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19: R2 Audit Information HTML 43K
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Consolidated Balance Sheets
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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)
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Consolidated Statements of Operations
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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
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Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
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Consolidated Balance Sheets
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Consolidated Statements of Operations
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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
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Schedule of Unconsolidated Joint Venture (Details)
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Schedule of Company's Equity in Earnings (Loss) of
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90: R73 MORTGAGES, LOANS PAYABLE AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS - HTML 128K
Schedule of Mortgages, Loans Payable and Other
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Schedule of Principal Payments (Details)
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Schedule of Indebtedness (Details)
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94: R77 DISCLOSURE OF FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HTML 92K
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- Schedule of Assets Measured at Fair Value on a
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Agreements (Details)
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Rental Payments Of Ground Leases (Details)
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Received under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases
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Preferred Units (Details)
104: R87 REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS - Schedule of HTML 73K
Changes in the Value of the Redeemable
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105: R88 VERIS RESIDENTIAL, INC. STOCKHOLDERS? EQUITY AND HTML 47K
VERIS RESIDENTIAL, L.P.'s PARTNERS? CAPITAL - ATM
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,”“accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition
period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 USC. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ix
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether
the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.
Indicate
by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b).
As
of June 30, 2023, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of Veris Residential, Inc. was $i1,287,891,323. The aggregate market value was computed with reference to the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange on such date. This calculation does not reflect a determination that persons are affiliates for any other purpose. The registrant has no non-voting common stock.
This report combines the annual reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 of Veris Residential, Inc. and Veris Residential, L.P. Unless stated otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references to the “Operating Partnership” mean Veris Residential, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and references to the “General Partner” mean Veris Residential, Inc., a Maryland corporation and real estate investment trust (“REIT”), and its subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership. References to the “Company,”“Veris,”“we,”“us” and “our” mean collectively the General Partner, the Operating Partnership and those entities/subsidiaries
consolidated by the General Partner.
The Operating Partnership conducts the business of providing management, leasing, acquisition, development and tenant-related services for its General Partner. The Operating Partnership, through its operating divisions and subsidiaries, including the Veris property-owning partnerships and limited liability companies, is the entity through which all of the General Partner’s operations are conducted. The General Partner is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and has exclusive control of the Operating Partnership’s day-to-day management.
As of December 31, 2023, the General Partner owned an approximate 91.4 percent common unit interest in the Operating Partnership. The remaining approximate 8.6 percent common unit interest is owned by limited partners. The limited partners of the
Operating Partnership are (1) persons who contributed their interests in properties to the Operating Partnership in exchange for common units (each, a “Common Unit”) or preferred units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership or (2) recipients of long term incentive plan units of the Operating Partnership pursuant to the General Partner’s executive compensation plans.
A Common Unit of the Operating Partnership and a share of common stock of the General Partner (the “Common Stock”) have substantially the same economic characteristics in as much as they effectively share equally in the net income or loss of the Company. The General Partner owns a number of common units of the Operating Partnership equal to the number of issued and outstanding shares of the General Partner’s common stock. Common unitholders (other than the General Partner) have the right to redeem their Common Units, subject
to certain restrictions under the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership, as amended (the “Partnership Agreement”) and agreed upon at the time of issuance of the units that may restrict such right for a period of time, generally one year from issuance. The redemption is required to be satisfied in shares of Common Stock of the General Partner, cash, or a combination thereof, calculated as follows: one share of the General Partner’s Common Stock, or cash equal to the fair market value of a share of the General Partner’s Common Stock at the time of redemption, for each Common Unit. The General Partner, in its sole discretion, determines the form of redemption of Common Units (i.e., whether a common unitholder receives Common Stock of the General Partner, cash, or any combination thereof). If the General Partner elects to satisfy the redemption with shares of Common Stock of the General Partner as opposed to cash,
the General Partner is obligated to issue shares of its Common Stock to the redeeming unitholder. Regardless of the rights described above, the common unitholders may not put their units for cash to the Company or the General Partner under any circumstances. With each such redemption, the General Partner’s percentage ownership in the Operating Partnership will increase. In addition, whenever the General Partner issues shares of its Common Stock other than to acquire Common Units, the General Partner must contribute any net proceeds it receives to the Operating Partnership and the Operating Partnership must issue to the General Partner an equivalent number of Common Units. This structure is commonly referred to as an umbrella partnership REIT, or UPREIT.
The Company believes that combining the annual reports on Form 10-K of the General Partner and the Operating Partnership into this single report provides the following benefits:
•enhance
investors’ understanding of the General Partner and the Operating Partnership by enabling investors to view the business as a whole in the same manner as management views and operates the business of the Company;
•eliminate duplicative disclosure and provide a more streamlined and readable presentation because a substantial portion of the disclosure applies to both the General Partner and the Operating Partnership; and
•create time and cost efficiencies through the preparation of one combined report instead of two separate reports.
The Company believes it is important to understand the few differences between the General Partner and the Operating Partnership in the context of how they operate as a consolidated company. The financial results of the Operating Partnership are consolidated into
the financial statements of the General Partner. The General Partner does not have any significant assets, liabilities or operations, other than its interests in the Operating Partnership, nor does the Operating
Partnership have employees of its own. The Operating Partnership, not the General Partner, generally executes all significant business relationships other than transactions involving the securities of the General Partner. The Operating Partnership holds substantially all of the assets of the General Partner, including ownership interests in joint ventures. The Operating Partnership conducts the operations of the business and is structured
as a partnership with no publicly traded equity. Except for the net proceeds from equity offerings by the General Partner, which are contributed to the capital of the Operating Partnership in consideration of common or preferred units in the Operating Partnership, as applicable, the Operating Partnership generates all remaining capital required by the Company’s business. These sources include working capital, net cash provided by operating activities, borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility, the issuance of secured and unsecured debt and equity securities, and proceeds received from the disposition of properties and joint ventures.
Shareholders’ equity, partners’ capital and noncontrolling interests are the main areas of difference between the consolidated financial statements of the General Partner and the Operating Partnership. The limited partners of the Operating Partnership are accounted for as partners’
capital in the Operating Partnership’s financial statements as is the General Partner’s interest in the Operating Partnership. The noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership’s financial statements comprise the interests of unaffiliated partners in various consolidated partnerships and development joint venture partners. The noncontrolling interests in the General Partner’s financial statements are the same noncontrolling interests at the Operating Partnership’s level and include limited partners of the Operating Partnership. The differences between shareholders’ equity and partners’ capital result from differences in the equity issued at the General Partner and Operating Partnership levels.
To help investors better understand the key differences between the General Partner and the Operating Partnership, certain information for the General Partner and the Operating Partnership in this report has been separated, as
set forth below:
•Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations includes information specific to each entity, where applicable;
•Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data which includes the following specific disclosures for the General Partner and the Operating Partnership:
•Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies, where applicable;
•Note 16. Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries; and
•Note 17. Segment Reporting, where applicable.
This report also includes separate Part II, Item 9A. Controls and Procedures sections and separate Exhibits 31 and 32 certifications for each of the General Partner and the Operating Partnership in order to establish that the requisite certifications have been made and that the General Partner and Operating Partnership are compliant with Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. §1350.
Veris Residential, Inc., a Maryland corporation, together with its subsidiaries (collectively the “General Partner”), is a fully-integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”).
The Company owns, operates and develops multifamily rental properties located primarily in the Northeast, as well as a portfolio of non-strategic land and commercial assets. The Company is focused on conducting business in a socially,
ethically, and environmentally responsible manner, while seeking to maximize value for all stakeholders.Veris Residential, Inc. was incorporated on May 24, 1994.
The General Partner controls Veris Residential, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Operating Partnership”), as its sole general partner and owned a 91.4 percent and 90.7 percent common unit interest in the Operating Partnership as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned or had interests
in 24 multifamily rental properties as well as non-strategic assets comprised of one office property and four parking/retail properties, plus developable land (collectively, the "Properties"). The Properties are comprised of: (a) 21 wholly-owned or Company-controlled properties, comprised of 17 multifamily properties and four non-core assets, and (b) eight properties owned by unconsolidated joint ventures in which the Company has investment interests, including seven multifamily properties and one non-core asset. The Properties are located in three states in the Northeast, plus the District of Columbia. For more information on the Properties, refer to Item 2.
THE COMPANY
During 2023, the Company substantially completed its multi-year transformation to a pure-play multifamily REIT. As part of this strategic initiative, the Company sought to unlock shareholder value by simplifying
its business, strengthening its balance sheet, enhancing its operational platform and aligning the Company with its corporate values and the sustainability-conscious lifestyle preferences of its residents.
The Company seeks to own a portfolio comprised primarily of Class A multifamily properties with premium amenities and offerings that reflect our commitment to sustainability. This includes facilities such as clubrooms and lounges, state-of-the-art fitness centers, dog parks and rooftop swimming pools, as well as sustainability-driven features like electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, bee hives, hydroponic gardens and green roofs. The Company believes that amenities such as the ones offered at our multifamily properties drive resident satisfaction, command higher monthly rents, and generate additional revenues through amenity fees. When coupled with our commitment to providing premium resident services, such as concierges
and professionally-curated events, the Company seeks to offer a multifamily experience that will maximize resident satisfaction and optimize rental revenue.
The Company’s multifamily properties have an average age of seven years, typically requiring lower maintenance capital expenditures than a more mature portfolio. The Company believes that this factor provides it with a competitive advantage as it can retain more capital and generate a higher yield than an older portfolio.
The Company has a fully integrated real estate platform with operational, investment, development, financial and management services provided in-house. The platform is underpinned by a commitment to technological enhancement and innovations which allow the Company to improve efficiency, optimize net operating income, and augment the resident
experience, while eliminating costly manual processes that are time consuming and prone to human error. These technological enhancements combined with our experienced team have created a platform that is nimble and scalable, positioning the Company for growth.
Investment Strategy
The Company seeks to grow its portfolio of Class A multifamily assets through a combination of acquisitions, value-add redevelopments and developments. The Company expects to generate internal growth through organic optimization of its existing portfolio by recycling capital from non-strategic asset dispositions into debt repayments, value-add redevelopments, share buybacks, new developments, and acquisitions. These investments will convert low- to no-yielding
assets into cash-flowing, high quality assets with strong growth prospects. The Company may also seek to grow by raising capital through other sources such as through follow-on equity offerings, equity method investments and additional debt.
The Company believes it has strong relationships and networks to source off-market acquisition opportunities and seeks to add value to newly acquired properties by integrating them into its sustainability and technology-focused platform. The Company has a robust and disciplined underwriting process, and experienced investments and capital markets teams. The Company has extensive experience acquiring residential assets nationally as well as in its core focus area of the Northeast, and has the capabilities to generate additional value by acquiring assets through 1031 programs, issuing OP Units,
and recycling capital through dispositions of non-strategic assets. When considering acquisitions, the Company may seek opportunities that improve the geographic diversity, asset quality, and product offering of its portfolio.
Sustainability Strategy
The Company aims to conduct its business, development, and operations of new and existing buildings in a manner that contributes to positive environmental, social and economic outcomes for all its stakeholders. The Company’s dedicated in-house team initiates and applies sustainable practices throughout all aspects of its business including property operations and resident experience. The Company’s multifamily portfolio has environmental considerations – particularly focused on energy consumption, water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions – integrated into many
existing properties. The Company has also invested in energy-saving technology, such as those for irrigation, lighting, and HVAC to positively impact resident experience and asset value over the long-term. As a result of these efforts 80% of our multifamily portfolio is green certified (LEED®, ENERGY STAR® or equivalent). The Company believes that its focus on sustainability also enhances value for the Company in the short-term, through savings in utility expenses and higher interest from sustainability conscious residents.
Equally important is the Company’s focus on supporting the health and well-being of its employees, residents and tenants, which the Company has enhanced through the inclusion of on-site amenity offerings, including hydroponics gardens, fitness centers and on-demand fitness programs, as well as health and safety considerations across the portfolio and within its corporate
offices. The Company’s efforts led to the achievement of WELL® Health-Safety rating across all of its managed locations.
A significant part of the Company’s commitment to sustainable development and operations is its commitment to transparent reporting of ESG performance indicators, as it recognizes the importance of this information to investors, lenders, and other stakeholders. The Company publishes an annual ESG Report that is aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative reporting framework and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and includes the Company’s strategy, key performance indicators, annual like-for-like comparisons, and year-over-year achievements.
Climate Resilience
As a long-term owner and active
manager of real estate assets in operation and under development, the Company recognizes that climate change is no longer just a potential threat but today’s reality. As a result, the Company is taking action to mitigate its carbon footprint by assessing risks and adapting its business to ensure it is well positioned over the long-term. Event-driven (acute) and longer-term (chronic) physical risks that may result from climate change could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s properties, operations, and business. Responsibility for assessing and managing these climate-related risks and initiatives is owned by every team throughout the Company, with oversight by the management team's ESG Task Force and the Board's Nominating, Environmental, Social and Governance Committee. The Company views its proactive assessment of risks related to climate change as an opportunity to protect asset value, and as such, is implementing measures, planning and decision-making
processes to protect its investments by improving resilience. Since 2022 the Company has met its target validated by the Science Based Target initiative to reduce its like-for-like Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50%.
HUMAN CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had approximately 197 employees, and 30% of its employees have been with the Company for at least 10 years.
The Company embraces the diverse and all-inclusive communities it serves and has taken focused efforts to support employees. Such efforts have included establishing employee affinity groups and introducing company wide diversity training. The Company is a signatory of the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion Pledge and
the UN Women
Empowerment Principles and is included in the Bloomberg GEI index since 2023. Currently, five of the nine members (or 56 percent) of the Company’s Board of Directors are female and/or racially diverse.
Workforce diversity as of December 31, 2023 (excluding three employees that did non self-identify):
•56 percent of the Company’s employees identified as male, 43 percent as female and below one percent
as non-binary
•52 percent of the Company’s employees were persons of color or other minority groups, down from 53 percent a year earlier.
Employee Incentives
The Company strives to provide career opportunities in an energized, inclusive, and collaborative environment tailored to retain, attract and reward highly performing employees. The Company provides a comprehensive benefits package intended to meet and exceed the needs of its employees and their families. The Company’s competitive offerings help its employees stay healthy, balance their work and personal lives, and meet their financial and retirement goals. The Company is also committed to ensuring that these benefits are attainable and affordable to its employees by limiting health insurance
premiums and providing life insurance and short-term and long-term disability insurance at no cost to the employee.
In addition to flexible working arrangements, the Company offers the following enrichment opportunities and benefits to all eligible employees:
•A 401(k) plan with a history of annual discretionary Company employee match or profit sharing contributions;
•Minimum paid time off of 20 days in addition to public holidays, sick leave and other leaves offered by the company;
•Ability to rollover or donate certain paid time off;
•A 12-week fully paid parental leave;
•A
legal aid program; and
•In house training and tuition reimbursement for select education costs.
The Company also promotes the philanthropic efforts of its employees by providing 24 hours of paid time off toward volunteerism and matching employee charitable contributions dollar for dollar (up to $1,000 per employee per year).
More information regarding the Company’s human capital policies, programs and initiatives is available in the "ESG" tab under the “Investors” section of its public website and the Company’s ESG Report. Information contained on or accessed through the Company’s website is not considered part of this Annual Report nor any registration statement that incorporates this Annual Report by reference.
COMPETITION
We
face competition from other real estate companies to acquire, develop and manage multifamily properties. As an owner and operator of multifamily properties, we also face competition for prospective residents from other operators whose properties may be perceived to offer a better location or better amenities or whose pricing may be perceived as a better value given the quality, location, terms and amenities that the prospective resident seeks. We also compete against condominiums and single-family homes that are for sale or rent, including those offered through online platforms. Although we often compete against large, sophisticated developers and operators for development opportunities and for prospective residents, real estate developers and operators of any size can provide effective competition for both real estate assets and potential residents.
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
In
the ordinary course of business, the development, maintenance and management of commercial and multifamily properties is subject to various laws, ordinances, and regulations, including those concerning entitlement, building, health and safety, site and building design, environment, zoning, sales, and similar matters which apply to or affect the real estate industry. Multifamily properties and their owners are subject to various laws, ordinances, and regulations, including those related to real estate broker licensing and regulations relating to recreational facilities such as swimming pools, activity centers, and other common areas. As an owner and operator of multifamily properties, we also may be subject to rent or rent stabilization laws. In addition, various federal, state, and local laws subject real estate owners or operators to liability for management, and the costs of removal or remediation, of certain potentially hazardous materials that may be present.
These materials may include lead-based paint, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, and petroleum-based fuels. Such laws often impose liability without regard to fault or whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the release or presence of such materials. In connection with the ownership of real estate, we could potentially be liable for environmental liabilities or costs associated with our real estate, whether currently owned, acquired in the future, or owned in the past. The risks related to government regulation, including health, safety and environmental matters, are described in more detail in Item 1A. Risk Factors – Operating Risks.
INDUSTRY SEGMENTS
The Company operates in two industry segments: (i) multifamily real estate and services and (ii) commercial and other real estate. As of December 31,
2023, the Company does not have any foreign revenues and its business is not seasonal. Please see our financial statements attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein for financial information relating to our industry segments.
SIGNIFICANT TENANTS
As of December 31, 2023, no tenant accounted for more than 10 percent of the Company’s consolidated revenues.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
In 2023, the Company accomplished a number of important milestones in substantially completing its transformation to a pure play multifamily REIT.
The Company continued to streamline the
portfolio by disposing of non-strategic office and hotel assets and selectively culling the land portfolio to right-size the Company’s equity allocated to its development pipeline and speculative land bank by:
•Closing on the sale of the Port Imperial Hotels, resulting in the Company's full exit from the hotel segment
•Consummating the sale of Harborside 1, 2, & 3 for an aggregate price of $420 million, releasing approximately $360 million of net proceeds.
•Sold over $700 million of non-strategic assets since the beginning of 2023, comprised of eight properties and four land parcels.
As of February 21,
2024, approximately $139 million of non-strategic assets are under binding contract for sale, including our last office property, Harborside 5.
The Company also thoughtfully redeployed proceeds from its disposition activities, strengthened its balance sheet, and enhanced its portfolio by:
•Negotiating the early redemption of Rockpoint's interest in VRT for $520 million. Refer to Note 14: Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests for more details and defined terms.
•Entering into a $115 million term loan and $60 million revolving credit facility. The full proceeds of the term loan and $52 million of the revolving credit facility were drawn in July 2023 to fund the early redemption of Rockpoint's interest in VRT. The full balances
were repaid as of December 31, 2023 using proceeds from non-strategic sales, cash flow from operations, and proceeds from the refinancing of Haus25.
•Refinancing the Haus25 construction loan well ahead of its December 2024 maturity at an interest rate of 5.46%, realizing a 124 basis point coupon saving relative to the prior construction loan while improving the term and distribution of the Company's overall debt maturity profile.
As of December 31, 2023, 99.9% of the Company's total debt portfolio (consolidated and unconsolidated) was hedged or fixed at a weighted average interest rate of 4.5%. The debt portfolio has a weighted average maturity of 3.7 years.
The
Company continued to further enhance its ESG and operational platform by:
•Ending the year with over 80 percent of the Company’s wholly-owned multifamily portfolio Green Certified (LEED®, ENERGY STAR®, or equivalent), up from 43 percent at the end of 2022.
•Exceeding its goal to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50 percent by 2030, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative, and reducing like-for-like emissions by 54 percent compared to the 2019 baseline.
•Surpassing its goal of reducing energy consumption by 20 percent by 2030 well ahead of schedule, cutting consumption by 24 percent over the last three years.
•Earning a 5-Star ESG rating from GRESB (the highest rating offered for distinguished ESG leadership and performance) for the second year in a row.
•Expanding disclosure with respect to Scope 3 emissions, covering more than 90 percent of our operational carbon footprint in our 2022 ESG Report.
•Reaching its target of sustainability addenda in more than 99 percent of residential leases.
•Continuing its focus on resident satisfaction and experience, translating into an 83.16 J Turner ORA Ranking as of December 2023, compared to a national average of 63.63.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The
Company’s corporate offices are located at Harborside 3, 210 Hudson Street, Suite 400, Jersey City, New Jersey07311, and its telephone number is (732) 590-1010. The Company’s internet website is www.verisresidential.com. Information contained on or accessed through the Company's website is not considered part of this Annual Report nor any registration statement that incorporates this Annual Report by reference. The Company makes available free of charge on or through its website
the annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after it electronically files or furnishes such materials to the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Company’s internet website includes other items related to corporate governance matters, including, among other things, the Company’s corporate governance principles, charters of the standing committees of the Board of Directors, the code of business conduct and ethics applicable to all employees, officers and directors, the Dodd-Frank clawback policy and insider trading policy. The General Partner intends to disclose on the Company’s internet website any amendments to or waivers from its code of business conduct and ethics as well as any amendments to its other governance documents, including
without limitation the corporate governance principles, Dodd-Frank clawback policy, insider trading policy or the charters of the standing committees of the Board of Directors. Copies of these documents may be obtained, free of charge, from our internet website. Any shareholder also may obtain copies of these documents, free of charge, by sending a request in writing to: Veris Residential, Inc. Investor Relations Department, Harborside 3, 210 Hudson St., Ste. 400, Jersey City, NJ07311 or to investorrelations@verisresidential.com.
DISCLOSURE
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We consider portions of this report, including the documents incorporated by reference, to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 21E of such act. Such forward-looking statements relate to, without limitation, our future economic performance, plans and objectives for future operations and projections of revenue and other financial items. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may,”“will,”“plan,”“potential,”“projected,”“should,”“expect,”“anticipate,”“estimate,”“target,”“continue,” or comparable terminology.
Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties, many of which we cannot predict with accuracy and some of which we might not even anticipate. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions at the time made, we can give no assurance that such expectations will be achieved. Future events and actual results, financial and otherwise, may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
Among the factors about which we have made assumptions are:
•risks and uncertainties affecting the general economic climate and conditions, which in turn may have a negative effect on the fundamentals of our business and the financial condition
of our residents and tenants;
•the value of our real estate assets, which may limit our ability to dispose of assets at attractive prices or obtain or maintain debt financing secured by our properties or on an unsecured basis;
•changes in the supply of and demand for our properties, as well as demand for services or amenities at our properties;
•our ability to attract, hire and retain qualified personnel;
•forward-looking financial and operational information, including information relating to future development projects, potential acquisitions or dispositions, leasing activities, capitalization rates, and projected revenue and income;
•changes
in operating costs;
•our ability to complete construction and development activities on time and within budget, including without limitation obtaining regulatory permits and the availability and cost of materials, labor and equipment;
•our ability to obtain adequate insurance, including coverage for losses resulting from catastrophes, natural disasters, pandemics and terrorist acts;
•our credit worthiness and the availability of financing on attractive terms or at all, which may adversely
impact our ability to pursue acquisition and development opportunities and refinance existing debt and our future interest expense;
•the extent of any tenant bankruptcies or of any early lease terminations;
•our ability to lease or re-lease space at current or anticipated rents;
•changes in governmental regulation, tax rates and similar matters, including rent stabilization laws or other housing laws and regulations; and
•other risks associated with the development and acquisition of properties, including risks that the development may not be completed on schedule, that the residents or tenants will not take occupancy or pay rent, or that development or operating costs may be greater than anticipated.
For
further information on factors which could impact us and the statements contained herein, see Item 1A: Risk Factors. We assume no obligation to update and supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events, new information or otherwise.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Our results from operations and ability to make distributions on our equity and debt service on our indebtedness may be affected by the risk factors set forth below. All investors should consider the following risk factors before deciding to purchase securities of the Company. The Company refers to itself as “Veris,”“we” or “our” in the following risk factors.
OPERATING RISKS
Our
performance is subject to risks associated with the operation of multifamily properties.
General: Our business and our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors depend on the ability of our properties to generate funds in excess of operating expenses (including scheduled principal payments on debt and capital expenditures). Events or conditions that are beyond our control may adversely affect our operations and the value of our multifamily properties. Such events or conditions could include:
•an oversupply of or reduced demand for multifamily properties caused by a decline in household formation or employment, a lack of employment growth or otherwise;
•corporate restructurings and/or layoffs, and industry slowdowns;
•decreases
in the demand for services or amenities, the convenience and attractiveness of the communities or neighborhoods in which our multifamily rental properties are located or the quality of local schools;
•development by competitors of competing multifamily communities;
•the inability or unwillingness of residents to pay rent or rent increases;
•changes in the financial condition of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac which provide a major source of financing to the multifamily rental sector;
•rent control or rent stabilization laws, or other housing laws and regulations that could prevent us from raising multifamily rents to offset increases in operating costs;
•our
inability to provide adequate maintenance;
•increased operating costs, including insurance premiums, utilities and real estate taxes, due to inflation and other factors which may not necessarily be offset by increased rents;
•changes in laws and regulations (including tax, environmental, zoning and building codes, landlord/tenant and other housing laws and regulations) and agency or court interpretations of such laws and regulations and the related costs of compliance;
•civil unrest, earthquakes, pandemics, acts of terrorism and other natural disasters or acts of God that may result in uninsured losses.
