Significant Accounting Policies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies

2.  Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our subsidiaries, which are wholly-owned or controlled by us. Entities which we do not control through our voting interest and entities which are variable interest entities, but where we are not the primary beneficiary, are accounted for under the equity method or as debt and preferred equity investments.  See Notes 5 and 6.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

The FASB amended the guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity, or VIE, and requires the performance of a qualitative rather than a quantitative analysis to determine the primary beneficiary of a VIE. Under this guidance, an entity would be required to consolidate a VIE if it has (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE.

A noncontrolling interest in a consolidated subsidiary is defined as the portion of the equity (net assets) in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to a parent.  Noncontrolling interests are required to be presented as a separate component of equity in the consolidated balance sheet and modifies the presentation of net income by requiring earnings and other comprehensive income to be attributed to controlling and noncontrolling interests.

We assess the accounting treatment for each joint venture and debt and preferred equity investment.  This assessment includes a review of each joint venture or partnership limited liability company agreement to determine which party has what rights and whether those rights are protective or participating.  For all VIE’s, we review such agreements in order to determine which party has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance.  In situations where we or our partner approves, among other things, the annual budget, receives a detailed monthly reporting package from us, meets on a quarterly basis to review the results of the joint venture, reviews and approves the joint venture’s tax return before filing, and approves all leases that cover more than a nominal amount of space relative to the total rentable space at each property, we do not consolidate the joint venture as we consider these to be substantive participation rights that result in shared power of the activities that most significantly impact the performance of our joint venture.  Our joint venture agreements also contain certain protective rights such as the requirement of partner approval to sell, finance or refinance the property and the payment of capital expenditures and operating expenditures outside of the approved budget or operating plan.

Investment in Commercial Real Estate Properties

On a periodic basis, we assess whether there are any indicators that the value of our real estate properties may be impaired or that their carrying value may not be recoverable.  A property’s value is considered impaired if management’s estimate of the aggregate future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges for consolidated properties) to be generated by the property are less than the carrying value of the property.  To the extent impairment has occurred and is considered to be other than temporary, the loss will be measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the property over the calculated fair value of the property.  In addition, we assess our investments in unconsolidated joint ventures for recoverability, and if it is determined that a loss in value of the investment is other than temporary, we write down the investment to its fair value.  We evaluate our equity investments for impairment based on the joint venture’s projected discounted cash flows. We do not believe that the value of any of our consolidated properties was impaired at June 30, 2011 or December 31, 2010, respectively.

We allocate the purchase price of real estate to land and building and, if determined to be material, intangibles, such as the value of above-, below- and at-market leases and origination costs associated with the in-place leases.  We depreciate the amount allocated to building and other intangible assets over their estimated useful lives, which generally range from three to 40 years and from one to 14 years, respectively.  The values of the above- and below-market leases are amortized and recorded as either an increase (in the case of below-market leases) or a decrease (in the case of above-market leases) to rental income over the remaining term of the associated lease, which generally range from one to 14 years.  The value associated with in-place leases are amortized over the expected term of the associated lease, which generally range from one to 14 years.  If a tenant vacates its space prior to the contractual termination of the lease and no rental payments are being made on the lease, any unamortized balance of the related intangible will be written off.  The tenant improvements and origination costs are amortized as an expense over the remaining life of the lease (or charged against earnings if the lease is terminated prior to its contractual expiration date).  We assess fair value of the leases based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount and capitalization rates and available market information.  Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors including the historical operating results, known trends, and market/economic conditions that may affect the property.

We recognized an increase of approximately $5.0 million, $12.2 million, $6.2 million and $12.8 million in rental revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, for the amortization of aggregate below-market leases in excess of above-market leases and a reduction in lease origination costs, resulting from the allocation of the purchase price of the applicable properties.  We recognized a reduction in interest expense for the amortization of the above-market rate mortgages assumed of approximately $1.8 million, $3.2 million, $0.6 million and $0.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The following summarizes our identified intangible assets (acquired above-market leases and in-place leases) and intangible liabilities (acquired below-market leases) (amounts in thousands):

		June 30, 2011		December 31, 2010
Identified intangible assets (included in other assets):
Gross amount	$	567,046	$	758,300
Accumulated amortization		(157,411	)	(133,737	)
Net	$	409,635	$	624,563
Identified intangible liabilities (included in deferred revenue):
Gross amount	$	534,227	$	508,339
Accumulated amortization		(252,753	)	(220,417	)
Net	$	281,474	$	287,922

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement, and should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, FASB guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within levels one and two of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within level three of the hierarchy).

