Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

We are required to disclose fair value information with regard to our financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the consolidated balance sheets, for which it is practical to estimate fair value. The FASB guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. We measure and/or disclose the estimated fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on a hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions. This hierarchy consists of three broad levels: Level 1 - quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity can access at the measurement date; Level 2 - inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and Level 3 - unobservable inputs for the asset or liability that are used when little or no market data is available. We follow this hierarchy for our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis. In instances in which the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of the particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

The following tables set forth the assets and liabilities that we measure at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis by their levels in the fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):



	December 31, 2019
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Marketable securities	$	29,887	$	—	$	29,887	$	—
Interest rate cap and swap agreements (included in other assets)	$	4,419	$	—	$	4,419	$	—
Liabilities:
Interest rate cap and swap agreements (included in other liabilities)	$	29,110	$	—	$	29,110	$	—



	December 31, 2018
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Marketable securities	$	28,638	$	—	$	28,638	$	—
Interest rate cap and swap agreements (included in other assets)	$	18,676	$	—	$	18,676	$	—
Liabilities:
Interest rate cap and swap agreements (included in other liabilities)	$	7,663	$	—	$	7,663	$	—

We evaluate for potential impairment in real estate investments and debt and preferred equity investments, including intangibles, primarily utilizing cash flow projections that apply, among other things, estimated revenue and expense growth rates, discount rates and capitalization rates, as well as sales comparison approach, which utilizes comparable sales, listings and sales contracts. All of which are classified as Level 3 inputs.

In December 2018, the Company determined that it was more likely than not that its Suburban properties would be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of their previously estimated useful life. The Company tested the recoverability of the assets and, as a result of the carrying amount of the assets not being deemed recoverable and exceeding their fair value as measured on a asset by asset basis, recorded a $221.9 million impairment loss. These charges are included in depreciable real estate reserves and impairment in the consolidated statement of operations. The fair value of the assets were determined primarily utilizing cash flow projections that apply, among other things, estimated revenue and expense growth rates, discount rates and capitalization rates, as well as sales comparison approach, which utilizes comparable sales, listings and sales contracts. All of which are classified as Level 3 inputs.

In May 2018, the Company was the successful bidder at the foreclosure of 2 Herald Square, at which time the Company's $250.5 million outstanding principal balance and $7.7 million accrued interest balance were credited to our equity investment in the property. We recorded the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value. This resulted in the recognition of a fair value adjustment of $8.1 million, which is reflected on the Company's consolidated statements of operations within purchase price and other fair value adjustments. This fair value was determined by utilizing our successful bid at the foreclosure of the asset, the agreement to sell a partial interest in the property, and cash flow projections that apply, among other things, estimated revenue and expense growth rates, discount rates and capitalization rates, as well as a sales comparison approach, which utilizes comparable sales, listings and sales contracts, all of which are classified as Level 3 inputs.

In January 2018, the partnership agreement for our investment in 919 Third Avenue was modified resulting in the Company no longer having a controlling interest in this investment. As a result the investment was deconsolidated as of January 1, 2018. The Company recorded its non-controlling interest at fair value resulting in a $49.3 million fair value adjustment in the consolidated statements of operations. This fair value was determined using a third party valuation which primarily utilized cash flow projections that apply, among other things, estimated revenue and expense growth rates, discount rates and capitalization rates, as well as sales comparison approach, which utilizes comparable sales, listings and sales contracts. All of which are classified as Level 3 inputs.

Marketable securities classified as Level 1 are derived from quoted prices in active markets. The valuation technique used to measure the fair value of marketable securities classified as Level 2 were valued based on quoted market prices or model driven valuations using the significant inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data. Marketable securities in an unrealized loss position are not considered to be other than temporarily impaired. We do not intend to sell these securities and it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized cost bases.

The fair value of derivative instruments is based on current market data received from financial sources that trade such instruments and are based on prevailing market data and derived from third party proprietary models based on well-recognized financial principles and reasonable estimates about relevant future market conditions, which are classified as Level 2 inputs.

The financial assets and liabilities that are not measured at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, debt and preferred equity investments, mortgages and other loans payable and other secured and unsecured debt. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, and accounts payable and accrued expenses reported in our consolidated balance sheets approximates fair value due to the short term nature of these instruments. The fair value of debt and preferred equity investments, which is classified as Level 3, is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current interest rates at which similar loans with the same maturities would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings. The fair value of borrowings, which is classified as Level 3, is estimated by discounting the contractual cash flows of each debt instrument to their present value using adjusted market interest rates, which is provided by a third-party specialist.

The following table provides the carrying value and fair value of these financial instruments as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands):



	December 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
	Carrying Value ⁽¹⁾		Fair Value		Carrying Value ⁽¹⁾		Fair Value

Debt and preferred equity investments	$	1,580,306	⁽²⁾		$	2,099,393	⁽²⁾

Fixed rate debt	$	3,536,286	$	3,642,770	$	3,543,476	$	3,230,127
Variable rate debt	2,018,434		2,018,714		2,048,442		2,057,966
	$	5,554,720	$	5,661,484	$	5,591,918	$	5,288,093


(1)	Amounts exclude net deferred financing costs.


(2)	At December 31, 2019, debt and preferred equity investments had an estimated fair value ranging between $1.6 billion and $1.7 billion. At December 31, 2018, debt and preferred equity investments had an estimated fair value ranging between $2.1 billion and $2.3 billion.

Disclosure about fair value of financial instruments was based on pertinent information available to us as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. Although we are not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the reasonable fair value amounts, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements since that date and current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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