Competition could limit our ability to lease multifamily properties or increase
or maintain rents: Our multifamily properties compete with other multifamily property operators as well as rental housing alternatives, such as single-family homes for rent and short term furnished offerings such as those available from extended stay hotels or through online listing services. In addition, our multifamily residents and prospective residents also consider, as an alternative to renting, the purchase of a new or existing condominium or single-family home. Competitive residential housing could adversely affect our ability to lease multifamily units and to increase or maintain rental rates.
Short-term leases expose us to the effects of declining market rents: Our multifamily leases are for an average term of 13 months. Because these leases generally permit the residents to leave at the end of the lease term without penalty, our
rental revenues are impacted by declines in market rents more quickly than if our leases were for longer terms.
We may suffer adverse consequences if our revenues decline since our operating costs do not necessarily decline in proportion to our revenue: We earn a significant portion of our income from renting our multifamily properties. Our operating costs, however, do not necessarily fluctuate in relation to changes in our rental revenue. This means that our costs will not necessarily decline even if our revenues do. Our operating costs also could increase while our revenues do not. If our operating costs increase significantly
to the point that they exceed our rental revenues, we may be forced to borrow to cover our costs and we may incur losses. Such losses may adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors.
We face risks associated with the operation of our commercial office properties.
Financially distressed commercial office tenants may be unable to pay rent: If a commercial office tenant defaults, we may experience delays and incur substantial costs in enforcing our rights as landlord and protecting our investments. If a tenant files for bankruptcy, we cannot evict the tenant solely because of the bankruptcy and a potential court judgment rejecting and terminating such tenant’s lease (which would subject all future unpaid rent to a statutory cap) could adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors as we may
be unable to replace the defaulting tenant with a new tenant at a comparable rental rate without incurring significant expenses or a reduction in rental income.
Renewing commercial office leases or re-letting commercial office space could be costly: If a commercial office tenant does not renew its lease upon expiration or terminates its lease early, we may not be able to re-lease the space on favorable terms or at all. If a tenant does renew its lease or we re-lease the space, the terms of the renewal or new lease, including the cost of required renovations or concessions to the tenant, may be less favorable than the current lease terms, which could adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors.
We may not be able to dispose of remaining non-core assets within our anticipated timeframe or at favorable prices:The Company has determined to sell over time properties deemed non-core assets. While we intend to dispose of these properties opportunistically over time, there can be no assurance that these dispositions will be completed during the period of our strategic initiative. In addition, market conditions will impact our ability to dispose of these properties, and there can be no assurance that we will be successful in disposing of these properties for their estimated sales prices. A failure to dispose of these properties for their estimated market values as planned, or unfavorable tax consequences of the disposition of these properties could have a material adverse effect on our ability to finance our acquisition and development plans and could adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors.
We face general market and operational risks associated with the real estate industry.
Our
insurance coverage on our properties may be inadequate or our insurance providers may default on their obligations to pay claims:We currently carry comprehensive insurance on all of our properties, including insurance for liability, fire and flood. We cannot guarantee that the limits of our current policies will be sufficient in the event of a catastrophe to our properties. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to renew or duplicate our current insurance coverage in adequate amounts or at reasonable prices. In addition, while our current insurance policies insure us against loss from catastrophic loss, natural disasters, terrorist acts and toxic mold, in the future, insurance companies may no longer offer coverage against these types of losses, or, if offered, these types of insurance may be prohibitively expensive. If any or all of the foregoing should occur, we may not have insurance coverage
against certain types of losses and/or there may be decreases in the limits of insurance available. Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of our insured limits occur, we could lose all or a portion of the capital we have invested in a property or properties, as well as the anticipated future revenue from the property or properties. Nevertheless, we might remain obligated for any mortgage debt or other financial obligations related to the property or properties. If any of our properties were to experience a catastrophic loss, it could seriously disrupt our operations, delay revenue and result in large expenses to repair or rebuild the property. Such events could adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors. In addition, if one or more of our insurance providers were to become subject to insolvency, bankruptcy or other proceedings and our insurance policies with the provider were terminated or canceled as a result of those proceedings,
we cannot guarantee that we would be able to find alternative coverage in adequate amounts or at reasonable prices. In such case, we could experience a lapse in any or adequate insurance coverage with respect to one or more properties and be exposed to potential losses relating to any claims that may arise during such period of lapsed or inadequate coverage. We cannot guarantee that material losses in excess of insurance proceeds will not occur in the future.
Illiquidity of real estate limits our ability to act quickly: Real estate investments are relatively illiquid. Such illiquidity may limit our ability to react quickly in response to changes in economic and other conditions. If we want to sell an investment, we might not be able to dispose of that investment in the time period we desire, and the sales price of that investment may not be recouped or may exceed the amount of our investment. The prohibition
in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the “IRS Code”), and related regulations on a real estate investment trust holding property for sale also may restrict our ability to sell property. The above limitations on our ability to sell our investments could adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors.
Some of our costs, such as operating and general and administrative expenses, interest expense, and real estate acquisition and construction costs, are subject to inflation: A portion of our operating expenses is sensitive to inflation.
These include expenses for property-related contracted services such as janitorial and engineering services, utilities, repairs and maintenance, and insurance. Property taxes are also impacted by inflationary changes as taxes are regularly reassessed based on changes in the fair value of our properties. We also have ground lease expenses in certain of our properties. Ground lease costs are contractual, but in some cases, lease payments reset every few years based on changes of consumer price indexes.
Inflation and its related impacts, including increased prices for services and goods and higher interest rates and wages, and any policy interventions by the U.S. government, could negatively impact our resident’s ability to pay rents or our results of operations. Our multifamily leases are for an average term of 13 months, which we believe mitigates our exposure to inflation, by permitting us to set rents commensurate with inflation
(subject to rent regulations to the extent they apply and assuming our current or prospective residents will accept and can pay commensurate increased rents, of which there can be no assurance). Inflation could outpace any increases in rent and adversely affect us. We may not be able to mitigate the effects of inflation and related impacts, and the duration and extent of any prolonged periods of inflation, and any related adverse effects on our results of operations and financial condition, are unknown at this time. Inflation may also cause increased volatility in financial markets, which could affect our ability to access the capital markets or impact the cost or timing at which we are able to do so.
Additionally, inflationary pricing may have a negative effect on the real estate acquisitions and construction costs necessary to complete our development and redevelopment projects, including, but not limited to, costs of construction
materials, labor, and services from third-party contractors and suppliers. Higher acquisition and construction costs could adversely impact our net investments in real estate and expected yields on our development and redevelopment projects, which may make otherwise lucrative investment opportunities less profitable to us. Our commercial leases have fixed rent increases which may not increase in line with inflation, this causing our net operating income to decrease. As a result, our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows, as well as our ability to pay dividends, could be adversely affected over time.
We face risks associated with property acquisitions: We intend to and may acquire new properties, primarily in the multifamily rental sector, assuming that we are able to obtain capital on favorable terms. Such newly acquired properties may not perform
as expected and may subject us to unknown liability with respect to liabilities relating to such properties for clean-up of undisclosed environmental contamination or claims by tenants, residents, vendors or other persons against the former owners of the properties. Inaccurate assumptions regarding future rental or occupancy rates could result in overly optimistic estimates of future revenues. In addition, future operating expenses or the costs necessary to bring an acquired property up to standards established for its intended market position may be underestimated. The search for and process of acquiring such properties will also require a substantial amount of management’s time and attention. In addition, developers and other real estate companies may compete with us in seeking properties for acquisition, land for development and prospective tenants. Such competition may adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors by:
•reducing
the number of suitable investment opportunities offered to us;
•increasing the bargaining power of property owners;
•interfering with our ability to attract and retain tenants; and
•adversely affecting our ability to minimize expenses of operation.
Our acquisition activities and their success are subject to the following risks:
•adequate financing to complete acquisitions may not be available on favorable terms or at all as a result of the continuing volatility in the financial and credit markets;
•even if we enter into an acquisition agreement for
a property, we may be unable to complete that acquisition and risk the loss of certain non-refundable deposits and incurring certain other acquisition-related costs; and
•any acquisition agreement will likely contain conditions to closing, including completion of due diligence investigations to our satisfaction or other conditions that are not within our control, which may not be satisfied.
Americans with Disabilities Act compliance could be costly: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), all public accommodations and commercial facilities must meet certain federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. Compliance with the ADA requirements could involve removal of structural barriers from certain
disabled persons’ entrances. Other federal, state and local laws may require modifications to or restrict further renovations of our properties with respect to such accesses.
Although we believe that our properties are substantially in compliance with present requirements, noncompliance with the ADA or related laws or regulations could result in the United States government imposing fines or private litigants being awarded damages against us. Such costs may adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors.
Environmental problems are possible and may be costly: Various federal, state and local laws and regulations subject property owners or operators to liability for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances located on or in
the property. These laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator was responsible for or even knew of the presence of such substances. The presence of or failure to properly remediate hazardous or toxic substances (such as toxic mold, lead paint and asbestos) may adversely affect our ability to rent, sell or borrow against contaminated property and may impose liability upon us for personal injury to persons exposed to such substances. Various laws and regulations also impose liability on persons who arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances at another location for the costs of removal or remediation of such substances at the disposal or treatment facility. These laws often impose liability whether or not the person arranging for such disposal ever owned or operated the disposal facility. Certain other environmental laws and regulations impose liability on owners or operators of property for injuries relating
to the release of asbestos-containing or other materials into the air, water or otherwise into the environment. As owners and operators of property and as potential arrangers for hazardous substance disposal, we may be liable under such laws and regulations for removal or remediation costs, governmental penalties, property damage, personal injuries and related expenses. Payment of such costs and expenses could adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors.
Environmental, Social and Governance factors may impose additional costs and/or expose us to new risks: Certain investors, customers, regulators and other stakeholders have focused more on corporate responsibility, specifically related to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors. Additionally, there is increased attention on these matters by various regulatory authorities, including the SEC, and
the expense and activities necessary to comply with new regulations or standards may be significant. Third-party providers of corporate responsibility ratings and reports on companies have also increased in number, resulting in varied, and in some cases, inconsistent standards. Some investors use these factors to guide their investment strategies and, in some cases, may choose not to invest in us if they believe our policies relating to ESG are inadequate or objectionable.
The regulations and criteria for assessing corporate responsibility practices are evolving, which could result in our undertaking costly initiatives and activities to meet any new regulations or criteria. Additionally, if we are unable to or elect not to satisfy any new regulation or criteria, or do not meet the criteria of a specific third-party provider, some investors may conclude our policies with respect to ESG are inadequate, and we may face reputational
damage.
We have communicated certain initiatives and goals regarding ESG matters in our 2022 ESG Report on our website, and we may communicate revised or additional initiatives or goals in the future. We could be unsuccessful or perceived to be unsuccessful in the achievement of our ESG initiatives or goals, or we could be criticized for the scope of our initiatives or goals. If we fail to meet the expectations of investors, customers, regulators, and other stakeholders; our initiatives are not executed as planned; or we do not achieve our goals, our reputation and financial results could be adversely impacted.
Development of real estate, including the development of multifamily rental real estate could be costly: As part of our operating strategy, we may acquire land for development or construct on owned land, under certain conditions. Included among the
risks of the real estate development business are the following, which may adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors:
•financing for development projects may not be available on favorable terms;
•long-term financing may not be available upon completion of construction;
•failure to complete construction and lease-up on schedule or within budget may increase debt service expense and construction and other costs; and
•failure to rent the development at all or at rent levels originally contemplated.
Property ownership through joint ventures could subject us to the contrary business
objectives of our co-venturers: We invest in joint ventures or partnerships in which we do not hold a controlling interest in the assets underlying the entities in which we invest, including joint ventures in which (i) we own a direct interest in an entity which controls such assets, or (ii) we own a direct interest in an entity which owns indirect interests, through one or more intermediaries, of such assets. These investments involve risks that do not exist with properties in which we own a controlling interest with respect to the
underlying assets, including the possibility that (i)our co-venturers or partners may control
the joint venture and we may not be able to prevent them from taking certain actions; (ii) we may have limited rights to terminate or liquidate our investment; (iii) the distribution preferences of our co-venturers or partners may limit operating, liquidating and disposition distributions to us; (iv) our co-venturers or partners may, at any time, become insolvent or otherwise refuse to make capital contributions when due, (v) we may be responsible to our co-venturers or partners for indemnifiable losses, (vi) we may become liable with respect to guarantees of payment or performance by the joint ventures, (vii) we may become subject to buy-sell arrangements which could cause us to sell our interests or acquire our co-venturer’s or partner’s interests in a joint venture, or (viii) our co-venturers or partners may, at any time, have business, economic or other objectives that are inconsistent with our objectives. Because we lack a controlling interest, our co-venturers
or partners may be in a position to take action contrary to our instructions or requests or contrary to our policies or objectives. While we seek protective rights against such contrary actions, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in procuring any such protective rights, or if procured, that the rights will be sufficient to fully protect us against contrary actions. Our organizational documents do not limit the amount of available funds that we may invest in joint ventures or partnerships. If the objectives of our co-venturers or partners are inconsistent with ours, it may adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors.
We may face increased risks and costs associated with volatility in commodity and labor prices or as a result of supply chain or procurement disruptions, which may adversely affect the status of our construction projects:The price of commodities and skilled labor for our construction projects may increase unpredictably due to external factors, including, but not limited to, performance of third-party suppliers and contractors; overall market supply and demand; government regulation; international trade; and changes in general business, economic, or political conditions. As a result, the costs of raw construction materials and skilled labor required for the completion of our development and redevelopment projects may fluctuate significantly from time to time.
We rely on a number of third-party suppliers and contractors to supply raw materials and skilled labor for our construction projects. While we do not rely on any single supplier or vendor for the majority of our materials and skilled labor, we may experience difficulties obtaining necessary materials from suppliers or vendors whose supply chains might become impacted
by economic or political changes, or difficulties obtaining adequate skilled labor from third-party contractors in a tightening labor market. It is uncertain whether we would be able to source the essential commodities, supplies, materials, and skilled labor timely or at all without incurring significant costs or delays, particularly during times of economic uncertainty resulting from events outside of our control. We may be forced to purchase supplies and materials in larger quantities or in advance of when we would typically purchase them. This may cause us to require use of capital sooner than anticipated. Alternatively, we may also be forced to seek new third-party suppliers or contractors, whom we have not worked with in the past, and it is uncertain whether these new suppliers will be able to adequately meet our materials or labor needs. Our dependence on unfamiliar supply chains or relatively small supply partners may adversely affect the cost and timely completion
of our construction projects. In addition, we may be unable to compete with entities that may have more favorable relationships with their suppliers and contractors or greater access to the required construction materials and skilled labor.
CAPITAL AND FINANCING RISKS
We are subject to financial and credit risks associated with general economic and market conditions.
Our business may be affected by volatility in the financial and credit markets, the general global economic conditions and other market or economic challenges experienced by the U.S. economy or the real estate industry as a whole or in the Northeast where our properties are located. Our results of operations, financial condition and ability to service current debt and to pay distributions to our shareholders may be adversely affected by the following, among other potential
conditions:
•our ability to borrow on terms and conditions that we find acceptable, or at all, may be limited, which could reduce our ability to pursue acquisition and development opportunities and refinance existing debt, reduce our returns from both our existing operations and our acquisition and development activities and increase our future interest expense;
•reduced values of our properties may limit our ability to dispose of assets at attractive prices or to obtain debt financing secured by our properties and may reduce the availability of unsecured loans;
•the value and liquidity of our short-term investments and cash deposits could be reduced as a result of a deterioration of the financial condition of the institutions that hold our cash deposits or the institutions
or assets in which we have made short-term investments, the dislocation of the markets for our short-term investments, increased volatility in market rates for such investments or other factors;
•reduced liquidity in debt markets and increased credit risk premiums for certain market participants may impair our ability to access capital; and
•one or more lenders under our line of credit could refuse or be unable to fund their financing commitment to us and we may not be able to replace the financing commitment of any such lenders on favorable terms, or at
all.
Our performance is subject to risks associated with the anticipated completion of our repositioning of the Company’s portfolio from diversified asset classes to exclusively multifamily rental properties.
Repositioning the Company’s office portfolio may result in less than expected returns on office properties and could adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors:There can be no assurance that the Company, as it seeks to complete the repositioning of a portion of its portfolio from office to the multifamily rental sector, will be able to sell office properties and purchase multifamily rental properties at prices that in the aggregate are profitable for the Company or are efficient uses of its capital or that would not result in a reduction of the Company’s cash flow,
and such transactions could adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors. Because real estate investments are relatively illiquid, it also may be difficult for the Company to promptly sell its office properties that are held or may be designated for sale promptly or on favorable terms, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition. Moreover, as the Company seeks to complete the repositioning of a portion of its portfolio from office to the multifamily rental sector, the Company may be subject to a Federal income tax on gain from sales of properties due to limitations in the IRS Code and related regulations on a real estate investment trust’s ability to sell properties. The Company intends to structure its property dispositions in a tax-efficient manner and avoid the prohibition in the IRS Code against a real estate investment trust holding properties for sale. There is no guaranty, however, that such
dispositions can be achieved without the imposition of federal income tax on any gain recognized.
Changes in applicable laws, or noncompliance with applicable laws, could adversely affect our operations or expose us to liability:We must develop, construct and operate our communities in compliance with numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations, some of which may conflict with one another or be subject to limited judicial or regulatory interpretations. These laws and regulations may include zoning laws, building codes, landlord tenant laws and other laws generally applicable to business operations. Noncompliance with applicable laws could expose us to liability. Lower revenue growth or significant unanticipated expenditures may result from our need to comply with changes in (i) laws imposing remediation requirements and the potential liability
for environmental conditions existing on properties or the restrictions on discharges or other conditions, (ii) rent control or rent stabilization laws or other residential landlord/tenant laws, or (iii) other governmental rules and regulations or enforcement policies affecting the development, use and operation of our communities, including changes to building codes and fire and life-safety codes.
Debt financing could adversely affect our economic performance.
Scheduled debt payments and refinancing could adversely affect our financial condition:We are subject to the risks normally associated with debt financing. These risks, including the following, may adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors:
•market
interest rates on loans to refinance indebtedness on our properties at maturity may be significantly higher than the interest rates on that existing indebtedness;
•our cash flow may be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest;
•payments of principal and interest on borrowings may leave us with insufficient cash resources to pay operating expenses;
•we may not be able to refinance indebtedness on our properties at maturity; and
•if refinanced, the terms of refinancing may not be as favorable as the original terms of the related indebtedness.
As of December 31, 2023, we had total outstanding
indebtedness of $1.9 billion, comprised of no outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility and approximately $1.9 billion of mortgages, loans payable and other obligations. We may have to refinance the principal due on our current or future indebtedness at maturity, and we may not be able to do so.
If we are unable to refinance our indebtedness on acceptable terms, or at all, events or conditions that may adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors include the following:
•we may need to dispose of one or more of our properties upon disadvantageous terms or adjust our capital expenditures in general or with respect to our strategy of acquiring multifamily residential properties and development opportunities in particular;
•prevailing interest
rates or other factors at the time of refinancing could increase interest rates and, therefore, our interest expense;
•we may be subject to an event of default pursuant to covenants for our indebtedness;
•if we mortgage property to secure payment of indebtedness and are unable to meet mortgage payments, the mortgagee could foreclose upon such property or appoint a receiver to receive an assignment of our rents and leases; and
•foreclosures upon mortgaged property could create taxable
income without accompanying cash proceeds and, therefore, hinder our ability to meet the real estate investment trust distribution requirements of the IRS Code.
We are obligated to comply with financial covenants in our indebtedness that could restrict our range of operating activities: Some of the mortgages on our properties contain customary negative covenants, including limitations on our ability, without the prior consent of the lender, to further mortgage the property, to enter into new leases outside of stipulated guidelines or to materially modify existing leases. In addition, our revolving credit and term loan facilities contain customary requirements, including restrictions and other limitations on our ability to incur debt, debt to assets ratios and interest coverage ratios. These revolving credit and term loan covenants may limit our flexibility in conducting our operations and create a
risk of default on our indebtedness if we cannot continue to satisfy them. Some of our debt instruments contain cross default provisions with other debt instruments. Due to this cross-collateralization, a failure or default with respect to certain debt instruments or properties could have an adverse impact on us or our properties that are subject to the cross-collateralization under the applicable debt instrument. Failure to comply with these covenants could cause a default under the agreements and, in certain circumstances, our lenders may be entitled to accelerate our debt obligations. Defaults under our debt agreements could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Rising interest rates may adversely affect our cash flow: As of December 31, 2023, we have no outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit
facility and approximately $304.5 million of our hedged mortgage indebtedness bears interest at variable rates. We may incur additional indebtedness in the future that bears interest at variable rates. Variable rate debt creates higher debt service requirements if market interest rates increase. Higher debt service requirements could adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors and/or cause us to default under certain debt covenants.
Our degree of leverage could adversely affect our cash flow: We fund acquisition opportunities and development partially through short-term borrowings (including our revolving credit facility), as well as from proceeds from property sales and undistributed cash. We expect to refinance projects purchased with short-term debt either with long-term indebtedness or equity financing depending upon the economic conditions at the time of refinancing.
However, we have entered into certain financial agreements which contain financial and operating covenants that limit our ability under certain circumstances to incur additional secured and unsecured indebtedness. The Board of Directors could alter or eliminate its current policy on borrowing at any time at its discretion. If this policy were changed, we could become more highly leveraged, resulting in an increase in debt service that could adversely affect our cash flow and our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors and/or could cause an increased risk of default on our obligations.
We are dependent on external sources of capital for future growth: To qualify as a real estate investment trust under the IRS Code, the General Partner must distribute to its shareholders each year at least 90 percent of its net taxable income, excluding any net capital gain. Because of this distribution
requirement, it is not likely that we will be able to fund all future capital needs, including for acquisitions and developments, from income from operations. Therefore, we will have to rely on third-party sources of capital, which may or may not be available on favorable terms or at all. Our access to third-party sources of capital depends on a number of things, including the market’s perception of our growth potential and our current and potential future earnings. Moreover, additional equity offerings, including sales of the General Partner’s common stock pursuant to its $100 million At-The-Market equity offering commenced in November 2023, may result in substantial dilution of our shareholders’ interests, and additional debt financing may substantially increase our leverage.
We may originate mezzanine loans or make preferred equity investments in the future that may subject the Company to a greater risk of loss than traditional
mortgage loans.
We may in the future originate mezzanine loans, which take the form of subordinated loans secured by second mortgages on the underlying property or subordinated loans secured by a pledge of the ownership interests of either the entity owning the property or a pledge of the ownership interests of the entity that owns the interest in the entity owning the property. Mezzanine loans may involve a higher degree of risk than a senior mortgage secured by real property, because the security for the loan may lose all or substantially all of its value as a result of foreclosure by the senior lender and because it is in second position and there may not be adequate equity in the property. In the event of a bankruptcy of the entity providing the pledge of its ownership interests as security, we may not have full recourse to the assets of such entity, or the assets of the entity may
not be sufficient to satisfy our mezzanine loan. If a borrower defaults on our mezzanine loan or debt senior to our loan, or in the event of a borrower bankruptcy, our mezzanine loan will be satisfied only after the senior debt. As a result, we may not recover some of or all our investment. In addition, mezzanine loans typically have higher loan-to-value ratios than conventional mortgage loans, resulting in less equity in the property and increasing the risk of loss of principal.
We may in the future make preferred equity investments in corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies or other
entities that have been formed for the purpose of directly or indirectly acquiring, developing or managing real property. Generally, we will not have the ability to control the daily operations of the entity, and we will not have the ability to select or remove a majority of the members of the board of directors, managers, general partner or partners or similar governing body of the entity or otherwise control its operations. Although we would seek to maintain sufficient influence over the entity to achieve our objectives, our partners may have interests that differ from ours and may be in a position to take actions without our consent that are inconsistent with our interests. Further, if our partners were to fail to invest additional capital in the entity when required, we may have to invest additional capital to protect our investment. Our partners have in the past failed, and may in the future fail, to develop or operate the real property, operate the entity, refinance
property indebtedness or sell the real property in the manner intended and as a result the entity may not be able to redeem our investment or pay the return expected to us in a timely manner if at all. In addition, we may not be able to dispose of our investment in the entity in a timely manner or at the price at which we would want to divest. In the event that such an entity fails to meet expectations or becomes insolvent, we may lose our entire investment in the entity.