We determined the fair value of our current investments in marketable securities using level one, level two and level three inputs. Additionally, we determined the valuation allowance for loan losses based on level three inputs. See “Note 5—Debt and Preferred Equity Investments.”

The estimated fair values of tangible and intangible assets and liabilities recorded in connection with business combinations are based on level three inputs. We estimate fair values based on cash flow projections utilizing appropriate discount and/or capitalization rates and available market information.

We determine impairment in real estate investments and debt and preferred equity investments, including intangibles, utilizing cash flow projections that apply estimated revenue and expense growth rates, discount rates and capitalization rates, which are classified as level three inputs.

We use the following methods and assumptions in estimating fair value disclosures for financial instruments.

· Cash and cash equivalents:  The carrying amount of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents reported in our Consolidated Balance Sheets approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.

· Debt and Preferred Equity Investments:  The fair value of debt and preferred equity investments 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. See Note 5 regarding valuation allowances for loan losses.

· Mortgage and other loans payable and other debt:  The fair value of borrowings is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current interest rates at which similar borrowings could be made by us.

The methodologies used for valuing financial instruments have been categorized into three broad levels as follows:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments.

Level 2  - Valuations based principally on other observable market parameters, including

·         Quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments,

·         Quoted prices in less active or inactive markets for identical or similar instruments,

· Other observable inputs (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates), and

·         Market corroborated inputs (derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data).

Level 3 – Valuations based significantly on unobservable inputs.

· Valuations based on third-party indications (broker quotes or counterparty quotes) which were, in turn, based significantly on unobservable inputs or were otherwise not supportable as Level 2 valuations.

· Valuations based on internal models with significant unobservable inputs.

These levels form a hierarchy. We follow this hierarchy for our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis. The classifications are based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Investment in Marketable Securities

We invest in marketable securities. At the time of purchase, we are required to designate a security as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading depending on ability and intent. We do not have any securities designated as held-to-maturity or trading at this time. Securities available-for-sale are reported at fair value pursuant to ASC 820-10, with the net unrealized gains or losses reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss.  Unrealized losses that are determined to be other-than-temporary are recognized in earnings up to their credit component. Included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at June 30, 2011 is approximately $10.6 million in net unrealized gains related to marketable securities.

The basis on which the cost of bonds and marketable securities sold is determined based on the specific identification method.

At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we held the following marketable securities (in thousands):

		June 30,		December 31,
		2011		2010
Level 1 – Equity marketable securities	$	16,209	$	12,357
Level 2 – Commercial mortgage-backed securities		15,672		17,445
Level 3 – Rake bonds		23,485		4,250
Total marketable securities available-for-sale	$	55,366	$	34,052

The cost basis of the Level 3 securities was $26.5 million at June 30, 2011 and $4.3 million at December 31, 2010. There were no sales of Level 3 securities during the six months ended June 30, 2011. The Level 3 securities mature at various times through 2041.

Revenue Recognition

Interest income on debt and preferred equity investments is recognized over the life of the investment using the effective interest method and recognized on the accrual basis.  Fees received in connection with loan commitments are deferred until the loan is funded and are then recognized over the term of the loan as an adjustment to yield.  Anticipated exit fees, whose collection is expected, are also recognized over the term of the loan as an adjustment to yield.  Fees on commitments that expire unused are recognized at expiration.

Income recognition is generally suspended for debt and preferred equity investments at the earlier of the date at which payments become 90 days past due or when, in the opinion of management, a full recovery of income and principal becomes doubtful.  Income recognition is resumed when the loan becomes contractually current and performance is demonstrated to be resumed. Interest is recorded as income on impaired loans only to the extent cash is received. Several of the debt and preferred equity investments provide for accrual of interest at specified rates, which differ from current payment terms. Interest is recognized on such loans at the accrual rate subject to management’s determination that accrued interest and outstanding principal are ultimately collectible, based on the underlying collateral and operations of the borrower. If management cannot make this determination, interest income above the current pay rate is recognized only upon actual receipt.

If we purchase a debt or preferred equity investment at a discount, intend to hold it until maturity and expect to recover the full value of the investment, we accrete the discount as an adjustment to yield over the term of the investment. If we purchase a debt or preferred equity investment at a discount with the intention of foreclosing on the collateral, we do not accrete the discount.

