases in costs, and our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our substantial indebtedness may have a material adverse effect on our business, our financial condition and results of operations and our ability to secure additional financing in the future.
As of December 31, 2020, we had approximately $625.0 million of total indebtedness of our 7.875% senior notes due 2025 (the “senior notes”). We also had $124.7 million available to be borrowed under our revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2020. Our indebtedness could subject us to many risks that, if realized, would adversely affect us, including the following:
•our cash flow from operations may be insufficient to make required payments of principal of and interest on the debt, and a failure to pay would likely result in acceleration of such debt and could result in cross accelerations or cross defaults on other debt;
•our debt may increase our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions;
•to the extent that we use a portion of our cash flow from operations to make payments on our debt, it reduces our funds available for operations, development, capital expenditures and future investment opportunities or other purposes;
•debt covenants may limit our ability to borrow additional amounts for working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, executing our development plan or other purposes;
•restrictive debt covenants may limit our flexibility in operating our business, including limitations on our ability to make certain investments; incur additional indebtedness; create certain liens; incur obligations that restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to make payments to us; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets; or enter into transactions with affiliates;
•to the extent that our indebtedness bears interest at a variable rate (such as our revolving credit facility), we are exposed to the risk of increased interest rates;
•debt covenants may limit our subsidiaries’ ability to make distributions to us; and
•if any debt is refinanced, the terms of any refinancing may not be as favorable as the terms of the debt being refinanced.
A breach of any of our debt covenants could result in an event of default under that indebtedness. Such a default may allow the creditors to accelerate the related indebtedness and may result in the acceleration of other indebtedness to which a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies. In addition, an event of default under the credit agreement governing our revolving credit facility would permit the lenders to terminate commitments to extend further credit under that facility.
If we do not have sufficient funds to repay our debt at maturity or upon an earlier acceleration, it may be necessary to refinance the debt through additional debt or equity financings. If, at the time of any refinancing, prevailing interest rates or other factors result in a higher interest rate on such refinancing, increases in interest expense could adversely affect our cash flows and results of operations. If we are unable to refinance our debt on acceptable terms, we may be forced to dispose of our assets on disadvantageous terms, postpone investments in the development of our properties or default on our debt. In addition, to the extent we cannot meet any future debt service obligations, we will risk losing some or all of our assets that are pledged to secure such obligations.
We may increase leverage in executing our development plan, which could further exacerbate the risks associated with our substantial indebtedness.
We may decide to increase leverage to execute our development plan. Our board of directors will consider a number of factors when evaluating our level of indebtedness and when making decisions regarding the incurrence of new indebtedness, including the estimated market value of our assets and the ability of particular assets, and our company as a whole, to generate cash flow to cover the expected debt service. Although the indenture relating to our senior notes limits our ability to incur additional indebtedness, our operating agreement does not limit the amount of debt we may incur, and our board of directors may change our target debt levels at any time without the approval of our shareholders. We may incur additional indebtedness from time to time in the future to finance working capital, capital expenditures, investments or acquisitions, or for other purposes. If we do so, the risks related to our indebtedness could intensify.
Future debt financings, which would rank senior to our Class A common shares upon our bankruptcy or liquidation, and future offerings of equity securities that may be senior to our Class A common shares for the purposes of liquidating or other distributions, may adversely affect the market price of our Class A common shares.
In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by obtaining additional debt financing (including by offering debt securities) or making additional offerings of equity securities. Upon bankruptcy or liquidation, holders of our debt and our preferred shares and lenders with respect to other borrowings will receive distributions of our available assets prior to the holders of our Class A common shares. Additional equity offerings may dilute the holdings of our existing shareholders or reduce the market price of our Class A common shares, or both. Any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our Class A common shares and may result in dilution to the holders of our Class A common shares. Holders of our Class A common shares are not entitled to preemptive rights or other protections against dilution. Our preferred shares, if issued, could have a preference on liquidating or other distributions that could limit our ability to make distributions to the holders of our Class A common shares. Our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control. As a result, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings, and holders of our Class A common shares bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our Class A common shares and diluting their ownership interest in our company.
We do not expect to be able to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to service all of our indebtedness and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on or refinance our debt obligations, including the senior notes, depends on our financial condition and operating performance, which are subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business, legislative, regulatory and other factors beyond our control. We may be unable to maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness. Until such time as we can service our indebtedness with cash flow from operations, we intend to service our indebtedness, including interest on the senior notes and the revolving credit facility, from cash on hand.
If our cash flows, cash on hand and other capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we could face substantial liquidity problems and could be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures or to dispose of material assets or operations, seek additional indebtedness or equity capital, or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. We may not be able to effect any such alternative measures, if necessary, on commercially reasonable terms or at all and, even if successful, those alternative actions may not allow us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. The credit agreement governing the revolving credit facility and the indenture relating to the senior notes restrict our ability to dispose of assets and use the proceeds from those dispositions and may also restrict our ability to raise indebtedness or equity capital to be used to repay other indebtedness when it becomes due. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions or to obtain proceeds in an amount sufficient to meet any debt service obligations then due.
Our inability to generate sufficient cash flows to satisfy our debt obligations, or to refinance our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all, would materially and adversely affect our financial position and results of operations.
If we cannot make scheduled payments on our indebtedness, we will be in default and holders of the senior notes could declare all outstanding principal and interest to be due and payable, the lenders under the revolving credit facility could terminate their commitments to loan money, other indebtedness could be accelerated and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.
Uncertainty about the future of the London Interbank Offer Rate ("LIBOR") may adversely affect our business and financial results.
Borrowings under our revolving credit facility bear interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin. In July 2017, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced its intent to phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. The Alternative Reference Rates Committee in the United States has proposed that the Secured
Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) is the rate that represents best practice as the alternative to U.S. dollar LIBOR for use in derivatives and other financial contracts that are currently indexed to LIBOR. The first publication of SOFR was released in April 2018. In November 2020, the Federal Reserve Board along with various independent groups announced the potential for certain U.S. dollar LIBOR tenors to continue to be published until June 2023. This change would allow most legacy U.S. dollar LIBOR contracts to mature before disruptions occur in the U.S. dollar LIBOR market, without the need to transition those contracts to SOFR. Whether or not SOFR or another reference rate attains market traction as a LIBOR replacement remains a question, and the future of LIBOR at this time is uncertain. Even with the Federal Reserve Board’s announcement about the extension, if the method for calculation of LIBOR changes, LIBOR is no longer available or lenders have increased costs due to changes in LIBOR, we may suffer from potential increases in interest rates on our revolving credit facility. Further, we may need to renegotiate our revolving credit facility or other agreements that reference LIBOR to replace LIBOR with the new standard that is established. These uncertainties or their resolution also could negatively impact our borrowing costs and other aspects of our business and financial results.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Class A Common Shares
We are an “emerging growth company” and a “smaller reporting company” and, as a result of the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth and smaller reporting companies, our Class A common shares may be less attractive to investors.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified exemptions from various requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies in the United States. These provisions include:
•an exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting; and
•reduced disclosure about the emerging growth company’s executive compensation arrangements.
We are also a “smaller reporting company” as defined under the Exchange Act. Beginning with our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that we will file for the first quarter of 2021, however, we will no longer be considered a “smaller reporting company.” As a smaller reporting company, we have been subject to reduced disclosure obligations in our periodic reports and proxy statements.
As a result, the information that we provide shareholders in our filings with the SEC may be different than what is available with respect to many other public companies. If some investors find our Class A common shares less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions, there may be a less active trading market for our Class A common shares and our share price may be adversely affected. When we are no longer deemed to be an emerging growth company, we will not be entitled to the exemptions provided in the JOBS Act discussed above.
An active trading market for our Class A common shares may not be sustained and the price of our Class A common shares may be volatile.
Although our Class A common shares are listed on the NYSE, an active trading market for our Class A common shares may not be sustained. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of any market for our Class A common shares, the ability of our shareholders to sell their Class A common shares or the price at which such shares may be sold. In addition, the trading market for our Class A common shares is influenced by whether industry or securities analysts publish research and reports about us, our business, our market or our competitors and, if any analysts do publish such reports, what they publish in those reports. Any analysts who do cover us may make adverse recommendations regarding our shares. If analysts fail to cover us or publish reports about us at all, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our share price or trading volume to decline.
We also believe we have relatively low trading volume. Because of this limited trading volume, purchases and sales of large numbers of our shares may cause rapid price swings in our common shares. In addition, securities markets in general have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. In the past, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the price of their common shares. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources, which could have an adverse effect on our financial
condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our common shares. Any broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our Class A common shares.
We may issue additional Class A common shares in the future in lieu of incurring indebtedness, which may dilute existing shareholders, or we may issue securities that have rights and privileges that are more favorable than the rights and privileges accorded to holders of our Class A common shares.
We may issue additional securities, including Class A common shares, options, rights and warrants, for any purpose and for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as our board of directors may determine. Our board of directors will be able to determine the class, designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties of any additional securities, including any rights to share in our profits, losses and distributions, any rights to receive assets upon dissolution or liquidation and any redemption, conversion and exchange rights. Our board of directors may use such authority to issue additional securities exchangeable for our Class A common shares, such as the Class A units of the operating company, which would dilute existing holders of our Class A common shares, or to issue securities with rights and privileges that are more favorable than those of our Class A common shares. You will not have any right to consent to or otherwise approve the issuance of any such securities or the terms on which any such securities may be issued.
Substantial amounts of our Class A common shares could be sold in the near future, which could depress our share price and result in dilution of your shares.
The sale or issuance of a substantial number of Class A common shares or other equity-related securities in the public markets, or the perception that such sales could occur, could depress the market price of our Class A common shares and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities.
As of December 31, 2020, we had outstanding 69,051,284 Class A common shares. In addition, 79,257,314 Class A common shares are reserved for issuance upon exchange of Class A units of the operating company (including 37,870,273 Class A units of the operating company issuable upon exchange of Class A units of the San Francisco Venture) and conversion of our Class B common shares.
Holders of Class A units of the operating company may exchange their units for, at our option, either Class A common shares on a one-for-one basis (subject to adjustment for share splits and similar events) or cash in an amount equal to the market value of such shares at the time of exchange. This exchange right is currently exercisable by all holders of outstanding Class A units of the operating company. Holders of Class A units of the San Francisco Venture may exchange their units for Class A units of the operating company on a one-for-one basis (with no holding period), subject to certain exceptions.
We have an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 under which we registered with the SEC the resale of Class A common shares held by certain of our existing shareholders and the Class A common shares that we may issue in exchange for Class A units of the operating company or Class A units of the San Francisco Venture. We are required to use our reasonable efforts to keep the Form S-3 registration statement (or a successor registration statement) effective until there are no longer any registrable securities other than Class A common shares that can be sold under Rule 144 without any limitation as to volume or manner of sale. In addition, 4,689,214 Class A common shares are available for future issuance under our incentive award plan.
We cannot predict whether future issuances or sales of our Class A common shares or the availability of shares for resale in the open market will decrease the per share trading price of our Class A common shares. The per share trading price of our Class A common shares may decline significantly when the restrictions on resale by certain of our shareholders lapse or upon the registration of additional Class A common shares pursuant to registration rights granted to certain shareholders.
We do not intend to pay distributions on our Class A common shares for the foreseeable future.
We have no current plans to pay distributions on our Class A common shares in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain our earnings, if any, to use in our ongoing operations. Any decision to declare and pay distributions in the future will be made at the sole discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our financial condition, results of operations, cash requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. In addition, because we are a holding company and our only investment is our interest in the operating company, we will only be able to pay distributions from funds we receive from the
operating company. Our board of directors has the authority to issue one or more series of preferred shares without action of our shareholders. The issuance of preferred shares could have the effect of limiting distributions on our Class A common shares. Accordingly, you may need to sell your Class A common shares to realize a return on your investment, and you may not be able to sell your shares at or above the price you paid for them.
General Risk Factors
Cyber-attacks or acts of cyber-terrorism could disrupt our business operations and information technology systems or result in the loss or exposure of confidential or sensitive employee or company information.
Our business operations and information technology systems, and the information technology systems we use that are provided or managed by third-party service providers, may be attacked by individuals or organizations intending to disrupt our business operations and information technology systems and those of our third-party service providers, whether through cyber attacks or cyber-intrusions over the Internet, malware, computer viruses, attachments to e-mails, persons inside our organization, or persons with access to systems inside our organization. The risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyber attacks or cyber-intrusion, including by computer hackers, foreign governments, and cyber terrorists, has generally increased as the number, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased. We rely on information technology systems to conduct important operational activities and to maintain our business and employee records and financial data. Disruption of those systems could adversely impact our ability to conduct development activities and to otherwise operate our business. Accordingly, if such an attack or act of terrorism were to occur, our operations and financial results could be adversely affected.
In addition, we use our information technology systems to protect confidential or sensitive employee and company information developed and maintained in the normal course of our business. Any attack on such systems that would result in the unauthorized release or loss of employee or other confidential or sensitive data could have a material adverse effect on our business. The California Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”), which became effective on January 1, 2020, provides a new private right of action for data breaches and requires companies that process information on California residents to make new disclosures to consumers about their data collection, use and sharing practices and allow consumers to opt out of certain data sharing with third parties. If we fail, or are perceived to have failed, to properly respond to security breaches of our or third party’s information technology systems or fail to properly respond to consumer requests under the CCPA, we could experience reputational damage, an increase in our costs and exposure to additional material legal claims and liability. As a result, our operations and financial results and our share price could be adversely affected.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. Properties
We lease and maintain our principal executive office located in Irvine, California. We also lease and maintain offices in Valencia, California and San Francisco, California near our master-planned communities in those respective areas. We believe our present facilities are sufficient to support our operations.
We are developing new, vibrant and sustainable communities that, in addition to homesites, include commercial, retail, educational and recreational elements, as well as civic areas, parks and open spaces. We are the initial developer of our three communities that are designed to include approximately 40,000 residential homes and approximately 23 million square feet of commercial space over a period of more than 10 years. The properties we are developing at our mixed-use, master-planned communities are held as inventory in the ordinary course of the planning and development process. Please review “Part I, Item 1. Business-Our Communities” for a description of each of our communities and our commercial venture.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings
On February 27, 2020, we and CP Development Co., LLC (an indirect subsidiary of ours) filed two lawsuits in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. These lawsuits name as defendants the United States of America and Tetra Tech (and a Tetra Tech subsidiary), respectively. The lawsuits allege damages with respect to the financial harm resulting from (among other things) the delayed delivery to us of the remaining parcels of The San Francisco Shipyard, which parcels remain subject to further retesting by the U.S. Navy as a result of Tetra Tech’s allegedly fraudulent conduct. These lawsuits seek, in part, compensatory damages, equitable indemnification for the costs incurred in defending against the other lawsuits filed against us related to Tetra Tech’s activities, and attorneys’ fees.
Please refer to Note 11 of our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report, which is incorporated herein by reference, for descriptions of additional legal proceedings to which we are a party.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our Class A common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “FPH.” Our shares have been publicly traded since May 10, 2017. Our Class B common shares are neither listed nor traded on any stock exchange.
No distributions on our Class A or Class B common shares have been declared or paid since the formation transactions. Any future determination related to our distribution policy will be made at the sole discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our financial condition, results of operations, cash requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors the board of directors may deem relevant. Because we are a holding company and our only investment is our interest in the operating company, we will only be able to pay distributions from funds we receive from the operating company. In addition, the operating company’s ability to pay distributions to us will depend on the ability of its consolidated and nonconsolidated subsidiaries to pay dividends or distributions to the operating company. The priority distribution rights of the holders of legacy interests in the Great Park Venture and the Class B partnership interests in FP LP will limit the cash available for distribution to the operating company until such rights are satisfied in full.
Holders of our Class B common shares are entitled to receive distributions of the same type and at the same time as any distribution payable on our outstanding Class A common shares in an amount per Class B common share equal to the amount of distributions paid on 0.0003 Class A common shares.
As of February 28, 2021, there were 70 and 8 holders of record of our Class A and Class B common shares, respectively.
Our board of directors may, from time to time, in its sole discretion, authorize our company to repurchase our outstanding shares. There were no repurchases of our shares during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total return of our Class A common shares with the S&P 500 and the S&P Homebuilders Select Industry Index from May 10, 2017 (the date our Class A common shares commenced trading on the NYSE) through December 31, 2020. The graph assumes $100 was invested at the market close on May 10, 2017 in our Class A common shares, the S&P 500 and the S&P Homebuilders Select Industry Index, and the reinvestment of all dividends.
Recent Sale of Unregistered Securities
We conduct all of our business in or through our subsidiary, the operating company. Under the Limited Partnership Agreement of the operating company, holders (the “Class A Unit Holders”) of Class A units of the operating company (“Class A Units”) may exchange their Class A Units for, at our option, either (1) Class A common shares on a one-for-one basis (subject to adjustment in the event of share splits, distributions of shares, warrants or share rights, specified extraordinary distributions and similar events), or (2) cash in an amount equal to the market value of such shares at the time of exchange.