MANAGEMENT RISKS
We may not be able to attract, integrate, manage and retain personnel to execute our business strategy, and competition for skilled personnel could increase our labor costs.
Our success depends upon our ability to attract, integrate, manage and retain personnel who possess the skills and experience necessary to execute our acquisition,
development, management and leasing strategies. We compete with various other companies in attracting and retaining qualified and skilled personnel. Our ability to hire and retain qualified personnel could be impaired by a lack of qualified candidates in the available labor force, any diminution of our reputation, decrease in compensation levels relative to our competitors or modifications to our total compensation philosophy or competitor hiring programs. Competitive pressures may require that we enhance our pay and benefits package to compete effectively for such personnel. We may not be able to offset such added costs by increasing the rates we charge our residents. If we cannot attract, hire and retain qualified personnel, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be negatively impacted. Our future success also depends upon our ability to manage the performance of our personnel. Failure to successfully manage the performance of our personnel
could affect our profitability by causing operating inefficiencies that could increase operating expenses and reduce operating income.
We are dependent on our key personnel whose continued service is not guaranteed.
We are dependent upon key personnel for strategic business direction and real estate experience, including our chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief investments officer and general counsel. While we believe that we could find replacements for these key personnel, loss of their services could adversely affect our operations. We do not have key man life insurance for our key personnel. In addition, as the Company seeks to complete the repositioning of a portion of its portfolio from office to the multifamily rental sector, the Company may become increasingly dependent on non-executive personnel with residential development and
leasing expertise to effectively execute the Company’s long-term strategy.
The terms of the Operating Partnership’s Agreement of Limited Partnership may limit our ability to take certain actions without the consent of some of the limited partners.
As of February 15, 2024, the General Partner owned approximately 91.4 percent of the Operating Partnership’s outstanding common partnership units. The consent of the holders of at least 85 percent of the Operating Partnership’s partnership units is required: (i) to merge (or permit the merger of) the Operating Partnership with another unrelated person, pursuant to a transaction in which the Operating Partnership is not the surviving entity; (ii) to dissolve, liquidate or wind up the Operating Partnership; or (iii) to convey or otherwise transfer all
or substantially all of the Operating Partnership’s assets.If the General Partner’s ownership interest in the Operating Partnership were to drop below 85 percent as the result of future issuances of partnership units, then the General Partner’s inability to take any of the foregoing actions without the consent of some of the limited partners could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to complete any of those transactions and negatively impact the Company’s business and operations.
Certain provisions of Maryland law
and the General Partner’s charter and bylaws could hinder, delay or prevent changes in control.
Certain provisions of Maryland law and General Partner's charter and bylaws have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing transactions that involve an actual or threatened change in control. These provisions include the following:
Removal of Directors: Under the General Partner’s charter, as amended, subject to the rights of one or more classes or series of preferred stock to elect one or more directors, a director may be removed from office at any time, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by our stockholders generally in the election of directors.
Number of Directors, Board Vacancies, Terms of Office:
The General Partner has, in its bylaws, elected to be subject to a certain provision of Maryland law which vest in the Board of Directors the exclusive right to determine the number of directors. This provision of Maryland law is applicable even if other provisions of Maryland law, the charter or the bylaws provide to the contrary. The General Partner revoked its election to be subject to a certain other provision of Maryland law which vests in the Board of Directors the exclusive right, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, to fill vacancies on the board. Thus under the General Partner’s bylaws, as amended, and Maryland law, any vacancy on the Board of Directors for any cause other than an increase in the number of directors may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors except that the stockholders have right to fill any vacancy resulting from removal of a director; and any vacancy on the Board of Directors created by an increase
in the number of directors may be filled by a majority of the entire Board of Directors. Any director elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy serves until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until such director’s successor is elected and qualifies, and any director elected by the stockholders to fill a vacancy resulting from removal of a director serves for the balance of the term of the removed director. The General Partner has, in its corporate governance principles, adopted a mandatory retirement age of 80 years for directors.
Stockholder Requested Special Meetings: The General Partner’s bylaws, as amended, provide that its stockholders have the right to call a special meeting only upon the written request of the stockholders entitled to cast not less than 25% of all votes entitled to be cast at such meeting, provided that unless requested
by the stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all votes entitled to be cast at such meeting, a special meeting need not be called to consider any matter which is substantially the same as a matter voted on at any special meeting of stockholders held during the preceding 12 months.
Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and Proposals: The General Partner's bylaws require advance written notice for stockholders to nominate persons for election as directors at, or to bring other business before, any meeting of stockholders. This bylaw provision limits the ability of stockholders to make nominations of persons for election as directors or to introduce other proposals unless we are notified in a timely manner prior to the meeting.
Preferred Stock: Under the General Partner's charter, its Board of Directors has authority
to issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more series and to establish the terms, preferences and rights of any such series of preferred stock, all without approval of its stockholders. As a result, its Board of Directors may establish a series of preferred stock that could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in control.
Duties of Directors with Respect to Unsolicited Takeovers: Maryland law provides protection for Maryland corporations against unsolicited takeovers by limiting, among other things, the duties of the directors in unsolicited takeover situations. The duties of directors of Maryland corporations do not require them to (a) accept, recommend or respond to any proposal by a person seeking to acquire control of the corporation, (b) authorize the corporation to redeem any rights under, or modify or render inapplicable, any stockholders rights plan, (c) make a determination
under the Maryland Business Combination Act or the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act, or (d) act or fail to act solely because of the effect the act or failure to act may have on an acquisition or potential acquisition of control of the corporation or the amount or type of consideration that may be offered or paid to the stockholders in an acquisition. Maryland law also contains a statutory presumption that an act of a director of a Maryland corporation satisfies the applicable standards of conduct for directors under Maryland law.
Ownership Limit: In order to preserve the General Partner's status as a real estate investment trust under the IRS Code, its charter generally prohibits any single stockholder, or any group of affiliated stockholders, from beneficially owning more than 9.8 percent of its outstanding capital stock unless its Board of Directors waives or modifies this ownership limit.
Maryland
Business Combination Act: The Maryland Business Combination Act provides that unless exempted, a Maryland corporation may not engage in certain business combinations, including mergers, consolidations, share exchanges or, in
circumstances specified in the statute, asset transfers, issuances or reclassifications of shares of stock and other specified transactions, with an “interested stockholder” or an affiliate of an interested stockholder, for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder, and thereafter unless specified criteria are met. An interested
stockholder is generally a person owning or controlling, directly or indirectly, 10 percent or more of the voting power of the outstanding stock of the Maryland corporation. The General Partner's board of directors has exempted from this statute business combinations between the Company and certain affiliated individuals and entities. However, unless its board adopts other exemptions, the provisions of the Maryland Business Combination Act will be applicable to business combinations with other persons.
Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act: Maryland law provides that holders of “control shares” of a corporation acquired in a “control share acquisition” shall have no voting rights with respect to the control shares except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes eligible to cast on the matter under the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act. “Control shares” means
shares of stock that, if aggregated with all other shares of stock previously acquired by the acquirer, would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of the voting power: one-tenth or more but less than one-third, one-third or more but less than a majority or a majority or more of all voting power. A “control share acquisition” means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.
If voting rights of control shares acquired in a control share acquisition are not approved at a stockholder’s meeting, then subject to certain conditions and limitations, the issuer may redeem any or all of the control shares for fair value. If voting rights of such control shares are approved at a stockholder’s meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights.
In 2018, the General Partner's bylaws were amended to exempt any acquisition of the General Partner’s shares from the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act. If the General Partner’s bylaws are amended to repeal or limit the exemption from the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act, it may make it more difficult for a third party to obtain control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating a change in control.
Changes in market conditions could adversely affect the market price of the Company’s common stock.
As with other publicly traded equity securities, the value of the Company's common stock depends on various market conditions, which may change from time to time. The market price of the Company's common stock could change in ways that may or may not be related to our business, the Company's industry or our operating performance and financial
condition. Among the market conditions that may affect the value of the Company's common stock are the following:
•the general reputation of REITs and the attractiveness of the Company's equity securities in comparison to other equity securities, including securities issued by other real estate-based companies;
•our financial performance; and
•general stock and bond market conditions.
The market value of the Company's common stock is based primarily upon the market’s perception of our growth potential and our current and potential future earnings and cash dividends. Consequently, the Company's common stock may trade at prices that are higher or lower than its net asset value per share of common stock.
REIT
STATUS RISKS
Consequences of the General Partner's failure to qualify as a real estate investment trust could adversely affect our financial condition.
Failure to maintain ownership limits could cause the General Partner to lose its qualification as a real estate investment trust: In order for the General Partner to maintain its qualification as a real estate investment trust under the IRS Code, not more than 50 percent in value of its outstanding stock may be actually and/or constructively owned by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the IRS Code to include certain entities). The General Partner has limited the ownership of its outstanding shares of common stock by any single stockholder to 9.8 percent of the outstanding shares of its common stock. Its Board of Directors could waive this restriction if it was satisfied, based upon the advice of tax
counsel or otherwise, that such action would be in the best interests of the General Partner and its stockholders and would not affect its qualification as a real estate investment trust under the IRS Code. Common stock acquired or transferred in breach of the limitation may be redeemed by us for the lesser of the price paid and the average closing price for the 10 trading days immediately preceding redemption or sold at the direction of the General Partner. The General Partner may elect to redeem such shares of common stock for Units, which are nontransferable except in very limited circumstances. Any transfer of shares of common stock which, as a result of such transfer, causes the General Partner to be in violation of any ownership limit, will be deemed void. Although the General Partner currently intends to continue to operate in a manner which will
enable it to continue to qualify as a real estate investment trust under the IRS Code, it is possible that future economic, market, legal, tax or other considerations may cause its Board of Directors to revoke the election for the General Partner's to qualify as a real estate investment trust. Under the General Partner's organizational documents, its Board of Directors can make such revocation without the consent of its stockholders.
Tax liabilities as a consequence of failure to qualify as a real estate investment trust: The General Partner has elected to be treated and has operated so as to qualify as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes since the General Partner's taxable year ended December 31, 1994. Although the General Partner believes it will continue
to operate in such manner, it cannot guarantee that it will do so. Qualification as a real estate investment trust involves the satisfaction of various requirements (some on an annual and some on a quarterly basis) established under highly technical and complex tax provisions of the IRS Code. Because few judicial or administrative interpretations of such provisions exist and qualification determinations are fact sensitive, the General Partner cannot assure you that it will qualify as a real estate investment trust for any taxable year.
If the General Partner fails to qualify as a real estate investment trust in any taxable year, it will be subject to the following:
•it will not be allowed a deduction for dividends paid to shareholders;
•it will be subject to federal income tax at regular
corporate rates, including any alternative minimum tax, if applicable; and
•unless it is entitled to relief under certain statutory provisions, it will not be permitted to qualify as a real estate investment trust for the four taxable years following the year during which was disqualified.
A loss of the General Partner's status as a real estate investment trust could have an adverse effect on us. Failure to qualify as a real estate investment trust also would eliminate the requirement that the General Partner pay dividends to its stockholders. In addition, any such dividends that the General Partner does pay to its stockholders would not constitute qualified REIT dividends and would accordingly not qualify for a deduction of up to 20 percent.
Other tax liabilities: Even if the General Partner
qualifies as a real estate investment trust under the IRS Code, its subject to certain federal, state and local taxes on our income and property and, in some circumstances, certain other state and local taxes. From time to time changes in state and local tax laws or regulations are enacted, which may result in an increase in our tax liability. A shortfall in tax revenues for states and municipalities in which we operate may lead to an increase in the frequency and amount of such increase. These actions could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our taxable REIT subsidiaries will be subject to federal, state and local income tax for income received in connection with certain non-customary services performed for tenants and/or third parties.
Risk of changes in the tax law applicable to real estate investment trusts:Since
the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Treasury Department and Congress frequently review federal income tax legislation, we cannot predict whether, when or to what extent new federal tax laws, regulations, interpretations or rulings will be adopted. Any such legislative action may prospectively or retroactively modify our tax treatment and, therefore, may adversely affect taxation of us, and/or our investors.
OTHER RISKS
Security breaches and other disruptions could compromise our information and expose us to liability, which would cause our business and reputation to suffer.
In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data, including intellectual property, our proprietary business information and that of our tenants and business partners, including personally
identifiable information of our tenants and employees, in our data centers and on our networks and our business is at risk from and may be impacted by cybersecurity attacks. These attacks could include attempts to gain unauthorized access to our data and computer systems. Attacks can be both individual and/or highly organized attempts organized by very sophisticated hacking organizations. We employ a number of measures to prevent, detect and mitigate these threats, which include data encryption, frequent password change events, firewall detection systems, anti-virus software and frequent backups; however, there is no guarantee such efforts will be successful in preventing a cyber-attack, and we consult with outside cybersecurity firms to advise on our cybersecurity measures. We also have implemented internal controls around our treasury function, including enhanced payment authorization procedures, verification requirements for new vendor setup and vendor information
changes, and bolstered outgoing payment notification process and account reconciliation procedures. We have policies and procedures in place in order to identify cybersecurity incidents and elevate such incidents to senior management in order to appropriately address and remediate any cyber-attack. Despite our security measures, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breached due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions,
and there can be no assurance that our actions, security measures, and controls designed to prevent, detect, or respond to intrusion; to limit access to data; to prevent
loss, destruction, alteration, or exfiltration of business information; or to limit the negative impact from such attacks can provide absolute security against a cybersecurity incident. Any such breach could compromise our networks and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information, disrupt our operations, increased cybersecurity insurance premiums and damage our reputation, which could adversely affect our business.
We face possible risks associated with the physical effects of climate change.
We cannot predict with certainty whether climate change is occurring and, if so, at what rate. However, the physical effects of climate change could have a material adverse effect
on our properties, operations, and business. To the extent climate change causes changes in weather patterns or severity, our markets could experience increase in storm intensity (including floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, or snow and ice storms), rising sea-levels, and changes in precipitation, temperature, air quality, and quality and availability of water. Over time, these conditions could result in physical damage to, or declining demand for, our properties or our inability to operate the buildings efficiently or at all. Climate change may also indirectly affect our business by increasing the cost of (or making unavailable) property insurance on terms we find acceptable, increasing the cost of required resources, including energy, other fuel sources, water, and waste and snow removal services, and increasing the risk and severity of flood and earthquakes at our properties. Should the impact of climate change be severe or occur for lengthy periods of time, our financial
condition or results of operations could be adversely impacted. In addition, compliance with new or more stringent laws or regulations or stricter interpretations of existing laws may require material expenditure by us. For example, various federal, state, and local laws and regulations have been implemented or are under consideration to mitigate the effects of climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Among other things, "green" building codes may seek to reduce emissions through the imposition of standards for design, construction materials, water and energy usage and efficiency, and waste management. Such codes could require us to make improvements to our existing properties, increase the costs of maintaining or improving our existing properties or developing new properties, or increase taxes and fees assessed on us or our properties. Expenditures required for compliance with such codes may affect our cash flow and results of operations.
We
may be subject to risks associated with the use of social media.
The use of social media could cause us to suffer brand damage or unintended information disclosure. Negative posts or communications about us or one of our properties on a social networking website could damage our reputation. Further, employees or others may disclose non-public information regarding us or our business or otherwise make negative comments regarding us on social networking or other websites, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations. As social media evolves, we will be presented with new risks and challenges.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM
1C. CYBERSECURITY
The Company’s information technology, communication networks, system applications, accounting and financial reporting platforms and related systems, and those that are offered to residents and tenants are integral to the operation of the business. The Company utilizes these systems, among others, for financial analysis, management, and reporting, for facilitation of operations, including monitoring and optimization of various building management systems, for initiation, generation, and completion of resident leasing, for internal communications, and for various other aspects of the business.
The Company’s cybersecurity strategy is focused on detection, protection, incident response, security risk management and mitigation, and resiliency of the cybersecurity infrastructure. The Company has implemented or is in the process
of continuously evaluating, testing and updating various information security processes and policies designed to identify, assess and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats to the Company’s critical computer networks, third-party hosted services, communications systems, hardware and software, and critical data, including confidential information that is proprietary, strategic or competitive in nature, as well as any personally identifiable information related to the Company’s residents’ and employees’ personal data.
The Company’s cybersecurity risk management relies on a multidisciplinary team, including its information technology and cybersecurity team, legal department, executive management, and third-party service providers to identify, assess, and manage cybersecurity threats and risks. In 2023, the Company expanded its team by adding a full-time Chief Information Security
Officer (CISO), reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, responsible for managing the internal and
external cybersecurity resources. The CISO has over 30 years of experience in corporate enterprise infrastructure and data security management held at a senior management level, acting in both a corporate as well as consulting role within many highly regulated industries. The CISO is responsible for having successfully developed and implemented several cyber security programs within prominent companies within the retail, financial and life science sectors.
The Company
identifies and assesses risks from cybersecurity threats by monitoring and evaluating the cybersecurity threat environment and the Company’s risk profile. This multi-faceted approach to cybersecurity includes physical, administrative, and technical safeguards. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company began utilizing the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cyber Security Framework (CSF), to assess and report to the Company’s executive management and Board of Directors on the current maturity of operational and procedural controls for securing and safeguarding the Company’s information technology assets. The Company will continue to utilize the NIST CSF to evaluate its cybersecurity controls. In addition to the NIST CSF, the Company also completed third-party technical testing of its information technology systems architecture.
To
operate its business, the Company engages certain third-party vendors to perform a variety of functions. The Company seeks to engage reliable, reputable service providers. Depending upon the nature of the services and the sensitivity of the data that a third-party service provider processes, the Company’s vendor management procedures including reviewing the cybersecurity procedures, imposing contractual requirements, and conducting periodic reassessments as needed. The Company seeks to further enhance this review to expand the scope and depth of this analysis.
As a result of these factors, the Company has adopted a strategic multi-year cybersecurity plan. This plan is not meant to be all encompassing as the cybersecurity landscape shifts and evolves, and the Company is continually assessing its risks and the evolving cybersecurity threat landscape. This plan includes implementing additional and/or
fortifying existing defenses and capabilities necessary to protect and preserve the integrity of the Company’s information assets and mitigate the risks to the Company’s business operations. As part of this plan, the Company requires regular cybersecurity training for all employees and periodically conducts tests to assess employee comprehension and evaluate training effectiveness.
The Company is not currently aware of any risks from cybersecurity threats nor has the Company had a previously cybersecurity incident that in either case have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company, its business strategy, results of operations or financial condition.
Governance
The Company’s Audit Committee holds oversight responsibility
over the cybersecurity strategy and risk management. The Audit Committee engages in regular discussions with executive management regarding the Company’s significant financial risk exposures and the measures implemented to monitor and control these risks, including those that may result from material cybersecurity threats. The Company prepares a quarterly report from the Chief Operating Officer and the CISO which includes updates on the Company’s current cybersecurity maturity, progress on the Company’s previously mentioned multi-year cybersecurity plan, strategy updates to combat changes in the threat landscape, education of employees and executive management on cybersecurity awareness, enhanced cybersecurity defenses, incident response programs and regulatory reporting obligations. The Audit Committee delivers a summary of these reports to the full Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. Furthermore, the Board of Directors receives a direct report from the CISO on
no less than an annual basis with interim reports provided when appropriate or necessary.
As part of the Company’s incident response plan, a committee known as the Cyber ERM (Enterprise Risk Management) Committee has been established comprising cross-functional representation across the Company. The Cyber ERM is responsible for implementing a rapid response and incident program in the event of an identified cybersecurity threat and is responsible for reporting all incidents to the Audit Committee and Board of Directors in the case of any cybersecurity incident to enable the Audit Committee and Board of Directors to assess the materiality of any such incident and determine any Exchange Act reporting obligations of the Company in connection therewith.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s Consolidated Properties consisted of 17 multifamily properties, four in-service commercial properties, and several developable land parcels. The Consolidated Properties are located in the Northeast. The Consolidated Properties contain a total of approximately 5,535 apartment units and 1.0 million square feet of commercial space.
As
of December 31, 2023, the Company’s Unconsolidated Joint Venture Properties consisted of seven multifamily rental properties, an in-service commercial property, and a developable land parcel. The Unconsolidated Joint Venture Properties are located in the Northeast and Washington, D.C. The Unconsolidated Joint Venture Properties contain a total of approximately 2,146 apartment units and 51.0 thousand square feet of commercial space. The Company’s unconsolidated interests range from 20 percent to 85 percent subject to specified priority allocations in certain of the joint ventures.
Total New Jersey Waterfront Multifamily Properties
1,438
93.7
3,907
OTHER
Riverpark
at Harrison
Harrison, NJ
2014
45.00%
141
92.2
2,746
The Metropolitan at 40 Park
Morristown, NJ
2010
25.00%
130
95.4
3,577
Metropolitan Lofts
Morristown,
NJ
2018
50.00%
59
94.4
3,591
Station House
Washington, DC
2015
50.00%
378
92.1
2,529
Total Other Multifamily Properties
708
92.9
2,853
TOTAL
MULTIFAMILY PROPERTIES
2,146
93.4
3,559
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures - Retail Properties
Property
Location
Year
Built
Ownership
Percentage
Net
Rentable Area
(Retail SF)
% Leased
12/31/23
(%) (a)
2023 Total
Rental Revenue
($000’s) (f)
Shops at 40 Park
Morristown, NJ
2010
25.00%
50,973
69.0
1,369
TOTAL
RETAIL PROPERTIES
50,973
69.0
1,369
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures - Developable Land
Property
Location
Ownership Percentage
Potential Units
PI
North - Land
West New York, NJ
20.00%
829
TOTAL DEVELOPABLE LAND
829
Footnotes to Property List (dollars in thousands, except per square foot amounts):
(a)Percentage leased includes all leases in effect as of the period end date, some of which have commencement dates in the future.
(b)Average Revenue per Home is calculated as total apartment revenue for the year divided by the average percent occupied for the year, divided by the number of apartments.
(c)Total
base rent for the year ended December 31, 2023, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Substantially all of the commercial leases provide for annual base rents plus recoveries and escalation charges based upon the tenant’s proportionate share of and/or increases in real estate taxes and certain operating costs, as defined, and the pass through of charges for electrical usage. For the year ended December 31, 2023, total escalations and recoveries from tenants were: $3.3 million, or $8.89 per leased square foot, for office properties.
(e)Total
base rent, determined in accordance with GAAP, for 2023 minus 2023 amortization of tenant improvements, leasing commissions and other concessions and costs, determined in accordance with GAAP, divided by net rentable square feet leased at December 31, 2023.
(f)Total Rental Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 is calculated by adding base rent and parking income.
(g)The Company has an additional 13,775 square feet of potential retail space within land developments that is not represented in this table.
(h)Property is approved for office zoning consisting of 5.19 acres.
The following table sets forth the year-end occupancy of the Company’s Consolidated Multifamily Portfolio for the last five years:
December 31,
Percent Occupied (%)
2023
94.8
2022
94.4
2021
96.4
2020
85.4
2019
92.1
MARKET
DIVERSIFICATION
The following table lists the Company’s markets, based on annualized contractual base rent of the Company's Consolidated Multifamily Portfolio:
Market
Annualized Base Rental Revenue ($ in thousands) (a) (b)
Percentage Of Annualized Base Rental Revenue (%)
New Jersey Waterfront
174,822
72.2
Massachusetts
37,768
15.6
Other
29,500
12.2
Totals
242,090
100.0
(a)Annualized
base rental revenue is based on actual December 2023 billings times 12. For leases whose rent commences after January 1, 2024, annualized base rental revenue is based on the first full month’s billing times 12. As annualized base rental revenue is not derived from historical GAAP results, historical results may differ from those set forth above.
(b)Includes leases in effect as of the period end date, some of which have commencement dates in the future.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There are no material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the Company’s business, to which the Company is a party or to which
any of the Properties is subject.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
MARKET INFORMATION
The shares of the General Partner's common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “VRE.” The
Company's common stock previously traded on the NYSE under the symbol "CLI" prior to its name change. There is no established public trading market for the Operating Partnership's common units.
On August 8, 2023, the General Partner filed with the NYSE its annual CEO Certification and Annual Written Affirmation pursuant to Section 303A.12 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual, each certifying that the General Partner was in compliance with all of the listing standards of the NYSE.
