Mezzanine Loans Receivable

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Receivables [Abstract]

Mezzanine Loans Receivable

Mezzanine Loans Receivable

On July 5, 2011, we invested in a $45.0 million junior mezzanine loan indirectly secured by a portfolio of seven California shopping centers which had an aggregate appraised value of approximately $272.0 million at the time we acquired the mezzanine loan. This mezzanine loan is subordinated in right of payment to a $120.0 million mortgage loan and a $60.0 million senior mezzanine loan, matures on July 9, 2013 subject to the borrower’s ability to extend the maturity date for three additional one-year periods, and bears interest at 8.46% per annum plus one month LIBOR (subject to a 0.75% per annum LIBOR floor). At September 30, 2012, the mezzanine loan bore interest of 9.21%. We capitalized $108,000 in net fees paid relating to the acquisition of this loan and are amortizing these amounts against interest income over the initial two-year term. As of September 30, 2012, the loan was performing, and the carrying amount of the loan was $45.2 million. This carrying amount also reflects our maximum exposure to loss related to this investment. At inception, and as of September 30, 2012, we had and continue to have the ability and intention to hold this mezzanine loan to maturity.

On January 26, 2012, we invested in a $19.3 million mezzanine loan indirectly secured by a newly developed shopping center. This mezzanine financing bears interest at 10.0% and has a maturity of nine years (see Note 5 for further details). As of September 30, 2012, the loan was performing, and the carrying amount of the loan was $19.5 million. As discussed in Note 5 above, if certain events of default occur under the Third Party Loan, the JV Loan of $18.5 million will become subordinate to it. In that case, we will be obligated to purchase the JV Loan at par plus accrued interest. In addition, if the put and call options expire unexercised, the JV Loan will become subordinate to the Third Party Loan and we will be required to purchase the JV Loan at par plus accrued interest. As a result of these conditions, in the event of default, our maximum exposure to loss related to this investment includes the carrying amount of the $19.5 million mezzanine loan, the $18.5 million JV Loan we would be obligated to purchase, as well as our 30% share of any potential losses or liability incurred by the joint venture as a result of any default. At inception and as of September 30, 2012, we had and continue to have the ability to hold this mezzanine loan to maturity. While we do not intend to sell the mezzanine loan, the joint venture may acquire the shopping center and repay our mezzanine loan prior to maturity; however, we believe that we will recover our cost basis and as such we continue to classify this investment as held to maturity. In October 2012, our NYCRF joint venture submitted a purchase option notice to acquire the shopping center and we expect the Mezzanine Loan of $19.3 million to be repaid in December 2012 in connection with the joint venture's purchase of the property.