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, no redemption notices were received from Class A Unit Holders.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data
Reserved.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Statements
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated audited financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those described in the “Item 1A. Risk Factors” section of this report. Actual results could differ materially from those set forth in any forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Overview
Our Company
We conduct all of our business in or through our operating company, Five Point Operating Company, LP (the “operating company”). We are, through a wholly owned subsidiary, the sole managing general partner and owned, as of December 31, 2020, approximately 62.5% of the operating company. The operating company directly or indirectly owns equity interests in:
•Five Point Land, LLC, which owns The Newhall Land & Farming Company, a California limited partnership, the entity that is developing Valencia (formerly known as Newhall Ranch), our community in northern Los Angeles County, California;
•The Shipyard Communities, LLC (the “San Francisco Venture”), which is developing Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard, our communities in the City of San Francisco, California;
•Heritage Fields LLC (the “Great Park Venture”), which is developing Great Park Neighborhoods, our community in Orange County, California;
•Five Point Office Venture Holdings I, LLC (the “Gateway Commercial Venture”), which owns portions of the Five Point Gateway Campus, a commercial office and medical campus located within the Great Park Neighborhoods; and
•Five Point Communities, LP and Five Point Communities Management, Inc. (together, the “management company”), which provide development and property management services for the Great Park Neighborhoods and the Five Point Gateway Campus.
The operating company consolidates and controls the management of all of these entities, except for the Great Park Venture and the Gateway Commercial Venture. The operating company owns a 37.5% percentage interest in the Great Park Venture and a 75% interest in the Gateway Commercial Venture and accounts for its interest in both using the equity method. Please review “Structure and Formation of Our Company”, “Our Communities” and “Commercial” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for a description of our organizational structure, each of our communities and our commercial venture.
Operational Highlights
In 2020, we continued our horizontal land development activities at Valencia by investing in the community’s infrastructure, including grading and utility improvements. In the fourth quarter, we sold 487 homesites for a gross purchase price of $115.4 million and closed escrow on 442 of the homesites, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $102.2 million. The remaining 45 homesites are expected to close in the latter part of 2021. In May 2020, we also closed 70 previously sold homesites at Valencia with a base purchase price of $16.6 million. Since our first land sales at Valencia in December 2019, we have sold or entered into sales contracts for 1,268 homesites. Our guest builders continue to prepare for the opening of the first development areas at Valencia, and we expect homes sales to begin in Summer 2021.
In 2020, the Gateway Commercial Venture closed on the sale of three buildings and approximately 11 acres of land at the Five Point Gateway Campus for a combined purchase price of $463.0 million. The sale of the buildings and land resulted in a total gain to the Gateway Commercial Venture of approximately $112.2 million, net of transaction costs. Additionally, the Gateway Commercial Venture made debt payments of $275.0 million to its lender and made total distributions of approximately $182.0 million to its members, of which approximately $136.5 million was distributed to us. Following these sales, the Gateway Commercial Venture retains ownership of one building and approximately 50 acres of commercial land with additional development rights at the campus.
In the first quarter of 2020, the Great Park Venture closed the second take down of a two-take down purchase and sale agreement. The first take down closed in 2019. The gross proceeds of the second take down were $20.3 million, representing the base purchase price for land entitled for 35 homesites.
In December 2020, we entered into a joint venture formed to provide land banking opportunities to homebuilders acquiring homesites at Valencia (the “Valencia Landbank Venture”). We made an initial contribution of $4.2 million and have a 10% interest in the Valencia Landbank Venture. 210 of the homesites sold at Valencia in December 2020 were sold to the Valencia Landbank Venture, and the Valencia Landbank Venture concurrently entered into option agreements with homebuilders for these homesites. We expect the Valencia Landbank Venture will continue to facilitate land sales at Valencia to certain homebuilders who are pursuing balance sheet alternatives to land acquisition and just-in-time delivery of homesites.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic that was declared in early 2020, we took immediate steps to protect the health and well-being of our associates and to preserve the financial strength of the company. Beginning in March 2020, all our associates started working remotely with access to necessary systems and resources to ensure business continuity. Substantially all our associates are continuing to work remotely, however, our executive team has been working at our corporate headquarters, and certain field operations associates are working at our project sites. Our executive team analyzed the impact of projected land sale revenues being delayed and then assessed which variable expenditures should be deferred, accordingly. As a result, we immediately limited development activities at our communities to only those activities essential to supporting active homebuilding by builders and to meet our contractual obligations. Despite continued economic volatility, homebuilding ended up being a bright spot in 2020 due to consumer demand for more space and a historically favorable mortgage environment. At the Great Park Neighborhoods, after a significant but brief decline in home sales in March and April of 2020, our guest builders returned to consistent rates of home sales in the second half of 2020. We are optimistic that favorable market conditions will continue for our guest builders and have therefore resumed regular development activities. As we monitor trends in COVID-19 cases in California, we will manage our development activities and expenditures to coincide with projected demand for homesites by our guest builders.
Factors That May Influence our Results of Operations
Fluctuations in the Economy and Market Conditions
Our results of operations are subject to various risks and fluctuations in value and demand, many of which are beyond our control. Our business could be impacted by, among other things, downturns in economic conditions at the national, regional or local levels, particularly where our communities are located, inflation and increases in interest rates, significant job losses and unemployment levels, and declines in consumer confidence and spending.
Supply and Demand for Residential and Commercial Properties
We generate most of our revenue from land sales, which are dependent on demand from homebuilders, commercial developers and commercial buyers, which is in turn dependent on the prices that homebuyers, commercial buyers and renters are expected to pay. In addition, sales of homesites typically include participation provisions that allow us to share in the profits realized by the homebuilders if the overall profitability of a block of homes exceeds an agreed-upon margin. Because our revenue is influenced by the prices that homebuyers and commercial buyers are willing to pay for homes or commercial buildings in our region, our results of operations may be influenced by, among other things, the overall supply and demand for housing and commercial properties, the prevailing interest rates for mortgages, and the availability of mortgage financing for residential and commercial developers and residential and commercial buyers.
Timing of Obtaining the Necessary Approvals for Development Activities
As a developer of real property in California, we are subject to numerous land use and environmental laws and regulations. Before we can begin developing our communities or development areas within them, we must obtain entitlements, permits and approvals. Depending upon the type of the approval being sought, we may also need to complete an environmental impact report, remediate environmental impacts or agree to finance or develop public infrastructure within the community or applicable development area, each of which would impose additional costs on us. In the event that we materially modify any of our existing entitlements, approvals or permits, we may also need to go through a discretionary approval process before the relevant governmental authority or go through an additional or supplemental environmental review and certification process.
In addition, laws and regulations governing the approval processes provide third parties with the opportunity to challenge our entitlements, permits and approvals. The prospect of these third-party challenges creates additional uncertainty. Third-party challenges in the form of litigation can adversely affect the length of time or the cost required to obtain the necessary governmental approvals to develop, or result in the denial of our right to develop the particular community or development area in accordance with our current development plans. Furthermore, adverse decisions arising from any litigation can increase the cost or length of time to obtain ultimate approval of a project, if such approval is obtained at all, and can adversely affect the design, scope, plans and profitability of a project, which can negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations. See Part I, Item 3, of this report for a discussion of legal proceedings.
As a result of many of the factors described above, we have historically experienced, and expect to continue to experience, variability in results of operations between comparable periods.
Segments
Our four reportable segments are Valencia, San Francisco, Great Park and Commercial:
•Our Valencia segment (formerly Newhall) includes operating results related to the Valencia community and agricultural operations in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, California.
•Our San Francisco segment includes operating results for the Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard communities, as well as results attributable to the development management services that we previously provided to affiliates of Lennar Corporation (“Lennar”) in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our management agreement with Lennar with respect to the Concord community was terminated in early 2020.
•Our Great Park segment includes operating results for the Great Park Neighborhoods community and development management services provided by the management company for the Great Park Venture.
•Our Commercial segment includes the operating results of the Gateway Commercial Venture’s ownership in the Five Point Gateway Campus and property management services provided by the management company for the Gateway Commercial Venture.
Results of Operations
The following tables and related discussions on the results of operations are for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Refer to Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under Part II of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 for financial data and related comparative discussions on results of operations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
The Company
The following table summarizes our consolidated historical results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Revenues. Revenues decreased by $30.8 million, to $153.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, from $184.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in revenues was primarily due to fewer land sales at our Valencia segment in 2020 compared to 2019.
Cost of land sales. The cost of land sales decreased by $11.4 million, to $85.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, from $97.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in cost of land sales was attributable to fewer land sales at our Valencia segment in 2020 compared to 2019.
Cost of management services. Cost of management services decreased by $8.0 million, or 28.1%, to $20.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, from $28.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily due to less intangible asset amortization expense at our Great Park segment.
Selling, general, and administrative. Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased by $20.1 million, or 19.4%, to $83.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, from $103.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in employee related expenses.
Other income. Other income for the year ended December 31, 2019 consisted primarily of a $64.9 million gain recognized by our San Francisco segment pertaining to the settlement of a contingent consideration liability.
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated entities. Our consolidated results reflect our share in the earnings or losses of our interests in our unconsolidated entities, including the Great Park Venture and the Gateway Commercial Venture, within equity in earnings from unconsolidated entities on our consolidated statement of operations. Our segment results for the Great Park segment and the Commercial segment present the results of the Great Park Venture and the Gateway Commercial Venture at the book basis of the ventures within the respective segments.
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated entities increased by $40.0 million, to $42.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, from $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to an increase in earnings from the Gateway Commercial Venture due to gains from the sale of land and three buildings during the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was offset by fewer land sales at the Great Park Venture during year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. At the end of the first quarter of 2020, we recognized an other-than-temporary impairment of $26.9 million attributed to our investment in the Great Park Venture that is included in equity in earnings from unconsolidated entities in our consolidated statement of operations. The impairment was primarily a result of expected delays in both the timing of land sales to builders and distributions to us causing a decline in the fair value of our investment in the Great Park Venture. In determining that the impairment was other-than-temporary, we concluded that it was uncertain if a near term recovery of value that was lost as a result of delays to expected land sales from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic would occur. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included under Part II, Item 8 of this report. Additionally, included in the results of operations of our Valencia segment is our 10% interest in the Valencia Landbank Venture that was formed in 2020 to take assignment of land purchase and sale agreements for residential lots within the Valencia community and enter into option and development agreements with homebuilders who intend to purchase the lots from the Valencia Landbank Venture to ultimately construct and sell homes.
Income tax provision. All operations are carried on through our subsidiaries, the majority of which are pass-through entities that are generally not subject to federal or state income taxation, as all of the taxable income, gains, losses, deductions, and credits are passed through to the partners, including the partners of the operating company and the San Francisco Venture. We are responsible for income taxes on our allocable share of the operating company's income or gain. Pre-tax income of $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 resulted in a tax provision of $1.7 million. The tax provision was primarily the result of a $2.9 million decrease to our net deferred tax asset offset by a $1.9 million decrease to our deferred tax asset valuation allowance. Additionally, we recognized approximately $0.8 million of current state tax provision as a result of California Assembly Bill 85, which suspends the use of net operating losses in tax years 2020 through 2022. We assessed the realization of the net deferred tax asset and the need for a valuation allowance, based on positive and negative evidence, and determined that at December 31, 2020 it is more likely than not that such net deferred tax assets will not be realized. Pre-tax income of $24.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 resulted in a tax provision of $2.4 million. The tax provision was the result of a $5.5 million decrease to our net deferred tax asset offset by a $3.1 million decrease to our deferred tax asset valuation allowance. Our effective tax rate, before changes in valuation allowance, for the year ended December 31, 2020 was substantially similar to our effective tax rate, before changes in valuation allowance, for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests. Until exchanged for our class A common shares or, at our election, cash, noncontrolling interests represent interests held by other partners in the operating company and members of the San Francisco Venture. Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests on the consolidated statement of operations represents the portion of earnings attributable to the interests in our subsidiaries held by the noncontrolling interests.
Valencia Segment (formerly Newhall)
Our Valencia property consists of approximately 15,000 acres in northern Los Angeles County and is designed to include approximately 21,500 homesites and approximately 11.5 million square feet of commercial space. Valencia is the continuation of our master-planned community where already today approximately 20,000 households reside and approximately 60,000 people work. We began selling homesites in the first development area
at Valencia in 2019, and as of December 31, 2020 we had sold 1,268 homesites, comprised of 1,223 homesites that closed in either 2019 or 2020 and 45 homesites expected to close in the latter part of 2021.
The following table summarizes the results of operations of our Valencia segment for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Land sales revenues and Land sales revenues-related party. Total land sales revenues decreased by $17.4 million, or 12.5%, to $122.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, from $140.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in total land sales revenues was attributable to the recognition of revenue from the sale of land entitled for an aggregate of 512 homesites on approximately 52 acres during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the recognition of revenue from the sale of land entitled for an aggregate of 711 homesites on approximately 59 acres during the year ended December 31, 2019. The base purchase price was $118.7 million for the 2020 sales. We also recognized additional revenue of $3.7 million in the transaction price as an estimate of the amount of variable consideration from marketing fees that we expect to be entitled to receive. The base purchase price was $135.2 million for the 2019 sales. We also recognized additional revenue of $4.7 million in the transaction price as an estimate of the amount of variable consideration from marketing fees that we expect to be entitled to receive. In 2020, 210 of the homesites sold were purchased by the Valencia Landbank Venture, in which we own a 10% equity interest. Revenues associated with these closings are reported as land sales-related party. When we sell land to the Valencia Landbank Venture, we eliminate our pro-rata share of the intra-entity profits generated from the sale through earnings (loss) from unconsolidated entities until the land is sold by the Valencia Landbank Venture to third party homebuilders. All of the homesites sold in 2019 were sold to an unaffiliated land banking entity whereby a related party retained the option to acquire the homesites in the future from the land bank entity.
Cost of Land Sales. Cost of land sales during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were $85.8 million and $97.1 million, or 69.9% and 69.3% of total land sale revenues, respectively. The cost of land sales includes both actual and estimated future capitalized costs allocated based upon relative sales values. Since this method requires us to estimate future development costs and the expected sales prices for future land sales, the profit margin on subsequent parcels sold will be affected by both changes in the estimated total revenues, as well as any changes in the estimated total cost of the project.
Selling, general, and administrative. Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased by $3.2 million, or 21.3%, to $11.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, from $14.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was mainly attributable to a decrease in employee related expenses, offset by an
increase in community related selling and marketing expenses as we began to increase master marketing activities in anticipation of expected builder openings in the first half of 2021.
Equity in loss from unconsolidated entity. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we recognized equity in loss of $1.6 million from the Valencia Landbank Venture as a result of eliminating our pro-rata share of the intra-entity profits generated from the related party land sales.
San Francisco Segment
Located almost equidistant between downtown San Francisco and the San Francisco International Airport, Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard consist of approximately 800 acres of bayfront property in the City of San Francisco. Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard are designed to include approximately 12,000 homesites and approximately 6.3 million square feet of commercial space.
In October 2019, we received approval from the City of San Francisco on a revised development plan for the first phase of Candlestick that is currently planned to include approximately 750,000 square feet of office space, 1,600 homes, and 300,000 square feet of lifestyle amenities centered around retail and entertainment. As currently planned, Candlestick ultimately is expected to include approximately 7,000 homes.
Our development at Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard is not subject to San Francisco’s Proposition M growth control measure, which imposes annual limitations on office development and is applicable to all other developers with projects in the city. This means the full amount of permitted commercial square footage at Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard can be constructed as we determine, including all at once, even though Proposition M may delay new office developments elsewhere in San Francisco. In 2018, our disposition and development agreement with the City of San Francisco was amended to increase the total amount of commercial use at Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard by over two million square feet, most of which we anticipate will be for office use, and increases our total commercial space to approximately 6.3 million square feet.
At The San Francisco Shipyard, approximately 408 acres are still owned by the U.S. Navy and will not be conveyed to us until the U.S. Navy satisfactorily completes its finding of suitability to transfer, or “FOST,” process, which involves multiple levels of environmental and governmental investigation, analysis, review, comment and approval. Based on our discussions with the U.S. Navy, we had previously expected the U.S. Navy to deliver this property between 2019 and 2022. However, allegations that Tetra Tech, Inc. and Tetra Tech EC, Inc. (collectively, “Tetra Tech”), contractors hired by the U.S. Navy, misrepresented sampling results at The San Francisco Shipyard have resulted in data reevaluation, governmental investigations, criminal proceedings, lawsuits, and a determination by the U.S. Navy and other regulatory agencies to undertake additional sampling. As part of the 2018 Congressional spending bill, the U.S. Department of Defense allocated $36.0 million to help fund resampling efforts at The San Francisco Shipyard. An additional $60.4 million to fund resampling efforts was approved as part of a 2019 military construction spending bill. These activities have delayed the remaining land transfers from the U.S. Navy and could lead to additional legal claims or government investigations, all of which could in turn further delay or impede our future development of such parcels. Our development plans were designed with the flexibility to adjust for potential land transfer delays, and we have the ability to shift the phasing of our development activities to account for potential delays caused by U.S. Navy retesting, but there can be no assurance that these matters and other related matters that may arise in the future will not materially impact our development plans.
We have been, and may in the future be, named as a defendant in lawsuits seeking damages and other relief arising out of alleged contamination at The San Francisco Shipyard and Tetra Tech’s alleged misrepresentations of related sampling work. See Part I, Item 3 of this report for additional information. Given the preliminary nature of the claims to date, we cannot predict the outcome of these matters.
The following table summarizes the results of operations of our San Francisco segment for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Management services-related party revenues. Management services revenues decreased by $1.6 million, or 65.0%, to $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, from $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to the termination of our management agreement with Lennar with respect to the Concord community in early 2020.