GRAPH
The following graph
compares total stockholder returns from the last five fiscal years to the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) and to the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc.’s FTSE NAREIT Equity REIT Index (“NAREIT”). The graph assumes that the value of the investment in the General Partner's Common Stock and in the S&P 500 and NAREIT indices was $100 at December 31, 2018 and that all dividends were reinvested. The price of the General Partner's Common Stock on December 31, 2018 (on which the graph is based) was $19.59. The past stockholder return shown on the following graph is not necessarily indicative of future performance.
Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return
DIVIDENDS
AND DISTRIBUTIONS
As a result of the Company substantially completing its transformation to a pure-play multifamily REIT, as well as the Company’s current estimates of taxable income, the Board of Directors of the General Partner (the "Board of Directors") reinstated a quarterly dividend beginning with the third quarter of 2023.
The declaration and payment of dividends and distributions will continue to be determined by the Board of Directors of the General Partner in light of conditions then existing, including the Company’s earnings, cash flows, financial condition, capital requirements, debt maturities, the availability of debt and equity capital, applicable REIT and legal restrictions and general overall economic conditions and other factors.
On December 18, 2023, the Company
declared a $0.0525 distribution per common share to be payable on January 10, 2024 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 29, 2023. At December 31, 2023, the balance of the distributions payable was $5.5 million. The $0.0525 distribution per common share will be reported to shareholders for the year ending December 31, 2024.
On July 24, 2023, the Company declared a $0.05 distribution per common share with a payment date of October 10, 2023, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 30, 2023. The Company
has determined that the total distribution of $0.05 per common share paid during the year ended December 31, 2023 represented 100% return of capital distributions.
On February 15, 2024, the General Partner had 218 common shareholders of record (this does not include beneficial owners for whom Cede & Co. or others act as nominee) and the Operating Partnership had 69 owners of limited partnership units and one owner of General Partnership Units.
RECENT
SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES; USES OF PROCEEDS FROM REGISTERED SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 6. RESERVED
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of Veris Residential, Inc. and Veris Residential, L.P. and the notes thereto (collectively, the “Financial Statements”). Certain defined terms used herein have the meaning
ascribed to them in the Financial Statements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies – to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain of these accounting policies require judgment and the use of estimates and assumptions when applying these policies in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. On a quarterly basis, we evaluate these estimates and judgments based on historical experience as well as other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates are subject to change in the future if underlying assumptions or factors change. Certain accounting policies, while significant, may not require the use of estimates. We
believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Impairment
On a periodic basis, management assesses whether there are any indicators, including property operating performance, changes in anticipated holding period, and general market conditions, that the value of the Company’s rental properties held for use may be impaired. A property’s value is considered impaired when the expected undiscounted cash flows for a property are less than its carrying value. If there are different potential outcomes for a property, the Company will take a probability weighted approach to estimating future cash flows. To the extent impairment has occurred, the impairment loss is measured as the excess of the carrying value of the property over the estimated
fair value of the property. Estimated fair values which are based on discounted cash flow models include all estimated cash inflows and outflows over a specified holding period. Capitalization rates and discount rates utilized in these models are based upon unobservable rates that the Company believes to be within a reasonable range of current market rates. In addition, such cash flow models consider factors such as expected future operating income, trends and prospects, as well as the effects of demand, competition and other factors. To the extent impairment has occurred, the carrying value of the property would be adjusted to an amount to reflect the estimated fair value of the property.
The Company generally considers assets (as identified by their disposal groups) to be held for sale when the transaction has received appropriate corporate authority, it is probable that the disposition will
occur within one year and there are no significant contingencies relating to a sale. When assets are identified by management as held for sale, the Company discontinues depreciating the assets and estimates the fair value. If the fair value of the assets, less estimated cost to sell, is less than the carrying value of the assets, an adjustment to the carrying value would be recognized and recorded within the Unrealized gains (losses) on disposition of rental property to reflect the estimated fair value of the assets. The Company will continue to review the property for subsequent changes in the fair value, and may recognize an additional impairment charge, if warranted.
In addition, on a periodic basis, management assesses whether there are any indicators, including the underlying investment property operating performance and general market conditions, that the value of the Company’s
investments in unconsolidated joint ventures may be impaired. An investment is impaired only if management’s estimate of the fair value of the investment is less than the carrying value of the investment, and such decline in value is deemed to be other than temporary. To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss shall be measured as the excess of the carrying value of the
investment over the estimated fair value of the investment. Estimated fair values which are based on discounted cash flow models include all estimated cash inflows and outflows over a specified holding period. Capitalization rates
and discount rates utilized in these models are based upon unobservable rates that the Company believes to be within a reasonable range of current market rates.
The following comparisons for the year ended December 31, 2023 (“2023”), as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 (“2022”), and for 2022 as compared to the year ended December
31, 2021 (“2021”) make reference to the following:
(i)“Same-Store Properties,” which represent all in-service properties owned by the Company at December 31, 2021, (for the 2023 versus 2022 comparisons), and which represent all in-service properties owned by the Company at December 31, 2020 (for the 2022 versus 2021 comparisons), excluding properties sold, disposed of, removed from service, or being redeveloped or repositioned from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2023;
(ii)“Acquired and Developed Properties,” which represent all properties acquired by the Company or commencing initial operation from January
1, 2022 through December 31, 2023 (for the 2023 versus 2022 comparisons), and which represents all properties acquired by the Company or commencing initial operations from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022 (for the 2022 versus 2021 comparisons); and
(iii)“Properties Sold” which represent properties sold, disposed of, or removed from service (including properties being redeveloped or repositioned) by the Company from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2023.
The following is a summary of the changes in revenue from rental operations
and other, and property expenses, in 2023 as compared to 2022 divided into Same-Store Properties, Acquired and Developed Properties and Properties Sold in 2022 and 2023 (excluding properties classified as discontinued operations):
Total Company
Same-Store Properties
Acquired
and Developed Properties
Properties Sold in 2022 and 2023
(dollars in thousands)
Dollar Change
Percent Change
Dollar Change
Percent Change
Dollar Change
Percent Change
Dollar Change
Percent Change
Revenue
from rental operationsand other:
Revenue from leases
$
46,092
22.4
%
$
18,523
9.8
%
$
27,569
164.7
%
$
—
—
%
Parking
income
2,217
14.0
1,404
9.1
813
211.7
—
—
Other
income
(2,185)
(27.3)
(2,320)
(30.0)
135
50.9
—
—
Total
$
46,124
20.1
%
$
17,607
8.3
%
$
28,517
164.0
%
$
—
—
%
Property
expenses:
Real estate taxes
$
1,698
4.3
%
$
(1,050)
(2.8)
%
$
2,748
181.7
%
$
—
—
%
Utilities
1,001
11.2
383
4.7
618
84.5
—
—
Operating
services
5,128
9.7
82
0.2
5,046
127.2
—
—
Total
$
7,827
7.8
%
$
(585)
(0.6)
%
$
8,412
135.5
%
$
—
—
%
OTHER
DATA:
Number of Consolidated Properties
21
19
2
—
Commercial Square feet
(in thousands)
1,034
1,034
—
—
Multifamily portfolio (number of units)
5,535
4,545
990
—
Revenue
from leases. Revenue from leases for the Same-Store Properties increased $18.5 million, or 9.8 percent, for 2023 as compared to 2022, due primarily to an increase in market rental rates and a reduction in concessions at the multifamily rental properties. Revenue from leases at the Acquired and Developed Properties increased $27.6 million, or 164.7 percent, in 2023 as compared to 2022, due to an increase in market rental rates and the commencement of operations at a multifamily property as well as the acquisition of one multifamily property during mid-2022.
Parking income. Parking income for the Same-Store Properties increased $1.4 million, or 9.1 percent for 2023 as compared to 2022 due primarily to an increase in usage at the parking garages.
Other income. Other income for the Same-Store Properties decreased
$2.3 million, or 30.0 percent for 2023 as compared to 2022 due primarily to the return of escrow on a previous transaction and post sales items received in 2022.
Real estate taxes. Real estate taxes on the Same-Store Properties decreased $1.1 million, or 2.8 percent, for 2023 as compared to 2022 due primarily to prior period tax appeal refunds received in 2023 on several properties offset by increased tax rates primarily related to properties located in Jersey City, New Jersey. Real estate taxes at the Acquired and Developed Properties increased $2.7 million, or 181.7 percent, in 2023 as compared to 2022, due to the commencement of operations at a multifamily property as well as the acquisition of one multifamily property during mid-2022.
Utilities. Utilities for the Same-Store Properties remained relatively
unchanged.
Operating services. Operating services for the Same-Store properties remained relatively unchanged. Operating services expenses at the Acquired and Developed Properties increased $5.0 million, or 127.2 percent, in 2023 as compared to 2022, due to the commencement of operations at a multifamily property as well as the acquisition of one multifamily property during mid-2022.
Real estate services revenue. Real estate services revenue, which is primarily related to management fees and reimbursement of property personnel costs from the Company's third
party/ joint ventures management businesses, remained relatively unchanged.
Real estate services expenses. Real Estate services expenses include off-site expenses associated with the self-management of the Company's properties as well as operating and personnel expenses for the Company's third-party/joint venture management businesses. Real estate services expenses increased $3.6 million, or 34.5 percent, for 2023 as compared to 2022, due primarily to increased personnel expenses and management activity in multifamily services.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses decreased $11.5 million, or 20.6 percent, for 2023 compared to 2022 due to decrease in severance and related costs and cost reductions in 2023, offset by higher stock compensation expense in 2023 as a result of the $2.9 million adjustment in the
third quarter of 2023.
Transaction related costs. The Company incurred costs of $7.6 million in 2023 primarily associated with the purchase of Rockpoint's interests (See Note 14: Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests - Rockpoint Transactions – to the Financial Statements), and $3.5 million in 2022 in connection with transactions that were not consummated.
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased $8.2 million, or 9.5 percent, for 2023 as compared to 2022, primarily due to additional depreciation and amortization in the Acquired and Developed Properties.
Property impairments. In 2023, the Company recorded impairment charges of $32.5 million on one held and used office property in Jersey City,
New Jersey. No such impairments were recorded in 2022.
Land and other impairments. In 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded net $9.3 million and $9.4 million of impairment charges on developable land parcels, respectively.
Interest expense. Interest expense increased $23.0 million, or 34.6 percent, for 2023 as compared to 2022. The increase is primarily related to increases in LIBOR and SOFR rates as well as a reduction in capitalized interest in 2023 compared to 2022 due to one multifamily property being placed in service during 2022.
Interest cost of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests. During 2023, the Company recognized $49.8 million in interest cost of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests related to the Company's redemption of Rockpoint's
interests.
Interest and other investment income. Interest and other investment income increased $4.8 million, or 656.5 percent, for 2023 compared to 2022. The increase is primarily related to interest income for sales proceeds deposits.
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures. Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures increased $1.9 million or 158.5 percent, for 2023 as compared to 2022, due primarily to higher revenues resulting from lower concessions and higher market rents at various multifamily unconsolidated joint ventures in 2023 as compared to 2022.
Gain on disposition of developable land. In 2023, the Company recognized a gain of $7.1 million on the sale of a developable land parcel in Parsippany-Troy
Hills, New Jersey, as well as reversals of estimated accrued expenses from previously sold developable land holdings. In 2022, the Company recorded a gain of $57.3 million on the sale of land holdings in West Windsor, Weehawken, and Jersey City, New Jersey. See Note 3: Investment in Rental Property – Dispositions of Rental Properties and Developable Land – to the Financial Statements.
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net. In 2023, the Company recognized a loss of $5.6 million on extinguishment of debt due to the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs related to the termination of the 2021 Credit Facility, repayment of 2023 Term Loan, and refinancing of the construction loan for one multifamily property located in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Other income, net. In 2023, the Company received insurance proceeds of $2.9 million.
Discontinued
operations. The Company recognized income from discontinued operations of $44.8 million for 2023 as compared to $4.6 million for 2022. See Note 7: Discontinued Operations to the Financial Statements for additional details.
The following is a summary of the changes in revenue from rental operations and other, and property expenses, in 2022 as compared to 2021 divided into Same-Store Properties, Acquired and Developed Properties and Properties Sold in 2021 and 2022:
Total Company
Same-Store Properties
Acquired
and Developed Properties
Properties Sold in 2021 and 2022
(dollars in thousands)
Dollar Change
Percent Change
Dollar Change
Percent Change
Dollar Change
Percent Change
Dollar Change
Percent Change
Revenue
from rental operationsand other:
Revenue from leases
$
43,970
27.1
%
$
17,324
11.2
%
$
28,717
100.0
%
$
(2,071)
(100.0)
%
Parking
income
3,545
28.9
2,655
22.7
1,103
100.0
(213)
(100.0)
Other income
(2,697)
(25.2)
(3,191)
(30.5)
472
100.0
22
(100.0)
Total
$
44,818
24.2
%
$
16,788
9.5
%
$
30,292
100.0
%
$
(2,262)
(100.0)
%
Property
expenses:
Real estate taxes
$
10,294
35.7
%
$
7,450
27.2
%
$
3,275
100.0
%
$
(431)
(100.0)
%
Utilities
614
7.4
(332)
(4.2)
1,004
100.0
(58)
(100.0)
Operating
services
7,337
16.1
1,235
2.9
6,784
100.0
(682)
(100.0)
Total
$
18,245
22.1
%
$
8,353
10.7
%
$
11,063
100.0
%
$
(1,171)
(100.0)
%
OTHER
DATA:
Number of Consolidated Properties
27
23
4
2
Commercial Square feet
(in thousands)
3,104
3,104
—
—
Multifamily portfolio (number of units)
5,535
4,039
1,496
—
Revenue
from leases. Revenue from leases for the Same-Store Properties increased $17.3 million, or 11.2 percent, for 2022 as compared to 2021, due primarily to an increase in occupancy and market rents of the multifamily rental properties. Revenue from leases at the Acquired and Developed Properties increased $28.7 million in 2022 as compared to 2021, due to the commencement of operations at three multifamily properties during the periods as well as the acquisition of one multifamily property in mid-2022.
Parking income. Parking income for the Same-Store Properties increased $2.7 million, or 22.7 percent for 2022 as compared to 2021 due primarily to an increase in usage at the parking garages.
Other income. Other income for the Same-Store Properties
decreased 3.2 million, or 30.5 percent for 2022 as compared to 2021 due primarily to the recognition in 2021 of forfeited deposits received from potential buyers in disposition deals that were not completed, as well as post property sales items received in 2021.
Real estate taxes. Real estate taxes on the Same-Store Properties increased $7.5 million, or 27.2 percent, for 2022 as compared to 2021 due primarily to increased tax rates on properties located in Jersey City, New Jersey as well as the expiration in early 2022 of the PILOT agreements on two multifamily properties.
Utilities. Utilities for the Same-Store Properties remained relatively unchanged for 2022 compared to 2021.
Operating
services. Operating services for the Same-Store properties increased $1.2 million, or 2.9 percent, for 2022 as compared to 2021, due primarily toan increase in insurance expenses in 2022.
Real estate services revenue. Real estate services revenue, which is primarily related to management fees and reimbursement of property personnel costs from the Company's third party/ joint ventures management businesses, decreased $6.0 million, or 62.7%, for 2022 as compared to 2021, due primarily to a reduction in third party development and management activity in 2022.
Real estate services expenses. Real Estate services expenses include off-site expenses associated with the self-management of the Company's properties as well as operating and personnel expenses for the Company's third party/joint venture management businesses. Real estate services expenses decreased $2.3 million, or 18.0 percent, for 2022 as compared to 2021, due primarily to lower salaries and related expenses from a reduction in third-party services activities in 2022 as compared to 2021.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses remained relatively unchanged for 2022 compared to 2021 due to increases in severance and related costs in 2022 as compared to 2021, partially offset by cost saving reductions in 2022.
Transaction
related costs. The Company incurred costs of $3.5 million in 2022 and $12.2 million in 2021 in connection with transactions that were not consummated.
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased $16.9 million, or 24.7 percent for 2022 compared to 2021, primarily due to additional depreciation and amortization in the Acquired and Developed Properties.
Land and other impairments. In 2022, the Company recorded net $9.4 million of impairments on developable land parcels. In 2021, the Company recorded $20.8 million of impairments on developable land parcels and $2.9 million of goodwill impairment.
Interest expense.
Interest expense increased $18.9 million, or 39.7 percent, for 2022 as compared to 2021. This increase was primarily the result of the cessation of the capitalization of mortgage interest related to a multifamily property which was placed in service in 2022 and higher interest rates on our floating rate indebtedness.
Interest and other investment income. Interest and other investment income remained relatively unchanged for 2022 as compared to 2021.
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures. Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures increased $5.5 million, or 128.2 percent, for 2022 as compared to 2021, due primarily to higher revenues resulting from lower concessions and higher market rents at various unconsolidated multifamily joint ventures
in 2022 as compared to 2021.
Realized gains (losses) and unrealized losses on disposition of rental property, net. The Company had no realized gains (unrealized losses) on disposition of rental property in 2022 and 3.0 million in 2021. See Note 3: Investment in Rental Property – Dispositions of Rental Properties and Developable Land – to the Financial Statements.
Gain on disposition of developable land. In 2022, the Company recognized a gain of $57.3 million on the sale of multiple developable land parcels. In 2021, the Company recorded a gain of $2.1 million on the sale of land holdings in Newark and Hamilton, New Jersey. See Note 3: Investment in Rental Property – Dispositions of Rental Properties and Developable Land – to the Financial Statements.
Gain
on sale from unconsolidated joint ventures. In 2021, the Company recorded a $1.9 million loss for its share on the sale of the joint venture - owned property in Arlington, Virginia and land in Hillsborough, New Jersey. See Note 3: Investment in Rental Property - Dispositions of Unconsolidated Joint Venture – to the Financial Statements.
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net. In 2021, the Company recognized losses from early extinguishment of debt of $47.1 million which consists of $24.2 million in connection with the redemption of the Company’s Senior Unsecured Notes and $22.6 million in connection with the sale of Short Hills office portfolio and related defeasance of the mortgage loan.
Discontinued operations. The Company recognized
income of $4.6 million in 2022 and $47.7 million in 2021. See Note 7: Discontinued Operations to the Financial Statements for additional details.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Liquidity is a measurement of the Company's ability to meet cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to repay borrowings, pay dividends, fund acquisitions of real estate assets and other general business needs. In addition to cash on hand, the primary sources of funds for short-term and long-term liquidity requirements, including working capital,
distributions, debt service and additional investments, consist of: (i) borrowings under the revolving credit facility and term loan; (ii) proceeds from sales of real estate; and (iv) cash flow from operations. The Company believe these sources of financing will be sufficient to meet our short-term and long-term liquidity requirements.
The Company's cash flow from operations primarily consists of rental revenue which is the principal source of funds that is used to pay operating expenses, debt service, general and administrative expenses, operating capital expenditures, dividends, and transaction-related expenses. The Company expects to meet its short-term liquidity requirements generally through its working capital, which may include proceeds from the sales of rental properties and land, net cash provided by operating activities and draws from its revolving
credit facility.
Cash Flows
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash increased by $6.9 million to $54.6 million at December 31, 2023, compared to $47.6 million at December 31, 2022. This increase is comprised of the following net cash flow items:
(1)$45.5 million provided by operating activities.
(2)$579.7 million provided by investing activities, consisting primarily of the following:
(a)$560.0 million received mainly from proceeds of rental properties included in discontinued operations; plus
(b)$23.0 million
received from proceeds of the sales of rental property in continuing operations; plus
(c)$12.1 million received from distributions in excess of cumulative earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures; plus
(d)$3.8 million received from proceeds from insurance settlements; plus
(e)$1.3 million received from repayments of notes receivables; minus
(f)$12.5 million used for additions to rental property and improvements; minus
(g)$8.4 million used for the development of rental property, other related costs and deposits; minus
(h)$0.8 million used for investment in unconsolidated
joint ventures.
(3)$618.3 million used in financing activities, consisting primarily of the following:
(a)$535.5 million used for the redemption of redeemable noncontrolling interests; plus
(b)$442.1 million used for repayments of mortgages, loans payable and other obligations; plus
(c)17.1 million used for distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests; plus
(d)$16.2 million used for payments of financing costs; plus
(e)$5.1 million used for payment of common dividends and distributions; minus
(f)$399.6
million received from proceeds from mortgages and loans payable.
REIT Distribution Requirements
To maintain its qualification as a REIT under the IRS Code, the General Partner must make annual distributions to its stockholders of at least 90 percent of its REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and by excluding net capital gains. However, any such distributions, whether for federal income tax purposes or otherwise, would be paid out of available cash, including borrowings and other sources, after meeting operating requirements, preferred stock dividends and distributions, and scheduled debt service on the Company’s debt. If and to the extent the Company retains and does not distribute any net capital gains, the General Partner will be required to pay federal, state and local taxes on such net capital gains at the rate applicable to capital
gains of a corporation.
As a result of the Company substantially completing its transformation to a pure-play multifamily REIT, as well as the Company’s current estimates of taxable income, the Board of Directors of the General Partner (the "Board of Directors") reinstated a quarterly dividend beginning in the third quarter of 2023.
The declaration and payment of dividends and distributions will continue to be determined by the Board of Directors of the General Partner in light of conditions then existing, including the Company's earnings, cash flows, financial condition, capital requirements, debt maturities, the availability of debt and equity capital, applicable REIT and legal restrictions and general overall economic conditions and other factors.
distributions payable was $5.5 million. The $0.0525 distribution per common share will be reported to shareholders for the year ending December 31, 2024.
On
July 24, 2023, the Company declared a $0.05 distribution per common share with a payment date of October 10, 2023, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 30, 2023. The Company has determined that the total distribution of $0.05 per common share paid during the year ended December 31, 2023 represented 100% return of capital distributions.
The dividends and distributions payable at December 31, 2022 represent amounts payable on unvested LTIP units.
Debt Financing
Debt
Strategy
The Company has historically utilized a combination of corporate and property level indebtedness. The Company will seek to refinance or retire its debt obligations at maturity with available proceeds received from the Company’s planned non-strategic asset sales, as well as with new corporate or property level indebtedness on or before the applicable maturity dates.
Debt Summary
The following is a breakdown of the Company’s debt between fixed and variable-rate financing as of December 31, 2023:
Balance
($000’s)
%
of Total
Weighted Average Interest Rate
Weighted Average Maturity in Years
Fixed Rate & Hedged Secured (a)
$
1,868,983
100.00
%
4.34
%
3.46
Variable Rate Secured Debt
—
—
%
—
%
—
Totals/Weighted
Average:
$
1,868,983
100.00
%
4.34
%
3.46
Unamortized deferred financing costs
(15,086)
Total Debt, Net
$
1,853,897
(a)Includes
debt with interest rate caps outstanding with a notional amount of $304.5 million.
Debt Maturities
Scheduled principal payments and related weighted average annual effective interest rates for the Company’s debt as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:
Period
Scheduled
Amortization
($000’s)
Principal
Maturities
($000’s)
Total
($000’s)
Weighted
Avg. Effective Interest Rate of Future Repayments
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had three unencumbered properties, with a carrying value of $115.9 million.
Equity Financing and Registration Statements
Shelf Registration Statements
The General Partner has an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC for an aggregate amount of $2.0 billion in common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, and/or warrants of the General Partner, under which $100 million of shares of common stock have been allocated for sale pursuant to the Company's ATM Program commenced
in November 2023 and no securities have been sold as of February 15, 2024.
The General Partner and the Operating Partnership also have an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC for an aggregate amount of $2.5 billion in common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares and guarantees of the General Partner and debt securities of the Operating Partnership, under which no securities have been sold as of February 15, 2024.
Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan
The Company has a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the “DRIP”) which commenced in March 1999 under which approximately 5.4 million shares of the General Partner’s common stock have been reserved for future issuance. The DRIP
provides for automatic reinvestment of all or a portion of a participant’s dividends from the General Partner’s shares of common stock. The DRIP also permits participants to make optional cash investments up to $5,000 a month without restriction and, if the Company waives this limit, for additional amounts subject to certain restrictions and other conditions set forth in the DRIP prospectus filed as part of the Company’s effective registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the approximately 5.4 million shares of the General Partner’s common stock reserved for issuance under the DRIP.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Unconsolidated Joint Venture Debt
The debt of
the Company’s unconsolidated joint ventures generally provides for recourse to the Company for customary matters such as intentional misuse of funds, environmental conditions and material misrepresentations. The Company has agreed to guarantee repayment of a portion of the debt of its unconsolidated joint ventures. As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding balance of such debt totaled $17.2 million of which $1.5 million was guaranteed by the Company. In January 2024, the joint venture repaid the $17.2 million loan.
The Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements are further discussed in Note 4: Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures to the Financial Statements.
Funds from Operations
Funds
from operations (“FFO”) (available to common stock and unit holders) is defined as net income (loss) before noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership, computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains or losses from depreciable rental property transactions (including both acquisitions and dispositions), and impairments related to depreciable rental property, plus real estate-related depreciation and amortization. The Company believes that FFO is helpful to investors as one of several measures of the performance of an equity REIT. The Company further believes that as FFO excludes the effect of depreciation, gains (or losses) from property transactions and impairments related to depreciable rental property (all of which are based on historical costs which may be of limited relevance in evaluating current performance), FFO can facilitate comparison of operating performance between equity REITs.
FFO should not
be considered as an alternative to net income available to common shareholders as an indication of the Company’s performance or to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. FFO presented herein is not necessarily comparable to FFO presented by other real estate companies due to the fact that not all real estate companies use the same definition. However, the Company’s FFO is comparable to the FFO of real estate companies that use the current definition of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”).
As the Company considers its primary earnings measure, net income available to common shareholders, as defined by GAAP, to be the most comparable earnings measure to FFO, the following table presents a reconciliation of net income
available to common shareholders to FFO, as calculated in accordance with NAREIT’s current definition, for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
Add (deduct): Noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership
(14,267)
(5,652)
(16,212)
Noncontrolling interests in discontinued operations
3,872
378
4,333
Real
estate-related depreciation and amortization on continuing operations (a)
103,049
95,103
77,908
Real estate-related depreciation and amortization on discontinued operations
5,335
26,370
43,482
Property impairments on continuing operations
32,516
—
—
Property
impairments on discontinued operations
—
94,811
13,467
Impairment of unconsolidated joint venture investment (included in Equity in earnings)
—
—
(1)
Discontinued operations: Gain on sale from unconsolidated
joint ventures
—
(7,677)
1,886
Continuing operations: Realized (gains) losses and unrealized (gains) losses on disposition of rental property, net
—
—
(3,023)
Discontinued operations: Realized (gains) losses and unrealized (gains) losses on disposition of rental property, net
(2,411)
(61,676)
(25,552)
Funds
from operations available to common stock and Operating Partnership unitholders (b) (c)
$
20,829
$
89,591
$
(22,754)
(a)Includes the Company’s share from unconsolidated joint ventures, and adjustments for noncontrolling interests, of $10.3 million, $10.4 million and $10.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Excludes non-real estate-related depreciation and amortization of $1.0 million, $1.3
million and $1.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
(b)Net loss available to common shareholders in 2023, 2022 and 2021 included $9.3 million, $9.4 million and $23.7 million, respectively, of land impairment charges and $46.3 million, $94.8 million and $2.1 million, respectively, from a gain on disposition of developable land, which are included in the calculation to arrive at funds from operations as such gains and charges relate to non-depreciable assets.
(c)Includes $49.8 million of interest cost related to the mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests for the year ended December 31, 2023,
respectively.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company is exposed to market risk from its indebtedness primarily from changes in market interest rates. The Company monitors interest rate risk as an integral part of its overall risk management. The Company manages its exposure to interest rate risk by utilizing fixed rate indebtedness or by hedging the majority of its floating rate indebtedness with interest rate swaps or caps, as appropriate.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company's indebtedness with an aggregate principal balance of $1.9 billion had an estimated aggregate fair value of $1.8 billion.
Changes
in interest rates, impact the fair value of the Company's fixed rate debt instruments, computed using current market yields. Approximately $1.6 billion of the Company’s long-term debt as of December 31, 2023 bears interest at fixed rates with a weighted average coupon of 4.29% and therefore the fair value of these instruments is affected by changes in market interest rates. If market rates of interest increased or decreased by 100 basis points, the fair value of the Company’s fixed rate debt as of December 31, 2023 would be approximately $47.9 million higher or lower, respectively.
The effective interest rates on the Company’s variable rate debt, which are hedged by interest-rate caps, as of December 31, 2023 ranged from SOFR plus 141.0 basis points to SOFR plus 275.0 basis
points. Assuming interest-rate caps are not in effect as of December 31, 2023, if market rates of interest on the Company’s variable rate debt increased or decreased by
100 basis points, then the increase or decrease in interest costs on the Company’s variable rate debt would be approximately $3.0 million annually.
The following table summarizes the principal cash flows (in thousands) based upon maturity dates of the debt obligations and the related weighted average interest rates by expected maturity dates.
(a) Adjustment
for unamortized debt discount/premium, net, unamortized deferred financing costs, net, and unamortized mark-to-market, net, as of December 31, 2023.
While the Company has not experienced any significant credit losses, in a significant rising interest rate environment and/or economic downturn, tenant vacancies or defaults could increase and result in losses to the Company which could adversely affect its operating results and liquidity, including its ability to pay its debt obligations.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the Report of PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP, together with the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company, as set forth in the index in Item 15: Exhibits and Financial Statements, are filed under this Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplementary Data and are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The General Partner’s management, with the participation of the General Partner’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the General Partner’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the General Partner’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the General Partner’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the General Partner in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act.
Management’s
Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the General Partner’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the General Partner’s board of directors, management and other personnel, 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. The General Partner’s management, with the participation of the General Partner’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has established and maintained policies and procedures designed to maintain the adequacy of the General Partner’s internal control over financial reporting, and 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 General Partner;
(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 General Partner are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the General Partner; and
(3)Provide
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the General Partner’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
The General Partner’s management has evaluated the effectiveness of the General Partner’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 based on the criteria established in a report entitled Internal Control—Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in 2013. Based on our assessment and those criteria, the General Partner’s management has concluded that the General Partner’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023.
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 or compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
The effectiveness of the General Partner’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.
Changes In Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have not been any changes in the General Partner’s internal
control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fourth fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the General Partner’s internal control over financial reporting.
Veris Residential, L.P.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The General Partner’s management, with the participation of the General Partner’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Operating Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the General Partner’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that,
as of the end of such period, the Operating Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Operating Partnership in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the General Partner’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the General Partner’s board of directors, management and other personnel, 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. The General Partner’s management, with the participation of the General Partner’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has established and maintained policies and procedures designed to maintain the adequacy of the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting, and 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 Operating Partnership;
(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 Operating Partnership are being made only in accordance
with authorizations of management and directors of the General Partner; and
(3)Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Operating Partnership’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
The General Partner’s management has evaluated the effectiveness of the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 based on the criteria established in a report entitled Internal Control—
Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in 2013. Based on our assessment and those criteria, the General Partner’s management has concluded that the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023.
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 or compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
The effectiveness of the Operating Partnership’s internal control
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.
Changes In Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have not been any changes in the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fourth fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM
9B. OTHER INFORMATION
(a) Not Applicable.
(b) Not Applicable.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
ITEM
10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by Item 10 will be set forth in the General Partner’s definitive proxy statement for its annual meeting of shareholders expected to be held on June 12, 2024, and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by Item 11 will be set forth in the General Partner’s definitive proxy statement for its annual meeting of shareholders expected to be held on June 12, 2024, and is incorporated herein
by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by Item 12 will be set forth in the General Partner’s definitive proxy statement for its annual meeting of shareholders expected to be held on June 12, 2024, and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by
Item 13 will be set forth in the General Partner’s definitive proxy statement for its annual meeting of shareholders expected to be held on June 12, 2024, and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by Item 14 will be set forth in the General Partner’s definitive proxy statement for its annual meeting of shareholders expected to be held on June 12, 2024, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Veris Residential, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations,
of comprehensive income (loss), of changes in equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, including the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as
of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated
financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (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 audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal
control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
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 (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) 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 (iii) 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.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging,
subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Assessment of Indicators of Impairment for Rental Property Held for Use, Net
As described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s rental property held for use, net was $2.9 billion as of December 31, 2023. On a periodic basis, management assesses whether there are any indicators, including property operating performance, changes in anticipated holding period, and general market conditions, that the value of the
Company’s rental properties held for use may be impaired.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the assessment of indicators of impairment for rental property held for use, net is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management in assessing whether there are any indicators that the value of the Company’s rental properties held for use may be impaired and (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence related to management’s assessment of indicators of impairment related to property operating performance, changes in anticipated holding period, and general market conditions.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in
connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s assessment of indicators of impairment for rental properties held for use.These procedures also included, among others (i) testing management’s process for assessing whether there are any indicators that the value of the Company’s rental properties held for use may be impaired; (ii) testing the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data used in management’s assessment of indicators of impairment; and (iii) evaluating the reasonableness of management’s assessment of indicators of impairment related to property operating performance, changes in anticipated holding period, and general market conditions. Evaluating property operating performance involved considering current and past performance of
the properties. Evaluating the anticipated holding period involved considering management’s intent with respect to holding or disposing of the properties. Evaluating the general market conditions involved considering changes in market conditions and evidence obtained in other areas of the audit.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Partners of Veris Residential, L.P.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Veris Residential, L.P. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive income (loss), of changes in equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, including the
related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 2023 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s
Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (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 audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control
over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating
effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
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 (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and
dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) 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 (iii) 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.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not
alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Assessment of Indicators of Impairment for Rental Property Held for Use, Net
As described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s rental property held for use, net was $2.9 billion as of December 31, 2023. On a periodic basis, management assesses whether there are any indicators, including property operating performance, changes in anticipated holding period, and general market conditions, that the value of the Company’s rental properties held for use may be impaired.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the assessment of indicators of impairment for rental property held for use, net is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management in assessing whether there are any indicators that the value of the Company’s rental properties held for use may be impaired and (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence related to management’s assessment of indicators of impairment related to property operating performance, changes in anticipated holding period, and general market conditions.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated
financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s assessment of indicators of impairment for rental properties held for use.These procedures also included, among others (i) testing management’s process for assessing whether there are any indicators that the value of the Company’s rental properties held for use may be impaired; (ii) testing the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data used in management’s assessment of indicators of impairment; and (iii) evaluating the reasonableness of management’s assessment of indicators of impairment related to property operating performance, changes in anticipated holding period, and general market conditions. Evaluating property operating performance involved considering current and past performance of the properties. Evaluating the anticipated holding period involved
considering management’s intent with respect to holding or disposing of the properties. Evaluating the general market conditions involved considering changes in market conditions and evidence obtained in other areas of the audit.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(square footage, apartment unit, room, and building counts unaudited)
1. iORGANIZATION
AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
ORGANIZATION
Veris Residential, Inc., a Maryland corporation, together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “General Partner”), is a fully-integrated, self-administered, self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”). The General Partner controls Veris Residential, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Operating Partnership”), as its sole general partner and owned a i91.4
and i90.7 percent common unit interest in the Operating Partnership as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The Company develops, owns and operates predominantly multifamily rental properties located primarily in the Northeast, as well as a portfolio of non-strategic commercial properties and land parcels. The Company recently completed its transition to a pure-play multifamily REIT and is focused on conducting business in a socially, ethically, and environmentally responsible manner, while seeking
to maximize value for all stakeholders.Veris Residential, Inc. was incorporated on May 24, 1994.
Unless stated otherwise or the context requires, the “Company” refers to the General Partner and its subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned or had interests in i24
multifamily rental properties as well as non-core assets comprised of ione office property and ifour parking/retail properties, plus developable land (collectively, the "Properties"). The Properties are comprised of: (a) i21
wholly-owned or Company-controlled properties, comprised of i17 multifamily properties and ifour non-core assets, and (b) ieight
properties owned by unconsolidated joint ventures in which the Company has investment interests, including iseven multifamily properties and ione non-core asset.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all accounts of the Company, including its controlled subsidiaries, which consist principally of the Operating Partnership and variable interest entities for which the Company has determined itself to be the primary beneficiary, if any. The portions of equity in consolidated subsidiaries that are not attributable, directly or indirectly, to us are presented as noncontrolling interests. See Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies – Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures, for the Company’s treatment of unconsolidated joint venture interests. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
The Company consolidates variable interest entities ("VIEs") in which it is considered to be the primary beneficiary. VIEs are entities in which the equity investors do not have sufficient equity at risk to finance their endeavors without additional financial support
or that the holders of the equity investment at risk do not have a controlling financial interest. The primary beneficiary is defined by the entity having both of the following characteristics: (1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company continuously assesses its determination of the primary beneficiary for each entity and assesses reconsideration events that may cause a change in the original determinations. The Operating Partnership is considered a VIE of the parent company, Veris Residential, Inc. As the Operating Partnership is already consolidated in the balance sheets of Veris
Residential, Inc., this has no impact on the consolidated financial statements of Veris Residential, Inc.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company’s investments in consolidated real estate joint ventures, which are variable interest entities in which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary, other than Veris Residential Partners, L.P., (See Note 14: Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests - Rockpoint Transactions, the Rockpoint interests have been fully redeemed during 2023), have total real estate assets of $i449.8
million and $i468.1 million, respectively, other assets of $i6.7 million and $i6.0
million, respectively, mortgages of $i285.2 million and $i285.5 million, respectively, and other liabilities of $i14.7
million and $i17.3 million, respectively.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain
reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts in order to conform with current period presentation, primarily related to classification of certain properties as discontinued operations.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company identified and recorded out-of-period adjustments related to stock-based compensation expenses incurred in prior years. These adjustments were deemed not material to our consolidated financial statements for any periods presented resulting in an increase of $i2.9
million and $i0.6 million in General and Administrative and Operating Services, respectively, with a corresponding increase of Additional paid-in capital.
2. iSIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
i
Rental Property
Rental properties are reported at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Costs directly related to the acquisition, development and construction of rental properties are capitalized. Where an acquisition has been determined to be an asset acquisition, acquisition-related transaction costs are capitalized. Capitalized development and construction costs include pre-construction costs essential to the development of the property, development and construction costs, interest,
property taxes, insurance, salaries and other project costs incurred during the period of development. Capitalized development and construction salaries and related costs approximated $i0.7 million, $i1.5
million and $i2.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred; major replacements and improvements, which enhance or extend the life of the asset, are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Fully-depreciated assets are removed from the accounts.
The
Company considers a construction project as substantially completed and held available for occupancy upon the substantial completion of improvements, but no later than ione year from cessation of major construction activity (as distinguished from activities such as routine maintenance and cleanup). If portions of a rental project are substantially completed and occupied by tenants or residents, or held available for occupancy, and other portions have not yet reached that stage, the substantially completed portions are accounted for as a separate project.
The Company allocates costs incurred between the portions under construction and the portions substantially completed and held available for occupancy, primarily based on a percentage of the relative commercial square footage or multifamily units of each portion, and capitalizes only those costs associated with the portion under construction.
i
Properties are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives are as follows:
Leasehold
interests
Remaining lease term
Buildings and improvements
i5 to i40 years
Tenant improvements
The
shorter of the term of the related lease or useful life
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
i5 to i10 years
/
Upon
acquisition of rental property, the Company estimates the fair value of acquired tangible assets, consisting of land, building and improvements, and identified intangible assets and liabilities assumed, generally consisting of the fair value of (i) above and below-market leases, (ii) in-place leases and (iii) tenant relationships. For asset acquisitions, the Company allocates the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their relative fair values. The Company records goodwill or a gain on bargain purchase (if any) if the net assets acquired/liabilities assumed differ from the purchase consideration of a business combination transaction.
In estimating the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired, the Company considers information obtained about each property as a result of its due diligence and marketing and leasing activities, and uses various valuation methods, such as estimated
cash flow projections utilizing appropriate discount and capitalization rates, estimates of replacement costs net of depreciation, and available market information. The fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property considers the value of the property as if it were vacant.
Above-market and below-market lease values for acquired properties are initially recorded based on the present value (using a discount rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to each in-place lease and (ii) management’s estimate of fair market lease rates for each corresponding in-place lease, measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the lease for above-market leases and the remaining initial term plus the term of any below-market fixed rate renewal options for below-market leases. The
capitalized above-market lease values for acquired properties are amortized as a reduction of base rental revenue over the remaining terms of the respective leases, and the capitalized below-market lease values are amortized as an increase to base rental revenue over the remaining initial terms plus the terms of any below-market fixed rate renewal options of the respective leases.
Other intangible assets acquired include amounts for in-place lease values, which are based on management’s evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenant’s lease. Factors to be considered by management in its analysis of in-place lease values include an estimate of carrying costs during hypothetical expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions, and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, management includes real estate taxes, insurance
and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up periods, depending on local market conditions. In estimating costs to execute similar leases, management considers leasing commissions, legal and other related expenses. The values of in-place leases are amortized to expense over the remaining initial terms of the respective leases.
On a periodic basis, management assesses whether there are any indicators, including property operating performance, changes in anticipated holding period, and general market conditions, that the value of the Company’s rental properties held for use may be impaired. A property’s value is considered impaired when the expected undiscounted cash flows for a property are less than its carrying value. If there are different potential outcomes for a property, the Company will take a probability weighted approach to estimating
future cash flows. To the extent impairment has occurred, the impairment loss is measured as the excess of the carrying value of the property over the estimated fair value of the property. Estimated fair values which are based on discounted cash flow models include all estimated cash inflows and outflows over a specified holding period. Capitalization rates and discount rates utilized in these models are based upon unobservable rates that the Company believes to be within a reasonable range of current market rates. In addition, such cash flow models consider factors such as expected future operating income, trends and prospects, as well as the effects of demand, competition and other factors. To the extent impairment has occurred, the carrying value of the property would be adjusted to an amount to reflect the estimated fair value of the property.
i
Real
Estate Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations
The Company generally considers assets (as identified by their disposal groups) to be held for sale when the transaction has received appropriate corporate authority, it is probable that the disposition will occur within one year and there are no significant contingencies relating to a sale. When assets are identified by management as held for sale, the Company discontinues depreciating the assets and estimates the fair value. If the fair value of the assets, less estimated cost to sell, is less than the carrying value of the assets, an adjustment to the carrying value would be recognized and recorded within the Unrealized gains (losses) on disposition of rental property to reflect the estimated fair value of the assets. The Company will continue to review the property for subsequent changes in the fair value, and may recognize an additional impairment charge, if warranted.
The
Company classifies assets held for sale or sold as discontinued operations if the disposal groups represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results. For any disposals qualifying as discontinued operations, the assets and their results are presented in discontinued operations in the financial statements for all periods presented. See Note 7: Discontinued Operations.
i
Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
The Company accounts for its investments in unconsolidated joint ventures under
the equity method of accounting. The Company applies the equity method by initially recording these investments at cost, as Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures, subsequently adjusted for equity in earnings and cash contributions and distributions.
The outside basis portion of the Company’s joint ventures is amortized over the anticipated useful lives of the underlying ventures’ tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Generally, the Company would discontinue applying the equity method when the investment (and any advances) is reduced to izero
and would not provide for additional losses unless the Company has guaranteed obligations of the venture or is otherwise committed to providing further financial support for the investee. If the venture subsequently generates income, the Company only recognizes its share of such income to the extent it exceeds its share of previously unrecognized losses. If the venture subsequently makes distributions and the Company does not have an implied or actual commitment to support the operations of the venture, the Company will not record a basis less than zero, rather such amounts will be recorded as equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures.
On a periodic basis, management assesses whether there are any indicators, including the underlying investment property operating performance and general market conditions, that the value of the Company’s investments in unconsolidated joint
ventures may be impaired. An investment is impaired only if management’s estimate of the fair value of the investment is less than the carrying value of the investment, and such decline in value is deemed to be other than temporary. To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss shall be measured as the excess of the carrying value of the investment over the estimated fair value of the investment. Estimated fair values which are based on discounted cash flow models include all estimated cash inflows and outflows over a specified holding period. Capitalization rates and discount rates utilized in these models are based upon unobservable rates that the Company believes to be within a reasonable range of current market rates.
i
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased.
i
Deferred Financing Costs
Costs incurred in obtaining financing are capitalized and amortized over the term of the related indebtedness. Deferred financing costs are presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt liability
to which they relate, except deferred financing costs related to the revolving credit facility, which are presented in deferred charges, goodwill and other assets. In all cases, amortization of such costs is included in interest expense and was $i4.4 million, $i4.8
million and $i4.6 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. If a financing obligation is extinguished early, any unamortized deferred financing costs are written off and included in gains (losses) from extinguishment of debt. Included in the losses from extinguishment of debt, net, of $i5.6
million, $i7.4 million and $i47.1 million for the years ended December 31,
2023, 2022 and 2021 were unamortized deferred financing costs.
i
Deferred Leasing Costs
Costs incurred in connection with successfully executed residential and commercial leases are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related leases and included in depreciation and amortization. Unamortized deferred leasing costs are charged to amortization expense upon early termination of the lease.
i
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is allocated to various reporting units, as applicable. Each of the Company’s segments consists of a reporting unit. Goodwill is not amortized. Management performs an annual impairment test for goodwill during the fourth quarter and between annual tests, management evaluates the recoverability of goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of goodwill may not be fully recoverable. In its impairment tests of goodwill, management first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If, based on this assessment, management determines that the fair value of the reporting unit is not less than its carrying value, then performing
the additional two-step impairment test is unnecessary. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recognized. The Company determined that its goodwill, with a balance of $i2.9 million, was fully impaired at December 31, 2021 after management performed its impairment tests and recognized an impairment of $i2.9
million in Land and other impairments, net on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
i
Derivative Instruments
The Company measures derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, at fair value and records them as an asset or liability, depending on the Company’s rights or obligations under the applicable derivative contract. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portions of the derivative are reported in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and are subsequently reclassified into
earnings when the hedged item affects earnings. Changes in fair value of derivative instruments not designated as hedging and ineffective portions of hedges are recognized in earnings in the affected period.
i
Revenue Recognition
The majority of the Company’s revenue is derived from residential and commercial rental income and other lease income, which are accounted for under ASC 842, Leases. For leases that include rent concessions and/or scheduled fixed and determinable rent increases, revenue from leases is recognized on a straight-line basis
over the non-cancellable term of the
lease. Unbilled rents receivable represents the cumulative amount by which straight-line rental revenue exceeds rents currently billed in accordance with the lease agreements.
Revenue from leases also includes reimbursements and recoveries from commercial tenants for certain costs as provided in the lease agreements. These costs generally include real estate taxes, utilities, insurance, common area maintenance and other recoverable costs. See Note 13: Tenant Leases. The Company elected a practical expedient for its rental properties (as lessor) to avoid separating
non-lease components that otherwise would need to be accounted for under ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (such as tenant reimbursements of property operating expenses), from the associated lease component since (1) the non-lease components have the same timing and pattern of transfer as the associated lease component and (2) the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease. This enables the Company to account for the lease component and non-lease components as an operating lease since the lease component is the predominant component.
Real estate services revenue includes property management, development, construction and leasing commission fees and other services, and payroll and related costs reimbursed from unconsolidated joint ventures in which the Company is the managing member.
Parking income is comprised of income
from parking spaces leased to tenants and others.
Other income includes income from tenants for additional services arranged for by the Company and income from tenants for early lease terminations.
The Company reviews its accounts receivables related to rental income and other lease income, including straight-line rent receivable, for collectability. The factors considered by management in determining which individual tenant’s revenues are uncollectible include the age of the receivable, the tenant’s payment history, the nature of the charges, any communications regarding the charges and other related information. If a lessee’s accounts receivable balance is considered uncollectible, the Company will write-off the uncollectible receivable balances associated with the lease and will only recognize lease income on a cash basis. The Company includes provision for doubtful accounts
as a reduction of corresponding revenue account, in accordance with Topic 842.
i
Ground/Office Leases
The Company is the lessee under long-term office and ground leases classified as operating leases. Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments under the lease. The Company makes significant assumptions and judgments when determining the discount rate for the lease to calculate the present value of the lease payments. As the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable, the Company
estimates the incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”) that it would need to pay to borrow, on a collateralized basis, an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment, over a similar lease term. The Company utilizes a market-based approach to estimate the IBR for each individual lease. The base IBR is estimated utilizing observable mortgage rates, which are then adjusted to account for considerations related to the Company’s credit rating and the lease term to select an incremental borrowing rate for each lease.
The lease liabilities and right of use assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. See Note 5: Deferred Charges and Other Assets, Net for additional disclosures on the presentation of these amounts in our consolidated balance sheets.
i
Income
and Other Taxes
The General Partner has elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “IRS Code”). As a REIT, the General Partner generally will not be subject to corporate federal income tax on net income that it currently distributes to its shareholders, provided that the General Partner satisfies certain organizational and operational requirements including the requirement to distribute at least 90 percent of its REIT taxable income (determined by excluding any net capital gains) to its shareholders. If and to the extent the General Partner retains and does not distribute any net capital gains, the General Partner will be required to pay federal, state and local taxes, as applicable, on such net capital gains at the rate applicable to capital gains of a corporation.