Reserve for Possible Credit Losses

The expense for possible credit losses in connection with debt and preferred equity investments is the charge to earnings to increase the allowance for possible credit losses to the level that we estimate to be adequate, based on Level 3 data, considering delinquencies, loss experience and collateral quality.  Other factors considered relate to geographic trends and product diversification, the size of the portfolio and current economic conditions.  Based upon these factors, we establish the provision for possible credit losses on each individual investment.  When it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts contractually due, the investment is considered impaired.

Where impairment is indicated on an investment that is held to maturity, a valuation allowance is measured based upon the excess of the recorded investment amount over the net fair value of the collateral.  Any deficiency between the carrying amount of an asset and the calculated value of the collateral is charged to expense.  We recorded loan loss reserves of $2.5 million, $2.5 million, $4.0 million and $10.0 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, on investments being held to maturity, and $1.0 million against our held for sale investment during the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively.  We also recorded approximately $1.2 million and $4.4 million in recoveries during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 in connection with the sale of investments.

Debt and preferred equity investments held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair market value using available market information obtained through consultation with dealers or other originators of such investments as well as discounted cash flow models based on Level 3 data pursuant to ASC 820-10. As circumstances change, management may conclude not to sell an investment designated as held for sale.  In such situations, the investment will be reclassified at its net carrying value to debt and preferred equity investments held to maturity.  For these reclassified investments, the difference between the current carrying value and the expected cash to be collected at maturity will be accreted into income over the remaining term of the investment.

Income Taxes

We are taxed as a REIT under Section 856(c) of the Code.  As a REIT, we generally are not subject to Federal income tax.  To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we must distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income to our stockholders and meet certain other requirements.  If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to Federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates.  We may also be subject to certain state, local and franchise taxes.  Under certain circumstances, Federal income and excise taxes may be due on our undistributed taxable income.

Pursuant to amendments to the Code that became effective January 1, 2001, we have elected, and may in the future, elect to treat certain of our existing or newly created corporate subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries, or a TRS.  In general, a TRS of ours may perform non-customary services for our tenants, hold assets that we cannot hold directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate related business.  Our TRSs’ generate income, resulting in Federal income tax liability for these entities.  Our TRSs’ recorded none and approximately $1.3 million in Federal, state and local tax provision during the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and made estimated tax payments of $0.1 million and $0.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

We follow a two-step approach for evaluating uncertain tax positions. Recognition (step one) occurs when an enterprise concludes that a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination. Measurement (step two) determines the amount of benefit that is more-likely-than-not to be realized upon settlement. Derecognition of a tax position that was previously recognized would occur when a company subsequently determines that a tax position no longer meets the more-likely-than-not threshold of being sustained. The use of a valuation allowance as a substitute for derecognition of tax positions is prohibited.

Stock-Based Employee Compensation Plans

We have a stock-based employee compensation plan, described more fully in Note 12.

The Black-Scholes option-pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable.  In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility.  Because our plan has characteristics significantly different from those of traded options and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in our opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of our employee stock options.

Compensation cost for stock options, if any, is recognized on a straight line basis over the vesting period of the award.  Our policy is to grant options with an exercise price equal to the quoted closing market price of our stock on the grant date.  Awards of stock or restricted stock are expensed as compensation over the benefit period based on the fair value of the stock on the grant date.

For share-based awards with a performance or market measure, we recognize compensation cost over the requisite service period, using the accelerated attribution expense method. The requisite service period begins on the date the Compensation Committee authorizes the award and adopts any relevant performance measures. For programs with market measures, the total estimated compensation cost is based on the fair value of the award at the applicable reporting date estimated using a binomial model. For share-based awards for which there is no pre-established performance measure, we recognize compensation cost over the service vesting period, which represents the requisite service period, on a straight-line basis. In accordance with the provisions of our share-based incentive compensation plans, we accept the return of shares of Company common stock, at the current quoted market price, from certain key employee to satisfy minimum statutory tax-withholding requirements related to shares that vested during the period.