Selling, general, and administrative. Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased by $6.6 million, or 36.8%, to $11.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, from $17.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was mainly attributable to a decrease in employee related expenses.
Other Income. We were previously a party to an agreement with a related party that had planned to construct a retail shopping district at Candlestick. In early 2019, we were released from obligations to convey parcels of property on which the retail project was intended to be developed. As a result of the relief of these obligations, we recognized a gain of $64.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Great Park Segment
We have a 37.5% percentage interest in the Great Park Venture, and we account for our investment using the equity method of accounting. We have a controlling interest in the management company, an entity which performs development management services at Great Park Neighborhoods. We do not include the Great Park Venture as a consolidated subsidiary in our consolidated financial statements. However, because of the relationship between the management company and the Great Park Venture, we assess our investment in the Great Park Venture based on the financial information for the Great Park Venture in its entirety, and not just our equity interest in it. As a result, our Great Park segment consists of the operations of both the Great Park Venture and the development management services provided by the management company at the Great Park Venture.
Great Park Neighborhoods consists of approximately 2,100 acres in Orange County and is being built around the approximately 1,300 acre Orange County Great Park, a metropolitan public park that is under construction. Great Park Neighborhoods is designed to include approximately 10,500 homesites and approximately 4.9 million square feet of commercial space.
The Great Park Venture sold the first homesites in April 2013 and, as of December 31, 2020, had sold 6,196 homesites (including 709 affordable homesites) and commercial land allowing for development of up to 2 million square feet of commercial (research and development) space for aggregate consideration of approximately $2.6 billion.
Interests in the Great Park Venture are either “percentage interests” or “legacy interests.” Holders of the legacy interests are entitled to receive priority distributions in an amount up to $565.0 million, and holders of percentage interests are entitled to all other distributions. In early 2020, the Great Park Venture made a distribution of $76.3 million to the holders of legacy interests, reducing the remaining aggregate distributions to the holders of legacy interests to approximately $134.0 million. Of the remaining $134.0 million, the first $45.0 million will be paid to the holders of legacy interests prior to the commencement of distributions to the holders of percentage interests. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included under Part II, Item 8 of this report for additional discussion of distribution priorities at the Great Park Venture.
The following table summarizes the results of operations of our Great Park segment for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Revenues. Revenues decreased by $256.1 million, or 83.2%, to $51.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, from $307.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to the recognition of revenue from the sale of land entitled for an aggregate of 35 homesites on approximately four acres during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the recognition of revenue from the sale of land entitled for an aggregate of 587 homesites on approximately 48 acres during the same period in 2019. Initial gross proceeds from the 2020 sale were $20.3 million, representing the base purchase price. The Great Park Venture also recognized $0.5 million in the transaction price as an estimate of the amount of variable consideration from marketing fees that it expects to be entitled to receive. Initial gross proceeds from the 2019 sales were $255.4 million, representing the base purchase price. We also recognized $6.0 million in the transaction price as an estimate of the amount of variable consideration from marketing fees that we expect to be entitled to receive. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, revenues also included changes in estimates of variable consideration, including profit participation, from those amounts previously recorded by the Great Park Venture. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Great Park Venture recognized $3.6 million and $8.8 million in profit participation revenue, respectively. Revenues generated by the management company from development management services provided to the Great Park Venture include a base management fee, reimbursement for certain defined project team costs and the right to receive certain variable incentive compensation. Reduction in management services related party revenue was mainly attributable to changes in estimates of the amount of variable consideration pertaining to incentive compensation.
Cost of Land Sales. Cost of land sales in 2020 and 2019 was $15.3 million and $179.8 million, or 61.6% and 66.4% of total land sales revenues, respectively. The cost of land sales includes both actual and estimated future capitalized costs allocated based upon relative sales values. Since this method requires the Great Park Venture to estimate future development costs and the expected sales prices for future land sales, the profit margin on subsequent parcels sold will be affected by both changes in the estimated total revenues, as well as any changes in the estimated total cost of the project.
Management services costs and expenses. Included within management services costs and expenses are general and administrative costs and expenses incurred directly by the management company’s project team that is managing the development of the Great Park Neighborhoods. We also include amortization expense related to the intangible asset attributable to the incentive compensation provisions of the development management agreement with the Great Park Venture. Corporate and non-project team salaries and overhead are not allocated to management services costs and expenses or to our reportable segments and are reported in selling, general, and administrative costs in the consolidated statement of operations. During the year ended December 31, 2020, management services costs and expenses decreased by $7.4 million, or 27.0%, to $20.0 million, from $27.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily a result of changes in estimates in the utilization of the intangible asset. Intangible asset amortization expense was $8.6 million in 2020 compared to $15.6 million in 2019.
Selling, general, and administrative. Selling, general, and administrative expenses are comprised of the Great Park Venture’s marketing related costs, property maintenance expenses, project team and other administrative costs. Project team and certain other administrative costs that are reimbursed to the management company per the terms of the development management agreement are not eliminated for segment reporting. Selling, general, and administrative costs decreased by $1.6 million, or 4.3%, to $35.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, from $37.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The lower expense during the year ended December 31, 2020 was mainly attributable to a decrease in marketing fee expenses incurred at the Great Park Neighborhoods.
Management fees-related party. Management fees decreased by $17.9 million, to $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, from $22.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Management fees incurred by the Great Park Venture were comprised of base development management fees and incentive compensation fees. In general, incentive compensation fees will be paid as a percentage of distributions made to holders of the Great Park Venture’s percentage interests. When payments are deemed probable of being made, the Great Park Venture recognizes the expense ratably over the period services are expected to be provided. When estimates of the amount of incentive compensation probable of being paid change, the Great Park Venture records a cumulative adjustment in the period in which the estimate changes. The Great Park Venture recognized a credit of $2.4 million and $15.7 million in expense for incentive compensation fees during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The table below reconciles the Great Park segment results for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 to the equity in (loss) earnings from our investment in the Great Park Venture that is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Commercial Segment
We have a 75% interest in the Gateway Commercial Venture that is held through a wholly owned subsidiary of the operating company, and we serve as the manager of the Gateway Commercial Venture. However, the manager’s authority is limited. Major decisions by the Gateway Commercial Venture generally require unanimous approval by an executive committee composed of two people designated by us and two people designated by another investor. Some decisions require approval by all of the members of the Gateway Commercial Venture. We do not include the Gateway Commercial Venture as a consolidated subsidiary in our consolidated financial statements. However, as a result of our 75% economic interest and our role as manager, we assess our investment in the Gateway Commercial Venture based on the financial information of the Gateway Commercial Venture in its entirety, and we include the Gateway Commercial Venture’s financial results within the Commercial segment. Additionally, the management company has been engaged by the Gateway Commercial Venture to provide property management services to the Five Point Gateway Campus. We include the management company’s results of operations related to these property management services within the Commercial segment.
The Five Point Gateway Campus is a commercial campus consisting of approximately 73 acres of land in the Great Park Neighborhoods acquired by the Gateway Commercial Venture in 2017. The Five Point Gateway Campus currently includes approximately one million square feet planned for research and development, medical and office space in four buildings, which are designed to accommodate thousands of employees. In 2020, the Gateway Commercial Venture sold three of the buildings and approximately 11 acres of land at the campus, generating $463.0 million in gross proceeds. Our corporate headquarters are located in the fourth building, which remains owned by the Gateway Commercial Venture. In addition to the fourth building, the Gateway Commercial Venture owns approximately 50 acres of commercial land with additional development rights at the campus.
The following table summarizes the results of operations of our Commercial segment for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Revenues. Revenues decreased by $9.8 million, or 28.5%, to $24.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, from $34.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in revenues was mainly attributable to the Gateway Commercial Venture no longer receiving rental income attributed to the buildings that were sold in 2020.
Other Income. In May 2020, the Gateway Commercial Venture closed on the sale of approximately 11 acres of land and an approximately 189,000 square foot building to City of Hope for a purchase price of $108.0 million. The sale of this land and building, which had a carrying value of approximately $67.5 million, resulted in a gain of approximately $37.4 million, net of transaction costs. Concurrently, the Gateway Commercial Venture made a debt payment of $30.0 million to its lender and made total distributions to its members of approximately $75.0 million, of which approximately $56.3 million was distributed to us.
In August 2020, the Gateway Commercial Venture closed on the sale of two buildings, comprising a total of approximately 660,000 square feet of research and development space currently leased to one tenant under a triple net lease for a purchase price of $355.0 million. The sale of the buildings, which had a carrying value of approximately $278.0 million, resulted in a gain of approximately $74.8 million, net of transaction costs. Concurrently, the Gateway Commercial Venture made a debt payment of $245.0 million to its lender and made total distributions to its members of approximately $107.0 million, of which approximately $80.3 million was distributed to us.
Costs and expenses. Costs and expenses decreased by $14.6 million, or 37.3%, to $24.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, from $39.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. As a result of the Gateway Commercial Venture’s asset dispositions and related debt repayments in 2020, cost and expenses, including interest, depreciation, and amortization expenses, were lower for the year ended December 31, 2020.
The table below reconciles the Commercial segment results for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 to the equity in earnings (loss) from our investment in the Gateway Commercial Venture that is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 2020, we had $298.1 million of consolidated cash and cash equivalents, compared to $346.8 million at December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2020, no funds had been drawn on the operating company’s $125.0 million revolving credit facility. However, letters of credit of $0.3 million were issued and outstanding under the revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2020, thus reducing the available capacity to $124.7 million.
Our short-term cash needs consist primarily of general and administrative expenses and development expenditures at Valencia and the Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard communities, interest payments under our senior notes and payments under a related party reimbursement obligation. In 2021, we will make interest payments of $49.2 million on our $625.0 million senior notes due 2025, and we expect to make $35.5 million in principal payments under our related party reimbursement obligation. Reimbursement payments may be deferred when our related party receives an extension on the maturity date of the associated EB-5 loan liability.
The development stages of our master-planned communities continue to require significant cash outlays on both a short-term and long-term basis, and we expect to invest significant amounts on continued horizontal development at Valencia in 2021. While our current financial position is strong, and the new home market has seen a recovery from the initial reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic has had a significant impact on the U.S. and California economies and our business, and the extent and duration of the current environment is unknown. We will continue to manage our development activities and expenditures to coincide with projected demand for homesites by our guest builders. We expect to meet our cash requirements for at least the next 12 months with available cash, in addition to proceeds from land sales in Valencia, distributions from our unconsolidated entities and collection of management fees under our various management agreements.
Our long-term cash needs relate primarily to future horizontal development expenditures and investments in or vertical construction costs for properties that we may acquire or develop for our income-producing portfolio. We budget our cash development costs on an annual basis. Budgeted amounts are subject to change due to delays or accelerations in construction or regulatory approvals, changes in inflation rates and other increases (or decreases) in costs. We may also modify our development plans or change the sequencing of our communities in response to changing economic conditions, consumer preferences and other factors, which could have a material impact on the timing and amount of our development costs. Budgeted amounts are expected to be funded through a combination of available cash, cash flows from our communities and reimbursements from public financing, including community facilities districts, tax increment financing and local, state and federal grants. Cash flows from our communities may occur in uneven patterns as cash is primarily generated by land sales, which can occur at various points over the life cycle of our communities.
We currently expect to have sufficient capital to fund the horizontal development of our communities in accordance with our development plan for several years. The level of capital expenditures in any given year may vary due to, among other things, the number of communities or neighborhoods under development and the number of planned deliveries, which may vary based on market conditions. We may seek to raise additional capital by accessing the debt or equity capital markets or with one or more revolving or term loan facilities or other public or private financing alternatives. These financings may not be available on attractive terms, or at all.
We are a party to a tax receivable agreement (“TRA”) with current and former holders of Class A units of the operating company and the holders of Class A units of the San Francisco Venture. The TRA provides for payments by us to such investors or their successors in aggregate amounts equal to 85% of the cash savings, if any, in income tax that we realize as a result of (a) increases in tax basis that are attributable to exchanges of Class A units of the operating company for our Class A common shares or cash or certain other taxable acquisitions of equity interests by us, (b) allocations that result from the application of the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code and (c) tax benefits related to imputed interest or guaranteed payments deemed to be paid or incurred by us as a result of the TRA. We expect the TRA payments to be substantial, however, the actual amount and timing of any payments under the TRA will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the timing of exchanges of Class A units of the operating company, the price of our Class A common shares at the time of such exchanges, the extent to which such exchanges are taxable and our ability to use the potential tax benefits, which will depend on the amount and timing of our taxable income and the rate at which we pay income tax.
In 2004, our defined benefit pension plan was amended to cease future benefit accruals for services provided by participants of the plan and to close the plan to new participants. We do not anticipate making contributions to our pension plan over the next twelve months. We believe the pension plan is currently appropriately funded, however, declines in the value of the plan’s assets could result in increased funding requirements in the long-term.
We are committed under various letters of credit (“LOCs”) to perform certain development activities and provide certain guarantees in the normal course of business. Outstanding LOCs totaled $1.3 million and $2.4 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had $1.0 million and $1.4 million, respectively, in restricted cash and certificates of deposit securing certain of our LOCs. Additionally, under our revolving credit facility, we are able to utilize undrawn capacity to support the issuance of LOCs. As of December 31, 2020, we were using approximately $0.3 million in capacity under the revolving credit facility to support LOCs.
As a part of the entitlement and development process, we are required to provide performance bonds to ensure completion of certain development obligations. We had outstanding performance bonds of $229.6 million as of December 31, 2020.
At December 31, 2020, the San Francisco Venture had outstanding guarantees benefiting a municipal agency for infrastructure and construction of certain park and open space obligations with aggregate maximum obligations of $198.3 million.
Contractual Obligations
The following table aggregates certain of our cash contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2020:
(1)We are subject to a water purchase agreement requiring annual payments in exchange for the delivery of water for our exclusive use. The agreement has an initial 35-year term, which expires in 2039 with an option for a second 35-year term.
(2)In January 2012, we entered into an agreement with Los Angeles County pursuant to which we agreed to finance construction costs of an interchange project that Los Angeles County is managing. The interchange project is a critical infrastructure project that will benefit Valencia. Under the agreement, we have committed to pay the remainder of the actual construction costs, up to $8.9 million. We currently expect this amount to be paid within twelve months of December 31, 2020.
(3)In September 2017, we reached a settlement with key national and state environmental and Native American organizations that were petitioners in various legal challenges to Valencia’s regulatory approvals and permits. Under the settlement terms, we agreed to fund certain environmental and cultural investments and protections at Valencia and the surrounding region.
(4)Prior to our acquisition of the San Francisco Venture, certain subsidiaries of the San Francisco Venture entered into EB-5 loan agreements with lenders that are authorized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to raise capital from foreign nationals who seek to obtain permanent residency in the United States. Prior to our acquisition, related parties assumed the EB-5 loan liabilities, and the San Francisco Venture entered into reimbursement agreements pursuant to which it agreed to reimburse the related parties for a portion of the EB-5 loan liabilities and related interest. The amounts set forth in the above table include interest based on the weighted average interest rate of 4.4%. Reimbursement payments may be deferred when the related parties receive an extension on the maturity date of the associated EB-5 loan liability.
Summary of Cash Flows
The following table outlines the primary components of net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities (in thousands):
Cash Flows from Operating Activities. Cash flows from operating activities are primarily comprised of cash inflows from land sales, management services and operating property results. Cash outflows are comprised primarily of cash outlays for horizontal development costs, employee compensation, and selling, general, and administrative costs. Our operating cash flows may vary significantly each year due to the timing of land sales and the development efforts related to our master-planned communities.
Net cash used in operating activities decreased by $153.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. Major components of operating cash used in both periods consist of our continued investment in horizontal development at our communities and selling, general, and administrative costs. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we received total distributions of $136.5 million from the Gateway Commercial Venture, of which $79.0 million is reflected as a return on our investment (operating activity). During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we received $118.5 million and $135.2 million, respectively, in net proceeds upon closing escrow from land sales at our Valencia segment. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we made total interest payments of $49.2 million and $42.4 million, respectively on our senior notes.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities. Net cash provided by investing activities was $52.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to the net cash provided by investing activities of $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, we received total distributions of $136.5 million from the Gateway Commercial Venture, of which $57.5 million is reflected as a return of our investment (investing activity). We made a capital contribution of $4.2 million and received a 10% interest in the Valencia Landbank Venture in 2020, and we also received a distribution of $1.7 million from our indirect legacy interest in the Great Park Venture.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities was $23.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $83.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, we made a tax distribution of $4.6 million to a noncontrolling interest in accordance with the operating company's Limited Partnership Agreement (“LPA”). The tax distribution is treated as an advance distribution under the LPA. We also made payments of $13.5 million to reduce our related party reimbursement obligation during the year ended December 31, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2019, we issued an aggregate of $125.0 million principal amount of 7.875% senior notes due 2025. We used $5.5 million and $4.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, to net settle certain share-based compensation awards with employees for tax withholding purposes. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2019, we received cash proceeds of $25.0 million related to the issuance of San Francisco Venture Class C units to an affiliate of Lennar (see Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements included under Part II, Item 8 of this report) and repaid a promissory note of $65.1 million in connection with the termination of the retail project at Candlestick.