The Operating
Partnership is a partnership, and, as a result, all income and losses of the partnership are allocated to the partners for inclusion in their respective tax returns.
The General Partner has elected to treat certain of its corporate subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries (each a “TRS”). In general, a TRS may hold certain assets and generate certain income that a REIT could not otherwise hold or generate. A TRS is subject to corporate federal income tax. The General Partner has conducted business through its TRS entities for certain property management, development, construction and other
related services, as well as to hold a joint venture interest in a hotel and other matters. The TRS has sold the hotel during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities from a change in tax rate is recognized in earnings in the period of the enactment date. The Company’s deferred tax assets/(liabilities) are generally the result of temporary differences between book and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and net operating losses. The deferred tax asset balance at December 31, 2023 and 2022, amounted to $i31.1
million and $i30.7 million, respectively, which has been fully reserved through a valuation allowance.
If the General Partner fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, the Company will be subject to federal income tax on its taxable income at regular corporate tax rates. The Company is subject to certain state and local taxes. Pursuant to the amended provisions related to uncertain tax provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes, the Company recognized ino
material adjustments regarding its tax accounting treatment. The Company expects to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, as income tax expense, which is included in general and administrative expense.
In the normal course of business, the Company or one of its subsidiaries is subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions in which it operates, where applicable. As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s open tax years are from December 31, 2019 forward.
i
Earnings
Per Share or Unit
The Company presents both basic and diluted earnings per share or unit (“EPS or EPU”). Basic EPS or EPU excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders or unitholders by the weighted average number of shares or units outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS or EPU reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock, where such exercise or conversion would result in a lower EPS or EPU from continuing operations amount, using the treasury stock method. Shares or units whose issuance is contingent upon the satisfaction of certain conditions shall be considered outstanding and included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU as follows (i) if all necessary conditions have been satisfied by the end of the period (the events have occurred),
those shares or units shall be included as of the beginning of the period in which the conditions were satisfied (or as of the date of the grant, if later) or (ii) if all necessary conditions have not been satisfied by the end of the period, the number of contingently issuable shares or units included in diluted EPS or EPU shall be based on the number of shares or units, if any, that would be issuable if the end of the reporting period were the end of the contingency period (for example, the number of shares or units that would be issuable based on current period earnings or period-end market price) and if the result would be dilutive. Those contingently issuable shares or units shall be included in the denominator of diluted EPS or EPU as of the beginning of the period (or as of the date of the grant, if later).
i
Dividends
and Distributions Payable
As a result of the Company substantially completing its transformation to a pure-play multifamily REIT, as well as the Company’s current estimates of taxable income, the Board of Directors of the General Partner (the "Board of Directors") reinstated a quarterly dividend beginning with the third quarter of 2023.
The declaration and payment of dividends and distributions will continue to be determined by the Board of Directors of the General Partner in light of conditions then existing, including the Company’s earnings, cash flows, financial condition, capital requirements, debt maturities, the availability of debt and equity capital, applicable REIT and legal restrictions and the general overall economic conditions and other factors.
On
December 18, 2023, the Company declared a $i0.0525 distribution per common share to be payable on January 10, 2024 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 29, 2023. At December 31, 2023, the balance of the distributions payable was $i5.5 million.
The $i0.0525 distribution per common share will be reported to shareholders for the year ending December 31, 2024.
On July 24, 2023, the Company declared a $ii0.05/
distribution per common share with a payment date of October 10, 2023, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 30, 2023. The Company has determined that the total
distribution of $i0.05
per common share paid during the year ended December 31, 2023 represented i100% return of capital distributions.
The dividends and distributions payable at December 31, 2022 represent amounts payable on unvested LTIP units.
i
Costs
Incurred For Stock Issuances
Costs incurred in connection with the Company’s stock issuances are reflected as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.
i
Stock Compensation
The Company accounts for stock compensation in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. These provisions require that the estimated fair value of restricted stock (“Restricted Stock Awards”), performance share units, long term incentive
plan awards and stock options at the grant date be amortized ratably into expense over the appropriate vesting period. For unvested securities that are forfeited prior to the measurement period being complete, the Company elected to account for forfeiture of employee awards as they occur. The Company recorded stock compensation expense of $i19.9 million, $i13.8
million and $i10.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
i
Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Other comprehensive income (loss) includes items that are recorded in equity, such as effective portions of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges.
i
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
The Company accounts for noncontrolling interests in accordance with the FASB’s Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity guidance. Noncontrolling interests represent the portion of equity that the Company does not own in those entities
it consolidates. The Company identifies its noncontrolling interests separately within the equity section on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amounts of consolidated net earnings attributable to the Company and to the noncontrolling interests are presented separately on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Redeemable noncontrolling interests that are mandatorily redeemable are classified as Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, and are measured at the amount of cash that would be paid if settlement occurred at the balance sheet date, with any change from the prior period recognized as interest expense. The carrying amount is not reduced below the initial measurement amount. Provided redeemable noncontrolling interests are not classified as liability based on this guidance, the Company assesses whether they should be classified as mezzanine
or permanent equity. The redeemable noncontrolling interests which embody an unconditional obligation requiring the Company to redeem the interests for cash or other assets at a fixed or determinable price on a fixed or determinable date or upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the issuer are determined to be contingently redeemable under this guidance and are included as Redeemable noncontrolling interests and classified within the mezzanine section between Total liabilities and Stockholders’ equity on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
i
Fair Value
Hierarchy
The standard Fair Value Measurements specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based upon whether the inputs to those valuation techniques reflect assumptions other market participants would use based upon market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs). The following summarizes the fair value hierarchy:
•Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets that are unadjusted and accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
•Level 2: Quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets that are inactive, quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or financial instruments for which significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as interest rates and
yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals and
•Level 3: Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.
In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the fair value measurement will be based upon the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. 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.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting—Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures ("ASU 2023-07"). The guidance requires incremental disclosures related to a public entity’s reportable segments. ASU 2023-07 is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with
early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2023-07 will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
3. iINVESTMENTS IN RENTAL PROPERTY
Acquisitions of Rental Property
i
During
the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company acquired the following rental property (dollars in thousands):
Acquisition Date
Property
Location
Property Type
# of Apartment Units
Acquisition Cost
7/21/2022
The
James (a)
Park Ridge, NJ
Multifamily
i240
$
i130,308
Totals
i240
$
i130,308
(a) This
acquisition was funded using funds available with the Company's qualified intermediary from prior property sales proceeds and through borrowing under the Company's revolving credit facility.
/
Properties Commencing Initial Operations
i
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the following property commenced initial operations (dollars
in thousands):
In Service Date
Property
Location
Property Type
# of Apartment Units
Total Development Costs Incurred
04/01/22
Haus25 (a)
Jersey
City
Multifamily
i750
$
i485,587
Totals
i750
$
i485,587
(a)As
of December 31, 2022, all apartment units were in service. The development costs included approximately $i53.4 million in land costs.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the following properties commenced initial operations (dollars in thousands):
In
Service Date
Property
Location
Property Type
# of Apartment Units
Total Development Costs Incurred
03/01/21
The Upton (a)
Short Hills, NJ
Multifamily
i193
$
i101,269
07/01/21
RiverHouse
9 at Port Imperial (b)
Weehawken, NJ
Multifamily
i313
i164,633
Totals
i506
$
i265,902
(a)As
of December 31, 2021, all apartment units were in service. The development costs included approximately $i2.9 million in land costs.
(b)As of December 31, 2021, all apartment units were in service. The development costs included approximately $i2.7 million
in land costs.
/
Additionally, a land lease located in Parsippany, New Jersey also commenced initial operations during the first quarter 2021. Development costs incurred amounted to $i5.1 million. This land lease was sold by the Company during 2021.
The Company disposed of the following rental property during the year ended December 31, 2022(dollars in thousands):
Disposition Date
Property
Location
#
of Bldgs.
Rentable Square Feet
Property Type
Net Sales Proceeds
Net Carrying Value
Discontinued Operations Realized Gains (losses)/ Unrealized Losses, net
01/21/22
111 River Street
Hoboken, New Jersey
i1
i566,215
Office
$
i208,268
(a)
$
i206,432
$
i1,836
10/07/22
101
Hudson Street
Jersey City, New Jersey
i1
i1,246,283
Office
i342,578
(b)
i270,198
i72,380
Unrealized
gains (losses) on real estate held for sale
(i12,540)
Totals
i2
i1,812,498
$
i550,846
$
i476,630
$
i61,676
(a) The
$i150 million mortgage loan encumbering the property was repaid at closing, for which the Company incurred costs of $i6.3 million. These costs were expensed as loss from extinguishment of debt during the year ended December
31, 2022.
(b) The $i250 million mortgage loan encumbering the property was assumed by the purchaser at closing, for which the Company incurred costs of $i1.0 million. These costs were expensed
as loss from extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2022. The assumed mortgage was a non-cash portion of this sales transaction.
The Company disposed of the following developable land during the year ended December 31, 2022(dollars in thousands):
Disposition Date
Property
Location
Net Sales Proceeds
Net Carrying Value
Realized Gains (losses)/ Unrealized Losses,
net
03/22/22
Palladium residential land
West Windsor, New Jersey
$
i23,908
$
i24,182
$
(i274)
03/22/22
Palladium
commercial land
West Windsor, New Jersey
i4,688
i1,791
i2,897
04/15/22
Port
Imperial Park parcel
Weehawken, New Jersey
i29,331
i29,744
(i413)
04/21/22
Urby
II/III
Jersey City, New Jersey
i68,854
i13,316
i55,538
11/03/22
Port
Imperial Parcels 3 & 16 (a)
Weehawken, New Jersey
i24,885
i25,371
(i486)
Totals
$
i151,666
$
i94,404
$
i57,262
(a) Included
non-cash expenses of $i2.5 million.
Dispositions during 2021
The Company disposed of the following rental properties during the year ended December 31, 2021(dollars in thousands):
Disposition Date
Property
Location
#
of Bldgs.
Rentable Square Feet
Property Type
Net Sales Proceeds
Net Carrying Value
Realized Gains (Losses)/ Unrealized Losses, net
Discontinued Operations Realized Gains (losses)/ Unrealized Losses, net
01/13/21
100 Overlook Center
Princeton, New Jersey
i1
i149,600
Office
$
i34,724
(a)
$
i26,488
$
i—
$
i8,236
03/25/21
Metropark
portfolio (b)
Edison and Iselin, New Jersey
i4
i926,656
Office
i247,351
i233,826
i—
i13,525
04/20/21
Short
Hills portfolio (c)
Short Hills, New Jersey
i4
i828,413
Office
i248,664
i245,800
i—
i2,864
06/11/21
Red
Bank portfolio
Red Bank, New Jersey
i5
i659,490
Office
i80,730
i78,364
i—
i2,366
06/30/21
Retail
land leases
Hanover and Parsippany, New Jersey
i—
i—
Land
Lease
i41,958
i37,951
i4,007
i—
07/26/21
7
Giralda Farms
Madison, New Jersey
i1
i236,674
Office
i28,182
i30,143
i—
(i1,961)
10/20/21
4
Gatehall Drive
Parsippany, New Jersey
i1
i248,480
Office
i24,239
i23,717
i—
i522
12/16/21
Retail
land lease Unit B
Hanover, New Jersey
i—
i—
Land
Lease
i5,423
i6,407
(i984)
i—
Totals
i16
i3,049,313
$
i711,271
$
i682,696
$
i3,023
$
i25,552
(a)As
part of the consideration from the buyer, a related party, i678,302 Common Units were redeemed by the Company at a book value of $i10.5 million, which was a non-cash portion of this sales transaction. The balance of the proceeds
was received in cash and used to repay the Company's borrowings on its revolving credit facility. See Note 16: Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries - Noncontrolling Interests in Operating Partnership.
(b)Includes $i10 million of seller financing provided to the buyers of the Metropark portfolio. See Note 5: Deferred charges and other assets, net.
(c)The mortgage loan encumbering three of the properties was defeased at closing, for which the Company incurred costs of $i22.6 million. These costs were expensed as loss from extinguishment of debt.
The Company disposed of the following developable land during the year ended December 31, 2021(dollars in thousands):
Disposition Date
Property
Location
Net Sales Proceeds
Net Carrying Value
Realized Gains (losses)/ Unrealized Losses,
net
05/24/21
Horizon common area
Hamilton, New Jersey
$
i745
$
i634
$
i111
12/22/21
346/360
University Ave
Newark, New Jersey
i4,266
i2,262
i2,004
Totals
$
i5,011
$
i2,896
$
i2,115
Dispositions
of Unconsolidated Joint Venture
2022— On November 30, 2022, the Company's Hyatt Regency Hotel Jersey City joint venture was sold for $i117.0 million and the Company recorded a gain on the sale (included in discontinued operations) for its interest of approximately $i7.7 million
in the year ended December 31, 2022.
2021— On September 1, 2021, the Company sold its interest in the Offices at Crystal Lake joint venture to its venture partner for $i1.9 million and recorded a loss on the sale of approximately $i1.9
million (included in discontinued operations) in the year ended December 31, 2021. On April 29, 2021, the Company sold its interest in the 12 Vreeland Road joint venture for a gross sales price of approximately $i2.0 million, with ino
gain or loss on the transaction.
Real Estate Held for Sale
i
The following table summarizes the real estate held for sale, net (dollars in thousands):
Less:
Cumulative unrealized losses on property held for sale
(i10,544)
(i12,540)
Real
estate held for sale, net
$
i58,608
$
i193,933
/
As
of December 31, 2022, the disposal group for assets classified as held for sale also included $i0.4 million and $i0.4 million
recorded within Unbilled rents receivable, net and Total deferred charges & other assets, net, respectively.
2023— As of December 31, 2023, the Company had classified as held for sale several developable land parcels, which are located in Jersey City and Parsippany, New Jersey. In January 2024, a land parcel was sold for gross proceeds of $i10.2 million.
2022—
As of December 31, 2022, the Company had classified as held for sale an office property of i0.4 million square feet, itwo hotels and several developable land parcels, which are located in Jersey
City, Holmdel, Parsippany, Morris Township, Wall and Weehawken, New Jersey.
Discontinued Operations
The Company has discontinued operations related to its former New Jersey office and hotel portfolio (collectively, the “Office Portfolio”) which represented a strategic shift in the Company’s operations beginning in 2019. See Note 7: Discontinued Operations.
4. iINVESTMENTS
IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had an aggregate investment of approximately $i118.0 million in its equity method joint ventures. The Company formed these ventures with unaffiliated third parties, or acquired interests in them, to develop or manage properties, or to acquire land in anticipation of possible development of rental properties. As of December 31, 2023, the unconsolidated joint ventures owned: iseven
multifamily properties totaling i2,146 apartment units, a retail
property aggregating approximately i51,000
square feet and interests and/or rights to developable land parcels able to accommodate up to i829 apartment units. The Company’s unconsolidated interests range from i20 percent to i85
percent subject to specified priority allocations in certain of the joint ventures.
The amounts reflected in the following tables (except for the Company’s share of equity in earnings) are based on the historical financial information of the individual joint ventures. The Company does not record losses of the joint ventures in excess of its investment balances unless the Company is liable for the obligations of the joint venture or is otherwise committed to provide financial support to the joint venture. The outside basis portion of the Company’s investments in joint ventures is amortized over the anticipated useful lives of the underlying ventures’ tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
The debt of the Company’s unconsolidated joint ventures generally is non-recourse to the Company, except for customary exceptions pertaining to such matters as intentional
misuse of funds, environmental conditions, and material misrepresentations. The Company has agreed to guarantee repayment of a portion of the debt of its unconsolidated joint ventures. As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding balance of such debt, subject to guarantees, totaled $i17.2 million of which $i1.5
million was guaranteed by the Company.
The Company performed management, leasing, development and other services for the properties owned by the unconsolidated joint ventures, related parties to the Company, and recognized $i3.9 million, $i3.6
million and $i3.4 million for such services in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company had $i0.7
million and $i0.2 million in accounts receivable due from its unconsolidated joint ventures as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company does not have any investments in unconsolidated joint ventures that are considered VIEs.
i
The
following is a summary of the Company's unconsolidated joint ventures as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in thousands):
(a)Company's
effective ownership % represents the Company's entitlement to residual distributions after payments of priority returns, where applicable.
(b)The Company's ownership interests in this venture are subordinate to its partner's preferred capital balance and the Company is not expected to meaningfully participate in the venture's cash flows in the near term.
(c)Through the joint venture, the Company also owns a i25 percent interest in a i50,973
square feet retail building ("Shops at 40 Park") and a i50 percent interest in a i59-unit, ifive
story multifamily rental property ("Lofts at 40 Park").
(d)Property debt balance consists of: (i) an interest only loan, collateralized by the Metropolitan at 40 Park, with a balance of $i34.1 million as of December 31, 2023, bears interest at SOFR +i2.85%,
matures on October 10, 2024; (ii) an interest only loan, collateralized by the Shops at 40 Park, with a balance of $i6.1 million. On January 10, 2023, the loan was modified bearing interest at SOFR +i2.00%
and matures on January 9, 2025; (iii) an interest only loan, collateralized by the Lofts at 40 Park, with a balance of $i17.2 million as of December 31, 2023, which bears interest at SOFR +i2.00%
and matures on February 1, 2024. In January 2024, the joint venture sold the Lofts at 40 Park property and the proceeds were used to repay the $i17.2 million loan.
(e)The Company owns an i85
percent interest with shared control over major decisions such as, approval of budgets, property financings and leasing guidelines. The Company formerly guaranteed $i22 million of the principal outstanding debt, which on February 1, 2023, the lender released the Company of all obligations under the Guaranty Agreement.
(f)The Company owns a i20
percent residual interest in undeveloped land parcels: parcels 6 and I that can accommodate the development of i829 apartment units.
(g)The
Company owns other interests in various unconsolidated joint ventures, including interests in assets previously owned and interest in ventures whose businesses are related to its core operations. These ventures are not expected to significantly impact the Company's operations in the near term.
i
The following is a summary of the Company’s equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022
and 2021 (dollars in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Entity / Property Name
2023
2022
2021
Multifamily
Metropolitan
and Lofts at 40 Park (a)
$
(i1,239)
$
(i674)
$
(i801)
RiverTrace
at Port Imperial
i546
i356
i92
The
Capstone at Port Imperial (b)
(i294)
(i212)
(i506)
Riverpark
at Harrison (c)
i540
i234
(i1,153)
Station
House
(i299)
(i722)
(i1,647)
Urby
at Harborside
i4,110
i2,374
(i580)
PI
North - Land
(i240)
(i205)
(i250)
Liberty
Landing (d)
(i22)
i36
(i40)
Office
12
Vreeland Road (e)
i—
i—
i2
Offices
at Crystal Lake (f)
i—
i—
(i113)
Other
Other
i—
i13
i746
Company's
equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures (g)
$
i3,102
$
i1,200
$
(i4,250)
(a) On
January 12, 2024, the joint venture sold the Lofts at 40 Park property for a net sale proceeds of $i12.1 million of which the Company's share is approximately $i6 million.
(b) The
property commenced operations in second quarter 2021.
(c) In September 2021, the joint venture agreed to settle certain obligations regarding a previously owned development project, of which the Company’s share of the expense for such settlement was $i0.9 million, which was recorded in equity in earnings for this venture in the year ended December 31, 2021.
(d) Pursuant to a notice letter to its joint venture partner dated January
6, 2022, the Company intends to not proceed with the acquisition and development of Liberty Landing.
(e) On April 29, 2021, the Company sold its interest in the joint venture and realized ino gain or loss on the sale.
(f) On September 1, 2021, the Company sold its interest in this unconsolidated joint venture to its venture partner for $i1.9
million, and realized a loss on the sale of approximately $i1.9 million.
/
(g) Amounts are net of amortization of basis differences of $i618
thousand, $i154 thousand and $i138 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022
and 2021, respectively.
i
The following is a summary of the combined financial position of the unconsolidated joint ventures in which the Company had investment interests as of December 31, 2023 and 2022(dollars in thousands):
The following is a summary of the combined results from operations of the unconsolidated joint ventures for the period in which the Company had investment interests during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021(dollars in thousands):
In-place
lease values, related intangibles and other assets, net (c)(d)
i10,034
i12,298
Right
of use assets (e)
i6,161
i2,896
Prepaid expenses and other assets, net
i33,697
i43,795
Total
deferred charges and other assets, net (f)
$
i53,956
$
i96,162
(a)Deferred
financing costs related to all other debt liabilities (other than for the revolving credit facility) are netted against those debt liabilities for all periods presented. See Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies – Deferred Financing Costs.
(b)As of December 31, 2022, balance included an interest-free note receivable with a net present value of $i0.2 million which matured in April 2023, and seller-financing of $i1.0 million,
net of a loan loss allowance of $i26.0 thousand, to the buyers of the Metropark portfolio, which matured in May 2023.
(c)The Company recognizes rental revenue of acquired above and below market lease intangibles over the terms of the respective leases. The impact of amortizing the acquired above and below-market lease intangibles increased revenue by approximately $i0.1
million, $i0.2 million and $i2.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. iThe
following table summarizes, as of December 31, 2023, the scheduled amortization of the Company’s acquired above and below-market lease intangibles for each of the five succeeding years (dollars in thousands):
Year
Acquired Above- Market Lease Intangibles
Acquired Below- Market Lease Intangibles
Total Amortization
2024
$
(i175)
$
i93
$
(i82)
2025
(i162)
i64
(i98)
2026
(i143)
i62
(i81)
2027
(i124)
i26
(i98)
2028
(i121)
i15
(i106)
(d)The
value of acquired in-place lease intangibles are amortized to expense over the remaining initial terms of the respective leases. The impact of the amortization of acquired in-place lease values is included in depreciation and amortization expense and amounted to approximately $i2.0 million, $i1.5
million and $i2.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The following table summarizes, as of
December 31, 2023, the scheduled amortization of the Company’s acquired in-place lease values for each of the five succeeding years (dollars in thousands):
Year
Acquired In-place Lease Intangibles
2024
$
i310
2025
i209
2026
i195
2027
i127
2028
i105
(e)This
amount has a corresponding liability of $i7.4 million and $i3.2 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which is included in Accounts payable, accrued expense and
other liabilities. See Note 12: Commitments and Contingencies – Ground Lease agreements for further details.
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate caps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate caps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty if interest rates rise above the strike rate on the contract in exchange for an up-front premium.
The changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other
comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. During the next 12 months, the Company estimates $i3.8 million will be reclassified as a decrease to interest expense.
As of December 31,
2023, the Company had ifour interest rate caps outstanding with a notional amount of $i304.5 million designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk.
i
The
table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022(dollars in thousands):
Fair Value
Asset Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
The
table below presents the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021(dollars in thousands):
Derivatives
in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative
Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income
Total Amount of Interest Expense presented in the Consolidated Statements of
The Company has agreements with each of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if the Company either defaults or is capable of being declared in default on any of its indebtedness, then the Company could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations. Specifically, the Company could be declared in default on its derivative obligations if repayment of the underlying indebtedness is accelerated by the lender due to the Company's default on the indebtedness.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company did inot
have any interest rate derivatives in a net liability position.
Restricted
cash generally includes resident and tenant security deposits for certain of the Company’s properties, and escrow and reserve funds for debt service, real estate taxes, property insurance, capital improvements, tenant improvements, and leasing costs established pursuant to certain mortgage financing arrangements, and is comprised of the following (dollars in thousands):
As of December 31, 2023, the Company completed the sale of the entire Office Portfolio except for one waterfront office property. As the sale of the Office Portfolio represented a strategic shift in the Company’s operations, the results of these properties that were disposed of or classified as held for sale are being classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
i
The
following table summarizes income (loss) from discontinued operations and the related realized gains (losses) and unrealized gains (losses) on disposition of rental property and impairments, net, for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021(dollars in thousands):
Gain
on sale of unconsolidated joint venture interests
i—
i7,677
i—
Realized
gains (losses) and unrealized gains (losses) on disposition of rental property, net
i2,411
i61,676
i25,552
Realized
gains (losses) and unrealized gains (losses) on disposition of rental property and impairments, net
i41,682
i69,353
i25,552
Total
discontinued operations, net
$
i44,832
$
i4,649
$
i47,726
/
8. iREVOLVING
CREDIT FACILITY AND TERM LOANS
On July 25, 2023, the Company entered into a revolving credit and term loan agreement (“2023 Credit Agreement”) with a group of itwo lenders that provides for a $i60
million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “2023 Revolving Credit Facility”) and a $i115 million senior secured term loan facility (the “2023 Term Loan”). On July 25, 2023, the Operating Partnership drew the full $i115
million available under the 2023 Term Loan and borrowed $i52 million from the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility which proceeds, together with available cash, were used to fund the purchase price under the Rockpoint Purchase Agreement. During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company fully repaid the remaining balances of the 2023 Term Loan and 2023 Revolving Credit Facility.