Earnings per Share

We present both basic and diluted earnings per share, or EPS.  Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Basic EPS includes participating securities, consisting of unvested restricted stock that receive nonforfeitable dividends similar to shares of common stock. Diluted EPS 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 amount.  This also includes units of limited partnership interest. The dilutive effect of the outstanding nonvested shares of common stock (“nonvested shares”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that have not yet been granted but are contingently issuable under the share-based compensation programs is reflected in the weighted average diluted shares calculation by application of the treasury stock method at the beginning of the quarterly period in which all necessary conditions have been satisfied. The dilutive effect of stock options is reflected in the weighted average diluted outstanding shares calculation by application of the treasury stock method. There is no dilutive effect for the exchangeable senior debentures as the conversion premium will be paid in cash.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash investments, debt and preferred equity investments and accounts receivable.  We place our cash investments in excess of insured amounts with high quality financial institutions.  The collateral securing our debt and preferred equity investments is primarily located in the New York Metropolitan area. See Note 5. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our tenants and require most tenants to provide security deposits or letters of credit.  Though these security deposits and letters of credit are insufficient to meet the total value of a tenant’s lease obligation, they are a measure of good faith and a source of funds to offset the economic costs associated with lost rent and the costs associated with re-tenanting the space.  Although the properties in our real estate portfolio are primarily located in Manhattan, we also have properties located in Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Westchester County, Connecticut and New Jersey.  The tenants located in our buildings operate in various industries.  Other than one tenant who accounts for approximately 7.5% of our annualized rent, no other tenant in our portfolio accounted for more than 7.1% of our annualized rent, including our share of joint venture annualized rent at June 30, 2011. Approximately 9.6%, 6.8% and 5.6% of our annualized rent, including our share of joint venture annualized rent, was attributable to 1515 Broadway, 1185 Avenue of the Americas and One Madison Avenue, respectively, for the quarter ended June 30, 2011.  Two borrowers accounted for more than 10.0% of the revenue earned on debt and preferred equity investments during the three months ended June 30, 2011.

Reclassification

Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to our current year presentation primarily in order to eliminate discontinued operations from income from continuing operations.

Accounting Standards Updates

In July 2010, the FASB issued updated guidance on disclosures about the credit quality of financing receivables and the allowance for credit losses which will require a greater level of information disclosed about the credit quality of loans and allowance for loan losses, as well as additional information related to credit quality indicators, past due information, and information related to loans modified in trouble debt restructuring. The guidance related to disclosures of financing receivables as of the end of a reporting period is required to be adopted for interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. The financing receivables disclosures related to the activity that occurs during a reporting period are required to be adopted for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010.  In January 2011, the FASB temporarily delayed the effective date of the disclosures about troubled debt restructurings to allow the FASB the time needed to complete its deliberations on what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring. The effective date of the new disclosures about troubled debt restructurings and the guidance for determining what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring will then be coordinated. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2011. Adoption of the remaining guidance resulted in additional disclosures in our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued updated guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures, which requires disclosure of details of significant asset or liability transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 measurements within the fair value hierarchy and inclusion of gross purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the rollforward of assets and liabilities valued using Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.  The guidance also clarifies and expands existing disclosure requirements related to the disaggregation of fair value disclosures and inputs used in arriving at fair values for assets and liabilities using Level 2 and Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.  These disclosure requirements were effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009. Adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2010, excluding the Level 3 rollforward, resulted in additional disclosures in our consolidated financial statements. The gross presentation of the Level 3 rollforward is required for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued guidance on the disclosure of supplementary pro forma information for business combinations. Effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2010, the guidance specifies that if a public entity enters into business combinations that are material on an individual or aggregate basis and presents comparative financial statements, the entity must present pro forma revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance to increase the prominence of other comprehensive income in financial statements. The standard gives businesses two options for presenting other comprehensive income (OCI), which until now has typically been included within the statement of shareholder’s equity. An OCI statement can be included with the statement of income, and together the two will make a statement of total comprehensive income. Alternatively, businesses can have an OCI statement separate from the statement of income, but the two statements will have to appear consecutively within a financial report. These disclosure requirements are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption of this guidance is permitted. Adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance on a creditor’s determination of whether a restructuring will be a troubled debt restructuring, which establishes new guidelines in evaluating whether a loan modification meets the criteria of a troubled debt restructuring.  This guidance is effective as of the third quarter of 2011, applied retrospectively to the beginning of the fiscal year as required, and its adoption is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance on fair value measurement which amends U.S. GAAP to conform to IFRS measurement and disclosure requirements.  The amendments change the wording used to describe the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value, changes certain fair value measurement principles and enhances disclosure requirements.  This guidance is effective as of the first quarter of 2012, applied prospectively, and its adoption is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.