Changes in Capital Structure
During the year ended December 31, 2020, our ownership percentage in the operating company increased to 62.5%, primarily due to the operating company issuing us additional Class A units in connection with our issuance of Class A common shares under our share-based compensation plan. Additionally, we reacquired approximately 436,675 restricted Class A common shares from employees for income tax withholding purposes that resulted in the operating company retiring an equal number of Class A units of the operating company we previously held.
The table below summarizes outstanding Class A units of the operating company and Class A units of the San Francisco Venture, which are redeemable on a one-for-one basis for Class A units of the operating company, at December 31, 2020 and 2019 held by us and those held by noncontrolling interest members.
At December 31, 2020, we had 79,233,544 Class B common shares that were held by the noncontrolling interest members of the operating company and the Class A unitholders of the San Francisco Venture. The Class B common shares will automatically convert to Class A common shares at a ratio of 0.0003 Class A common shares for each Class B common share. The conversions will occur when the holders of Class A units of the operating company, including Class A units that have been issued upon redemption of Class A units of the San Francisco Venture, are redeemed for our Class A common shares or cash, at our election.
Related Party Revenues
In the ordinary course of our business, we have sold and expect to continue to sell homesites to Lennar, which is our largest equity owner, or its affiliates, subsidiaries or joint ventures in which it is a member. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, we recognized $0.1 million, $0.9 million, and $0.9 million, respectively, of such revenue. We did not sell homesites directly to Lennar during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 but did recognize revenues related to certain fees or profit participation associated with homesites sold directly to Lennar in prior periods. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we sold homesites to the Valencia Landbank Venture, our equity method investee, and recognized $53.2 million of such revenue. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we sold homesites to an unaffiliated land banking entity and recognized $139.9 million of such revenue. Lennar retained the option to acquire these homesites in the future from the unaffiliated land banking entity that acquired the homesites from us in 2019. Additionally, we previously provided certain management services for ventures in the San Francisco Bay Area in which Lennar is a significant participant. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, we recognized $0.8 million, $2.4 million, and $4.4 million, respectively, of revenue related to these agreements. However, we do not expect these arrangements to contribute material revenues in future periods. We also provide management services to the Great Park Venture pursuant to a development management agreement. In addition to our 37.5% percentage interest in the Great Park Venture, Lennar owns a 25% legacy interest in the Great Park Venture. Lennar, along with an affiliate of Castlelake, also owns interests in an entity that owns a 12.5% legacy interest in the Great Park Venture. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, we recognized $26.9 million, $36.9 million, and $35.1 million, respectively, of revenue from management services provided to the Great Park Venture. Other than the Valencia Landbank Venture and the Great Park Venture, no related party customer accounted for more than 10% of our revenue during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. In addition to the related party revenues, during the year ended December 31, 2020, we also sold homesites to a third party home builder and recognized $59.1 million of such revenue, which accounted for more than 10% of total consolidated revenues. Other than the third party home builder and the unaffiliated land bank entity, no third party customer accounted for more than 10% of our revenue during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Critical accounting policies and estimates are those that are both significant to the overall presentation of our financial condition and results of operations and require management to make difficult, complex or subjective judgments. Our critical accounting policies and estimates are those applicable to the following:
Consolidation
Voting Interest Entities (“VOE”) and Variable Interest Entities (“VIE”): We consolidate all subsidiaries or other entities in which we have a controlling financial interest. The consolidation guidance requires us to perform an analysis to determine if an entity should be evaluated for consolidation using the VOE model or the VIE model. Under the VOE model, controlling financial interest is generally defined as a majority ownership of voting rights. Under the VIE model, controlling financial interest is defined as (i) the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entity and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity. For those entities that qualify as a VIE, the primary beneficiary is generally defined as the party who has a controlling financial interest in the VIE. We consolidate the financial position and results of operations of every VOE in which we have a controlling financial interest and VIEs in which we are considered to be the primary beneficiary.
Revenue Recognition and Cost of Land Sales
Revenues from land sales contain both fixed (stated purchase price of the land) and variable consideration. A form of variable consideration is profit participation whereby we receive from homebuilders a portion of profit after the builder has received an agreed-upon margin. If the project profitability falls short of the participation threshold, we receive no additional revenues. In most contracts, at the time of the land sale we expect to constrain our estimate of profit participation, if any, as there are significant factors outside our control that will impact whether participation thresholds will be met. In addition, some residential homesite sale agreements contain a provision requiring the homebuilder to pay a marketing fee per residence sold, as a percentage of the home sale price. We estimate such fees as a variable consideration and include an amount we expect to be entitled to receive in the transaction price. At the end of each reporting period, we reassess the variable considerations to ensure changes in circumstances or constraints are appropriately reflected in the estimated transaction price. Changes in estimates of variable components of transaction prices could result in cumulative catch-up adjustments to revenue.
Capitalized inventory costs include land, horizontal development, indirect project costs, real estate taxes and interest related to financing development and construction. The allocation of capitalized inventory costs to individual parcels within a project utilizes the relative sales value method. Under the relative sales value method, each parcel in the project under development is allocated costs in proportion to the estimated overall sales price of the project. Since this method requires us to estimate future development costs and the expected sales price for future land sales, the profit margin on subsequent parcels sold will be affected by both changes in the estimated total revenues, as well as any changes in the estimated total cost of the project.
Revenues from management services are recognized as the customer consumes the benefits of the performance obligation satisfied over time. The transaction price pertaining to management services revenue may be comprised of fixed and variable components, including incentive compensation fee provisions that are contingent on the performance of our customer. In making estimates of incentive compensation we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for providing management services, we make significant assumptions and judgments in evaluating the factors that may determine the amount of consideration we will ultimately receive. In doing so, we typically utilize cash flow projections for our communities. When changes in our estimates and assumptions occur, our estimate of the amount of incentive compensation we expect to be entitled to receive may change, resulting in a cumulative adjustment being recorded in the period of the change.
We believe that the accounting estimates related to revenue recognition and cost of land sales are critical accounting estimates because of the use of projected cash flows in each estimate. Cash flows are significantly affected by estimates and assumptions related to market supply and demand, the local economy, projected pace of sales of homesites, pricing and price appreciation over the estimated selling period, the length of the estimated development and selling periods, remaining development obligations and the cost of completing development, general and administrative costs, and other factors. In determining these estimates and assumptions, we utilize historical trends from our past development projects, in addition to internal and external market studies and trends, which generally include, but are not limited to, statistics on population demographics and unemployment rates. Using all available information, we calculate our best estimate of projected cash flows for each asset. While many of the estimates are calculated based on historical and projected trends, all estimates are subjective and change as market and economic conditions change.
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
For investments in entities that we do not control, but over which we exercise significant influence, we use the equity method of accounting. Our judgment with regard to our level of influence or control of an entity involves consideration of various factors, including the form of our ownership interest, our representation in the entity’s governance, our ability to participate in policy-making decisions and the rights of other investors to participate in the decision-making process to replace us as manager or to liquidate the entity. Investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting are recorded at cost and adjusted for our share in the earnings (losses) of the venture and cash contributions and distributions. Any difference between the carrying amount of the equity method investment on our balance sheet and the underlying equity in net assets on the entity’s balance sheet results in a basis difference, which is adjusted as the related underlying assets are depreciated, amortized or sold and the liabilities are settled. We generally allocate income and loss from unconsolidated entities based on the venture’s distribution priorities, which may be different from its stated ownership percentage.
We evaluate the recoverability of our investments in unconsolidated entities by first reviewing each investment for any indicators of impairment. If indicators are present, we estimate the fair value of the investment. We typically estimate the fair value of our investments using a discounted cash flow of distributions we expect to receive from the venture. The determination of fair value also requires discounting the estimated cash flows at a rate that we believe a market participant would determine to be commensurate with the inherent risks associated with the investment and related estimated cash flow streams. The discount rate used in determining each investment’s fair value generally depends on the investment’s projected life and development stage. If the carrying value of the investment is greater than the estimated fair value, management makes an assessment of whether the impairment is “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.” In making this assessment, management considers (1) the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the entity and (3) our intent and ability to retain our interest long enough for a recovery in market value. If management concludes that the impairment is “other-than-temporary,” we reduce the investment to its estimated fair value.
We believe that the accounting related to investments in unconsolidated entities is a critical accounting estimate because our impairment evaluation uses significant estimates in determining the fair value of our investments, including projected cash flows and the selected discount rate.
Income Taxes
We record income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, which requires an asset and liability approach, whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and attributable to operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or paid. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period when the changes are enacted. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount of future tax benefit when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. When assessing the need for a valuation allowance, we consider, among other things, the nature, frequency and severity of prior cumulative losses, forecasts of future taxable income, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, our utilization experience with operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and tax planning alternatives, to the extent these items are applicable. Any increase or decrease in a valuation allowance could have a material adverse effect or beneficial effect on our income tax provision and net income or loss in the period the determination is made. We recognize interest or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements and Developments
See our consolidated financial statements included under Part II, Item 8 of this report for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements applicable to us.
In November 2020, the SEC issued Final Rule Release No. 33-10890, Management’s Discussion and Analysis, Selected Financial Data, and Supplementary Financial Information. This rule, which became effective on February 10, 2021, amended certain SEC disclosure requirements in order to modernize, simplify and enhance certain financial disclosure requirements in Regulation S-K. Specifically, the amendments eliminate the requirement for Selected Financial Data, streamline the requirement to disclose Supplementary Financial Information, and amend Management's Discussion and Analysis. The final rule is applicable for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2020, however, early adoption on an Item-by-Item basis is permitted after February 10, 2021. We early adopted the amendments to two items resulting in the elimination of Item 301, Selected Financial Data, from Part II, Item 6 of this report and the omission of Regulation S-K Item 302(a), Supplementary Financial Information, from the notes to our consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this report.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We had no material off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2020.
Seasonality
Our business and results of operations are not materially impacted by seasonality.
Inflation
Inflation poses a risk to our business due to the possibility that higher prices would increase our development expenditures. In particular, our development expenditures are influenced by the price of oil, which is used in our development activities, including grading and paving roads. However, inflation can also indirectly improve our revenues by increasing the amount that homebuyers and commercial buyers are willing to pay for newly constructed homes and commercial buildings, which in turn, increases the amount that homebuilders and commercial developers are willing to pay for our residential and commercial lots. In addition, because sales of homesites typically include participation provisions that allow us to share in the profits realized by the homebuilders if the overall profitability of a block of homes exceeds an agreed-upon margin, we may be able to receive additional benefit in the event of inflation.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and interest rates. Our future earnings, cash flows and fair values relative to financial instruments are dependent upon prevailing market interest rates. Our primary market risk results from our indebtedness, which bears interest at fixed rates. Although we do not currently do so, we may in the future manage our market risk on floating rate debt by entering into swap arrangements to in effect fix the rate on all or a portion of the debt for varying periods up to maturity. This would, in turn, reduce the risks of variability of cash flows created by floating rate debt and mitigate the risk of increases in interest rates. Our objective when undertaking such arrangements would be to reduce our floating rate exposure, as we do not plan to enter into hedging arrangements for speculative purposes.
As of December 31, 2020, we had outstanding consolidated indebtedness of $617.6 million, none of which bears interest based on floating interest rates.
We have not entered into any transactions using derivative financial instruments or derivative commodity instruments.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Five Point Holdings, LLC
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Five Point Holdings, LLC and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, capital, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and the schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also 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 March 9, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
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/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Costa Mesa, California
March 9, 2021
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2009.
FIVE POINT HOLDINGS, LLC
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except shares)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
FIVE POINT HOLDINGS, LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
FIVE POINT HOLDINGS, LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
(In thousands)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
FIVE POINT HOLDINGS, LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITAL
(In thousands, except share amounts)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
FIVE POINT HOLDINGS, LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Note 14)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
FIVE POINT HOLDINGS, LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATION
Five Point Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Holding Company” and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company”), is an owner and developer of mixed-use, master-planned communities in California. The Holding Company owns all of its assets and conducts all of its operations through Five Point Operating Company, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Company”), and its subsidiaries.
The Company has two classes of shares outstanding: Class A common shares and Class B common shares. Holders of Class A common shares and holders of Class B common shares are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, and are both entitled to receive distributions at the same time. However, the distributions paid to holders of our Class B common shares are in an amount per share equal to 0.0003 multiplied by the amount paid per Class A common share.
The Company presents noncontrolling interests and classifies such interests within capital but separate from the Company’s Class A and Class B members’ capital. Noncontrolling interests represent equity interests in the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries held by partners in the Operating Company, excluding the Holding Company, and members in The Shipyard Communities, LLC (the “San Francisco Venture”), excluding the Operating Company (see Note 5).
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of presentation- The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
Principles of consolidation-The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the accounts of all subsidiaries in which the Company has a controlling financial interest and the accounts of variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. Under the voting interest model, controlling financial interest is generally defined as a majority ownership of voting rights. A VIE is an entity in which either (i) the equity investors as a group, if any, lack the power through voting or similar rights to direct the activities of such entity that most significantly impact such entity’s economic performance or (ii) the equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance that entity’s activities without additional subordinated financial support. The Company identifies the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise that has both of the following characteristics: (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the entity. The Company consolidates its investment in a VIE when it determines that it is its primary beneficiary. The Company may change its original assessment of a VIE upon subsequent events such as the modification of contractual arrangements, or changes in influence and control over any entity, that affect the characteristics of the entity’s equity investments at risk and the disposition of all or a portion of an interest held by the primary beneficiary. The Company performs this analysis on an ongoing basis. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of estimates-The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. 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 the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Management evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis and makes revisions to these estimates and related disclosures as experience develops or new information becomes known. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Concentration of risk-As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s inventories and the Company’s unconsolidated entities’ inventories and properties are all located in California. The Company is subject to risks incidental to the ownership, development, and operation of commercial and residential real estate. These include,
among others, the risks normally associated with changes in the general economic climate in the communities in which the Company operates, trends in the real estate industry, availability of land for development, changes in tax laws, interest rate levels, availability of financing, and potential liability under environmental and other laws.
The Company’s credit risk relates primarily to cash deposits, cash equivalents, contract assets and other miscellaneous financial assets. Cash deposit accounts at each institution are in excess of amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company’s risk management policies define parameters of acceptable market risk and strive to limit exposure to credit risk.
Noncontrolling interests-The Company presents noncontrolling interests and classifies such interests within capital but separate from the Company’s Class A and Class B members’ capital when the criteria for permanent equity classification has been met. Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests on the consolidated statement of operations represents the portion of earnings attributable to the economic interest in the Company’s subsidiaries held by the noncontrolling interests. The Company allocates income (loss) to noncontrolling interests based on the substantive profit sharing provisions of the applicable subsidiary operating agreements.
Revenue recognition-Under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue From Contracts With Customers, which the Company adopted on January 1, 2018, revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to the Company’s customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. At contract inception, the Company assesses the goods and services promised in its contract with its customers and identifies a performance obligation for each promise to transfer to the customer a good or service (or a series of services) that is distinct. Identified performance obligations are assessed by considering implicit and explicitly stated promises.
Land sales and Land sales-related party-Revenues from land sales are recognized when the Company satisfies the performance obligation at a point in time when the control of the land passes to its customers. The transfer of control typically occurs when title passes at the close of escrow and the customer is able to direct the use of, control and obtain substantially all of the benefits from the land. The transaction price typically contains fixed and variable components in which the fixed consideration represents the stated purchase price for the land and the gross proceeds received at the time of closing. Some of the Company’s residential homesite sale agreements contain a profit participation provision, a variable form of consideration, whereby the Company receives from homebuilders a portion of profit after the builder has received an agreed-upon margin. If the project profitability falls short of the participation threshold, no additional revenue is received. In most contracts, at the time of the land sale, the estimate of profit participation, if any, is constrained, as there are significant factors outside of the Company’s control that will impact whether participation thresholds will be met. In addition, some residential homesite sale agreements contain a provision requiring the homebuilder to pay a marketing fee per residence sold, as a percentage of the home sale price. Such fees are estimated as a variable form of consideration and the amount the Company expects to be entitled to receive from the homebuilder is recognized as revenue at the time of land sale. Since payment for variable consideration is received in future periods, but the Company has completed its performance obligation, a contract asset is recorded for contingent variable consideration, if any, included in the transaction price. At the end of each reporting period, variable consideration is reassessed to ensure changes in circumstances or constraints are appropriately reflected in the estimated transaction price. Changes in estimates of variable components of transaction prices could result in cumulative catch-up adjustments to revenue in subsequent periods. In some cases, the Company may be obligated to perform post-closing development obligations on the sold land and as a result may defer a portion of the transaction price.
Management Services-related party-Revenues from management services are recognized as the customer consumes the benefits of the performance obligation satisfied over time. The transaction price pertaining to management services revenue may be comprised of fixed and variable components. In some of its development management agreements, the Company receives compensation equal to the actual general and administrative costs incurred by the Company’s project team. In these circumstances, the Company acts as the principal and recognizes management fee revenues on these reimbursements in the same period that these costs are incurred because the amount to which the Company has the right to invoice corresponds directly with the value consumed by the customer for the Company’s performance to date. The Company’s management agreements may also contain incentive compensation fee provisions contingent on the financial performance of a customer. In making estimates of incentive compensation the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for providing management
services, significant assumptions and judgments are made in evaluating the factors that may determine the amount of consideration the Company will ultimately receive. Cash flow projections are typically utilized in making such estimates. These cash flows are significantly affected by estimates and assumptions related to market supply and demand, the local economy, projected pace of sales of homesites, pricing and price appreciation over the estimated selling period, the length of the estimated development and selling periods, remaining development, general and administrative costs, the expected contract period, and other factors. The Company includes in the transaction price an estimate of incentive compensation only to the extent that a significant reversal of revenue is not probable. Incentive compensation revenue from management services is recognized evenly over the expected contract term, as the performance obligation is satisfied. When changes in estimates and assumptions occur, the estimate of the amount of incentive compensation the Company expects to be entitled to receive and constraints on the estimate may change, resulting in a cumulative catch-up being recorded in the period of the change. A contract asset is recognized when there is a timing difference between recognition of revenue upon satisfaction of performance obligations and revenues becoming billable.
Operating properties-Included in operating properties revenues in the consolidated statements of operations are revenues from the Company’s agriculture, energy and other miscellaneous operations. Agriculture crop and energy revenues are recognized at a point in time when control is transferred to the customer. Agriculture leasing revenue is recognized in accordance with applicable lease accounting guidance.
Impairment of assets-Long-lived assets, including inventory and the Company’s intangible asset, are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset group may not be recoverable. Impairment indicators for long-lived inventory assets include, but are not limited to, significant increases in horizontal development costs, significant decreases in the pace and pricing of home sales within the Company’s communities and surrounding areas and political and societal events that may negatively affect the local economy. For operating properties, impairment indicators may include significant increases in operating costs, decreased utilization, and continued net operating losses. If indicators of impairment exist, and the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by a long-lived asset are less than its carrying amount, an impairment charge is recorded to write down the carrying amount of such long-lived asset to its estimated fair value. The Company generally estimates the fair value of its long-lived assets using a discounted cash flow model or sales comparison approach of the underlying property or a combination thereof.
The Company’s projected cash flows for each long-lived inventory asset are significantly affected by estimates and assumptions related to market supply and demand, the local economy, projected pace of sales of homesites, pricing and price appreciation over the estimated selling period, the length of the estimated development and selling periods, remaining development costs, and other factors. For operating properties, the Company’s projected cash flows also include estimates and assumptions about the use and eventual disposition of such properties, including utilization, capital expenditures, operating expenses, and the amount of proceeds to be realized upon eventual disposition of such properties.
In determining these estimates and assumptions, the Company utilizes historical trends from past development projects of the Company in addition to internal and external market studies and trends, which generally include, but are not limited to, statistics on population demographics and unemployment rates.
Using all available information, the Company calculates its estimate of projected cash flows for each asset. While many of the estimates are calculated based on historical and projected trends, all estimates are subjective and change as market and economic conditions change. The determination of fair value also requires discounting the estimated cash flows at a rate the Company believes a market participant would determine to be commensurate with the inherent risks associated with the asset and related estimated cash flow streams. The discount rate used in determining each asset’s fair value generally depends on the asset’s projected life and development stage.
Share-based payments- Share-based payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the service period in the statement of operations based on measurement date fair values. Forfeitures, if any, are accounted for in the period when they occur.
Cash and cash equivalents-Included in cash and cash equivalents are short-term investments that have original maturity dates of three months or less. The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these investments.
Restricted cash and certificates of deposit-Restricted cash and certificates of deposit consist of cash, cash equivalents, and certificates of deposit held as collateral on open letters of credit related to development obligations or because of other legal obligations of the Company that require the restriction.
Properties and equipment-Properties and equipment primarily relate to the Company’s agriculture operating properties’ businesses and are recorded at cost. Properties and equipment, other than agriculture land, are depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. At the time properties and equipment are disposed of, the asset and related accumulated depreciation, if any, are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to earnings. The estimated useful life for land improvements and buildings is 10 to 40 years while the estimated useful life for furniture, fixtures, and equipment is two to 15 years.
Investments in unconsolidated entities-For investments in entities that the Company does not control, but exercises significant influence, the Company uses the equity method of accounting. The Company’s judgment with regard to its level of influence or control of an entity involves consideration of various factors including the form of its ownership interest, its representation in the entity’s governance, its ability to participate in policy-making decisions, and the rights of other investors to participate in the decision-making process to replace the Company as manager or to liquidate the entity. Investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting are recorded at cost and adjusted for the Company’s share in the earnings (losses) of the venture, impairments and cash contributions and distributions. Any difference between the carrying amount of the equity method investment on the Company’s balance sheet and the underlying equity in net assets on the entity’s balance sheet results in a basis difference which is adjusted as the related underlying assets are depreciated, amortized, or sold and the liabilities are settled.
The Company eliminates a portion of intra-entity profits or losses resulting from land sales between the Company and its unconsolidated entities until the assets are sold to a third party. Cumulative distributions from unconsolidated entities are treated as returns on investment to the extent of the Company's share of cumulative earnings from the investment and included in the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows as cash flow from operating activities. Cumulative distributions in excess of the Company's share of cumulative earnings are treated as returns of investment and included in the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows as cash flows from investing activities.
The Company evaluates the recoverability of its investment in unconsolidated entities by first reviewing each investment for any indicators of impairment. If indicators are present, the Company estimates the fair value of the investment. If the carrying value of the investment is greater than the estimated fair value, management makes an assessment of whether the impairment is “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.” In making this assessment, management considers the following: (1) the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the entity, and (3) the Company’s intent and ability to retain its interest long enough for a recovery in market value. If management concludes that the impairment is “other-than-temporary,” the Company reduces the investment to its estimated fair value. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $26.9 million related to the Company’s investment in Heritage Fields LLC (the “Great Park Venture”) (see Note 4). No other-than-temporary impairments were identified during the years ended December 31, 2019 or 2018.
Inventories-Inventories primarily include land held for development and sale. Inventories are stated at cost, less reimbursements, unless the inventory within a community is determined to be impaired, in which case the impaired inventory would be written down to fair market value. Capitalized direct and indirect inventory costs include land, land in which the Company has the rights to receive in accordance with a disposition and development agreement, horizontal development costs, real estate taxes, and interest related to financing development and construction. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company incurred interest expense, including amortization of debt issuance costs, all of which was capitalized into inventories, of $55.2 million, $49.7 million and $54.8 million, respectively. Horizontal development costs can be further broken down to costs incurred to entitle and permit the land for its intended use; costs incurred for infrastructure projects, such as public schools, utilities, roads, and bridges; and site costs, such as grading and amenities, to bring the land to a saleable state. General and administrative costs related to project litigation are charged to expense when incurred. Costs that cannot be clearly associated with the acquisition, development, and construction of a real estate project and selling expenses are expensed as incurred. The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred, which were $3.3 million,
$1.7 million and $2.0 million during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Certain public infrastructure project costs incurred by the Company are eligible for reimbursement, typically, from the proceeds of Community Facilities District (“CFD”) bond debt, state and federal grants or property tax assessments.
Capitalized inventory costs that are allocated to individual parcels within a project are allocated to the parcels benefited using relative sales value. Under the relative sales value method, each parcel sold in the project under development is allocated costs incurred and estimates of future inventory costs in proportion to the sales price of the sold parcel relative to the estimated overall sales prices of the project. Since this method requires the Company to estimate future development costs and the expected sales price for future land sales, the profit margin on subsequent parcels sold will be affected by both changes in the estimated total revenues, as well as any changes in the estimated total cost of the project.
Intangible Asset-The Company records intangible asset amortization expense over the expected contract period based on the pattern in which the Company expects to recognize the economic benefits from the asset.
Receivables-The Company evaluates the carrying value of receivables, which includes receivables from related parties, at each reporting date to determine the need for an allowance of expected credit loss. At December 31, 2020, there was no material allowance for credit loss and at December 31, 2019, the allowance for doubtful accounts was not significant. See “Recently adopted accounting pronouncements” below relating to the Company’s adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU No. 2016-13”).
Leases-Under ASC Topic 842, Leases, the Company determines at contract inception if an arrangement contains a lease. If the contract contains a lease, the Company determines the classification of such lease. The Company has elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and nonlease components for both lessee and lessor arrangements. For operating leases with an expected term greater than one year in which the Company is the lessee, operating right of use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term.
When the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is derived from assessment of the credit quality of the Company and adjusted to reflect secured borrowing, estimated yield curves and long-term spread adjustments over appropriate tenors. The Company only includes renewal options in the lease term when it is reasonably certain that it will exercise such options.
The Company excludes the recognition of short-term leases on the balance sheet and lease payments for short term leases are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Fair value measurements-ASC Topic 820, Fair Values Measurement, emphasizes that a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions. The following hierarchy classifies the inputs used to determine fair value into three levels:
Level 1-Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets
Level 2-Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or inputs, other than quoted prices, that are observable for the instrument either directly or indirectly
Level 3-Significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable
In instances where the determination of the fair value measurements 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. The Company’s 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.
Contingent consideration assumed in a business combination is remeasured at fair value each reporting period until the contingency is resolved and any change in the fair value from either the passage of time or events occurring after the acquisition date, is recorded in results from operations.
Income taxes-The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which requires an asset and liability approach for measuring deferred taxes based on temporary differences between the financial statements and tax bases of assets and liabilities existing at each balance sheet date using enacted tax rates for the years in which taxes are expected to be paid or recovered.
The Holding Company has elected to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal, state, and local tax purposes and determines the provision or benefit for income taxes on an interim basis using an estimate of its annual effective tax rate and the impact of specific events as they occur.
The Company’s estimate of the Holding Company’s annual effective tax rate is subject to change based on changes in federal and state tax laws and regulations, the Holding Company’s ownership interest in the Operating Company and the Operating Company’s ownership in the San Francisco Venture, and the Company’s assessment of its deferred tax asset valuation allowance. Cumulative adjustments are made in interim periods in which the Company identifies a change in its estimate of the amount of future tax benefit when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Among other things, the nature, frequency and severity of prior cumulative losses, forecasts of future taxable income, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, the Company’s utilization experience with operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and tax planning alternatives are considered and evaluated when assessing the need for a valuation allowance. Any increase or decrease in a valuation allowance could have a material adverse effect or beneficial effect on the Holding Company’s income tax provision and net income or loss in the period the determination is made. The Holding Company recognizes interest or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.
Miscellaneous other income-Miscellaneous other income consisted of the following (in thousands):
The Tournament Players Club at Valencia Golf Course Disposal
In January 2018, The Tournament Players Club at Valencia Golf Course was sold for net cash proceeds of $5.7 million and the buyer’s assumption of certain liabilities, including certain club membership related liabilities. The Company recognized a gain of $6.7 million as a result of the sale and such gain is included in miscellaneous other income in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018 within the Valencia segment.
Recently adopted accounting pronouncements-In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2016-13 which amends the guidance on the impairment of financial instruments, including most debt instruments, trade receivables, contract assets, and loans. ASU No. 2016-13 adds to U.S. GAAP an impairment model known as the current expected credit loss model, or CECL, that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under the new guidance, an entity recognizes as an allowance its estimate of expected credit losses for instruments measured at amortized cost, resulting in a net presentation of the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. The Company and its unconsolidated entities adopted ASU No. 2016-13 on January 1, 2020 using a modified retrospective approach with no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Under the new guidance, the Company performs a credit loss assessment for new financial assets obtained on a pooling basis by financial asset type (e.g., contract assets, trade receivables, investments, etc.) and estimates an allowance of expected credit loss. Factors considered in the estimation of expected credit loss include, but are not limited to, historical loss experience, third-party default rates on similar financial assets, credit-rating agency ratings and qualitative macroeconomic conditions. The Company continually monitors its credit loss exposure by evaluating changes in economic conditions or significant events and how that may impact current credit loss estimates. At December 31, 2020, there was no material allowance for credit loss.
3. REVENUES
The following tables present the Company’s consolidated revenues disaggregated by revenue source and reporting segment (see Note 15) (in thousands):
Contract balances are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet in either related party assets or other assets for receivables from customers and contract assets (unbilled receivables) depending on whether the customer is a related party. Similarly, contract liabilities (deferred revenue) are included in accounts payable and other liabilities and related party liabilities.
The opening and closing balances of the Company’s contract assets for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $73.0 million ($68.1 million related party, see Note 9) and $85.1 million ($78.1 million related party, see Note 9), respectively. The increase of $12.1 million between the opening and closing balances of the Company’s contract
assets primarily result from a timing difference between the Company’s recognition of revenue earned for the performance of management services and no contractual payments due from the customer during the period.
The opening and closing balances of the Company’s contract assets for the year ended December 31, 2019 were $50.6 million ($49.8 million related party) and $73.0 million ($68.1 million related party, see Note 9), respectively. The increase of $22.4 million between the opening and closing balances of the Company’s contract assets primarily result from a timing difference between the Company’s recognition of revenue earned for the performance of management services and no contractual payments due from the customer during the period.
The opening and closing balances of the Company’s receivables from contracts with customers and contract liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were insignificant.
The Company, through Five Point Communities, LP (“FP LP”), and Five Point Communities Management, Inc., (“FP Inc.” and together with FP LP, the “Management Company”), has a development management agreement, as amended and restated (“A&R DMA”), with the Great Park Venture. The A&R DMA has an original term commencing on December 29, 2010 and ending on December 31, 2021, with options to renew upon mutual agreement for three additional years and then two additional years. Consideration in the form of contingent incentive compensation from the A&R DMA is recognized as revenue and a contract asset as services are provided over the expected contract term, although contractual payments are due in connection with distributions made to the members of the Great Park Venture. As of December 31, 2020, the aggregate amount of the constrained transaction price allocated to the Company’s partially unsatisfied performance obligations associated with the A&R DMA was $16.5 million. The Company will recognize this revenue ratably as services are provided over the remaining expected contract term. At each reporting period the Company will reassess the estimate of the amount of variable consideration the Company is expected to be entitled to such that it is probable that a significant reversal will not occur. Significant judgment is involved in management’s estimate of the amount of variable consideration included in the transaction price. In making this estimate, management utilizes projected cash flows of the operations of the Great Park Venture. These cash flows are significantly affected by estimates and assumptions related to market supply and demand, the local economy, projected pace of sales of homesites, pricing and price appreciation over the estimated selling period, the length of the estimated development and selling periods, remaining development, general, and administrative costs, the expected contract period, and other factors. When changes in the estimate occur, a cumulative catch-up will be recorded in the period and the transaction price allocated to the unsatisfied performance obligation will be adjusted.
The Company applies the disclosure exemptions associated with remaining performance obligations for contracts with an original expected term of one year or less, contracts for which revenue is recognized in proportion to the amount of services performed and variable consideration that is allocated to wholly unsatisfied performance obligations for services that form part of a series of services.
4. INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES
Great Park Venture
The Great Park Venture has two classes of interests-“Percentage Interests” and “Legacy Interests.” Legacy Interest holders are entitled to receive priority distributions in an aggregate amount equal to $476.0 million and up to an additional $89.0 million from participation in subsequent distributions of cash depending on the performance of the Great Park Venture. The holders of the Percentage Interests will receive all other distributions. The Operating Company owns 37.5% of the Great Park Venture’s Percentage Interests as of December 31, 2020. The Great Park Venture has made priority distributions to the holders of Legacy Interests in the aggregate amount of $431.3 million as of December 31, 2020.
The Great Park Venture is the owner of Great Park Neighborhoods, a mixed-use, master-planned community located in Orange County, California. The Company, through the A&R DMA, manages the planning, development and sale of the Great Park Neighborhoods and supervises the day-to-day affairs of the Great Park Venture. The Great Park Venture is managed by an executive committee of representatives appointed by only the holders of Percentage Interests. The Company serves as the administrative member but does not control the actions of the executive committee.
At each reporting period, and when events and circumstances dictate, the Company evaluates its equity method investment in the Great Park Venture for impairment. This evaluation focuses on the recoverability of the carrying value based upon the discounted value of distributions the Company expects to receive from the Great Park Venture. This evaluation is performed at the investment level and is separate and apart from impairment evaluations on long-lived assets, such as the Company’s consolidated inventory balances, that focus on recoverability with undiscounted cash flows. The Company evaluates the investment as a whole and does not evaluate the underlying assets of the Great Park Venture for impairment. If the Great Park Venture records an impairment charge against its assets, the Company will recognize its share of the loss, adjusted for basis differences. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Great Park Venture did not recognize any impairment losses on its long-lived assets.
In March 2020, the Company determined that an other-than-temporary impairment existed for the Company’s investment in the Great Park Venture as the estimated fair value of the investment was less than the carrying value. This was the result of delays to the projected timing of distributions from Great Park Venture to the Company. In determining that the impairment was other-than-temporary, the Company concluded at the measurement date that it was uncertain if a near term recovery of value that was lost as a result of expected delays to land sales from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic would occur. As a result, the Company recognized a $26.9 million impairment charge that is included in equity in earnings from unconsolidated entities on the consolidated statement of operations during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Below are the most significant unobservable inputs used in the Company’s discounted cash flow model to determine the estimated fair value (level 3) of the Company’s investment in the Great Park Venture at the time the other-than-temporary impairment was recognized:
The carrying value of the Company’s investment in the Great Park Venture, acquired through a series of acquisitions in May 2016 (the “Formation Transactions”), adjusted for the impairment, is higher than the Company’s underlying share of equity in the carrying value of net assets of the Great Park Venture resulting in a basis difference. The Company’s earnings or losses from the equity method investment are adjusted by amortization and accretion of the basis differences as the assets (mainly inventory) and liabilities that gave rise to the basis difference are sold, settled or amortized.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Great Park Venture recognized $2.7 million in land sale revenues to related parties of the Company and $22.1 million in land sale revenues to third parties. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Great Park Venture recognized $133.3 million in land sale revenues to a related party of the Company and $137.7 million in land sale revenues to third parties, of which $31.0 million relates to homesites sold to a land banking entity whereby a related party of the Company has retained the option to acquire these homesites in the future from the land banking entity. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Great Park Venture recognized $3.9 million in land sale revenues to related parties and $171.8 million in land sale revenues to third parties.
The following table summarizes the statement of operations of the Great Park Venture for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
The following table summarizes the balance sheet data of the Great Park Venture and the Company’s investment balance as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):
Gateway Commercial Venture
On August 4, 2017, the Company entered into the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Five Point Office Venture Holdings I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Gateway Commercial Venture”), made a capital contribution of $106.5 million to the Gateway Commercial Venture, and received a 75% interest in the venture. The Gateway Commercial Venture is governed by an executive committee in which the Company is entitled to appoint two individuals. One of the other members of the Gateway Commercial Venture is also entitled to appoint two individuals to the executive committee. The unanimous approval of the executive committee is required for certain matters, which limits the Company’s ability to control the Gateway Commercial Venture, however, the Company is able to exercise significant influence and therefore accounts for its investment in the Gateway Commercial Venture using the equity method. The Company is the manager of the Gateway Commercial Venture, with responsibility to manage and administer its day-to-day affairs and implement a business plan approved by the executive committee.
The Five Point Gateway Campus, consisting of approximately 73 acres of commercial land in the Great Park Neighborhoods, currently includes approximately one million square feet planned for research and development, medical and office space in four buildings, which are designed to accommodate thousands of employees.
In August 2020, the Gateway Commercial Venture closed on the sale of two buildings at the Five Point Gateway Campus, comprising a total of approximately 660,000 square feet of research and development space currently leased to one tenant under a triple net lease. The purchase price was $355.0 million, and the purchaser is a real estate investment management company and operator. The sale of the buildings, which had a carrying value of approximately $278.0 million, resulted in a gain of approximately $74.8 million, net of transaction costs. Additionally, the Gateway Commercial Venture made a debt payment of $245.0 million to its lender and a distribution of $107.0 million to its members, of which approximately $80.3 million was distributed to the Company, with net proceeds generated from the sale.
In May 2020, the Gateway Commercial Venture closed on the sale of approximately 11 acres of land and an approximately 189,000 square foot building to City of Hope for a purchase price of $108.0 million. The sale of this land and building, which had a carrying value of approximately $67.5 million, resulted in a gain of approximately $37.4 million, net of transaction costs. Concurrently, the Gateway Commercial Venture made a debt payment of $30.0 million to its lender and a distribution of $75.0 million to its members, of which approximately $56.3 million was distributed to the Company, with net proceeds generated from the sale.
The Company and a related party of the Company separately lease office space in the remaining building owned by the Gateway Commercial Venture at the Five Point Gateway Campus, and during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Gateway Commercial Venture recognized $8.4 million, $8.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively, in rental revenues from those leasing arrangements.
The following table summarizes the statement of operations of the Gateway Commercial Venture for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
The following table summarizes the balance sheet data of the Gateway Commercial Venture and the Company’s investment balance as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):
The debt of the Gateway Commercial Venture is non-recourse to the Company other than in the case of customary “bad act” exceptions or bankruptcy or insolvency events.
Valencia Landbank Venture
In December 2020, the Company made a capital contribution of $4.2 million to an entity (the “Valencia Landbank Venture”) organized for the purpose of taking assignment from homebuilders land purchase and sale agreements and purchasing residential lots within the Valencia community while concurrently entering into option and development agreements with homebuilders in which the homebuilder retains the option to purchase the land to construct and sell homes. The Company has a 10% interest in the Valencia Landbank Venture, and most major decisions require the Company’s approval in addition to the approval of the Valencia Landbank Venture’s other unaffiliated member. The Company does not have a controlling financial interest in the Valencia Landbank Venture but has the ability to significantly influence the Valencia Landbank Venture’s operating and financial policies and accounts for the Valencia Landbank Venture under the equity method of accounting.
Subsequent to the Company’s investment, the Valencia Landbank Venture took assignment of certain purchase and sale agreements and purchased land from the Company for $51.6 million (see Note 9) while concurrently entering into option and development agreements with third party homebuilders. When the Company sells land to the Valencia Landbank Venture, it eliminates its pro-rata share of the intra-entity profits generated from the sale through earnings (loss) from unconsolidated entities until the land is sold by the Valencia Landbank Venture to third party homebuilders. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized equity in loss of $1.6 million from the Valencia Landbank Venture.
5. NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
The Operating Company
The Holding Company’s wholly owned subsidiary is the managing general partner of the Operating Company and at December 31, 2020, the Holding Company and its wholly owned subsidiary owned approximately 62.5% of the outstanding Class A Common Units and 100% of the outstanding Class B Common Units of the Operating Company. The Holding Company consolidates the financial results of the Operating Company and its subsidiaries and records a noncontrolling interest for the remaining 37.5% of the outstanding Class A Common Units of the Operating Company.
After a 12 month holding period, holders of Class A Common Units of the Operating Company may exchange their units for, at the Company’s option, either (i) Class A common shares on a one-for-one basis (subject to adjustment in the event of share splits, distributions of shares, warrants or share rights, specified extraordinary distributions and similar events), or (ii) cash in an amount equal to the market value of such shares at the time of exchange. In either situation, an equal number of that holder’s Class B common shares will automatically convert into Class A common shares, at a ratio of 0.0003 Class A common shares for each Class B common share. This exchange right is currently exercisable by all holders of outstanding Class A Common Units of the Operating Company.
With each exchange of Class A Common Units of the Operating Company for Class A common shares, the Holding Company’s percentage ownership interest in the Operating Company and its share of the Operating Company’s cash distributions and profits and losses will increase. Additionally, other issuances of common shares of the Holding Company or common units of the Operating Company result in changes to the noncontrolling interest percentage. As a result, such equity transactions result in an adjustment between members’ capital and the noncontrolling interest in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and statements of capital to account for the changes in the noncontrolling interest ownership percentage as well as any change in total net assets of the Company.
During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Holding Company increased its ownership interest in the Operating Company as a result of net equity transactions related to the Company’s share-based compensation plan and exchanges of Class A Common Units of the Operating Company for Class A common shares.
The terms of the Operating Company's Limited Partnership Agreement (“LPA”) provide for the payment of certain tax distributions to the Operating Company's partners and management partner in an amount equal to the estimated income tax liabilities resulting from taxable income or gain allocated to those parties. The tax distribution provisions in the LPA were included in the Operating Company's governing documents adopted prior to our initial public offering and were designed to provide funds necessary to pay tax liabilities for income that might be allocated, but not paid, to the partners and the management partner. The management partner is an entity controlled by the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Emile Haddad. A tax distribution payment of $4.6 million was paid to the management partner in January 2020 as a result of taxable income allocated to it in 2018 and 2019. The tax distribution made is treated as an advance distribution under the LPA and is taken into account when determining the amounts otherwise distributable to the management partner under the LPA. In January 2021, the Operating Company made tax distributions to all partners totaling $2.9 million, net of amounts distributable to the Holding Company. The management partner’s share of the distribution was $1.4 million.
The San Francisco Venture
The San Francisco Venture, the entity developing the Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard communities, has three classes of units-Class A units, Class B units and Class C units. The Operating Company acquired a controlling interest in the San Francisco Venture in the May 2016 Formation Transactions by acquiring all of the outstanding Class B units of the San Francisco Venture. All of the outstanding Class A units are owned by affiliates of Lennar Corporation (“Lennar”) and affiliates of Castlelake, LP (“Castlelake”). The Class A units of the San Francisco Venture are intended to be substantially economically equivalent to the Class A Common Units of the Operating Company. The Class A units of the San Francisco Venture represent noncontrolling interests to the Operating Company.
Holders of Class A units of the San Francisco Venture can redeem their units at any time and receive Class A Common Units of the Operating Company on a one-for-one basis (subject to adjustment in the event of share splits, distributions of shares, warrants or share rights, specified extraordinary distributions and similar events). If a holder requests a redemption of Class A units of the San Francisco Venture that would result in the Holding Company’s ownership of the Operating Company falling below 50.1%, the Holding Company has the option of satisfying the redemption with Class A common shares instead. The Company also has the option, at any time, to acquire outstanding Class A units of the San Francisco Venture in exchange for Class A Common Units of the Operating Company. The 12 month holding period for any Class A Common Units of the Operating Company issued in exchange for Class A units of the San Francisco Venture is calculated by including the period that such Class A units of the San Francisco Venture were owned. This exchange right is currently exercisable by all holders of outstanding Class A units of the San Francisco Venture.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
In 2019, the San Francisco Venture issued 25.0 million new Class C units to an affiliate of Lennar in exchange for a contribution of $25.0 million to the San Francisco Venture. Provided that Lennar completes the construction of a certain number of new homes in Candlestick as contemplated under purchase and sale agreements with the Company, the San Francisco Venture is required to redeem the Class C units if and when the Company receives reimbursements from the Mello-Roos communities facilities district formed for the development, in an aggregate amount equal to 50% of any reimbursements received up to a maximum amount of $25.0 million. The San Francisco Venture also maintains the ability to redeem the then outstanding balance of Class C units for cash at any time. Upon a liquidation of the San Francisco Venture, the holders of Class C Units are entitled to a liquidation preference. The maximum amount payable by the San Francisco Venture pursuant to redemptions or liquidation of the Class C units is $25.0 million. The holders of Class C units are not entitled to receive any other forms of distributions and are not entitled to any voting rights. In connection with the issuance of the Class C units, the San Francisco Venture agreed to spend $25.0 million on the development of infrastructure and/or parking facilities at the Company’s Candlestick development. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, $25.0 million of Class C units were outstanding and included in redeemable noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets.
6. CONSOLIDATED VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY
The Holding Company conducts all of its operations through the Operating Company, a consolidated VIE, and as a result, substantially all of the Company’s assets and liabilities represent the assets and liabilities of the
Operating Company, other than items attributed to income taxes and the payable pursuant to tax receivable agreement (“TRA”). The Operating Company has investments in and consolidates the assets and liabilities of the San Francisco Venture, FP LP and Five Point Land, LLC (“FPL”), all of which have also been determined to be VIEs.
The San Francisco Venture is a VIE as the other members of the venture, individually or as a group, are not able to exercise kick-out rights or substantive participating rights. The Company applied the variable interest model and determined that it is the primary beneficiary of the San Francisco Venture and, accordingly, the San Francisco Venture is consolidated in its results. In making that determination, the Company evaluated that the Operating Company has unilateral and unconditional power to make decisions in regards to the activities that significantly impact the economics of the VIE, which are the development of properties, marketing and sale of properties, acquisition of land and other real estate properties and obtaining land ownership or ground lease for the underlying properties to be developed. The Company is determined to have more-than-insignificant economic benefit from the San Francisco Venture because, excluding Class C units, the Operating Company can prevent or cause the San Francisco Venture from making distributions on its units, and the Operating Company would receive 99% of any such distributions made (assuming no distributions had been paid on the Class A Common Units of the Operating Company). In addition, the San Francisco Venture is only allowed to make a capital call on the Operating Company and not any other interest holders, which could be a significant financial risk to the Operating Company.
As of December 31, 2020, the San Francisco Venture had total combined assets of $1.2 billion, primarily comprised of $1,223.5 million of inventories and $2.8 million in related party assets and total combined liabilities of $97.9 million, including $89.0 million in related party liabilities.
As of December 31, 2019, the San Francisco Venture had total combined assets of $1.2 billion, primarily comprised of $1,186.2 million of inventories, $2.2 million in related party assets and $1.3 million in cash and total combined liabilities of $119.2 million, including $102.4 million in related party liabilities.
Those assets are owned by, and those liabilities are obligations of, the San Francisco Venture, not the Company. The San Francisco Venture’s operating subsidiaries are not guarantors of the Company’s obligations, and the assets held by the San Francisco Venture may only be used as collateral for the San Francisco Venture’s obligations. The creditors of the San Francisco Venture do not have recourse to the assets of the Operating Company, as the VIE’s primary beneficiary, or of the Holding Company.
The Company and the other members do not generally have an obligation to make capital contributions to the San Francisco Venture. In addition, there are no liquidity arrangements or agreements to fund capital or purchase assets that could require the Company to provide financial support to the San Francisco Venture. The Company does not guarantee any debt of the San Francisco Venture. However, the Operating Company has guaranteed the performance of payment by the San Francisco Venture in accordance with the redemption terms of the Class C units of the San Francisco Venture (see Note 5).
FP LP and FPL, the entity developing Valencia (formerly known as Newhall Ranch), are VIEs because the other partners or members have disproportionately fewer voting rights and substantially all of the activities of the entities are conducted on behalf of the other partners or members and their related parties. The Operating Company, or a wholly owned subsidiary of the Operating Company, is the primary beneficiary of FP LP and FPL.
As of December 31, 2020, FP LP and FPL had combined assets of $1.0 billion, primarily comprised of $767.3 million of inventories, $71.7 million of intangibles, $80.0 million in related party assets and total combined liabilities of $108.9 million, including $99.9 million in accounts payable and other liabilities and $9.0 million in related party liabilities.
As of December 31, 2019, FP LP and FPL had combined assets of $900.0 million, primarily comprised of $703.6 million of inventories, $80.4 million of intangibles, $72.3 million in related party assets and $0.5 million in cash and total combined liabilities of $126.8 million, including $117.6 million in accounts payable and other liabilities and $9.2 million in related party liabilities.
The Company evaluates its primary beneficiary designation on an ongoing basis and assesses the appropriateness of the VIE’s status when events have occurred that would trigger such an analysis. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, there were no VIEs that were deconsolidated.
7. PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Properties and equipment as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the following (in thousands):
Depreciation expense was $1.3 million, $1.2 million and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 respectively.
8. INTANGIBLE ASSET, NET-RELATED PARTY
The intangible asset relates to the contract value of the incentive compensation provisions of the A&R DMA with the Great Park Venture acquired in the Formation Transactions (see Note 9). The intangible asset will be amortized over the expected contract period based on the pattern in which the economic benefits are expected to be received.
The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the intangible asset as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows (in thousands):
Intangible asset amortization expense, as a result of revenue recognition attributable to incentive compensation, was $8.6 million, $15.6 million and $12.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 respectively. Amortization expense is included in the cost of management services in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and is included in the Great Park segment.
9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Related party assets and liabilities included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the following (in thousands):
Development Management Agreement with the Great Park Venture (Incentive Compensation Contract Asset)
In 2010, the Great Park Venture, the Company’s equity method investee, engaged the Management Company under a development management agreement to provide management services to the Great Park Venture. The compensation structure in place as per the A&R DMA consists of a base fee and incentive compensation. The base fee consists of a fixed annual fee and a variable fee equal to general and administrative costs incurred by the Management Company on behalf of the Great Park Venture. Incentive compensation is characterized as “Legacy Incentive Compensation” and “Non-Legacy Incentive Compensation.” The remaining Legacy Incentive Compensation consists of a maximum of $9.0 million of incentive compensation payments attributed to contingent payments made under a cash flow participation agreement the Great Park Venture is a party to. Holders of the Management Company’s Class B interests are entitled to receive all distributions from the Management Company that are attributable to any Legacy Incentive Compensation received by the Management Company. Non-Legacy Incentive Compensation is 9% of distributions made by the Great Park Venture to holders of Percentage Interests of the Great Park Venture (see Note 4).
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company recognized revenue from management services of $26.9 million, $36.9 million and $35.1 million, respectively, related to all management fees under the A&R DMA, and such revenues are included in management services-related party in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and are included in the Great Park segment. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, included in contract assets in the table above is $74.8 million and $66.1 million, respectively, attributed to Legacy and Non-Legacy Incentive Compensation revenue recognized but not yet due (see Note 3). At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had a receivable from the Great Park Venture of $3.1 million and $3.6 million, respectively, related to cost reimbursements under the A&R DMA. The receivable amounts are included in other related party assets in the table above. The current term of the A&R DMA ends in December 2021 and provides for term extensions at the mutual agreement of terms and provisions by both the Company and the Great Park Venture.
Operating Lease Right-of-Use Asset and Operating Lease Liability
The Company leases corporate office space at the Five Point Gateway Campus. Upon adoption of ASC Topic 842, Leases on January 1, 2019, the Company recognized an operating lease right-of-use asset and operating lease liability pertaining to this related party lease (See note 12).
Indirect Legacy Interest in Great Park Venture
In June 2018, the Company purchased an indirect interest in rights to certain Legacy Interests in the Great Park Venture through an equity method investment that were held by the Company’s CEO, Emile Haddad. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying value of the purchased interests was $0.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively, and is included in other related party assets in the table above.
Retail Project and Contingent Consideration to Class A Members of the San Francisco Venture
Prior to the Company’s acquisition of the San Francisco Venture, the San Francisco Venture completed a separation transaction (the “Separation Transaction”) pursuant to an Amended and Restated Separation and Distribution Agreement (“Separation Agreement”) in which the equity interests in a subsidiary of the San Francisco Venture known as CPHP Development, LLC (“CPHP”) were distributed directly to the Class A members of the San Francisco Venture: (i) an affiliate of Lennar and (ii) an affiliate of Castlelake.
In early 2019, the Company and the members of a joint venture, formed between affiliates of The Macerich Company, Lennar and Castlelake (“Mall Venture”), that intended to construct a retail outlet shopping district at Candlestick (“Retail Project”) decided not to proceed with the project. As part of the termination of the Retail Project, the San Francisco Venture was released from its obligation to convey parcels of property (the “Retail Project Property”) on which the Retail Project was intended to be developed and from certain development obligations. As a result of terminating the project and agreements related thereto, the San Francisco Venture recognized a gain of $64.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, representing the settlement of the contingent consideration pertaining to the development obligations and relief from the conveyance of these parcels.
Concurrent with the termination of the Retail Project, the San Francisco Venture issued 436,498 Class A units (and the Holding Company issued 436,498 of its Class B common shares) to, and received a contribution of $5.5 million from, the holders of Class A units of the San Francisco Venture.
Reimbursement Obligation
The San Francisco Venture has entered into reimbursement agreements for which it has agreed to reimburse CPHP or its subsidiaries for a portion of the EB-5 loan liabilities and related interest that were assumed by CPHP or its subsidiaries pursuant to the Separation Agreement. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the balance of the reimbursement obligation to CPHP or its subsidiaries was $89.0 million and $102.4 million, respectively. Interest paid monthly totaled $4.1 million, $4.2 million and $4.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. All of the incurred interest for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was capitalized into inventories. The weighted average interest rate as of December 31, 2020 was 4.4%.
In April 2020, the San Francisco Venture agreed with a subsidiary of CPHP to defer, until April 2025, $12.6 million in reimbursement obligations that were due. The deferred amount will accrue interest at a rate of 6% per year and can be prepaid at any time without any premium or penalty. Additionally, throughout 2020, the Company was notified by CPHP or its affiliates that certain reimbursements that were previously expected to be paid in 2020 had been deferred to subsequent years. These deferred amounts continue to incur interest at the original interest rate. Principal payments of $35.5 million, $40.2 million, $0.6 million and $12.6 million are expected to be paid in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025, respectively, however, additional deferral notices may further extend the expected payment dates.
San Francisco Bay Area Development Management Agreements
The Company previously entered into development management agreements with affiliates of Lennar and Castlelake in which the Company provided certain development management services to various real estate development projects located in the San Francisco Bay Area. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company recognized revenue from these management services of $0.8 million, $2.4 million and $4.4 million, respectively. Revenues related to management fees under the San Francisco Bay Area development management agreements are included in management services-related party in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2020, all development management agreements had been terminated.
Gateway Commercial Venture Property Management Agreement
The Company has entered into a property management agreement with Gateway Commercial Venture in which the Company will provide certain property management services to the Five Point Gateway Campus. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, the Company recognized revenue from these management services of $0.4 million, $0.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively, which is included in management services-related party in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
Valencia Purchase and Sale Agreements
In 2020, the Company sold 210 homesites on approximately 26 acres to the Valencia Landbank Venture (see Note 4). Initial gross proceeds were $51.6 million, representing the base purchase price. The Company also recognized $1.6 million in the transaction price as an estimate of the amount of variable consideration from marketing fees that the Company expects to be entitled to receive. The Valencia Landbank Venture has entered into option and development agreements with homebuilders in which the homebuilders will purchase lots from the Valencia Landbank Venture and construct and sell homes to the homebuying public.
In 2019, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement with an unaffiliated land banking entity for the sale of 711 homesites on approximately 59 acres. Initial gross proceeds were $135.2 million, representing the base purchase price, and the Company also recognized $4.7 million in the transaction price as an estimate of the amount of variable consideration from marketing fees that the Company expects to be entitled to receive. A related party of the Company retained the option to acquire these homesites in the future from the unaffiliated land banking entity.
10. NOTES PAYABLE, NET
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, notes payable consisted of the following (in thousands):
Senior Notes
In November 2017, the Operating Company and Five Point Capital Corp., a directly wholly owned subsidiary of the Operating Company (the “Co-Issuer” and, together with the Operating Company, the “Issuers”), offered, sold and issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.875% unsecured senior notes due November 15, 2025 at 100% of par (the “Original Notes”). Proceeds from the offering, after underwriting fees and offering expenses were $490.7 million. In July 2019, the Issuers offered, sold and issued $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.875% unsecured senior notes as a further issuance of the Original Notes (the “Add-On Notes”). The terms of the Add-On Notes are identical to the Original Notes (the Add-On Notes and, together with the Original Notes, the “Senior Notes”). The Add-On Notes were issued at par plus pre-issuance interest that had accrued from May 15, 2019 to the issuance date. Proceeds from the offering of the Add-On Notes, after underwriting fees and offering expenses and excluding pre-issuance accrued interest was $122.8 million.
Interest on the Senior Notes is payable on May 15 and November 15 of each year. Interest incurred, including amortization of debt issuance costs, on the Senior Notes during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 totaled $50.8 million, $45.0 million, and $39.8 million, respectively. All interest incurred was capitalized to inventories for all three years.
The Senior Notes are guaranteed jointly and severally, by certain direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Operating Company and are redeemable at the option of the Issuers, in whole or in part, at a declining call premium as set forth in the indenture governing the Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
Revolving Credit Facility
The Operating Company has a $125.0 million revolving credit facility with a maturity date in April 2022, with one option to extend the maturity date by an additional year, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions including the approval of the administrative agent and lenders. The aggregate commitment is $125.0 million, with an accordion feature that allows the Operating Company to request to increase the maximum aggregate amount by up to $50.0 million to $175.0 million, subject to certain conditions, including receipt of commitments. Any borrowings bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.00% based on the Company’s leverage ratio. In the event LIBOR is unavailable, the revolving credit facility provides for a replacement rate to be selected. As of December 31, 2020, no funds have been drawn on the revolving credit facility, however letters of credit of $0.3 million are issued and outstanding under the revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2020, thus reducing the available capacity by the outstanding letters of credit amount.
11. TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT
The Company is a party to a TRA with all of the holders of Class A Common Units of the Operating Company, all the holders of Class A Units of the San Francisco Venture, and prior holders of Class A common Units of the Operating Company and prior holders of Class A Units of the San Francisco Venture that have exchanged their holdings for Class A common shares (as parties to the TRA, the “TRA Parties”). The TRA provides for payment by the Company to the TRA Parties or their successors of 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in income tax the Company realizes as a result of:
(a) Increases in the Company’s tax basis attributable to exchanges of Class A Common Units of the Operating Company for Class A common shares of the Company or cash or certain other taxable acquisitions of equity interests by the Operating Company.
The Company expects that basis adjustments resulting from these transactions, if they occur, are likely to reduce the amount of income tax the Company would otherwise be required to pay in the future.
(b) Allocations that result from the application of the principles of Section 704(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
Section 704(c) of the Code, and the U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, require that items of income, gain, loss and deduction that are attributable to the Operating Company’s directly and indirectly held property, including property contributed to the Operating Company pursuant to the Formation Transactions and the property held by the Operating Company prior to the Formation Transactions, must be allocated among the members of the Operating Company to take into account the difference between the fair market value and the adjusted tax basis of such assets on May 2, 2016. As a result, the Operating Company will be required to make certain special allocations of its items of income, gain, loss and deduction that are attributable to such assets.
The Company expects these allocations, like the increases in tax basis described above, are likely to reduce the amount of income tax the Company would otherwise be required to pay in the future.
(c) Tax benefits related to imputed interest or guaranteed payments deemed to be paid or incurred by the Company as a result of the TRA.
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company’s consolidated balance sheets include liabilities of $173.2 million and $172.6 million, respectively, for payments expected to be made under certain components of the TRA which the Company deems to be probable and estimable. Management deems a TRA payment related to the benefits expected to be received by the Company under the application of Section 704(c) of the Code to be probable and estimable when an event occurs that results in the Company measuring the Operating Company’s direct or indirectly held property at fair value in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet or the sale of such property at fair value. Either of these activities are indicators that the difference between the fair market value of the property and the adjusted tax basis has been or will be realized, resulting in special allocations of income, gain, loss or deduction that are likely to reduce the amount of income taxes that the Company would otherwise pay. The Company may record additional TRA liabilities related to properties not currently held at fair value when those properties are recognized or realized at fair value. Changes in the Company’s estimates of the utilization of its deferred tax attributes and tax rates in effect may also result in subsequent changes to the amount of TRA liabilities recorded.
The term of the TRA will continue until all such tax benefits under the agreement have been utilized or expired, unless the Company exercises its right, subject to certain conditions of the agreement, to terminate the TRA for an amount based on an agreed value of payments remaining to be made under the agreement. No TRA payments were made during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
12. LEASES
The Company adopted ASC Topic 842, Leases, on January 1, 2019 on a modified retrospective basis. Periods presented prior to adoption are in accordance with historical U.S. GAAP (Topic 840, Leases).
The Company’s lessee arrangements consist of agreements to lease certain office facilities and equipment and the Company’s lessor arrangements consist of leases of portions of land to third parties for agriculture or other miscellaneous uses. The Company’s agricultural land lease agreements are generally short-term in nature. As of December 31, 2020, all leasing arrangements are classified as operating leases and do not contain residual value guarantees or material restrictions.
The Company’s office leases have remaining lease terms of approximately three years to eight years and include one or more extension options to renew, some of which include options to extend the leases for up to ten years. The Company only includes renewal options in the lease term when it is reasonably certain that it will exercise such options.
The components of lease costs were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):
Rent expense (ASC 840) for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $2.7 million.
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows (in thousands, except lease term in years and discount rate):
Operating lease right-of-use assets are included in other assets or related party assets and operating lease liabilities are included in accounts payable and other liabilities or related party liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
The table below reconciles the undiscounted cash flows to operating lease liabilities recorded on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is subject to the usual obligations associated with entering into contracts for the purchase, development, and sale of real estate, which the Company does in the routine conduct of its business. The operations of the Company are conducted through the Operating Company and its subsidiaries, and in some cases, the Holding Company will guarantee the performance of the Operating Company or its subsidiaries.
Valencia Project Approval Settlement
In September 2017, the Company reached a settlement with key national and state environmental and Native American organizations that were petitioners (the “Settling Petitioners”) in various legal challenges to Valencia’s regulatory approvals and permits. The Holding Company has provided a guaranty to the Settling Petitioners for monetary payments due from the Company as required under the settlement. As of December 31,
2020, the remaining estimated maximum potential amount of monetary payments subject to the guaranty was $20.8 million with the final payment due in 2026. The Company did not reach a settlement with two local environmental organizations that had pending challenges to certain Valencia project approvals. See “Legal Proceedings” below.
Water Purchase Agreement
The Company is subject to a water purchase agreement requiring annual payments in exchange for the delivery of water for the Company’s exclusive use. The agreement has an initial 35-year term, which expires in 2039 with an option for a second 35-year term. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company made payments totaling $1.3 million under the agreement. The annual minimum payments for years 2021 to 2025 are $1.3 million, $1.4 million, $1.4 million, $1.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively. At December 31, 2020, the aggregate of all annual minimum payments remaining under the initial term total $33.8 million.
Valencia Infrastructure Project
In January 2012, the Company entered into an agreement with Los Angeles County, in which the Company would finance up to a maximum of $45.8 million for the construction costs of an interchange project that Los Angeles County is managing. The interchange project is a critical infrastructure project that will benefit Valencia. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has made aggregate payments of $37.0 million and the interchange project was completed in 2019. At both December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had $8.9 million included in accounts payable and other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, representing unreimbursed construction costs payable to Los Angeles County. The Company expects to make the final payment of $8.9 million in 2021.
Performance and Completion Bonding Agreements
In the ordinary course of business and as a part of the entitlement and development process, the Company is required to provide performance bonds to ensure completion of certain development obligations. The Company had outstanding performance bonds of $229.6 million and $230.0 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard Disposition and Development Agreement
The San Francisco Venture is a party to a disposition and development agreement with the San Francisco Agency in which the San Francisco Agency has agreed to convey portions of Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard to the San Francisco Venture for development. The San Francisco Venture has agreed to reimburse the San Francisco Agency for reasonable costs and expenses actually incurred and paid by the San Francisco Agency in performing its obligations under the disposition and development agreement. The San Francisco Agency can also earn a return of certain profits generated from the development and sale of Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard if certain thresholds are met.
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the San Francisco Venture had outstanding guarantees benefiting the San Francisco Agency for infrastructure and construction of certain park and open space obligations with aggregate maximum obligations of $198.3 million and $197.8 million, respectively.
Letters of Credit
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had outstanding letters of credit totaling $1.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively. These letters of credit were issued to secure various development and financial obligations. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had restricted cash and certificates of deposit of $1.0 million and $1.4 million, respectively, pledged as collateral under certain of the letters of credit agreements.
Legal Proceedings
Landmark Village/Mission Village
During the pendency of certain prior litigation involving the approval of the original environmental impact reports and related permits for the Landmark Village and Mission Village projects at Valencia, in July 2017, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors certified the final additional environmental analyses required as a result of a prior California Supreme Court decision regarding the original greenhouse gas analysis related to the projects and reapproved the Landmark Village and Mission Village projects and related permits. In August 2017, two petitioners, Santa Clarita Organization for Planning and the Environment and Friends of the Santa Clara River (collectively, “Non-Settling Petitioners”), who did not participate in a settlement of prior litigation involving the Company and certain other petitioners, filed a new petition for writ of mandate in the Los Angeles Superior Court. The petition challenged Los Angeles County’s July 2017 approvals of the Mission Village and Landmark Village environmental analyses and the two projects based on claims arising under the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Water Code. The Superior Court held a hearing on the merits of the petition in September 2018. In December 2018, the Superior Court issued its written decision denying the Non-Settling Petitioners’ petition for writ of mandate. Thereafter, in January 2019, the Superior Court entered judgment on the petition for writ of mandate in favor of Los Angeles County and the Company. In March 2019, the Non-Settling Petitioners filed an appeal of the Superior Court’s ruling. In April 2020, the Court of Appeal issued a ruling affirming the Superior Court’s judgment in favor of the Company and Los Angeles County. In July 2020, the California Supreme Court issued an order denying the Non-Settling Petitioners’ petition to review the Court of Appeal’s decision. The judgment in favor of Los Angeles County and the Company is now final with no further right to appeal.
Hunters Point Litigation
In May 2018, residents of the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood in San Francisco filed a putative class action in San Francisco Superior Court naming Tetra Tech, Inc. and Tetra Tech EC, Inc., an independent contractor hired by the U.S. Navy to conduct testing and remediation of toxic radiological waste at The San Francisco Shipyard (“Tetra Tech”), Lennar and the Company as defendants. The plaintiffs allege that, among other things, Tetra Tech fraudulently misrepresented its test results and remediation efforts. The plaintiffs are seeking damages against Tetra Tech and have requested an injunction to prevent the Company and Lennar from undertaking any development activities at The San Francisco Shipyard.
Since July 2018, a number of lawsuits have been filed in San Francisco Superior Court on behalf of homeowners in The San Francisco Shipyard, which name Tetra Tech, Lennar, the Company and the Company’s CEO, among others, as defendants. The plaintiffs allege that environmental contamination issues at The San Francisco Shipyard were not properly disclosed to them before they purchased their homes. They also allege that Tetra Tech and other defendants (not including the Company) have created a nuisance at The San Francisco Shipyard under California law. They seek damages as well as certain declaratory relief.
All of these cases have been removed to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to the allegations in all of these cases and may have insurance and indemnification rights against third parties, including related parties, with respect to these claims. Given the preliminary nature of these claims, the Company cannot predict the outcome of these matters.
Other
Other than the actions outlined above, the Company is also a party to various other claims, legal actions, and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business, the disposition of which, in the Company’s opinion, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
As a significant land owner and developer of unimproved land it is possible that environmental contamination conditions could exist that would require the Company to take corrective action. In the opinion of the Company, such corrective actions, if any, would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
14. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Supplemental cash flow information for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 is as follows (in thousands):
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows (in thousands):
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
Amounts included in restricted cash and certificates of deposit represent amounts held as collateral on open letters of credit related to development obligations or because of other contractual obligations of the Company that require the restriction.
15. SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company’s reportable segments consist of:
• Valencia (formerly Newhall)-includes the community of Valencia (formerly known as Newhall Ranch) being developed in northern Los Angeles County, California. The Valencia segment derives revenues from the sale of residential and commercial land sites to homebuilders, commercial developers and commercial buyers. The Company’s investment in the Valencia Landbank Venture is also reported in the Valencia segment.
• San Francisco-includes the Candlestick and The San Francisco Shipyard communities located on bayfront property in the City of San Francisco, California. The San Francisco segment derives revenues from the sale of residential and commercial land sites to homebuilders, commercial developers and commercial buyers.
• Great Park-includes Great Park Neighborhoods being developed adjacent to and around the Orange County Great Park, a metropolitan park under construction in Orange County, California. This segment also includes management services provided by the Management Company to the Great Park Venture, the owner of the Great Park Neighborhoods. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had a 37.5% Percentage Interest in the Great Park Venture and accounted for the investment under the equity method. The reported segment information for the Great Park segment includes the results of 100% of the Great Park Venture at the historical basis of the venture, which did not apply push down accounting at acquisition date. The Great Park segment derives revenues from the sale of residential and commercial land sites to homebuilders, commercial developers and commercial buyers, and management services provided by the Company to the Great Park Venture.
• Commercial-includes Five Point Gateway Campus, an office and research and development campus within the Great Park Neighborhoods, consisting of four buildings and surrounding land that the Gateway Commercial Venture acquired in 2017. In 2020, the Gateway Commercial Venture sold three of the buildings and approximately 11 acres of land within the campus. The Company and a subsidiary of Lennar lease portions of the fourth building that remains under the ownership of the Gateway Commercial Venture. The Gateway Commercial Venture also owns approximately 50 acres of commercial land with additional development rights at the campus. This segment also includes property management services provided by the Management Company to the Gateway Commercial Venture. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had a 75% interest in the Gateway Commercial Venture and accounted for the investment under the equity method. The reported segment information for the Commercial segment includes the results of 100% of the Gateway Commercial Venture.
Segment operating results and reconciliations to the Company’s consolidated balances are as follows:
(1) Represents the removal of the Great Park Venture’s and Gateway Commercial Venture’s operating results and balances that are included in the Great Park segment and Commercial segment operating results and balances, respectively, but are not included in the Company’s consolidated results and balances.
(2) Represents intersegment balances that eliminate in consolidation.
(3) Corporate and unallocated activity is primarily comprised of corporate general, and administrative expenses and income taxes. Corporate and unallocated assets consist of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, ROU assets, prepaid expenses and deferred financing costs.
(4) Expenditures for long-lived assets are net of inventory cost reimbursements and include noncash project accruals and capitalized interest. For the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, Great Park Venture’s net expenditures include $9.3 million and $127.0 million, respectively, in inventory cost reimbursements received.
The Valencia Landbank Venture represented one of the Company’s major customers during the year ended December 31, 2020, accounting for approximately $53.2 million, or 35%, of total consolidated revenues. A third party home builder represented another major customer of the Company during the year ended December 31, 2020, accounting for approximately $59.1 million, or 38%, of total consolidated revenues. Revenues generated from both customers were from the sale of homesites in Valencia. An unaffiliated land banking entity that acquired homesites in Valencia in 2019 represented one of the Company’s major customers during the year ended December 31, 2019 and accounted for approximately $139.9 million, or 76%, of total consolidated revenues. A related party of the Company retained the option to acquire these homesites in the future from the unaffiliated land banking entity. The Great Park Venture represented another of the Company’s major customers for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, and accounted for approximately $26.9 million, or 18%, $36.9 million, or 20%, and $35.1 million, or 72%, of total consolidated revenues, respectively. These revenues represented management services revenues and were reported in the Great Park segment.
16. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company has an incentive award plan that provides for the grant of share options, restricted shares, restricted share units, performance awards (which include, but are not limited to, cash bonuses), distribution equivalent awards, deferred share awards, share payment awards, share appreciation rights, other incentive awards (which include, but are not limited to, LTIP Unit awards (as defined in the incentive award plan) and performance share awards. Employees and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, as well as non-employee members of the Company’s Board of Directors, are eligible to receive awards under the incentive award plan. The incentive award plan authorizes the issuance of up to 11,710,148 Class A common shares of the Holding Company. As of December 31, 2020, there were 4,689,214 remaining Class A common shares available for future issuance under the incentive award plan.
Under the incentive award plan, the Company has granted restricted share units (“RSUs”) and restricted share awards either fully vested, with service conditions or with service and market performance conditions based on the market price of the Company’s Class A common shares. Awards with a service condition generally vest over a three-year period or in the case of non-employee directors over one year. Awards with a service and market performance condition generally vest at the end of a three-year period. Restricted share awards entitle the holders to non-forfeitable distributions and to vote the underlying Class A common share during the restricted period.
The Company estimates the fair value of restricted share awards with a service condition based on the closing market price of the Company’s Class A common shares on the award’s grant date. Prior to the Company’s shares being publicly traded, the Company measured the fair value of RSUs and restricted share awards based on the estimated fair value of the Company’s underlying Class A common shares determined using a discounted cash flow analysis. The inputs utilized in the Company’s estimate were selected by the Company based on information available to the Company, including relevant information obtained after the measurement date, as to the assumptions that market participants would make at the measurement date. The grant date fair value of awards with a market condition are determined using a Monte-Carlo approach.
During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company reacquired vested RSUs and restricted share awards from employees for $5.5 million, $4.1 million and $5.1 million, respectively, for the purpose of settling tax withholding obligations. The reacquisition cost is based on the fair value of the Company’s Class A common shares on the date the tax obligation is incurred.
The following table summarizes share-based equity compensation activity for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
Share-based compensation expense was $11.6 million, $13.6 million and $11.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Share-based compensation expense is included in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Approximately $5.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.1 years from December 31, 2020. The estimated fair value at vesting of share-based awards that vested during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $8.7 million, $5.9 million, and $11.8 million, respectively.
17. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Retirement Plan-The Newhall Land and Farming Company Retirement Plan (the “Retirement Plan”) is a defined benefit plan that is funded by the Company and qualified under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The Retirement Plan was frozen in 2004.
The Retirement Plan’s funded status and amounts recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the Retirement Plan as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows (in thousands):
The accumulated benefit obligation for the Retirement Plan was $22.4 million and $22.0 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The components of net periodic benefit and other amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, are as follows (in thousands):
The weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
The weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic expense for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, were as follows:
To develop the long-term rate of return on assets assumption, the Company considered the current level of expected return on risk-free investments (primarily U.S. government bonds), the historical level of the risk premium associated with the other asset classes in which the portfolio is invested, and the expectations for future returns of each asset class.
Plan Assets-The Company’s investment policy and strategy for the Retirement Plan is to ensure the appropriate level of diversification and risk. The asset allocation targets were approximately 55% in equity investments (Standard & Poor’s Large Cap Index Funds, Small Cap Equity, Mid Cap Equity, and International Equity) and approximately 45% in fixed-income investments (U.S. bond funds and domestic fixed income). In accordance with the policy, the Retirement Plan assets are monitored and the investments may be rebalanced quarterly. The Retirement Plan’s assets consist of pooled or collective investment funds that have more than one investor. The Retirement Plan estimates the fair value of its interest in such funds at a net asset value (“NAV”) per unit reported by the trustee. The NAV per unit is the result of accumulated values of the underlying investments held by the fund, which are valued daily. NAV is utilized by the Company to determine fair value of the plan assets as a practical expedient as of the consolidated balance sheet date. Plan assets for which fair value is measured using NAV shall not be categorized within the fair value hierarchy. The Retirement Plan’s assets may be redeemed at the NAV per unit with no restrictions.
The Retirement Plan’s assets at fair value as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, are as follows (in thousands):
The Company’s funding policy is to contribute amounts sufficient to meet minimum requirements but not more than the maximum tax-deductible amount. The Company does not expect to have a minimum required contribution in 2021 and expects future benefit payments to be paid as follows (in thousands):
Employee Savings Plan-The Company has an employee savings plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, which is available to all eligible associates. Certain associate contributions may be supplemented by the Company. The Company’s contributions were $0.7 million, $0.7 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
18. INCOME TAXES
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, which requires an asset and liability approach for measuring deferred taxes based on temporary differences between the financial statements and tax bases of assets and liabilities existing at each balance sheet date using enacted tax rates for the years in which taxes are expected to be paid or recovered.
Upon formation, the Holding Company elected to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal, state, and local tax purposes. All operations are carried on through the Holding Company’s subsidiaries, the majority of which are pass-through entities that are generally not subject to federal or state income taxation, as all of the taxable income, gains, losses, deductions, and credits are passed through to the partners. The Holding Company is responsible for income taxes on its allocable share of the Operating Company’s income or gain.
The expense for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was as follows (in thousands):
Limitations on the utilization of net operating losses included in The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”) caused the Holding Company to increase its deferred tax liability, net of valuation allowance, giving rise to a $1.0 million, $2.4 million and $9.2 million federal tax provision, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 and a state tax provision of $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The 2020 current state tax provision is a result of California Assembly Bill 85 (“AB-85”), which suspends the use of net operating losses (“NOLs”) in tax years 2020 through 2022.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The tax effects of significant temporary differences are as follows (in thousands):
A reduction of the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance is required, if based on the available evidence; it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. In the continual assessment of the requirement for a valuation allowance, appropriate consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax assets. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency, and severity of current and cumulative losses; forecasts of future profitability; the duration of statutory carryforward periods; the Holding Company’s experience with loss carryforwards not expiring unused; and tax-planning alternatives. The amount of the valuation allowance recorded against the deferred tax asset could be adjusted if there are changes to the positive and negative factors discussed above.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the valuation allowance increased by $16.6 million as a result of operating losses. Also during 2018, the valuation allowance decreased by $1.3 million as a result of deferred taxes established through adjustments to contributed capital principally associated with increases in the payable pursuant to the tax receivable agreement. The net increase in the valuation allowance for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $15.3 million. During the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, the valuation allowance decreased by $3.1 million and $1.9 million, respectively, primarily due to operating income in both years.
With the enactment of the Tax Act, the corporate federal income tax rate dropped from 35% to a flat 21% rate effective January 1, 2018. The SEC staff issued the Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (“SAB 118”), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act and provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740. In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of the Tax Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act is incomplete but is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate in the financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements, it should continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the enactment of the Tax Act.
We applied the guidance in SAB 118 when accounting for the enactment-date effects of the Tax Act in 2017 and throughout 2018. As of December 31, 2017, we had completed the majority of our accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act. As a result of the rate change, the Company was required to revalue its deferred tax asset at December 31, 2017 and recorded a provisional adjustment to reduce its value by $5.3 million, which is included in the tax provision for 2017. Due to the Company’s valuation allowance, the $5.3 million was offset with a valuation allowance. As of December 31, 2018, we completed our accounting for all of the enactment-date income tax effects of the Tax Act. As part of our final analysis of the Tax Act, we recognized an adjustment of $9.2 million to the provisional amounts recorded at December 31, 2017 and included this adjustment as a component of income tax expense from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2018. The change related to adjustments to the Company’s valuation allowance as a result of the limitation for post-2017 net operating losses to offset only 80% of tax income. The change to the net operating loss utilization limitation requires additional valuation allowance to account for the limitation.
At December 31, 2020, the Holding Company had federal tax effected NOL carryforwards totaling $90.0 million, and state tax effected NOL carryforwards, net of federal income tax benefit, totaling $28.0 million. Federal NOLs incurred prior to 2018 and California NOLs may be carried forward up to 21 years to offset future taxable income and begin to expire in 2030. The additional year to utilize California NOLs is a result of bill AB-85, which suspended (and extended the carry forward period of) NOLs for tax years 2020 through 2022. Federal NOLs incurred in 2018 and forward do not expire.
The Internal Revenue Code generally limits the availability of NOLs if an ownership change occurs within any three-year period under Section 382. If the Holding Company were to experience an ownership change of more than 50%, the use of all NOLs (and potentially other built-in losses) would generally be subject to a limitation equal to the value of the Holding Company’s equity before the ownership change, multiplied by the long-term tax-exempt rate. The Holding Company estimates that after giving effect to various transactions by members who hold a 5% or greater interest in the Holding Company, it has not experienced an ownership change as computed in accordance with Section 382. In the event of an ownership change, the Holding Company’s use of the NOLs may be limited and not fully available for realization.
With regard to the TRA (see Note 11), the Holding Company has established a liability for the payments considered probable and estimable that would be required under the TRA based upon, among other things, the book value of its assets. This liability is not currently recognized for tax purposes and will give rise to tax deductions as payments are made. Accordingly, a deferred tax asset has been reflected for the net effect of this temporary difference.
A reconciliation of the statutory rate and the effective tax rate for 2020, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Holding Company did not have any gross unrecognized tax benefits, and did not require an accrual for interest or penalties.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded income tax expense of $1.7 million on a pre-tax income of $2.8 million. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded tax expense of $2.4 million on a pre-tax income of $24.7 million. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded tax expense of $9.2 million on a pre-tax loss of 58.8 million. The effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, differ from the 21% federal statutory and applicable state statutory tax rates primarily due to the Company’s valuation allowance and to the pre-tax portion of income and losses that are passed through to the other partners of the Operating Company and the San Francisco Venture and from the change in the statutory federal tax rate in 2017.
The Holding Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in the state of California. As a result of tax net operating losses incurred by the Holding Company for the years ended December 31, 2009 through December 31, 2017, the Holding Company is subject to U.S. federal, state, and local examinations by tax authorities for the years beginning 2009 through 2019. The Company is not currently under examination by any tax authority. The Company classifies any interest and penalties related to income taxes assessed by jurisdiction as part of income tax expense. The Company has concluded that there were no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in its financial statements, nor has the Company been assessed interest or penalties by any major tax jurisdictions related to any open tax periods.
19. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURES
At each reporting period, the Company evaluates the fair value of its financial instruments compared to carrying values. Other than the Company’s notes payable, net, the carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments, which includes cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and certificates of deposit, certain related party assets and liabilities, and accounts payable and other liabilities, approximated the Company’s estimates of fair value at both December 31, 2020 and 2019.
The fair value of the Company’s notes payable, net, are estimated based on quoted market prices or discounting the expected cash flows based on rates available to the Company (level 2). At December 31, 2020, the estimated fair value of notes payable, net was $663.9 million compared to a carrying value of $617.6 million. At December 31, 2019, the estimated fair value of notes payable, net was $631.1 million compared to a carrying value of $616.0 million. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company had no assets that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, other than a valuation adjustment to the Company's investment in the Great Park Venture during 2020 (see Note 4).
20. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The Company uses the two-class method in its computation of earnings per share. The Company’s Class A common shares and the Class B common shares are entitled to receive distributions at different rates, with each Class B common share receiving 0.03% of the distributions paid on each Class A common share. Under the two-class method, the Company’s net income available to common shareholders is allocated between the two classes of common shares on a fully-distributed basis and reflects residual net income after amounts attributed to noncontrolling interests. In the event of a net loss, the Company determined that both classes share in the Company’s losses, and they share in the losses using the same mechanism as the distributions. The Company also has restricted share awards and performance restricted share awards (see Note 16) that have a right to non-forfeitable dividends while unvested and are contemplated as participating when the Company is in a net income position. These awards participate in distributions on a basis equivalent to other Class A common shares but do not participate in losses.
No distributions to common shares were declared for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Diluted income (loss) per share calculations for both Class A common shares and Class B common shares contemplate adjustments to the numerator and the denominator under the if-converted method for Class B common shares, the exchangeable Class A units of the San Francisco Venture and the exchangeable Class A Common Units of the Operating Company. The Company uses the treasury stock method or the two-class method when evaluating dilution for RSUs, restricted shares, and performance restricted shares. The more dilutive of the two methods is included in the calculation for diluted income (loss) per share.
The following table summarizes the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands, except shares and per share amounts):
21. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to the Company consists of unamortized net actuarial losses for the Retirement Plan that totaled $2.8 million and $2.7 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, net of tax benefits of $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company held a full valuation allowance related to the accumulated tax benefits, respectively. Accumulated other comprehensive loss of $1.8 million and $1.6 million is included in noncontrolling interests at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Net actuarial gains or losses are re-determined annually or upon remeasurement events and principally arise from changes in the rate used to discount benefit obligations and differences between expected and actual returns on plan assets. Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net loss related to amortization of net actuarial losses were approximately $61,000, $89,000 and $55,000, net of taxes, and are included in miscellaneous other income on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We have established disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2020. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2020.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 based on the framework established in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework). Based on this framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their attestation report which is included herein.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the quarter ended December 31, 2020, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Five Point Holdings, LLC
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Five Point Holdings, LLC and subsidiaries (the “Company”) 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 (COSO). 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 COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, of the Company and our report dated March 9, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion on those 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’s Annual 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 included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and 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/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Costa Mesa, California
March 9, 2021
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. Other Information
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by this item will be included in the Proxy Statement for our 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the close of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (the “Proxy Statement”). The information in the Proxy Statement relevant to this item is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information in the Proxy Statement relevant to this item is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters
The information in the Proxy Statement relevant to this item is incorporated herein by reference, except for the information required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K, which is provided below.
The following table contains certain information with respect to our equity compensation plan in effect as of December 31, 2020.
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information in the Proxy Statement relevant to this item is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information in the Proxy Statement relevant to this item is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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.
Principal Executive Officer:
Emile Haddad/s/ Emile Haddad
Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive OfficerDate:March 9, 2021
Principal Financial and Accounting Officer:
Erik Higgins/s/ Erik Higgins
Chief Financial Officer and Vice PresidentDate:March 9, 2021
SCHEDULE III-REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2020
(a) Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisitions are net of land sales for real estate development properties and net of disposals, transfers and impairment write-downs for operating properties.
(b) The aggregate cost of land and improvements for federal income tax purposes is approximately $2.2 billion (unaudited). This basis does not reflect the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as these amounts are computed based upon the Company’s outside basis in their partnership interest.
(c) Included in properties and equipment, net in the consolidated balance sheet.
(d) See Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to depreciation.
(e) Reconciliation of “Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation”:
(1) Improvements and additions include noncash project accruals and capitalized interest.
(2) Includes inventory relief associated with adoption of the new revenue recognition standard in 2018.
(3) Includes disposal of TPC Golf Course in 2018.