As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had ino borrowings outstanding under its term loan and revolving credit facilities.
The terms of the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility include: (1) a ione-year
term ending in July 2024, subject to ioneisix-month extension option; (2) revolving credit loans may be made to the Company in an aggregate principal amount of up to $i60
million; (3) a first priority lien on the unencumbered property known as The James, a i240 unit multi-family residential property located at 87 Madison Avenue, Park Ridge, New Jersey (the “Collateral Pool Property”); and (4) a commitment fee payable quarterly equal to i35
basis points per annum on the daily unused amount of the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility.
The terms of the 2023 Term Loan included: (1) a ione-year term ending in July 2024, subject to ioneisix-month
extension option; (2) a single draw of the term loan commitments up to an aggregate principal amount of $i115 million; and (3) a first priority lien in the Collateral Pool Property.
Interest on borrowings under the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility and the 2023 Term Loan shall be based on applicable interest rate (the “Interest Rate”) plus a margin ranging from i250
basis points to i350 basis points (the “Applicable Margin”) depending on the Interest Rate elected. The Applicable Margin is subject to automatic increases of i25 basis points every three months. With respect to borrowings under the 2023 Revolving
Credit Facility and the 2023 Term Loan, the Interest Rate shall be either (A) the Alternative Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin and/or (B) the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate plus the Applicable Margin or, with respect to the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility only, (C) the Adjusted Daily Effective SOFR Rate plus the Applicable Margin. As used herein: “Alternative Base Rate” means, subject to a floor of i1.00%, the highest of (i) the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal in the U.S. as the prime rate in effect (the “Prime Rate”), (ii) the NYFRB Rate from time to time plus i0.50%
and (iii) the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for a one month interest period plus i1%; “Adjusted Term SOFR Rate” means, subject to a floor of i0.0%, the Term SOFR Rate, plus i10
basis points; and “Adjusted Daily Effective SOFR Rate” means, subject to a floor of i0.0%, for any day, the secured overnight financing rate for such business day published by the NYFRB on the NYFRB’s on the immediately succeeding business day (“SOFR”) plus i10
basis points. As of December 31, 2023, the effective interest rate for the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility was SOFR + i3.85%.
The General Partner and certain subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership are the guarantors of the obligations of the Operating Partnership under the 2023 Credit Agreement, and certain subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership also granted the lenders a security interest in certain subsidiary guarantors in order to further secure the obligations, liabilities and indebtedness of the Operating
Partnership under the 2023 Credit Agreement.
The 2023 Credit Agreement includes certain restrictions and covenants which limit, among other things the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the incurrence of liens and the disposition of real estate properties, and which require compliance with financial ratios relating to (a) the maximum total leverage ratio (i65%), (b) the minimum debt service coverage ratio (i1.25
times), (c) the minimum tangible net worth ratio (i80% of tangible net worth as of July 25, 2023 plus i80% of net cash proceeds of equity issuances by the General Partner or the Operating Partnership), and (d) the maximum unhedged
variable rate debt ratio (i30%). Subject to certain exceptions, the net proceeds from any property sales are to be used to mandatorily repay the 2023 Term Loan until it is retired. In addition, the 2023 Credit Agreement includes a mandatory cash sweep provision that provides that any cash, cash equivalents or marketable securities of the General Partner or Operating Partnership in excess of $i25
million as of the end of the last business day of any calendar week shall be applied to repayment of any outstanding borrowings under the 2023 Credit Agreement.
On April 7, 2023, the Company terminated the 2021 Credit Agreement for both the 2021 Credit Facility and 2021 Term Loan. As a result of the termination, the Company wrote off the unamortized deferred financing costs in an amount of $i2.7 million during the second quarter of 2023,
which is recorded within Loss from extinguishment of debt, net, on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants under its revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2023.
9. iMORTGAGES, LOANS PAYABLE AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS
The Company
has mortgages, loans payable and other obligations which primarily consist of various loans collateralized by certain of the Company’s rental properties, land and development projects. As of December 31, 2023, i17 of the Company’s properties, with a total carrying value of approximately $i2.6
billion are encumbered by the Company’s mortgages and loans payable. Payments on mortgages, loans payable and other obligations are generally due in monthly installments of principal and interest, or interest only. The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants under its mortgages and loans payable as of December 31, 2023.
Total
mortgages, loans payable and other obligations, net
$
i1,853,897
$
i1,903,977
(a)Reflects
effective rate of debt, including deferred financing costs, comprised of the cost of terminated treasury lock agreements (if any), debt initiation costs, mark-to-market adjustment of acquired debt and other transaction costs, as applicable.
(b)The loan was paid off on disposition of the hotels on February 10, 2023.
(c)The Company has guaranteed i10 percent of the outstanding principal, subject to certain conditions.
(d)On
August 10, 2023, the Company refinanced the Freddie Mac fixed rate loan. Additionally, a 3-year cap at a strike rate of i3.5% was placed.
(e)As of December 31, 2023, an interest-rate cap agreement was in place for this mortgage loan with a strike rate of i1.0%,
expiring in October 2024.
(f)On September 30, 2023 the Company placed a 9-month SOFR cap at a strike rate of i4.0%.
(g)As of December 31, 2023, an interest-rate cap agreement was in place for this mortgage loan, with a strike rate of i3.0%,
expiring in June 2024.
(h)On August 15, 2023, the $i297 million QuadReal Finance backed construction loan was fully repaid and the existing cap was terminated through refinancing activity.
(i)Effective rate reflects the fixed rate period, which ends in July 1, 2024. After that period ends, the Company must make a one-time election of how to compute the interest rate for this loan:
(a) the floating-rate option, the sum of the highest prime rate as published in the New York Times on each applicable Rate Change Date plus i2.75% annually or (b) the fixed-rate option, the sum of the Five Year Fixed Rate Advance of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York in effects as of the first business day of the month which is three months prior to the Rate Change Date plus i3.00%
annually.
(j)Effective rate reflects the fixed rate period, which ends on January 1, 2026. After that period ends, the Company must make a one-time election of how to compute the interest rate for this loan: (a) the floating-rate option, the sum of the highest prime rate as published in the New York Times on each applicable Rate Change Date plus i2.75% annually or (b) the fixed-rate option, the sum of the Five Year Fixed Rate Advance of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York in effects as of
the first business day of the month which is three months prior to the Rate Change Date plus i3.00% annually.
Scheduled
principal payments for the Company’s mortgages, loans payable and other obligations as of December 31, 2023 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
Period
Scheduled
Amortization
Principal
Maturities
Total
2024
$
i6,076
$
i308,000
$
i314,076
2025
i9,487
i—
i9,487
2026
i9,651
i536,487
i546,138
2027
i8,158
i305,320
i313,478
2028
i5,331
i343,061
i348,392
Thereafter
i5,574
i331,838
i337,412
Sub-total
i44,277
i1,824,706
i1,868,983
Unamortized
deferred financing costs
(i15,086)
i—
(i15,086)
Totals
$
i29,191
$
i1,824,706
$
i1,853,897
/
CASH
PAID FOR INTEREST AND INTEREST CAPITALIZED
Cash paid for interest for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $i81.6 million, $i80.3
million and $i85.2 million, (of which $i1.4 million, $i13.3 million
and $i18.5 million pertained to properties classified as discontinued operations), respectively. Interest capitalized by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was izero,
$i12.2 million and $i30.5 million, respectively (which amounts included izero,
izero and $i0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, of interest capitalized on the
Company’s investments in unconsolidated joint ventures which were substantially in development).
Revolving
Credit Facility & Other Variable Rate Debt
i—
i—
%
i146,669
i6.86
%
Totals/Weighted
Average:
$
i1,853,897
i4.34
%
$
i1,903,977
i4.47
%
(a) As
of December 31, 2023 and 2022, includes debt with interest rate caps outstanding with a notional amount of $i304.5 million and $i485.0 million, respectively.
/
10. iEMPLOYEE
BENEFIT 401(k) PLANS
Employees of the General Partner, who meet certain minimum age and service requirements, are eligible to participate in the Veris Residential, Inc. 401(k) Savings/Retirement Plan (the “401(k) Plan”). Eligible employees may elect to defer from ione percent up to i60
percent of their annual compensation on a pre-tax basis to the 401(k) Plan, subject to certain limitations imposed by federal law. The Company may make discretionary matching or profit sharing contributions to the 401(k) Plan on behalf of eligible participants in any plan year. Participants are always ii100/
percent vested in their pre-tax and post-tax contributions, as well as any matching or profit sharing contributions made on their behalf by the Company. All contributions are allocated as a percentage of compensation of the eligible participants for the Plan year. The assets of the 401(k) Plan are held in trust and a separate account is established for each participant. A participant may receive a distribution of his or her vested account balance in the 401(k) Plan in a single sum or in installment payments upon his or her termination of service with the Company. Total expense recognized by the Company for the 401(k) Plan for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $i507
thousand, $i631 thousand and $i537 thousand, respectively.
11. iDISCLOSURE OF FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
The following disclosure of estimated fair value was determined by management using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is necessary to interpret market data and develop estimated fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize on disposition of the assets and liabilities at December 31,
2023 and 2022. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Cash equivalents, receivables, notes receivables, accounts payable, and accrued expenses and other liabilities are carried at amounts which reasonably approximate their fair values as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, consisting of mortgages, loans payable and other obligations aggregated approximately $i1.8
billion and $i1.8 billion as compared to the book value of approximately $i1.9 billion and $i1.9
billion as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was valued using level 3 inputs (as provided by ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures). The fair value was estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for loans with similar terms and maturities. The fair value of the mortgage debt was determined by discounting the future contractual interest and principal payments by a market rate.
Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivative financial instruments fall within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivative financial instruments utilize level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads
to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties. The Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of its derivative financial instruments. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative financial instruments valuations in their entirety are classified in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis (Including Impairment Charges)
The fair value measurements used in the evaluation of the Company’s rental properties for impairment analysis are considered to be Level 3 valuations within the fair value hierarchy, as there are significant unobservable assumptions. Assumptions that were utilized in the fair value
calculations include, but are not limited to, discount rates, market capitalization rates, expected lease rental rates, third-party broker information and information from potential buyers, as applicable.
Valuations of real estate identified as held for sale are based on estimated sale prices, net of estimated selling costs, of such property. In the absence of an executed sales agreement with a set sales price, management’s estimate of the net sales price may be based on a number of unobservable assumptions, including, but not limited to, the Company’s estimates of future cash flows, market capitalization rates and discount rates, if applicable. For developable land, an estimated per-unit market value assumption is also considered based on development rights or plans for the land.
i
The
following table presents information about assets for which we recorded an impairment charge and that were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis:
The
impairment charges described below are reflected within Property impairments, Land and other impairments, net or Unrealized gains (losses) on disposition of rental property for real estate in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. For properties classified as discontinued operations as of December 31, 2023, the impairment charges described below are reflected within the Discontinued operations section in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for all periods presented.
Impairment charges, and their related triggering events and fair value measurements, recognized during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
2023 — During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized impairment charges for the following properties in order to reduce their carrying values to their estimated fair values, as follows:
•$i32.5 million on ione
office property due to the shortening of its expected hold period; the fair value measurement was determined by estimating discounted cash flows using two significant unobservable inputs, which were the cash flow discount rate (i11%) and terminal capitalization rate (i9%);
•$i3.6 million
on ione office property based on its estimated selling price; the property was sold in September 2023;
•$i9.3 million on ithree
land parcels based on their estimated selling prices.
2022 — During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized impairment charges for the following properties in order to reduce their carrying values to their estimated fair values, as follows:
•$i94.8 million on ifour
office properties due to the shortening of their expected hold periods; the fair value measurement was determined by estimating discounted cash flows using two significant unobservable inputs, which were the cash flow discount rate (range of i7.5% to i13%) and terminal capitalization rate (range of i5.5%
to i8.75%); the properties were sold during 2023;
•$i12.5 million on itwo
hotels and ione office property based on their estimated selling price; the properties were sold during 2023;
•$i9.4 million on ifour
land parcels based on their estimated selling prices. iOne parcel of the land was sold in November 2022.
2021 — During the year endedDecember 31, 2021, the Company recognized impairment charges for the following properties in order to reduce their carrying values to their estimated fair values, as follows:
•$i6.0
million on ione office property due to the shortening of its expected hold period; the fair value measurement was determined by estimating discounted cash flows using two significant unobservable inputs, which were the cash flow discount rate (i8.0%) and terminal capitalization rate (i5.75%);
the property was sold in January 2022;
•$i7.4 million on itwo hotels due to the adverse effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the hotel operations; the fair value measurement was determined by estimating
discounted cash flows using two significant unobservable inputs, which were the cash flow discount rate (i8.67%) and terminal capitalization rate (i6.5%); the itwo
hotels were sold in February 2023;
•$i20.8 million on several land parcels based on their estimated selling price;
•$i2.9 million on goodwill which
was fully impaired based on management's impairment test.
12. iCOMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENTS
i
Pursuant
to agreements with certain municipalities, the Company is required to make payments in lieu of property taxes (“PILOT”) on certain of its properties and has tax abatement agreements on other properties, as follows:
(a)The annual PILOT is equal to iten percent of Gross Revenues, as defined.
(b)The property was disposed of in the first quarter of 2022.
(c)The property was disposed of in the third quarter of 2023.
(d)The annual PILOT is equal to itwo
percent of Total Project Costs, as defined. The total Project Costs are $i170.9 million.
(e)The annual PILOT is equal to iten percent
of Gross Revenues for years 1-4, i12 percent for years 5-8 and i14 percent for years 9-10, as defined.
(f)The
annual PILOT is equal to i12 percent of Gross Revenues for years 1-5, i13 percent for years 6-10 and i14
percent for years 11-15, as defined.
(g)The annual PILOT is equal to itwo percent of Total Project Costs, as defined. The property was disposed of during the first quarter of 2023.
(h)The annual PILOT is equal to i11
percent of Gross Revenues for years 1-10, i12.5 percent for years 11-18 and i14 percent for years 19-25, as defined.
(i)The
annual PILOT is equal to iseven percent of Gross Revenues, as defined, for a term of i25 years following the substantial completion which occurred in April 2022.
(j)The property was acquired in July 2022. For a term of i30
years following substantial completion which occurred in June 2021. The annual PILOT is equal to i10 percent of Gross Revenues for years 1-10, i11.5
percent for years 11-21 and i12.5 percent for years 22-30; as defined.
At the conclusion of the above-referenced agreements, it is expected that the properties will be assessed by the municipality and be subject to real estate taxes at the then prevailing rates.
LITIGATION
The Company is a defendant in litigation arising in the normal course of its business activities. Management does not believe that the ultimate resolution
of these matters will have a materially adverse effect upon the Company’s financial condition taken as whole.
OFFICE AND GROUND LEASE AGREEMENTS
i
Future minimum rental payments under the terms of all non-cancelable office and ground leases under which the Company is the lessee, as of December 31, 2023, are as follows (dollars in thousands):
Office
and ground lease expense incurred by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 amounted to $i2.0 million, $i0.9
million and $i1.8 million, respectively.
The Company had classified operating leases for ione office and itwo
ground leases, which had balances of $i4.1 million and $i2.1 million, respectively, at December 31, 2023. Such amounts represent the net present value (“NPV”) of future payments detailed above. The office and itwo
ground leases used incremental borrowing rates of i6.0 percent and i7.6 percent, respectively, to arrive at the NPV and have weighted average remaining lease terms of i4.3
years and i77.6 years, respectively. These rates were arrived at by adjusting the fixed rates of the Company’s mortgage debt with debt having terms approximating the remaining lease term of the Company’s office and ground leases and calculating notional rates for fully-collateralized loans.
The initial recognition of a lease liability and right-of-use asset in an amount of $ii4.7/ million
for the office lease is a noncash activity during the year ended December 31, 2023.
OTHER
As of December 31, 2023, the Company has outstanding stay-on award agreements with i20 select employees, which provides them with the potential to receive compensation, in cash or Company stockat the employees’ option, contingent upon remaining with the Company in good standing until the occurrence of certain corporate transactions, which have not been
identified. The total potential cost of such awards is currently estimated to be up to approximately $i2.8 million, including the potential future issuance of up to i42,095
shares of the Company’s common stock. Such cash or stock awards would only be earned and payable if such transaction was identified and communicated to the employee within iseven years of the agreement dates, all of which were signed in late 2020 and early 2021, and all other conditions were satisfied.
13. iTENANT
LEASES
The Company’s consolidated office property is leased to tenants under operating leases with various expiration dates through i2034. Substantially all of the commercial leases provide for annual base rents plus recoveries and escalation charges based upon the tenant’s proportionate share of and/or increases in real estate taxes and certain operating costs, as defined, and the pass-through of charges for electrical usage.
Future
minimum rentals to be received under non-cancelable commercial operating leases (excluding properties classified as discontinued operations) at December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
Multifamily
rental property residential leases are excluded from the above table as they generally expire within ione year.
14. iREDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
Rockpoint
Transactions
2023 Transactions
On April 5, 2023, Veris Residential Trust (“VRT”), the Company’s subsidiary through which the Company conducts its multifamily residential real estate operations, exercised its right to purchase and redeem direct and indirect interests (the “Put/Call Interests”) in preferred units of limited partnership interests in VRLP (the "Preferred Units") from certain affiliates of Rockpoint Group, L.L.C. (Rockpoint Group, L.L.C. and its affiliates, collectively, “Rockpoint”). On April 6, 2023, Rockpoint exercised its right under the Veris Residential Partners, L.P. (“VRLP”) Partnership Agreement to defer the closing of VRT’s purchase and redemption of the Put/Call Interests for one year. The exercise of the call right caused
Rockpoint's interests to be reclassified as mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests under the accounting guidance, and included within the Total liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. The impact of subsequent change in redemption value at each period end is recorded as interest cost. The carrying amount is not reduced below the initial measurement amount.
On July 25, 2023, VRT and the Operating Partnership entered into the Rockpoint Purchase Agreement with Rockpoint pursuant to which VRT and the Operating Partnership acquired from Rockpoint all of the Preferred Units that constituted the Put/Call Interests for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $i520 million.
Under the terms of the Rockpoint Purchase Agreement, the Original Investment Agreement and the Add On Investment Agreement have been terminated and are of no further force and effect (other than certain tax and related indemnification rights and obligations), Rockpoint ceased to be, direct or indirect, as applicable, members of VRLP, and all obligations of VRT and VRLP and all rights, title
and interest of Rockpoint in and pursuant to the VRLP Partnership Agreement (except for certain tax, confidentiality and indemnification rights and obligations) and all other agreements by and between the General Partner, the Operating Partnership, VRT, VRLP
and Rockpoint were terminated, including without limitation all provisions relating to the valuation and repurchase of the Put/Call Interests. As a result of the redemption, the Company recorded the change in redemption value of approximately $i34.8 million as Interest cost of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Transactions prior to 2023
Previously, on February 27,
2017, the Company, VRT, VRLP, the operating partnership through which VRT conducts all of its operations, and certain other affiliates of the Company entered into a preferred equity investment agreement (the “Original Investment Agreement”) with Rockpoint. Under the Original Investment Agreement, VRT contributed property to VRLP in exchange for common units of limited partnership interests in VRLP (the “Common Units”) and for multiple equity investments by Rockpoint in VRLP for an aggregate of $i300 million of Preferred Units. In addition, certain contributions
of property to VRLP by VRT subsequent to the execution of the Original Investment Agreement resulted in VRT being issued approximately $i46 million of Preferred Units and Common Units in VRLP prior to June 26, 2019. On June 28, 2019, pursuant to the Add On Investment Agreement, Rockpoint invested an additional $i100
million in Preferred Units and the Company and VRT agreed to contribute to VRLP itwo additional properties located in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Under the terms set forth in the Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of VRLP, dated as of June 28, 2019 (the “VRLP Partnership Agreement”), the cash flow from operations of VRLP will be distributable to Rockpoint and VRT as follows:
•first,
to provide a i6% annual return to Rockpoint and VRT on their capital invested in Preferred Units (the “Preferred Base Return”);
•second, i95.36% to VRT and i4.64%
to Rockpoint until VRT has received a i6% annual return (the “VRT Base Return”) on the equity value of the properties contributed by it to VRLP in exchange for Common Units (previously i95% and i5%,
respectively, under the Original Investment Agreement), subject to adjustment in the event VRT contributes additional property to VRLP in the future; and
•third, pro rata to Rockpoint and VRT based on total respective capital invested in and contributed equity value of Preferred Units and Common Units (based on Rockpoint’s $i400 million of invested capital at December 31, 2023, this pro rata distribution would be approximately i21.89%
to Rockpoint in respect of Preferred Units, i2.65% to VRT in respect of Preferred Units and i75.46% to VRT in respect of Common Units).
VRLP’s cash flow from capital events will generally be distributable by VRLP to Rockpoint and VRT as follows:
•first,
to Rockpoint and VRT to the extent there is any unpaid, accrued Preferred Base Return;
•second, as a return of capital to Rockpoint and to VRT in respect of Preferred Units;
•third, i95.36% to VRT and i4.64%
to Rockpoint until VRT has received the VRT Base Return in respect of Common Units (previously i95% and i5%, respectively, under the Original Investment Agreement), subject to adjustment in the event VRT contributes additional property to VRLP in the future;
•fourth,
i95.36% to VRT and i4.64% to Rockpoint until VRT has received a return of capital based on the equity value of the properties contributed by it to VRLP in exchange for Common Units (previously i95%
and i5%, respectively, under the Original Investment Agreement), subject to adjustment in the event VRT contributes additional property to the capital of VRLP in the future;
•fifth, pro rata to Rockpoint and VRT based on respective total capital invested in and contributed equity value of Preferred and Common Units until Rockpoint has received an i11%
internal rate of return (based on Rockpoint’s $i400 million of invested capital at December 31, 2023, this pro rata distribution would be approximately i21.89% to Rockpoint in respect of Preferred Units, i2.65%
to VRT in respect of Preferred Units and i75.46% to VRT in respect of Common Units); and
•sixth, to Rockpoint and VRT in respect of their Preferred Units based on i50% of their pro rata shares described in “fifth”
above and the balance to VRT in respect of its Common Units (based on Rockpoint’s $i400 million of invested capital at December 31, 2023, this pro rata distribution would be approximately i10.947% to Rockpoint in respect of Preferred Units, i1.325%
to VRT in respect of Preferred Units and i87.728% to VRT in respect of Common Units).
During the period commencing on June 28, 2019 and ended on March 1, 2023 (the “Lockout Period”), Rockpoint’s interest in the Preferred Units
cannot be redeemed or repurchased, except for certain conditions stated in the VRLP Partnership Agreement. After the Lockout Period, either VRT may acquire from Rockpoint, or Rockpoint may sell to VRT, all, but not less than all, of Rockpoint’s interest in the Preferred Units (each, a “Put/Call Event”) for a purchase price equal to the Purchase Payments determined based on the VRLP Partnership Agreement. Upon a Put/Call Event, other than in the event
of a sale of VRLP, Rockpoint may elect to convert all, but not less than all, of its Preferred Units to Common Units in VRLP. An acquisition of Rockpoint’s interest in the Preferred Units pursuant to a Put/Call Event is generally required to be structured as a purchase of the common equity in the applicable Rockpoint entities holding direct or indirect interests in the Preferred Units (the “Put/Call Interests”). Subject to certain exceptions, Rockpoint also has a
right of first offer and a participation right with respect to other common equity interests of VRLP or any subsidiary of VRLP that may be offered for sale by VRLP or its subsidiaries from time to time. Upon a Put/Call Event, other than in the event of a sale of VRLP, Rockpoint may elect to convert all, but not less than all, of its Preferred Units to Common Units in VRLP.As such, the Preferred Units contained a substantive redemption feature that was outside of the Company’s control and accordingly, the Preferred Units were previously classified in mezzanine equity measured based on the estimated future redemption value before the redemption right was exercised.
The Company determined the redemption value of these interests by hypothetically liquidating the estimated NAV of the VRT real estate portfolio including debt principal through the applicable waterfall provisions of the transaction with Rockpoint. The estimation of
NAV included unobservable inputs that consider assumptions of market participants in pricing the underlying assets of VRLP. For properties under development, the Company applied a discount rate to the estimated future cash flows allocable to the Company during the period under construction and then applies a direct capitalization method to the estimated stabilized cash flows. For operating properties, the direct capitalization method was used by applying a capitalization rate to the projected net operating income. For developable land holdings, an estimated per-unit market value assumption was considered based on development rights or plans for the land. Estimated future cash flows used in such analyses were based on the Company’s business plan for each respective property including capital expenditures, management’s views of market and economic conditions, and considered items such as current and future rental rates, occupancies and market transactions for comparable
properties. The estimated future redemption value of the Preferred Units, including current preferred return payments of $i2.0 million, was approximately $i487.6
million before the redemption occurred on July 25, 2023.
Preferred Units
The Operating Partnership has issued itwo classes of Preferred Limited Partnership Units of the Operating Partnership (the “Preferred Units”). iThe
key terms of the Preferred Units are summarized as follows:
Series A Preferred Units
Series A-1 Preferred Units
Issuance date
February 2017
February and April, 2017
Number of units issued
i42,800
i9,213
Stated value per unit
$i1,000
$i1,000
Annual dividend rate paid quarterly
i3.50
%
(a)
Conversion rate
i28.15
i27.936
Conversion
value per unit
$i35.52
$i35.80
Maximum common unit
conversion
i1,204,820
i257,375
(a)Series A-1 Preferred Units pay dividends quarterly at an annual rate equal to the greater of (x) i3.50 percent, or (y) the then-effective annual dividend yield on the General Partner’s common stock.
The Series A-1 Preferred Units are pari passu with the i3.5%
Series A Units issued on February 3, 2017. The Preferred Units have a liquidation and dividend preference senior to the common units and include customary anti-dilution protections for stock splits and similar events. The Preferred Units are convertible into common units of limited partnership interests of the Operating Partnership beginning generally five years from the date of issuance. In addition, the Preferred Units are redeemable for cash at their stated value beginning ifive years from the date of issuance at the option of
the holder.
During the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, i15,100 and i12,000
Series A Units were redeemed for cash at the stated value, respectively.
In February 2024, a unit holder redeemed i5,700 Series A Units for cash at the stated value. Additionally, during February 2024, the Company received notice from a unit holder electing
to have i10,000 Series A Units redeemed for cash at the stated value, which the Company expects to settle in March 2024.
Summary of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
i
The
following tables set forth the changes in Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests for the year ended December 31, 2023(dollars in thousands):
The following tables set forth the changes in Redeemable noncontrolling interests within the mezzanine equity section for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022(dollars in thousands):
15. iVERIS RESIDENTIAL, INC. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND VERIS RESIDENTIAL, L.P.’S PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
To maintain its qualification as a REIT, not more than 50 percent in value of the outstanding shares of the General Partner may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals at any time during the last half of any taxable year of the General Partner, other than its initial taxable year (defined
to include certain entities), applying certain constructive ownership rules. To help ensure that the General Partner will not fail this test, the General Partner’s Charter provides, among other things, certain restrictions on the transfer of common stock to prevent further concentration of stock ownership. Moreover, to evidence compliance with these requirements, the General Partner must maintain records that disclose the actual ownership of its outstanding common stock and demands written statements each year from the holders of record of designated percentages of its common stock requesting the disclosure of the beneficial owners of such common stock.
Partners’ Capital in the accompanying consolidated financial statements relates to (a) General Partners’ capital consisting of common units in the Operating Partnership held by the General Partner, and (b) Limited Partners’ capital consisting of common units and LTIP units
held by the limited partners. See Note 16: Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries.
Any transactions resulting in the issuance of additional common and preferred stock of the General Partner result in a corresponding issuance by the Operating Partnership of an equivalent amount of common and preferred units to the General Partner.
ATM PROGRAM
On November 15, 2023, we reestablished a continuous “at-the-market” offering program (“ATM Program”) with a syndicate of banks, pursuant to which shares of our common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $i100
million may be sold (i) directly through or to the banks acting as sales agents or as principal for their own accounts or (ii) through or to participating banks or their affiliates acting as forward sellers on behalf of any forward purchasers pursuant to a forward sale agreement (“ATM Forwards”). Effective as of that date, the Company terminated a prior ATM Program that was established on December 13, 2021, under which we were able to offer and sell shares of our common stock from time to time, up to an aggregate gross sales price of $i200 million,
with a syndicate of banks. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had inot sold any shares pursuant to the ATM Program.
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
The General Partner has a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the “DRIP”) which commenced in March 1999 under which approximately i5.4
million shares of the General Partner’s common stock have been reserved for future issuance. The DRIP provides for automatic reinvestment of all or a portion of a participant’s dividends from the General Partner’s shares of common stock. The DRIP also permits participants to make optional cash investments up to $i5,000 a month without restriction and, if the Company waives this limit, for additional amounts subject to certain restrictions and other conditions set forth in the DRIP prospectus filed as part of the Company’s effective registration statement on Form S-3 filed with
the SEC for the approximately i5.4 million shares of the General Partner’s common stock reserved for issuance under the DRIP.
INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN
In May 2013, the General Partner established the 2013 Incentive Stock Plan (the “2013 Plan”) under which a total of i4,600,000
shares has been reserved for issuance. In June 2021, stockholders of the Company approved amendments to the 2013 Plan to increase the total shares reserved for issuance under the plan from i4,600,000 to i6,565,000
shares. At December 31, 2023, i269,072 shares remained available for issuance under the 2013 Plan.
Stock Options
In addition to stock options issued in June 2021 under the 2013 Plan, in March 2021, the General Partner granted i950,000
stock options with an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date of $i15.79 per share to the Chief Executive Officer as an employment “inducement award” that is intended to comply with New York Stock Exchange Rule 303A.08. In April 2022, the General Partner granted i250,000
stock options with an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date of $i16.33 per share to the Chief Investment Officer as an employment “inducement award” that is intended to comply with New York Stock Exchange Rule 303A.08. Both of these inducement awards have a ithree-year
vesting period.
The
fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model. iThe following assumptions are included in the Company’s fair value calculations of stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
2022
April
2021 March
2021 June regular
2021 June premium
Expected life (in years)
i4.0
i4.5
i4.6
i5.3
Risk-free
interest rate
i2.77
%
i0.79
%
i0.71
%
i0.94
%
Volatility
i38.0
%
i35.0
%
i35.0
%
i34.0
%
Dividend
yield
i2.6
%
i1.6
%
i1.5
%
i1.4
%
There
were iiino//
stock options that were exercised under any stock option plans for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. The Company has a policy of issuing new shares to satisfy stock option exercises.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the stock options outstanding had a weighted average remaining contractual life of approximately i3.6
years and i4.6 years, respectively.
The Company recognized stock compensation expense related to stock options of $i1.7
million, $i1.2 million and $i844 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Restricted
Stock Awards
The Company has issued Restricted Stock Awards ("RSAs") in the form of restricted stock units to non-employee members of the Board of Directors, which allow the holders to each receive shares of the Company’s common stock following a ione-year vesting period. Vesting of the RSAs issued is based on time and service. On June 14, 2023, the Company issued RSAs to non-employee members of the Board of Directors, of which i54,184
unvested RSAs were outstanding at December 31, 2023.
The Company recognized stock compensation expense related to RSAs of $i0.8 million, $i0.7
million, and $i0.8 million, for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
As
of December 31, 2023, the Company had $i0.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSAs granted under the Company’s stock compensation plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of i0.5
years.
All currently outstanding and unvested RSAs provided to the non-employee members of the Board of Directors were issued under the 2013 Plan.
Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards
The Company has granted long-term incentive plans awards (“LTIP Awards”) to executive officers, senior management, and certain other employees of the Company. LTIP Awards generally are granted in the form of restricted stock units (each, an “RSU” and collectively, the “RSU LTIP Awards”) and constitute awards under the 2013 Plan.
A portion of the RSUs are subject to time-based vesting conditions and will vest over ithree-year
period ("TRSUs"). In April 2022, the General Partner granted i59,707 TRSUs subject to time-vesting conditions, vesting over ithree
years, to ithree executive officers as “inducement awards” intended to comply with New York Stock Exchange Rule 303A.08. As of December 31, 2023, there are i781,972
TRSUs outstanding and unvested.
Another portion of the annual LTIP Awards have market-based vesting conditions ("PRSUs"), and recipients will only earn the full amount of the market-based RSUs if, over the ithree-year performance period, the General Partner achieves an absolute TSR target and if the General Partner’s relative TSR as compared to a group of peer REITs exceeds certain thresholds. The market-based award targets are determined annually by the compensation committee of the Board of Directors. As of December 31,
2023, there are i853,430 PRSUs outstanding and unvested.
In addition, the Company has granted RSUs with a ithree-year
cliff vest subject to the achievement of adjusted funds from operations targets ("OPRSUs"). As of December 31, 2023, there are i660,710 OPRSUs outstanding and unvested.
The Company recognized stock compensation expense related to LTIP awards of $i13.8
million, $i9.9 million, $i9.8 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
As
of December 31, 2023, the Company had $i9.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested LTIP Awards granted under the Company’s stock compensation plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted average period of i1.7
years.
All currently outstanding and unvested RSU LTIP Awards provided to the officers, senior management and certain other employees were issued under the 2013 Plan.
The Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors, which commenced January 1, 1999, allows non-employee directors of the Company to elect to defer up to i100
percent of their annual retainer fee into deferred stock units. The deferred stock units are convertible into an equal number of shares of common stock upon the directors’ termination of service from the Board of Directors or a change in control of the Company, as defined in the plan. Deferred stock units are credited to each director quarterly using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the applicable dividend record date for the respective quarter. Each participating director’s account is also credited for an equivalent amount of deferred stock units based on the dividend rate for each quarter.
During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, deferred stock units earned were i25,671,
i30,899 and i17,894, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were i77,975
and i73,071 deferred stock units outstanding, respectively. Pursuant to the retirement of a director from the Board of Directors in May 2023, the Company converted i20,767 deferred stock units into shares of common stock.
EARNINGS
PER SHARE/UNIT
Basic EPS or EPU excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders or unitholders by the weighted average number of shares or units outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS or EPU reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. In the calculation of basic and diluted EPS and EPU, a redemption value adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interests attributable to common shareholders or unitholders is included in the calculation to arrive at the numerator of net income (loss) available to common shareholders or unitholders.
i
The
following information presents the Company’s results for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings Per Share (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):
Net loss from continuing operations available to common shareholders
$
(i152,741)
$
(i61,812)
$
(i169,725)
Add
(deduct): Noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership
(i14,267)
(i5,652)
(i16,212)
Add
(deduct): Redemption value adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interests attributable to the Operating Partnership unitholders
(i461)
(i548)
(i726)
Loss
from continuing operations for diluted earnings per share
(i167,469)
(i68,012)
(i186,663)
Loss
from discontinued operations for diluted earnings per share
i44,832
i4,649
i47,726
Net
loss available for diluted earnings per share
$
(i122,637)
$
(i63,363)
$
(i138,937)
Weighted
average common shares
i100,812
i100,265
i99,893
Diluted
EPS:
Loss from continuing operations available to common shareholders
$
(i1.66)
$
(i0.68)
$
(i1.87)
Loss
from discontinued operations available to common shareholders
i0.44
i0.05
i0.48
Net
loss available to common shareholders
$
(i1.22)
$
(i0.63)
$
(i1.39)
The
following schedule reconciles the weighted average shares used in the basic EPS calculation to the shares used in the diluted EPS calculation (in thousands):
Add:
Operating Partnership – common and vested LTIP units
i8,929
i9,219
i9,054
Diluted
EPS Shares
i100,812
i100,265
i99,893
Contingently
issuable shares under Restricted Stock Awards were excluded from the denominator during all periods presented as such securities were anti-dilutive during the periods. Shares issuable under all outstanding stock options were excluded from the denominator during all periods presented as such securities were anti-dilutive during the periods. Also not included in the computations of diluted EPS were the unvested LTIP Units as such securities were anti-dilutive during all periods presented.
Loss from continuing operations after income tax expense
$
(i157,193)
$
(i39,534)
$
(i157,265)
Add
(deduct): Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures
i2,319
i3,079
i4,595
Add
(deduct): Redeemable noncontrolling interests
(i7,618)
(i25,534)
(i25,977)
Add
(deduct): Redemption value adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interests
(i4,977)
(i6,023)
(i8,016)
Loss
from continuing operations available to unitholders
(i167,469)
(i68,012)
(i186,663)
Loss
from discontinued operations available to unitholders
i44,832
i4,649
i47,726
Net
loss available to common unitholders for basic earnings per unit
$
(i122,637)
$
(i63,363)
$
(i138,937)
Weighted
average common units
i100,812
i100,265
i99,893
Basic
EPU:
Loss from continuing operations available to unitholders
$
(i1.66)
$
(i0.68)
$
(i1.87)
Loss
from discontinued operations available to unitholders
i0.44
i0.05
i0.48
Net
loss available to common unitholders for basic earnings per unit
$
(i1.22)
$
(i0.63)
$
(i1.39)
Year
Ended December 31,
Computation of Diluted EPU
2023
2022
2021
Net loss from continuing operations available to common unitholders
$
(i167,469)
$
(i68,012)
$
(i186,663)
Loss
from discontinued operations for diluted earnings per unit
i44,832
i4,649
i47,726
Net
loss available to common unitholders for diluted earnings per unit
$
(i122,637)
$
(i63,363)
$
(i138,937)
Weighted
average common unit
i100,812
i100,265
i99,893
Diluted
EPU:
Loss from continuing operations available to common unitholders
$
(i1.66)
$
(i0.68)
$
(i1.87)
Loss
from discontinued operations available to common unitholders
i0.44
i0.05
i0.48
Net
loss available to common unitholders
$
(i1.22)
$
(i0.63)
$
(i1.39)
The
following schedule reconciles the weighted average units used in the basic EPU calculation to the units used in the diluted EPU calculation (in thousands):
Contingently
issuable shares under Restricted Stock Awards were excluded from the denominator during all periods presented as such securities were anti-dilutive during the periods. Shares issuable under all outstanding stock options were excluded from the denominator during all periods presented as such securities were anti-dilutive during the periods. Also not included in the computations of diluted EPU were the unvested LTIP Units as such securities were anti-dilutive during all periods presented.
16. iNONCONTROLLING
INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries in the accompanying consolidated financial statements relate to (i) common units (“Common Units”) and LTIP units in the Operating Partnership, held by parties other than the General Partner (“Limited Partners”), and (ii) interests in consolidated joint ventures for the portion of such ventures not owned by the Company.
Pursuant to ASC 810, Consolidation, on the accounting and reporting for noncontrolling interests and changes in ownership interests of a subsidiary, changes in a parent’s ownership interest (and transactions
with noncontrolling interests unitholders in the subsidiary) while the parent retains its controlling interest in its subsidiary should be accounted for as equity transactions. The carrying value of the noncontrolling interests shall be adjusted to reflect the change in its ownership interest in the subsidiary, with the offset to equity attributable to the parent. Accordingly, as a result of equity transactions which caused changes in ownership percentages between Veris Residential, Inc. stockholders’ equity and noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company has increased noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership and decreased additional paid-in capital in Veris
Residential, Inc. stockholders’ equity by approximately $i4.1 million.
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN OPERATING PARTNERSHIP (applicable only to General Partner)
Common Units
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company redeemed for cash i9,229
common units at their fair value of $i142 thousand.
Certain individuals and entities own common units in the Operating Partnership. A common unit and a share of Common Stock of the General Partner have substantially the same economic characteristics in as much as they effectively share equally in the net income or loss of the Operating Partnership. Common unitholders have the right to redeem their common units, subject to certain restrictions. The redemption is required to be satisfied in shares of Common Stock, cash, or a combination thereof, calculated as
follows: ione share of the General Partner’s Common Stock, or cash equal to the fair market value of a share of the General Partner’s Common Stock at the time of redemption, for each common unit. The General Partner, in its sole discretion, determines the form of redemption of common units (i.e., whether a common unitholder receives Common Stock, cash, or any combination thereof). If the General Partner elects to satisfy the redemption with shares of Common Stock as opposed to cash, it is obligated to issue shares of its Common Stock to the redeeming
unitholder. Regardless of the rights described above, the common unitholders may not put their units for cash to the General Partner or the Operating Partnership under any circumstances. When a unitholder redeems a common unit, noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership is reduced and Veris Residential, Inc. Stockholders’ equity is increased.
LTIP Units
From time to time, the Company has granted LTIP awards to executive officers/senior management of the Company. All of the LTIP Awards granted through January 2021 were in the form of units in the Operating Partnership, which were designed to qualify as “profits interests” in the Operating Partnership for federal income tax purposes. As a general matter, the profits interests characteristics of the LTIP Units mean that initially
they will not be economically equivalent in value to a common unit. If and when events specified by applicable tax regulations occur, LTIP Units can over time increase in value up to the point where they are equivalent to common units on a ione-for-one basis. After LTIP Units are fully vested, and to the extent the special tax rules applicable to profits interests have allowed them to become equivalent in value to common units, LTIP Units may be converted on a ione-for-one
basis into common units. Common units in turn have a ione-for-one relationship in value with shares of the General Partner’s common stock, and are redeemable on a ione-for-one
basis for cash or, at the election of the Company, shares of the General Partner’s common stock.
Unit Transactions
i
The following table sets forth the changes in noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries which relate to the common units and LTIP units in the Operating Partnership for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
Noncontrolling
Interests Ownership in Operating Partnership
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the noncontrolling interests common unit and LTIP units holders owned i8.6 percent and i9.3
percent of the Operating Partnership, respectively.
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN CONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES (applicable to General Partner and Operating Partnership)
The Company consolidates certain joint ventures in which it has ownership interests. Various entities and/or individuals hold noncontrolling interests in these ventures.
PARTICIPATION RIGHTS
The Company’s interests in a potential future development provides for the initial distributions of net cash flow solely to the Company, and thereafter, other parties have participation rights in i50
percent of the excess net cash flow remaining after the distribution to the Company of the aggregate amount equal to the sum of: (a) the Company’s capital contributions, plus (b) an IRR of i10 percent per annum.
17. iSEGMENT
REPORTING
The Company operates in itwo business segments: (i) multifamily real estate and services and (ii) commercial and other real estate. The Company provides property management, leasing, acquisition, development, construction and tenant-related services for its multifamily real estate portfolio and commercial and other real estate located in the United States. The
Company’s multifamily services business also provides similar services for third parties. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies, excluding depreciation and amortization.
i
The Company evaluates performance based upon net operating income from the combined properties and operations in each of its real estate segments (multifamily real estate and services, and commercial and other real estate). All properties classified as
discontinued operations have been excluded.
Selected results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, and selected asset information as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 regarding the Company’s operating segments are as follows. Amounts for prior periods have been restated to conform to the current period segment reporting presentation
(dollars in thousands):
Commercial & Other Real Estate
Multifamily Real Estate & Services (d)
Corporate & Other (e)
Total Company
Total revenues:
2023
$
i19,171
$
i259,523
$
i1,165
$
i279,859
2022
i2,956
i224,733
i5,759
i233,448
2021
i14,936
i171,030
i8,679
i194,645
Total
operating and interest expenses (a):
2023
$
i14,267
$
i103,776
$
i187,652
$
i305,695
2022
(i1,089)
i114,448
i123,154
i236,513
2021
i2,828
i108,197
i100,584
i211,609
Equity
in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures:
2023
$
i—
$
i3,102
$
i—
$
i3,102
2022
i—
i1,200
i—
i1,200
2021
(i111)
(i4,139)
i—
(i4,250)
Net
operating income (loss) (b):
2023
$
i4,904
$
i158,849
$
(i186,487)
$
(i22,734)
2022
i4,045
i111,485
(i117,395)
(i1,865)
2021
i11,997
i58,694
(i91,905)
(i21,214)
Total
assets:
2023
$
i97,253
$
i3,119,602
$
i24,191
$
i3,241,046
2022
i597,459
i3,302,188
i21,121
i3,920,768
Total
long-lived assets (c):
2023
$
i83,785
$
i2,929,884
$
(i1,854)
$
i3,011,815
2022
i547,923
i3,101,286
(i1,330)
i3,647,879
Total
investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
2023
$
i—
$
i117,954
$
i—
$
i117,954
2022
i—
i126,158
i—
i126,158
(a)Total
operating and interest expenses represent the sum of: real estate taxes; utilities; operating services; real estate services expenses; general and administrative, transaction-related costs and interest expense, net of interest and other investment income and other income, net. All interest expense, net of interest and other investment income (including for property-level mortgages interests, and interest cost of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests) is included under Corporate & Other for all periods.
(b)Net operating income (loss) represents total revenues less total operating and interest expenses (as defined and classified in Note “a”), plus equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures, for the periods.
(c)Long-lived assets are comprised of net investment in rental property and unbilled rents
receivable.
(d)Segment assets and operations were owned through a consolidated and variable interest entity.
(e)Corporate & Other represents all corporate-level items (including interest and other investment income, interest expense, interest cost of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests, non-property general and administrative expense), as well as intercompany eliminations necessary to reconcile to consolidated Company totals.
Realized
gains (losses) and unrealized gains (losses) on disposition of rental property, net
i—
i—
i3,023
Gain
on disposition of developable land
i7,068
i57,262
i2,115
Loss
on sale from unconsolidated joint venture interests
i—
i—
(i1,886)
Loss
from extinguishment of debt, net
(i5,606)
(i129)
(i47,078)
Loss
from continuing operations before income tax expense
(i156,701)
(i39,534)
(i157,265)
Provision
for income taxes
(i492)
i—
i—
Loss
from continuing operations after income tax expense
(i157,193)
(i39,534)
(i157,265)
Discontinued
operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
i3,150
(i64,704)
i22,174
Realized
gains (losses) and unrealized gains (losses) on disposition of rental property and impairments, net
i41,682
i69,353
i25,552
Total
discontinued operations, net
i44,832
i4,649
i47,726
Net
loss
(i112,361)
(i34,885)
(i109,539)
Noncontrolling
interests in consolidated joint ventures
i2,319
i3,079
i4,595
Noncontrolling
interests in Operating Partnership of income from continuing operations
i14,267
i5,652
i16,212
Noncontrolling
interests in Operating Partnership of income from discontinued operations
(i3,872)
(i378)
(i4,333)
Redeemable
noncontrolling interests
(i7,618)
(i25,534)
(i25,977)
Net
loss available to common shareholders
$
(i107,265)
$
(i52,066)
$
(i119,042)
(a)
Depreciation and amortization included in each segment for the years ending December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 is $i7.4 million, $i3.9 million
and $i3.0 million for Commercial & Other Real Estate, $i85.1 million, $i80.6 million
and $i64.6 million for Multifamily Real Estate & Services, and $i1.1 million, $i0.9 million
and $i0.9 million for Corporate & Other, respectively.
Realized
gains (losses) and unrealized gains (losses) on disposition of rental property, net
i—
i—
i3,023
Gain
on disposition of developable land
i7,068
i57,262
i2,115
Loss
on sale from unconsolidated joint venture interests
i—
i—
(i1,886)
Loss
from extinguishment of debt, net
(i5,606)
(i129)
(i47,078)
Loss
from continuing operations before income tax expense
(i156,701)
(i39,534)
(i157,265)
Provision
for income taxes
(i492)
i—
i—
Income
(loss) from continuing operations after income tax expense
(i157,193)
(i39,534)
(i157,265)
Discontinued
operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
i3,150
(i64,704)
i22,174
Realized
gains (losses) and unrealized gains (losses) on disposition of rental property and impairments, net
i41,682
i69,353
i25,552
Total
discontinued operations, net
i44,832
i4,649
i47,726
Net
loss
(i112,361)
(i34,885)
(i109,539)
Noncontrolling
interests in consolidated joint ventures
i2,319
i3,079
i4,595
Redeemable
noncontrolling interests
(i7,618)
(i25,534)
(i25,977)
Net
loss available to common unitholders
$
(i117,660)
$
(i57,340)
$
(i130,921)
(a)
Depreciation and amortization included in each segment for the years ending December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 is $i7.4 million, $i3.9 million
and $i3.0 million for Commercial & Other Real Estate, $i85.1 million, $i80.6 million
and $i64.6 million for Multifamily Real Estate & Services, and $i1.1 million, $i0.9 million
and $i0.9 million for Corporate & Other, respectively.
Changes in rental properties and accumulated depreciation for the periods ended December 31,
2023, 2022 and 2021 are as follows: (dollars in thousands)
The following financial statements from Veris Residential, Inc. and Veris Residential, L.P. from their combined Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iv) Consolidated Statements
of Changes in Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
104.1*
The cover page from this Annual Report on Form 10-K formatted in Inline XBRL.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each 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:
